WESTERN CONFERENCE
AUSTIN FC
2020 RECORD: Did Not Play
COACH: Josh Wolff
KEY ADDITIONS: DEF Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes), MID Ulises Segura (D.C. United), MID Cecilio Dominguez (Independiente), MID Alexander Ring (New York City FC), FWD Rodney Redes (Guarani)
KEY DEPARTURES: N/A
OUTLOOK: Austin took the ‘Atlanta approach’ to developing their side, focusing on young, explosive attacking players with tremendous upside. Both Redes and Dominguez are considered to be two of the top young players coming out of Paraguay and have played at the Youth National Team level with one another. Both Ring and Segura are excellent possession-based midfielders and should work well with their young strikers up top. While Austin will certainly have their growing pains, there is a lot to like about this side and they will not be an easy out.
PREDICTION: 11th in the West
COLORADO RAPIDS
2020 RECORD: 8-6-4, 28 Points (4th in the West, Western Conference First Round)
COACH: Robin Fraser
KEY ADDITIONS: MID Michael Barrios (FC Dallas) and MID Phillip Mayaka (MLS SuperDraft)
KEY DEPARTURES: DEF Deklan Wynne
Fraser did wonders with a Rapids side in 2020 that has spent the better part of the years in the basement. Defender Sam Vines, midfielder Cole Bassett, and forward Jonathan Lewis have found their footing with the Rapids, giving Fraser a nice young nucleus to build around. Midfielder Kellyn
