The 2017 MLS season starts next Friday, March 3, more than a month earlier than the inaugural campaign in 1996. The 2016 MLS Cup final was played Dec, 10, about seven weeks later than the first title game. Shorter offseasons mean there's much less time to absorb and process all the comings and goings of a rapidly growing league.

Two FC Dallas centerbacks were summoned to the first U.S, camp of 2017 and after Matt Hedges departed with an injury, Walker Zimmerman played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat of Jamaica.

One swallow doesn't make a summer, but the USA delivered something impressive with its goal in a 1-0 win over Jamaica.

A long voyage to several continents has led U.S. international Greg Garza to the MLS startup operation in Atlanta, where he hopes to follow in the footsteps of former captain Carlos Bocanegra.