The 2016 MLS campaign resumes with LA Galaxy's big-money recruits a year older and wiser, and boosted by the arrival of three more European acquisitions in the Western Conference.
Captain Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos have been joined by Ashley Cole and Nigel de Jong, as well as Jelle Van Damme in Los Angeles, while key players Omar Gonzalez and Juninho have departed, after the Galaxy were eliminated in the knockout round of last season's MLS Cup.
Galaxy's preparations have not gone according to plan as they gear up for Sunday's showdown with Eastern Conference hopefuls DC United, crushed 4-0 by Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals second leg during the week.
"I think we're OK," said Keane. "Obviously you take away the Santos game and I certainly think that as a group everyone's ready now.
"Our season really starts now on Sunday, so we're ready as we can be.
"The pre-season has gone well and I think everybody is looking forward to the MLS season to start."
Former Liverpool skipper Gerrard, who has been surprised by the difficulty of the league, added: "It will take time. Especially for the European guys coming into a new environment, new players, new staff, new way of playing.
"That's why things in pre-season are never smooth. It's always up and down. We don't want to use that as an excuse; we want to get off to a flying start."
Last season's Supporters' Shield winners New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC - led by reigning MVP Sebastian Giovinco - will clash in the curtain-raiser.
Montreal Impact will be without Didier Drogba - who scored 11 goals last season - for their trip to Vancouver Whitecaps as they nurse the former Ivory Coast captain's knee.
