Major League Soccer kicks off its 17th season this weekend. Nineteen teams will compete for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy over the course of a 34-game regular season.

MLS will return to an unbalanced schedule for the first time in a few years. The Montreal Impact will become the league's 19th team, and LA Galaxy will hope to repeat as champions for the first time in their history. 

The 2012 season will culminate on December 1, making this MLS's longest season to date. For the first time in the cup's history, the final will not be held at a neutral site. Instead, it will be held at the stadium of the finalist with best regular season record.

In preparation for kickoff, I take a look back at the previous 16 MLS Cup champions.

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The New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas will help kick off the MLS season with a nationally-televised game on Sunday afternoon. The teams are evenly matched and will be looking to start their respective seasons with a win, so it should be a terrific way to begin the campaign.

It was a pretty uneventful offseason for FCD. They did make some additions in the likes of Carlos Rodriguez and Hernand Pertuz to help a back line that struggled with consistency last season. Otherwise most of last year's top contributors return.

The Red Bulls made a few signings during the winter, but the biggest news was Tim Ream leaving the squad to join Bolton of the English Premier League. Filling that hole will be New York's biggest concern in the early going.

Where: FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas

When: Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC Sports Network and MLS Direct Kick

Betting Odds: FC Dallas +119, New York Red Bulls +207, Draw +215

Player to Watch for Dallas: Brek Shea

While Shea might be best known for his recent appearances with the United States national team, he is coming off a solid league season as well. He scored a team-high 10 goals and added four assists in 2011, proving he's one of the league's rising stars.

The 22-year-old Texas native has been impressive during international duty. He's created a lot of scoring chances, both for himself and his teammates. Now he just needs to develop a killer instinct in front of net so those opportunities turn into goals.

He spent a portion of the offseason training with Arsenal in England. It will be interesting to see what he might have learned with the Gunners and how he'll put it to use throughout the season.

Player to Watch for New York: Thierry Henry

Henry spent a couple winter months on loan with the aforementioned Gunners. He scored several key goals for Arsenal and looked like he still belonged at the top flight English level. The superstar returns to New York hoping to build off a 15-goal season.

The Red Bulls have a lot of depth up front, so manager Hans Backe will have a little more flexibility to get the veteran some rest if need be. That said, Henry is a competitor above all else and will want to be on the pitch as often as possible.

He's probably still carrying some of that Arsenal momentum with him, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him get off to a red-hot start. FCD will need to keep an eye on him all afternoon.

Key Matchup: Kevin Hartman vs. Ryan Meara

A season's first couple games are crucial for a goalkeeper because the players in front of them are more prone to mistakes until they find their form.

It's a lesson Hartman has surely learned during his long career. He's been in the MLS since 1997 and has made almost 400 appearances over that span. Even though he's now 37 years old, the former UCLA Bruin is still one of the league's most reliable options between the pipes.

The story is almost directly opposite for Meara. The 21-year-old rookie has the inside track to make his first career start in the opener. He'll obviously be facing a lot of butterflies, so it will be vital for him to make a couple early saves to calm himself down.

What They're Saying

FCD midfielder Andrew Jacobson is looking forward to his second season with the squad, according to the team's official website:

“Just a full preseason,” Jacobson said when asked about the biggest personal difference between this year and last season.

“I came in midway through the preseason last year. Coming into preseason comfortable and knowing what’s expected of me. Being able to progress throughout the preseason with the team rather than figure out where I’m going to live, where the guys are and everything like that.”

Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty told the club website training has gone well and the team understands what needs to be done to earn all three points:

“We played a certain way against them on the road that really was effective for us. And another part of it was probably because Ferreira was out,” said McCarty.

“He’s coming off a bad injury. I think he’s probably going to be fit and ready for the opener. He changes the dynamic a little bit and we’re really working hard in training to make sure that our team shape is good, our defending is good and when we get our chances we put them away.”

Prediction

FC Dallas 1, New York Red Bulls 1

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2012: A Galaxy Space Football Odyssey. The journey begins for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy as they begin their 2012 Major League Soccer campaign on Saturday, March 10 against Jason Kreis's Real Salt Lake at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The Galaxy are coming off a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Toronto FC in CONCACAF Champions League play and will look to record their first win of the calendar year.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised locally by KDOC-TV.

