Major League Soccer resumes Friday when champions L.A. Galaxy face Chicago Fire at the StubHub Center, although the first game of their defense is far from the only talking point surrounding the competition's restart.
With former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard set to join World Cup winners Kaka and David Villa in MLS along with two new clubs, there are plenty of things to watch out for.
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A new Galaxy
Bruce Arena's Galaxy side begins its quest to defend the MLS Cup on Friday, but will do so without one of its key figures from recent years, Landon Donovan, who retired after helping to lift the cup and later had the MVP award named after him.
While Arena will be without Donovan, last season's top scorer Robbie Keane remains available while the Irishman's former Liverpool teammate Gerrard is set to join the Galaxy in July.
Ex-England skipper Gerrard is one of a host of marquee signings joining MLS and will be tasked with helping continue the Galaxy's dominance.
New York City
Gerrard is likely to be joined in MLS by a familiar face, with Manchester City midfielder and former England teammate Lampard due to link up with New York City FC for its debut season.
Lampard was originally due to be with New York for the start of its campaign, but his form with the English champions has seen Manuel Pellegrini hang on to him until the end of the Premier League season.
The 36-year-old is set to bolster Jason Kreis' squad later this year, although New York is expected to start strong due to the signings of World Cup-winning Spaniard Villa and United States international Mix Diskerud.
Orlando City
NYCFC will not be the only newcomers in this year's MLS, with Orlando City also making its bow following the eye-catching signing of Brazilian playmaker Kaka.
The former Real Madrid and Milan midfielder will captain Orlando in its debut season, with USMNT forward Brek Shea also on board for Adrian Heath's side.
Orlando gets its first campaign up against New York on Sunday in Florida, in another landmark moment for the division.
New-look Red Bulls
Like the Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls will also look different when they get their campaign under way after high-profile departures of head coach Mike Petke and key players Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill.
Bradley Wright-Phillips remains as the club's designated player following his haul of 31 goals last season and will lead the line for Petke's replacement Jesse Marsch as the Red Bulls seek to go one step further than their conference final appearance last time out.
The return of Jozy Altidore
The USMNT favorite returns to MLS for the first time in eight years. Coming off a dismal spell with Premier League side Sunderland, he will be tasked with improving on Toronto's seventh-place finish.
Altidore replaced Jermain Defoe at BMO Field and will likely make his first competitive Toronto appearance against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Saturday.