As we count down the days until the 2025 MLS season kicks off, teams are finalising their rosters ready to go for the upcoming campaign.

The Whitecaps have added Jayden Nelson and recently Emmanuel Sabbi to the attacking department, more on both of those players can be found in Caleb Wilkins’ deep dives, but losing Stuart Armstrong has arguably left the squad weaker than it was when they entered the off season.

Hopefully there is more up the Whitecaps’ sleeve, including potentially using that 3rd DP slot and/or at least one u22 initiative player. This flexibility does leave the team in a position to improve the squad and attack the season to win some silverware. However, some rival sides have added significantly to their roster in a bid to have an improved campaign in 2025.

This article will look at Canadian and Cascadian rivals to see how they are getting on ahead of the new campaign. Furthermore, there is a new MLS side in San Diego FC, so we’ll have a look at their new roster, and whether they’ll follow St Louis City and succeed in their first season in existence.

Cascadian Rivals

The Whitecaps finished bottom of a ridiculously tight Cascadia Cup last year on goal difference. The Whitecaps start with a trip to Portland this season, and with only 4 league games being played between these sides this year, every game will be more significant in determining who takes local bragging rights.

Seattle Sounders

Seattle have not had a crazy off season, but have added multiple players with years of MLS experience to continue their success after reaching the Western Conference final last year. Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferriera have joined from FC Dallas in exchange for shed loads of GAM, a 2026 draft pick, an international slot and winger Leo Chu. Centre back Kim Kee-Hee also resigns for the Sounders, having been part of the team that won MLS cup in 2019.

Frustratingly for the Sounders, Jordan Morris took up their third DP slot after reaching performance-based incentives last season. The inability to add another DP means that the Sounders have a largely older core to their team, but with De La Vega and a strong academy, the Sounders will feel they have a bright future.

If the academy players from Seattle can deliver, they may have the depth to compete for the MLS cup. However, with a CONCACAF Champions Cup run and a Leagues Cup campaign to contend with, the old heads of the Sounders may be unable to compete on all fronts and could run out of steam towards the end of the season.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers off season began after a 5-0 trashing at Providence Park at the hands of the Whitecaps in the play-in game. After being eliminated, Evander publicly criticised the Timbers front office, claiming ‘what happens off the field reflects on the field,’ and ‘Portland fans do not deserve the people who have power over this club.’

Since then, he was constantly linked with a move away from Portland. That deal has dominated the Timbers’ headlines, as clubs around the MLS had been linked with him in a new cash for player trade, before he recently departed for FC Cincinnati. David da Costa from Lens is his replacement.

In terms of actual transfers, the Timbers have introduced Kevin Kelsey to their frontline from Shakhtar Donetsk. The u22 initiative player was on loan at FC Cincinnati last season and scored 6 goals in 29 games across all competitions last season and was 15th in the MLS’s 22 under 22. He will join Ariel Lassiter who has arrived from Chicago Fire via free agency, and South American pair Joao Ortiz and Jimer Fory, who have arrived from Independiente in Ecuador and Independiente Medellin in Colombia respectively.

The overall success of Portland’s transfer window hinges on Evander’s move, and how David da Costa fits in. Evander was instrumental to Portland’s play, and losing 15 goals and 15 assists in one season is a massive blow. If the Portuguese international does not slot in perfectly straight away, that will be a huge hit to the Timbers roster, leaving them in a considerably weaker position than last year.

The Canadians

Toronto FC

Toronto FC have seen their Italian experiment backfire horribly, but the contracts of Insigne and Bernadeschi mean that they are unable to abandon it just yet.

Having not made the playoffs since 2020, Toronto have appointed Robin Fraser to try to turn them around. Fraser took the Colorado Rapids to the top of the Western Conference in 2021, and TFC will be desperately hoping his appointment is a success for them.

Theo Corbenau is the only major new signing for the Reds, who’s lack of activity in the transfer window will likely see them struggle to compete this season in a strong Eastern Conference.

Toronto play CF Montreal in the first round of the Canadian Championships (the Caps’ have a bye in that round). This is their main opportunity at success following a few seasons of mediocrity.

CF Montreal

CF Montreal endured a disappointing campaign last season, losing in the play-off round to Atlanta United on penalties. However, they have been busy in the off season.

Montreal have made more moves in the transfer market than their 401 rivals. Centreback Jalen Neal arrives from MLS Champions LA Galaxy after their roster changeover, and he joins Luca Petrasso, Dante Sealy and Brandan Craig as defensive additions.

Canadian Victor Loturi arrives from Scottish side Ross County to bolster their midfield options, along with Fabian Herbers who adds MLS experience after joining from the Chicago Fire.

In the attack, CF Montreal have largely targeted former MLS players, as they bid to strengthen after having only scored more goals than 5 teams in the Eastern Conference. Prince Owusu has signed from TFC, whilst Giacomo Veroni has arrived from New England Revolution and will occupy a DP slot. Dante Sealy will provide depth on the wing, as will u22 initiative player Hennadiy Synchuk, who arrives from Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.

Montreal returned to the play offs last year, having missed out the season before. They are clearly now trying to return to their 2022 form, where they finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference. They may also suffer from increased fixture congestion, as they are the only Canadian side participating in the Leagues Cup.

The Newcomers

San Diego

The new boys have made a splash with their first transfer window as an MLS side. Hirving Lozano and Andres Dryer have arrived as DP’s, with the wingers heading a fearsome frontline that also includes former Nottingham Forest winger Alex Mighten and Emmanuel Boateng, who adds a plethora of MLS experience.

Other significant additions include centreback Andres Reyes, whose absence from MLS cup was key to the Red Bull’s shambolic defensive start to that game, as well as Paddy McNair, who joins from the EFL. San Diego born Luca de la Torre joins on loan from Celta Vigo to add quality to their midfield, and he will be paired with MLS experienced Anibal Godoy, who will be playing in his 10th MLS season.

Head coach Mikey Varas is taking his first senior management job in professional football. His inexperience might be detrimental to the new teams hopes of a successful debut campaign, but if he gets his tactics right, the unknown will surprise a few teams, and they might mirror St Louis and storm the West.