MLS preview, February 21 (plus USL transfers, NISA news & CONCACAF Champions Cup round-up, February 13-15)

Two-thirds of Canada's entrants into this year's competition were knocked out in the first round this week as Forge and Vancouver Whitecaps both lost in Mexico. Forge travelled to Zapopan more in hope than expectation and were beaten handily 2-1 by a relaxed Chivas side. The inexperience of stand-in goalkeeper goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo showed and Forge really need to sort out whatever is happening with Triston Henry soon. Still, a 2-1 defeat isn't a terrible result and they can at least content themselves with a decent consolation goal from Kaughan Tavernier, even if the shitty Chivas fans didn't show their appreciation. Vancouver went to Monterrey with everything to play for but were undone by a patient Tigres side that wore them down and scored three without reply. Canada's final entrant, Cavalry, start their campaign on Wednesday, at "home" to MLS side Orlando City on Vancouver Island.

As well as Orlando, six other MLS sides start their quest for gold this week. Philadelphia Union are away in (not that) San José against Saprissa and should be wary, given Saprissa's fellow Costa Ricans Herediano knocked out Liga MX side Toluca last week. New England Revolution travel to face Independiente in Panama, the Dominican Republic's Moca host Nashville, Cincinnati are in Jamaica to play Cavalier, and St Louis City and Houston Dynamo face-off in the Gateway City. Columbus Crew and Inter Miami have byes through to the next round.

While all that's going on, MLS kicks off the 2024 season with a random Wednesday night game in Fort Lauderdale. Bitey racist Luis Suarez is due to make his debut for Inter Miami against Real Salt Lake. The rest of the league starts at the weekend.

Although most have done their business ahead of the league starting next month, there are still some transfers dribbling through, especially in the late starters. Birmingham Legionhave added winger Dawson McCartney from Portland 2, Charleston Battery have brought in Colombian midfielder Juandavid Torres from Millonarios, while defender Delentz Pierre has joined Colorado Springs Switchbacks on loan from Real Salt Lake. El Paso Locomotive have also been in the loan market, bringing in defender Brandan Craig from Philadelphia, while an almost unrecognisable Hartford Athletic have also signed Senegalese defender Mamadou Dieng from the UAE third tier.

Given their delayed start to team-building, Las Vegas Lightshave been busy, signing midfielders Coleman Gannon and Christian Pinzon from Columbus 2 and Rio Grande Valley, respectively, and Montenegrin centre-back Emrah Klimenta from Oakland. They also added defender Joe Hafferty from Austin II, winger Joe Gyau from the Swedish top tier, Dominican international Riki Alba from Frederikstad in Norway, and goalkeeper Austin Wormell from Tulsa. A similarly rebuilding Loudoun United have brought in defender Jacob Erlandsen from Columbus 2.

Down in Miami, Jamaican utility player Andrew Booth has signed from Charleston, while New Mexico United
have added defender Talen Maples from Houston 2, and San Antonio have taken more cover for the departed Jordan farr in the shape of veteran goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh from Sporting KC II.

Not much to report in the third tier but Greenville Triumphwon the race for Monmouth College hotshot Ben Zakowski, and newcomers Spokane Velocity further added to their squad with Jamican midfielder Andre Lewis from Hartford and goalkeeper Peter Swinkels from Knoxville.

We finally have a NISA line-up for 2024! Nine sides will line up in two conferences, as four new clubs join the five survivors from last year's class of nine. Champions Flower City Union have dropped to the amateur ranks to restructure, as have Albion San Diego and Gold Star (Detroit), while Chattanooga have moved laterally (although it's more of an upward shift) to become one of two non-MLS sides in MLS Next Pro. Replacing them are Capo from San Luis Capistrano (switching over from USL League Two and going professional for the first time), Orange County rivals Irvine Zeta (switching from the UPSL), and the renamed Arizona Monsoon, previously operating as Phoenix Monsoon. They all join LA Force (who have moved to Long Beach from Irvine) in the Western Conference, with the other new team - Georgia Lions, based twnety-five miles outside of Atlanta in Conyers - lining up with Michigan Stars (Detroit), Maryland Bobcats (based northwest of Washington DC in Boyds), Savannah Clovers, and Club de Lyon in the Eastern Conference. All nine will take their place in the US Open Cup draw, when MLS can be bothered to work out what they're doing.​