The Live Blog will begin at approximately 4:45 p.m. PT/8:45 p.m. ET.

Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 Major League Soccer season.

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Major League Soccer's 17th season starts Saturday and after a busy offseason, the league now boasts a slew of new talent to add to a mix that already includes names like David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane. 

Several of the new additions figure to play big roles in how this campaign plays out, while the attitude and development of players already in the league will have a natural impact on team fortunes. 

Between the new guys, the old guys, and the guys in between, it might be a little difficult to keep up. 

To get you started, here are 10 MLS players worth keeping an eye on as the season starts. 

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Go big or go home. That’s the motto that has been going around for decades now. I figured I’d do the same with this list of prediction for the upcoming 2012 Major League Soccer campaign. 

I tried to make sure to keep them within reason, but I can say there is one—maybe two or three depending what team you root for—that are a bit far-fetched. 

Just have fun with the predictions. You never know, in a few months I might be considered a genius. Otherwise, we can forget this whole thing ever happened. 

And as always, feel free to post your own.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Toronto FC in the first leg of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, begin their MLS Cup and Supporters Shield defense on Saturday at home against Real Salt Lake.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised locally by KDOC-TV. A live blog of this match will be posted on Bleacher Report later this week.

Here are 10 bold predictions for Saturday's league home opener.

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In hindsight, it was probably a good idea for David Beckham to not jump ship and head off to Paris Saint-Germain after a solid season for the Los Angeles Galaxy, arguably the best ever in his career.

After all, his deliveries would be smothered rather easily in Ligue 1. Or they might find someone in a PSG shirt; you never know.

Beckham had an average night against Toronto FC in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, and it could have been a downright awful evening had he not set up the equalizer for Landon Donovan in the 89th minute of play.

What was perhaps the highlight of Becks' performance was the way he cleared out all those confetti streamers and beer cans in the corners. Not even an avalanche of paper and aluminum projectiles could prevent Beckham from recording at least one assist at the Rogers Centre.

After recording the assist, Beckham evened the score in more ways than one. From the the Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair:

“Tonight was a great atmosphere," Beckham told Sportsnet as the players filed off the pitch. “The majority were here to enjoy the spectacle. It’s a shame some people spoiled it. It’s disappointing kids see it … but it was a great atmosphere.”

Otherwise, it was not a remarkable effort from Beckham to start the year, but it wasn't a completely forgettable display. Right down the middle.

Perhaps the second leg against TFC will provide a much better display. Nothing too remarkable, save for the equalizer set-up.

Rating: 5/10

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy rallied from a 2-0 first-half deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw ahead of the second leg of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Toronto FC.

Mike Magee scored in the 29th minute of play, while Landon Donovan equalized in the 89th minute. The Galaxy hold the advantage on away goals, 2-0.

Here are the player ratings for the Galaxy against Toronto.

David Beckham: 5

It was probably a smart move to stay stateside and finish a long, illustrious career in Los Angeles. Beckham had his share of deliveries, but could not find anybody on the receiving end. His deliveries need some work. More on him later this week.

Landon Donovan: 6

Donovan wasn't up to full health on Wednesday night against Toronto, but he had a solid game, and was persistent in his finishing. If there is one player than is capable of delivering in the clutch for a team, it's the captain.

Robbie Keane: 5

Offsides one too many times, and the finishing leaves much to be desired. Still, Keane had a solid loan spell with Aston Villa, and LA fans can expect a much better result from the Irishman next Wednesday in Carson when paired alongside Edson Buddle.

Edson Buddle: 6.5

The work of Buddle lacks one important ingredient: a clinical finish. When he and Keane gel a little bit more, you can expect the goals to finally come. Overall, Buddle made Toronto's defense work for their draw.

Josh Saunders: 4

Very shaky on Wednesday, and the bounces on the artificial surface cannot be used as an excuse. Saunders never got into a rhythm until after he surrendered those first-half goals. Giving up early starts to opponents like Toronto is criminal, especially in an aggregate match like this.

Todd Dunivant: 1

By far, the worst player on the pitch. Easily beaten off the ball, and the blown assignment on Ryan Johnson in the 11th minute is simply unacceptable. Dunivant did not look prepared enough to put on an admirable display tonight.

