2022 MLS season predictions: New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders, Philadelphia Union among favorites

With the 2022 Major League Soccer season kicking off this weekend, we surveyed USA TODAY Network's team of soccer experts for their predictions on how the new season will shake out.

Can New York City FC become the first repeat MLS Cup winner since the Los Angeles Galaxy did it in 2011-12? Which teams are the top contenders for the league championship? Which players will make a profound impact on the league's 27th season? Who will win league MVP honors? Which player will score the most goals and claim the Golden Boot?

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Here's how we see the 2022 MLS season unfolding:

Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer

• MLS Cup: Philadelphia Union over Seattle Sounders
• Eastern Conference playoff teams: Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, Orlando City, Toronto FC, Chicago Fire FC
• Western Conference playoff teams: Seattle Sounders, Nashville SC, Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, Colorado Rapids.
• Supporters’ Shield winner: Seattle Sounders.
• MVP: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
• Golden Boot: Josef Martinez, Atlanta United

Drake Hills, The Tennessean

• MLS Cup: Seattle Sounders over New England Revolution
• Eastern Conference playoff teams: Atlanta United, New England Revolution, New York City FC, Columbus Crew, Philadelphia, CF Montreal, Chicago Fire FC
• Western Conference playoff teams:  Sporting KC, Seattle Sounders, Nashville SC, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles FC
• Supporters’ Shield winner: Sporting Kansas City
• MVP:  Dániel Sallói, Sporting Kansas City
• Golden Boot: Josef Martinez, Atlanta United

Jacob Myers, The Columbus Dispatch

• MLS Cup: New England Revolution over Seattle Sounders
• Eastern Conference playoff teams: Orlando City, Atlanta United, New England Revolution, Toronto FC, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew
• Western Conference playoff teams: Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, Nashville SC, Los Angeles FC, Los Angeles Galaxy
• Supporters’ Shield winner: Seattle Sounders
• MVP: Joao Paulo, Seattle Sounders
• Golden Boot: Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle Sounders 

Emily Olsen, USA TODAY Sports+

• MLS Cup: New England Revolution over Seattle Sounders
• Eastern Conference playoff teams: Atlanta United, Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, New England Revolution, New York City FC, Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union
• Western Conference playoff teams: Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles Galaxy, Nashville SC,  Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City
• Supporters’ Shield winner: Seattle Sounders
• MVP: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
• Golden Boot: Josef Martínez, Atlanta United 

Jim Reineking, USA TODAY Sports

• MLS Cup: Seattle Sounders over Philadelphia Union
• Eastern Conference playoff teams: New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United, New York City FC, Toronto FC, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls
• Western Conference playoff teams: Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, Nashville SC, Los Angeles FC, Los Angeles Galaxy, Minnesota United
• Supporters’ Shield winner: New England Revolution
• MVP: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
• Golden Boot: Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle Sounders