MLS 2017 projected starting XIs: Western Conference

The 2017 MLS season is just around the corner, and teams are finalizing their rosters ahead of a long and trialing campaign. Barring injuries and absences, here's what the Western Conference teams might look like in 2017.

Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids need more goals, and might find them with a strike duo up top; now free of Jermaine Jones, head coach Pablo Mastroeni has a new man in the middle in Bismark Adjei-Boateng, too.

FC Dallas

Mauro Diaz is out for a while with injury, opening the door for Javier Morales to start as the No. 10 for FC Dallas; elsewhere, newcomers Roland Lamah and Cristian Colman slot into the starting XI, while a new pair of full-backs in Anibal Chala and Hernan Grana give Dallas' back four a fresh look, too.

Houston Dynamo

New Designated Players Alberth Elis and Mauro Manotas immediately figure into Wilmer Cabrera's plans, but the key question is whether Houston's new head coach can get Erick "Cubo" Torres back to his best. If Torres can replicate his form from his days with Chivas USA, the Dynamo will be better for it.

LA Galaxy

Romain Alessandrini is the new star man at LA Galaxy, and he'll be joined by a pair of newcomers in Joao Pedro and Jermaine Jones in midfield. Giovani Dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes will share attacking roles up top - assuming the latter is able to make a swift recovery from his knee injury.

Minnesota United

An expansion team like Minnesota United is bound to have a weak point or two, so this is perhaps the ideal starting XI based on the players Adrian Heath actually managed to acquire. There are a few questions - Mohammed Saeid or Collen Warner, for one, while Miguel Ibarra could become an option, too.

Portland Timbers

Sebastian Blanco is the new big name in the Portland Timbers' squad, and he'll slot into his favored right wing position with no fuss. Forgive the pun, but Caleb Porter might want to take a chance on Chance Myers ahead of Alvas Powell.

Real Salt Lake

This is the year that Justin Glad forces himself into starting contention, while new signing Albert Rusnak settles into a No. 10 role vacated when Morales parted ways with the club. Jordan Allen starts out wide, replacing Juan Manuel Martinez, while the rest of the lineup remains unchanged.

San Jose Earthquakes

There are a lot of moving pieces in San Jose; Marcos Urena could displace Danny Hoesen or Chris Wondolowski up top, Tommy Thompson, Shea Salinas, and Quincy Amarikwa can make a claim for starting spots, while Darwin Ceren is another quality option in midfield.

Seattle Sounders

It would be tempting to keep the same starting XI that won the MLS Cup last season, but the introduction of Gustav Svensson coupled with the return of Clint Dempsey opens a few more doors for Seattle; a three-man midfield with Nicolas Lodeiro as a No. 10 might be do the trick.

Sporting Kansas City

This seems to be the most straightforward lineup Peter Vermes could trot out, and yet, there's room for plenty of changes; Jimmy Medranda could play higher up, Graham Zusi could slot in at right full-back, and Seth Sinovic could figure on the left-hand side of the back four.

Vancouver Whitecaps

The acquisition of Fredy Montero finally addressed a big need up top for the Vancouver Whitecaps, but Brek Shea is the big question mark for the team; does he remain at left full-back, displacing Jordan Harvey, or up top at left wing instead of Kekuta Manneh? Keep an eye on Alphonso Davies, too.

(Lineup builder: sharemytactics.com)