The MLS season begins Saturday for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and with that in mind (as is tradition), we rounded up our writing team to ponder some questions and make some predictions about the upcoming season.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Where do you see the Vancouver Whitecaps finishing in the Western Conference this season, and if they reach the playoffs, how far will they go?

Andrew: The way things are in the Western Conference right now, I don’t think the ‘Caps have to do all that much to be a top-four team, which should be the expectation heading into this season. I think a second- or third-place finish feels about right. And while I’m hesitant to predict a return to MLS Cup, this is definitely not going to be a team anyone wants to face in the playoffs.

Caleb: I think it will be between the ‘Caps and LAFC for first in the West. At the moment, I think LA might have the edge, but if Vancouver can continue to pull off the excellent player development we saw last season and/or we see another mid-season transfer market splash, that could change. So I guess second in the...