Sean Franklin: 3

Still rusty with the finish, but Franklin was able to get some chances off. Otherwise, relatively quiet.

Andrew Boyens: 4

The second goal surrendered was perhaps the wake-up call Andrew Boyens needed. That's when it hit him: Boyens is not a GOAT anymore. A better second-half performance from the New Zealander.

A.J. DeLaGarza: 4

Again, relatively quiet night for DeLaGarza, but he was able to stop the bleeding in the second half.

Juninho: 4

The rust is still coming off Juninho, but he looked rather tired late and couldn't go the full 90. He created some chances, but could have created more.

Mike Magee: 5

Magee's could have been higher if he buried most of his finishes. He got one to go in, but he has to be disappointed with not finishing more off the deliveries from Beckham and Donovan. Still, an admirable effort.

Chad Barrett: NR

Michael Stephens: NR

No rating for either of these two players, since they came in late in the match.

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For the majority of the second half between Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first leg of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, it seemed as if the most unexpected of heroes would be the difference for the Reds.

However, Luis Silva's 17th minute goal failed to hold up late, and the Galaxy now lead the aggregate on away goals with a 2-2 draw at Rogers Centre at Toronto, ON.

With that said, here are six things we learned from the match.

1. LA is going to find their title defenses to be a tough nut to crack

Even though the MLS season does not start until this weekend, the Los Angeles Galaxy did not convince anybody—at least not this columnist—that they are a club that can defend their MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield. They stumbled out of the gates in front of a hostile crowd and needed all of 89 minutes to regain their form from last year.

2. The long days without Omar Gonzalez...begin

Omar Gonzalez's lack of presence on defense has made things difficult for the Galaxy back line, and it showed against a team that had an entire nation on its back. Andrew Boyens did not particularly impress, nor did he overwhelmingly disappoint, but whether or not he can be counted on to pick up the weight remains to be seen. The jury is still out.

3. The plastic pitch did its part

As a beat writer for the Galaxy, I feel rather proud to be witnessing matches on an honest surface like natural grass. So when fans watched the ball move on a surface more fit for CFL football than associated football, it was cringe-worthy with the way it cost the Galaxy some chances to break open the contest.

4. Luis Silva could be the revelation for Toronto

For young Luis Silva to score on the team he grew up watching, it has to be an honor to earn his first ever CONCACAF Champions League goal. A great finish, a fantastic delivery, and Silva was minutes away—just minutes away—from being hailed a hero in T.O.

Expect to see a little bit more from Silva this season, and then some, in MLS play.

5. The Galaxy's finishing woes continue

For a majority of the match, the Galaxy showed their preseason rust, with Edson Buddle, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan failing to make the most of their chances. Keane and Donovan have not had much time to work with Buddle, so it will be interesting to see if the chemistry will be put to work this weekend against Real Salt Lake.

6. Torontonians love their streamers

You have to give Toronto's fans credit. They made the most of what will likely be the Galaxy's only appearance at Rogers Centre for a while by hurling streamers, and even flashlights, every time David Beckham prepared a corner. The Red Patch Boys, U Section and other Toronto supporter clubs were ready for this match.

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On the eve of the 2012 MLS season, here's what we know: not much. This is a league with a reputation for throwing up the unexpected, after all, so accurately projecting how a 34-game season (plus playoffs) will unfold is like trying to keep Bobby Convey happy. It's just not going to happen. 

But you can't head into a new year without making a few predictions, and there are expectations surrounding the league that might need a second look. Conventional wisdom has spoken, but conventional wisdom gets it wrong quite often. That's especially true when things like the schedule format and officiating outlook are so drastically different from 2011.

The defending champions, L.A. Galaxy, are heavy favorites to repeat; maybe they're ripe to under-deliver. The West is still the dominant conference, but maybe there's an East team ready to step forward and steal the spotlight. Perhaps a team expected to contend will flop, or a club everyone overlooks will surprise. The list is endless. It wouldn't be exciting if it all went to plan.

In that spirit, meaning the spirit of predicting things because predicting things is fun, here are ten bold predictions for the 2012 MLS season.

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