Marquee man: The key player for all 22 MLS teams

At long last, the 2017 MLS season is nearing its big kickoff. Here, theScore picks out a key player to watch for each of the 22 teams across the two conferences.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta United

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Josef Martinez: Miguel Almiron and Hector Villalba have impressed so far, but it's Martinez, the third Designated Player on loan from Torino, who's had the best preseason. His four goals were superb: two diving headers, a rounding of the keeper, and a cool chip.

Chicago Fire

Dax McCarty: The red-topped midfielder was angered by how his New York Red Bulls stint ended and is determined to prove a point in Chicago. He joins what appears to be the start of better times for the Fire, with Nemanja Nikolic complementing David Accam in attack.

Columbus Crew

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Jonathan Mensah: Only Orlando City had a worse defense in MLS play last term, and Gregg Berhalter has sought to address that in sensational fashion. Mensah, aged just 26 but a veteran of two World Cups with Ghana, will be partnered with fellow new boy Jukka Raitala at the back.

D.C. United

Jared Jeffrey: The Texan has been handed fresh terms after a breakout season which saw him impress with his work rate and knack for retaining possession for United. With more improvement, Jeffrey can stake a claim for his first full international inclusion.

Montreal Impact

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Dominic Oduro: The Ghanaian was vital in Montreal reaching the playoffs with 14 goals and six assists and can be devastating when he stretches his legs after a long ball. He can help eke out space for the rookie term of sought-after youngster Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla.

New England Revolution

Kei Kamara: A man who needs to return to the heights of his 2015 term with Columbus. Last season's goal haul of 12 fell below his high standards, but with recruitment predominantly in defense, coach Jay Heaps is maintaining plenty of trust in the 32-year-old.

New York City FC

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Alexander Ring: Tactical overthinking from Patrick Vieira dumped New York City FC from the playoffs in 2016, so he may need an irreplaceable presence in the midfield to deter him from tinkering. Step up ex-Kaiserslautern man Ring, who has some big boots to fill after the retirements of Frank Lampard and Androni Iraola.

New York Red Bulls

Bradley Wright-Phillips: No marquee additions to 2016's Eastern Conference leaders means Wright-Phillips will again spearhead the Red Bulls' charge. Sixty-nine regular season goals in little over three seasons for the two-time Golden Boot winner.

Orlando City

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Kaka: Nearing his 35th birthday but still instrumental in Orlando City's midfield, Kaka will be central to the franchise's attempts to clinch a first-ever playoff berth. He can exert his artistry completely unburdened by defensive responsibility when Will Johnson is busying himself behind.

Philadelphia Union

Jay Simpson: A player who has struggled to live up to the hype from his days in the Arsenal academy, but one with the components to become a surprise hit in MLS. He was a tad off-color before leaving English fourth-tier side Leyton Orient this winter, but used his pace well to net 25 times in 2015-16.

Toronto FC

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Sebastian Giovinco: Who else? Toronto's diminutive Italian may be entering his last MLS season - China has been calling - but he could be set for his most prolific with assistance from natural No. 10 and newcomer Victor Vazquez in attack.

Western Conference

Colorado Rapids

Bismark Adjei-Boateng: One of the players plucked from Ghana's Right to Dream academy by Manchester City, it's time for "Nana" to impose his powerful box-to-box game in North America. At 22, the midfielder has already been a mainstay for Stromgodset in the Norwegian top tier.

FC Dallas

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Cristian Colman: With already one goal under his belt after his competitive bow for FC Dallas in the CONCACAF Champions League, much is expected of 22-year-old Colman. Don't be fooled by his six-foot height and physicality, he has a penchant for the outrageous through his athleticism and sheer cheek.

Houston Dynamo

Alberth Elis: It's been a busy offseason for the Dynamo, but the highlight of the winter business is Elis. His remarkable pace and agility could be frightening alongside Mauro Manotas in an exciting, unpredictable attack.

LA Galaxy

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Jelle Van Damme: A new era is ushered in at the Galaxy under Curt Onalfo, but a familiar intimidating figure will provide the foundations. Van Damme, 33, had a sublime first season and will continue to be quietly effective while new Designated Player Romain Alessandrini snatches the headlines.

Minnesota United

Kevin Molino: From his humble beginnings in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, Molino has now been picked up in the largest trade in MLS history. He reunites with ex-Orlando boss Adrian Heath, and will impose his all-action game in the middle of a carefully assembled XI.

Portland Timbers

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Diego Valeri: The long-running pursuit for Sebastian Blanco was mercifully completed, but Valeri will continue to be the creative fulcrum for Portland. Last season he was pivotal, fashioning 14 goals and seven assists despite the Timbers producing an otherwise-limp defense of their 2015 MLS Cup title.

Real Salt Lake

Yura Movsisyan: Re-signing Joao Plata is huge, but Jeff Cassar will be hoping Movsisyan can now kick on after last season's settling-in period while on loan from Spartak Moscow. Before Ze Luis became the focal point of Spartak's frontline, Movsisyan was a devastating hitman in Russia.

San Jose Earthquakes

Tommy Thompson: Incredibly, Thompson hasn't recorded a goal or an assist in 47 MLS appearances, but judging from his swagger during preseason, he'll soon address that aridity. At 21, it's time for the Californian to shine and help take the Earthquakes to their first postseason adventure since 2012.

Seattle Sounders

Jordan Morris: The reigning Rookie of the Year will be expected to become more indispensable up top in Seattle's charge for back-to-back MLS Cups. Clint Dempsey's clear to play after an irregular heartbeat scare, but at 33 he cannot be relied on to drag his ranks over the line with the same regularity.

Sporting Kansas City

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Dom Dwyer: Gerso Fernandes hasn't been a relentless goal-scorer in his career and may need time to acclimate, so much of the attacking emphasis will stay with Dwyer. He underwent ankle surgery in the offseason, and is fit to begin his assault on MLS backlines in the year that could see him make his international bow for the United States.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Fredy Montero: Montero was explosive for the Seattle Sounders from 2011-14, scoring 47 and laying on 34 assists. He can draw the best out of Kekuta Manneh if they're entrusted with exploiting the channels together. Montero is still just 29, and is primed to devastate defenses once more.