Another day has come and gone so that leaves our countdown to Columbus sitting at 4 more days. Yesterday I previewed the Western Conference, so today is my Eastern Conference preview.
MLS Season Preview: Eastern Conference
Chicago Fire
Last Year: 4th (East), 7th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the Semi Finals by New England
Lead by Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Fire will be looking for him and newly acquired Polish international Tomasz Frankowski to link up well in the attack. Add in Chris Rolfe and you have one of the league's best strike forces - on paper. Jon Busch will likely get the nod in goal with C.J. Brown and Gonazlo Segares tightening up the defense. Colombian Wilman Conde wants to go to the Red Bulls to play under Osorio, but may have to stick it out in Chicago. New manager Dennis Hamlett will be hoping for more consistency with the Chicago Fire this season. After a 3-0-1 start last season the team faltered down the road however still managed a 10-10-10 record. The Fire look to be poised for another trip to the playoffs in 2008.
Predicted Finish: 3rd (East)
Columbus Crew
Last Year: 6th (East), 9th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
The team is lead by two very influential players: captain Frankie Hejduk and Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto. They picked up former DC United player Brian Carroll from the Earthquakes and he should provide some more depth in the midfield along with US U23 star Eddie Gaven. Gino Padula, formerly of Queens Park Rangers will add some more force to the Crew's defense while Venezuelan forward Alejandro Moreno should provide a majority of the team's goals. The club will hope Nicolas Hernandez, acquired from the Rapids, can form a strong partnership with Moreno, and with Schelotto's playmaking abilities it is a definite possibility. No major acquisitions this off season could hurt the Crew.
Predicted Finish: 7th (East)
D.C. United
Last Year: 1st (East), 1st (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Chicago
D.C. lost star-blogger Bobby Boswell, starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins and former MVP Christian Gomez this off season. Luckily for United, even with these losses, they are stronger on paper than last year. Another invasion of South American signings in Gonzalo Peralta, Jose Carvalho, Gonzalo Martinez, Franco Neill and a DP signing of Marcelo Gallardo will definitely add flare to an already flourishing team. With 2007 Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio and MLS' all-time leading scorer, Jaime Moreno, the goals will not be hard to come by in the American apital. If this team plays to their potential it appears they could run away with the East.
Predicted Finish: 1st (East)
Kansas City Wizards
Last Year: 5th (East), 8th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the semi-finals by Houston
At the beginning of 2007 the Wizards seemed unbeatable. Eddie Johnson was firing on all cylinders and the team was one of the most exciting to watch in the league. Over the season the team struggled however still managed to qualify for the playoffs. Eddie Johnson left for Fulham in January, however the club have signed a suitable replacement in former Argentine international Claudio Lopez as their DP. Kevin Hartman is a proven goalkeeper while Jimmy Conrad continues to be one of the league's best defenders. A move from Arrowhead Stadium to Community America Ballpark should help the team's attendance figures however they are desperately in need of their planned Soccer Specific Stadium. The Wizards may be unpredictable this season but should still make the playoffs.
Predicted Finish: 4th (East)
New England Revolution
Last Year: 2nd (East), 4th (Overall)
Playoffs: MLS Cup Finalists
The Revs should enjoy another successful season in the northeast. Though two significant losses may hurt the team - Andy Dorman and Pat Noonan - they are still one of the league's strongest clubs. Lead by Michael Parkhurst, the Revs have further bolstered their defense by signing American international Chris Albright. Taylor Twellman will remain the go to guy up front for the Revolution while Shalrie Joseph should continue to dominate the midfield. After a series of MLS Cup slip ups is this the year? Only time will tell. They should, though, qualify for the playoffs easily at the end of the season.
Predicted Finish: 2nd (East)
New York Red Bulls
Last Year: 3rd (East), 6th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by New England
Some say the best defense is a good offense. The New York Red Bulls with certainly be hoping this is true. A superstar strike force of Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore is the league's most lethal, however the team's defense has not improved at all since last year. Claudio Reyna is healthy again, but for how long is the question. Their goalkeeping department isn't overly strong however with either Jon Conway or Zach Thornton they shouldn't struggle in the net. Last year the Red Bulls were one of the league's top teams on paper, however since the season ended it has all gone downhill for them. I think their defense will just be too leaky for them to secure a playoff spot. Juan Carlos Osorio might end up desperately looking for players.
Predicted Finish: 6th (East)
Toronto FC
Last Season: 7th (East), 13th (League)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
The Reds from the far north looked as if they were on their way to something special in their expansion year before a rash of injuries depleted the squad. Mo Johnston has not made any major signings so far and traded away arguable the team's best player in Ronnie O'Brien. The good news? With the amount of cap space and money at Johnston's disposal, TFC fans can hope for a number of quality players to come in throughout the season. Toronto are desperately in need of two wingers and an attacking midfielder and if they can get these positions filled quickly they may be able to do something this year. That is, however, a big "if".
Predicted Finish: 5th (East)
Just a quick recap of how I think things will pan out in the Eastern Conference this season:
1. D.C. United
2. New England Revolution
3. Chicago Fire
4. Kansas City Wizards
5. Toronto FC
6. New York Red Bulls
7. Columbus Crew
This ends my team by team season preview. I'm thinking about putting together a weekly power rankings which I will update after each week. Anyways, let's hope our boys are having a good final week of preparation!
