After a nearly four-month hiatus in response to the coronavirus, the MLS is back. The MLS is Back Tournament is set to take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with Orlando City S.C. and Inter Miami C.F. kicking it off Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. 

In the new tournament format, teams are divided into groups and will play three games each. The top two or three teams from each group, plus some of the best runners-up, will advance to the round of 16.

The group stage will last until July 23, followed by a single-elimination playoff, with the final on Aug. 11.

FC Dallas is already out of the tournament because of positive coronavirus tests from 10 players and a coach. Nashville SC remains in play for now, but its first tournament game on Wednesday against the Chicago Fire was postponed indefinitely. The expansion team has had five players test positive, while four more received “inconclusive results.”

With everything being said, play is likely to look a bit rusty at first. Some teams benefited immensely from the shutdown by getting healthier, while other teams had their momentum broken up. But the show must go on.

Group A (Orlando, Miami, NYCFC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nashville) | Group B (Seattle, Dallas*, Vancouver, San Jose) | Group C (Toronto, New England, Montreal, D.C.) | Group D (RSL, Sporting KC, Colorado, Minnesota) | Group E (Atlanta, Cincinnati, Red Bulls, Columbus) | Group F (LAFC, Galaxy, Houston, Portland)

*Ruled out of the MLS is Back Tournament

Inter Miami CF

At first glance: In its inaugural season, Miami’s new signings have impressed with new center-back Nicolas Figal holding down the backline and Rodolfo Pizarro showing glimpses of the magic he’s capable of doing. 

The big question: Other than Pizarro, where will Miami get its offense from? Julian Carranza looked set to take up the striker position before a foot injury sidelined him in the preseason. He should be healthy enough to play but there are questions on how much he’ll actually be able to help.

Mextranjero(s): Rodolfo Pizarro — After joining from C.F. Monterrey in February, will the Mexican international make his presence felt in the MLS and be enough to guide Miami out of the group stage?

San Jose Earthquakes

At first glance: When the Quakes are at their absolute best, watch out. Matias Almeyda’s man-marking style and their mission to keep possession keep San Jose in most games. Under Almeyda, several players have emerged as stars such as Jackson Yueill as a distributor in midfield and Cristian Espinoza racing down the wing. The ageless Chris Wondolowski is also back for his final season in the MLS.

The big question: San Jose’s man-marking style on defense requires immense energy, so will the Quakes be fit enough in the Florida heat given that they weren’t allowed to conduct full-team practices until the team landed in Orlando.

Mextranjero(s): Oswaldo Alanis — In his first game for San Jose, Alanis scored the game-tying free kick against Toronto FC to steal a point for the Quakes. We know what he brings to the table offensively, but the Earthquakes need him to be a rock in the backline if they hope to progress far in the tournament.

Carlos Fierro — Fierro joined last season but still hasn’t made his mark on the team yet. The former Chivas man needs to show Almeyda that he brought him to San Jose for a reason and not just to sit on the bench.

Sporting Kansas City

At first glance:  Kansas City finally has the striker it’s been needing for years in Alan Pulido. They also added a playmaker in Gadi Kinda. Add the new acquisitions to the mix that includes the likes of goalkeeper Tim Melia, defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, and more. Watch out for Kansas City if the team begins to click together.

The big question: Can Kansas City build chemistry on such short notice?

Mextranjero(s): Alan Pulido — Sporting Kansas City acquired Mexican striker Alan Pulido as a Designated Player on a club-record transfer fee from C.D. Guadalajara in December 2019. He scored two goals and got an assist in his first two matches for Kansas City. Will Pulido’s form continue or drop off as the tournament goes on?

LA Galaxy

At first glance: Even with the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to AC Milan, this talented Galaxy side still has attacking threats like Cristian Pavon and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. On their day, they can go toe-to-toe with the best of them. 

The big question: Defence. Questions about how well this team will defend, especially now that Jonathan dos Santos will miss the tournament, are a huge concern.

Mextranjero(s): Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez — Will Chicharito prove the doubters wrong? Galaxy still hasn’t fully integrated their new star man into their system as he only has two shots in total so far. Chicharito has to get back in the goals if Galaxy has hopes of going far in the tournament. 

Jonathan dos Santos — Dos Santos will miss the MLS is Back Tournament after undergoing hernia surgery.

LAFC

At first glance: Simply put, they’re absolutely loaded on offense, even without reigning league MVP Carlos Vela. LAFC will have to turn to the three-headed midfield monster of Mark-Anthony Kaye, Latif Blessing and Eduard Atuesta, all of which might actually get the recognition they deserve.

The big question: Who will step up in the absence of Vela? 

Mextranjero(s): Carlos Vela — Vela announced on Monday that he will forgo the MLS is Back Tournament because of risks regarding his wife’s pregnancy. The reigning MVP scored 34 goals last season.