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New blood and old dynasties: 5 storylines to watch in 2017

LA Galaxy / Twitter

Beyond the new additions to Major League Soccer, some of North America's more established clubs have faced some degree of change.

The LA Galaxy lost several key starters and long-time manager Bruce Arena, while the New York Red Bulls traded away fan favourite Dax McCarty during an unexpected period of upheaval.

Meanwhile, Atlanta United will open its debut campaign with much fan fare.

Here are some of the biggest storylines that will unfold:

Can newcomer Atlanta make the postseason?

Even though Atlanta has played just a handful of preseason games together, there is significant hope and belief this MLS startup can become just the fourth expansion franchise to make the playoffs in an inaugural season.

Much of the credit goes to president Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra, a former United States international who helped recruit ex-Barcelona manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino and sign young, ambitious players.

Related: Can Atlanta United, Minnesota United reach MLS Cup Playoffs?

All of Atlanta's Designated Players are 23 years old and under, and are headlined by attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, a player many clubs in Europe targeted before his move to the States.

It can also count on the veteran leadership of 2007 MLS Defender of the Year Michael Parkhurst, as well as journeyman striker Kenwyne Jones. There is a nice balance to this squad, even if it doesn't have the kind of star power that New York City FC attracted for its own debut campaign in 2015.

Will LA Galaxy move on from the Arena era?

This is the closest the Galaxy have come to a real crossroads in a long time. Whether they are still among the MLS elite is now a question that needs an answer.

The departure of Steven Gerrard shouldn't affect the Galaxy, such was his lack of an impact, but the losses of routine goal-scorer Robbie Keane and experienced coach Arena could have long-lasting repercussions. Even A.J. DeLaGarza's switch to Houston has implications for LA's back line.

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Spending is down significantly, although replacements have arrived in one form or another. Well-travelled midfielder Jermaine Jones is the main man in the middle of the park, while Marseille reject Romain Alessandrini is tasked with creating plays on the flanks. And there is even more pressure on Giovani Dos Santos to score the goals Keane would have otherwise bagged.

It is up to new head coach Curt Onalfo to maintain the Galaxy's lofty position in MLS, even if they lost a little bit of their sheen.

Is Toronto FC the best in MLS?

A trip to last season's final put the rest of MLS on notice, and after a few months of reflection and tinkering, Toronto FC is on the verge of becoming the league's best.

We already know the team's strong points: Sebastian Giovinco is a compact package of skill and creativity, Jozy Altidore is a committed and tireless striker, and Michael Bradley is a general in midfield.

Greg Vanney's switch to a back three seemed to unlock the potential of his long-underachieving squad, but there was still something missing: a creative playmaker who could relieve Giovinco, Altidore, and Bradley.

TFC got the player it needed in former Barcelona man Victor Vazquez. The 30-year-old is expected to play behind the Italian and the burly American and allow Bradley to stay in a withdrawn position.

"Clubs started to sit back on us," TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko told MLSsoccer.com. "We have to have a player that can break down a defense. The player is Vazquez."

Add Chris Mavinga to a solidified defence, and Vanney now has a complete squad under his control.

Will the Red Bulls overcome a turbulent offseason?

When the Red Bulls dealt captain McCarty to the Chicago Fire, a relatively quiet offseason came to an abrupt end. A fan favourite over a five-and-a-half-year spell in New York, the 29-year-old was unceremoniously traded for a chunk of allocation money.

It was difficult to identify the immediate reasons behind the transaction. Age wasn't a huge factor, but perhaps there was a feeling in the board room to jettison McCarty before he entered the twilight of his career.

The decision to part ways with sporting director Ali Curtis also complicated the picture, and reports linking head coach Jesse March with the Red Bull Salzburg role threatened to undermine New York's season before it even began.

Sacha Kljestan is now the focal point of March's squad as team captain, and 24-year-old Sean Davis is tasked with filling McCarty's void.

A two-legged loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps ended the Red Bulls' run in the CONCACAF Champions League in what could be a precursor to the 2017 campaign.

Can Montero re-capture his old Sounders form?

Finally, the Whitecaps have a scorer they can count on.

Colombian Fredy Montero has arrived with a global pedigree, but more importantly, he is familiar with the league. He scored 47 goals in 129 regular-season appearances with the Seattle Sounders between 2009 and 2012, and enjoyed a successful three years in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon.

Montero already scored his first goal for the Whitecaps, dispatching a sharp shot against the Red Bulls in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg on Thursday night.

It appears he has the solution for Vancouver's previously blunted attack.

Struggling to hit the back of the net on a regular basis, Vancouver couldn't find a combination that worked last season. Octavio Rivero departed for Colo-Colo midway through the campaign and Giles Barnes came in his place. Barnes was shipped to Orlando City last week for Brek Shea in the club's latest attempt to revitalise the front line.

After taking a step backwards in 2016, Carl Robinson's side looks capable of challenging for the postseason again.

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