MLS Season Preview: Eastern Conference
Chicago FireLast Year: 4th (East), 7th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the Semi Finals by New England
Lead by Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Fire will be looking for him and newly acquired Polish international Tomasz Frankowski to link up well in the attack. Add in Chris Rolfe and you have one of the league's best strike forces - on paper. Jon Busch will likely get the nod in goal with C.J. Brown and Gonazlo Segares tightening up the defense. Colombian Wilman Conde wants to go to the Red Bulls to play under Osorio, but may have to stick it out in Chicago. New manager Dennis Hamlett will be hoping for more consistency with the Chicago Fire this season. After a 3-0-1 start last season the team faltered down the road however still managed a 10-10-10 record. The Fire look to be poised for another trip to the playoffs in 2008.
Predicted Finish: 3rd (East)
Columbus CrewLast Year: 6th (East), 9th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
The team is lead by two very influential players: captain Frankie Hejduk and Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto. They picked up former DC United player Brian Carroll from the Earthquakes and he should provide some more depth in the midfield along with US U23 star Eddie Gaven. Gino Padula, formerly of Queens Park Rangers will add some more force to the Crew's defense while Venezuelan forward Alejandro Moreno should provide a majority of the team's goals. The club will hope Nicolas Hernandez, acquired from the Rapids, can form a strong partnership with Moreno, and with Schelotto's playmaking abilities it is a definite possibility. No major acquisitions this off season could hurt the Crew.
Predicted Finish: 7th (East)
D.C. UnitedLast Year: 1st (East), 1st (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Chicago
D.C. lost star-blogger Bobby Boswell, starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins and former MVP Christian Gomez this off season. Luckily for United, even with these losses, they are stronger on paper than last year. Another invasion of South American signings in Gonzalo Peralta, Jose Carvalho, Gonzalo Martinez, Franco Neill and a DP signing of Marcelo Gallardo will definitely add flare to an already flourishing team. With 2007 Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio and MLS' all-time leading scorer, Jaime Moreno, the goals will not be hard to come by in the American apital. If this team plays to their potential it appears they could run away with the East.
Predicted Finish: 1st (East)
Kansas City WizardsLast Year: 5th (East), 8th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the semi-finals by Houston
At the beginning of 2007 the Wizards seemed unbeatable. Eddie Johnson was firing on all cylinders and the team was one of the most exciting to watch in the league. Over the season the team struggled however still managed to qualify for the playoffs. Eddie Johnson left for Fulham in January, however the club have signed a suitable replacement in former Argentine international Claudio Lopez as their DP. Kevin Hartman is a proven goalkeeper while Jimmy Conrad continues to be one of the league's best defenders. A move from Arrowhead Stadium to Community America Ballpark should help the team's attendance figures however they are desperately in need of their planned Soccer Specific Stadium. The Wizards may be unpredictable this season but should still make the playoffs.
Predicted Finish: 4th (East)
New England RevolutionLast Year: 2nd (East), 4th (Overall)
Playoffs: MLS Cup Finalists
The Revs should enjoy another successful season in the northeast. Though two significant losses may hurt the team - Andy Dorman and Pat Noonan - they are still one of the league's strongest clubs. Lead by Michael Parkhurst, the Revs have further bolstered their defense by signing American international Chris Albright. Taylor Twellman will remain the go to guy up front for the Revolution while Shalrie Joseph should continue to dominate the midfield. After a series of MLS Cup slip ups is this the year? Only time will tell. They should, though, qualify for the playoffs easily at the end of the season.
Predicted Finish: 2nd (East)
New York Red BullsLast Year: 3rd (East), 6th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by New England
Some say the best defense is a good offense. The New York Red Bulls with certainly be hoping this is true. A superstar strike force of Juan Pablo Angel and Jozy Altidore is the league's most lethal, however the team's defense has not improved at all since last year. Claudio Reyna is healthy again, but for how long is the question. Their goalkeeping department isn't overly strong however with either Jon Conway or Zach Thornton they shouldn't struggle in the net. Last year the Red Bulls were one of the league's top teams on paper, however since the season ended it has all gone downhill for them. I think their defense will just be too leaky for them to secure a playoff spot. Juan Carlos Osorio might end up desperately looking for players.
Predicted Finish: 6th (East)
Toronto FCLast Season: 7th (East), 13th (League)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
The Reds from the far north looked as if they were on their way to something special in their expansion year before a rash of injuries depleted the squad. Mo Johnston has not made any major signings so far and traded away arguable the team's best player in Ronnie O'Brien. The good news? With the amount of cap space and money at Johnston's disposal, TFC fans can hope for a number of quality players to come in throughout the season. Toronto are desperately in need of two wingers and an attacking midfielder and if they can get these positions filled quickly they may be able to do something this year. That is, however, a big "if".
Predicted Finish: 5th (East)
Just a quick recap of how I think things will pan out in the Eastern Conference this season:
1. D.C. United
2. New England Revolution
3. Chicago Fire
4. Kansas City Wizards
5. Toronto FC
6. New York Red Bulls
7. Columbus Crew
This ends my team by team season preview. I'm thinking about putting together a weekly power rankings which I will update after each week. Anyways, let's hope our boys are having a good final week of preparation!
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