🔮 Previewing the MLS Western Conference ahead of the 2025 season | OneFootball

The 2025 MLS gets underway in just three days, and the Western Conference remains a tough group to pick.

The Los Angeles clubs have seen key players depart, while clubs who failed to hit similar heights last season have drastically improved on and off the pitch.

Let's dig into to how things might shape up out west.

Which teams are contenders to win the Western Conference?

📸 Ryan Sun-Imagn Images

LAFC remain a contender for silverware once again. They've seen quite a bit of turnover in the playing squad, as seven players came in for the same number of departures. But Steve Cherundolo's side remain a solid group lead by talisman Denis Bouanga, and a talented defensive unit.

The LA Galaxy, on the other hand, are fresh off the back of a scintillating run to an MLS Cup triumph, though they will have a bit of a different look. Riqui Puig will miss the majority of the campaign with an ACL injury, while Dejan Joveljić was sold to conference rivals Sporting KC. Despite that, with Gabriel Pec and Joseph Painstil on the wings, they will still be a major contender.

The Seattle Sounders are an ever-present club in the conversation out west, and having added to their squad with mid to high-end MLS talent like Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola they have gained much-needed depth. If they remain a defensive force, and Pedro de la Vega can increase his impact in his second season as a Sounder, they will certainly be in the picture.

Which team is a potential dark-horse in the Western Conference?

An easy pick for a potential dark-horse in the west this season is Austin FC. The Texas club spent big in the winter window (and late summer window of 2024) to give a whole new look to their team.

The additions of Brandon Vazquez and Myrto Uzuni for two consecutive club-record fees means Austin will boast one of the most expensive front-threes in North American soccer. Those two will join summer signing Osman Bukari, who himself was a club-record transfer in the summer.

New boss Nico Estévez could be hamstrung by a midfield and defensive unit which doesn't match the glitz and glam of his attackers, but if they can strike a balance between the three parts of the lineup, they can be a force.

Honorable mention for the San Jose Earthquakes, who themselves assembled a high-quality attacking force for Bruce Arena in the winter, signing Chicho Arango and Josef Martínez among other solid moves.

Which teams are potentially in trouble in the Western Conference?

📸 Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

Major question marks surround the Vancouver Whitecaps heading into the 2025 campaign. Under new manager Jesper Sørensen, a team truly lacking star-power is going to struggle.

The Caps always had bit of fairy dust sprinkled over them by former coach Vanni Sartini, but after his surprise departure, the Cascadia club feels in limbo. To make matters worse, the organization is up for sale, leaving even more questions to be answered about investment into the squad.

Meanwhile, MLS newcomers San Diego FC will be put to the test with a weak squad from the start. Despite bringing in the likes of Chucky Lozano and Anders Dreyer, this shallow squad will be constantly strained as the season goes on. Major teething problems can be expected.