McCarthy - named Coach of the Season - led Usuthu to a first-ever CAF Champions League clinching second-placed finish in the league last season.
But is now predicting that even more teams will cause similar upsets this upcoming season in what he called a potential record-breaking campaign.
"This is going to be an exciting and very, very good PSL season, McCarthy said.
"It will probably be a record-breaking PSL season because you see what teams have done [in the transfer market].
"So it's going to be a much, much tighter affair, and I think more teams will cause a surprise in the league this season.
"AmaZulu will also want to be in and among the chasing pack, but Sundowns are the strongest, as they're three-time PSL winners.
"While Chiefs have also stated their claim that they're going to be pushing all the way and have brought in Stuart Baxter, an experienced and title-winning coach.
"So by the signings that you see, they will also want to push for it.
"Then I also think Orlando Pirates will always be there. They might be doing their business quietly, but Pirates will always be thereabout."
The former Cape Town City coach then named a few teams he is predicting that may surprise this season.
"I think Swallows have made some decent signings, and Cape Town City has also been big movers.
"Maritzburg is going to be one of the surprising teams, and they'll definitely not be at the wrong end of the table come this season.
"AmaZulu will also be there or thereabouts. We might not be as solid as we ended last season.
"We might be better, or we don't know. I'm just hoping that we're going to be able to work the way we worked last season to compete.
"If we do that, then we'll give ourselves every chance like any other team."
AmaZulu gets their 2021/2022 campaign under way with an MTN8 quarter-final clash against familiar foes CT City on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
