Well guys, the wait is almost over. Only five days until we raid Columbus. With First Kick just around the corner, I wanted to offer my edition of a "Season Preview," so, here it is!
MLS Season Preview: Western Conference
C.D. Chivas USA
Last Year: 1st (West), 2nd (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Kansas City
Preki's first season in charge of the Goats proved to be a very successful one. Maykel Galindo, a Cuban inernational, rose to stardom in MLS scoring 12 goals. Keeper Brad Guzan was given goalkeeper of the year honours while Preki took home the award for coach of the year. What can we expect this year? Much of the same. The side hasn't made any real significant transfers aside from bringing in former TFC favourite Alecko Eskandarian. Moreover, still with Chivas this year are Claudio Suarez, Brad Guzan, Maykel Galindo, Ante Razov, Sasha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein. Not a bad core if you ask me. Winning the West will be a difficult task again this year and Chivas will need to be firing on all cylinders to regain their title.
Predicted Finish: 2nd (West)
Colorado Rapids
Last Year: 4th (West), 10th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
After a roller coaster season last year for the Rapids, a definite improvement has been made in the team's attack in the form of Christian Gomez. The former league MVP comes over from DC United. Hercules Gomez should continue to lead the strike force and the other Gomez will be a valuable asset in helping his cause. Terry Cooke is one of the league's most effective wingers and should have no problem linking up with either of the Gomez's. Add in USMNT member Pablo Mastroeni and you have a pretty strong midfield. Bouna Condoul should continue his fine play in goal for the Rapids after seeing action for the Senegalese national team at the African Cup of Nations. With their nice new stadium, new logo, new kits, and new star midfielder, the playoffs should be within the Rapids' reach in 2008.
Predicted Finish: 4th (West)
FC Dallas
Last Year: 3rd (West), 5th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Houston
FC Dallas will compete again quite well this year in the west. They have several unproven players who will need to step up - especially with the departure of striker Carlos Ruiz. Adding Mexican international Duilio Davino definitely shores up the backline while the club should also have a healthy Adrian Serioux for a full season this term. Look for Juan Toja to continue his fine form from last season in the midfield while Kenny Cooper will spearhead the Hoops' attack. I have a feeling they will compete with the Colorado Rapids this season for the final playoff spot in the West.
Predicted Finish: 5th (West)
Houston Dynamo
Last Year: 2nd (West), 3rd (Overall)
Playoffs: MLS Cup Champions
The Dynamo will look to Canadian international Dwayne DeRosario to be up to his old tricks again. As well, with a fit and in form Brian Ching the team's offense looks like it could be firing on all cylinders. Could a lack of depth up front be an issue for Houston? Potentially. The losses of Ngwenya, Jaqua, and Dalgleish could hurt them in the end. They have brought in Bobby Boswell to help shore up an already solid back line. At midfield, the team is absolutely stacked with talent: Mulrooney, Clark, Mullen, Davis, Holden, and the afformentioned DeRosario. I think this team will win the West, however might fall short in the playoffs. It will interesting to see how the Dynamo do in their quest for a third straight MLS Cup Championship.
Predicted Finish: 1st (West)
Los Angeles Galaxy
Last Year: 5th (West), 11th (MLS)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
It's do or die for Alexei Lalas and his Galaxy. The "Chelsea" of Major League Soccer is looking forward to an exciting year with a healthy (finally) David Beckham. They've brought in a truly world class coach in Ruud Gullit and have signed Carlos Ruiz for a second spell with the club. The triangle of Beckham-Donovan-Ruiz has the potential to be lethal this year. A lot remains to be asked about the team's defense, however. A "nobody" in goal could be a downfall for the team while Abel Xavier and Ante Jazic will be relied on to lead the back line. Losing Chris Albright could hurt the team in the long run as Gullit may be searching for defenders in the first few weeks of the season. Can money buy you success? Only time will tell. If the Galaxy choke again this year, however, Mr. Lalas may be collecting unemployment. That said, the potential is definitely there for this Galaxy side.
Predicted Finish: 3rd (West)
Real Salt Lake
Last Year: 6th (West), 12th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Is this the year that RSL finally get off the bottom of the Western Conference? With an expansion side in San Jose, and having made some potentially significant signings, I think they might just do it! Freddy Adu is of course gone for good. Kenny Deuchar, brought in from Gretna in Scotland, could form a formidable strike partner with Robbie Findlay. Add in the hard-nosed Dema Kovalenko in the midfield and RSL have some more to build upon. Acquired last season, Kyle Beckerman will remain the main man for Salt Lake. With a new stadium under construction, Real Salt Lake can at least say they are headed in the right direction.
Predicted Finish: 6th (West)
San Jose Earthquakes
Last Year: N/A
Playoffs: N/A
Rejoining MLS this year is the San Jose Earthquakes, coached by Frank Yallop. The Quakes have a proven goalkeeper in Joe Cannon as well as reliable players such as Ryan Cochrane, Ronnie O'Brien and Nick Garcia. The club had a very impressive showing at the Carolina Challenge Cup, winning the tournament and beating fellow MLS sides Toronto FC (1-0) and the New York Red Bulls (3-0). Unfortunately for San Jose, they are lacking depth - badly. If one player on this team goes down, the rest will seemingly follow. They may surprise, or they may bomb. My money is on the latter.
Predicted Finish: 7th (West)
Well there you have it. My Western Conference Preview. To recap, I am predicting that in October the standings in the West will look like:
1. Houston Dynamo
2. Chivas USA
3. Los Angeles Galaxy
4. Colorado Rapids
5. FC Dallas
6. Real Salt Lake
7. San Jose Earthquakes
Thanks for reading. I hope to have my Eastern Conference Preview up tomorrow.
MLS Season Preview: Western Conference
C.D. Chivas USALast Year: 1st (West), 2nd (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Kansas City
Preki's first season in charge of the Goats proved to be a very successful one. Maykel Galindo, a Cuban inernational, rose to stardom in MLS scoring 12 goals. Keeper Brad Guzan was given goalkeeper of the year honours while Preki took home the award for coach of the year. What can we expect this year? Much of the same. The side hasn't made any real significant transfers aside from bringing in former TFC favourite Alecko Eskandarian. Moreover, still with Chivas this year are Claudio Suarez, Brad Guzan, Maykel Galindo, Ante Razov, Sasha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein. Not a bad core if you ask me. Winning the West will be a difficult task again this year and Chivas will need to be firing on all cylinders to regain their title.
Predicted Finish: 2nd (West)
Colorado RapidsLast Year: 4th (West), 10th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
After a roller coaster season last year for the Rapids, a definite improvement has been made in the team's attack in the form of Christian Gomez. The former league MVP comes over from DC United. Hercules Gomez should continue to lead the strike force and the other Gomez will be a valuable asset in helping his cause. Terry Cooke is one of the league's most effective wingers and should have no problem linking up with either of the Gomez's. Add in USMNT member Pablo Mastroeni and you have a pretty strong midfield. Bouna Condoul should continue his fine play in goal for the Rapids after seeing action for the Senegalese national team at the African Cup of Nations. With their nice new stadium, new logo, new kits, and new star midfielder, the playoffs should be within the Rapids' reach in 2008.
Predicted Finish: 4th (West)
FC DallasLast Year: 3rd (West), 5th (Overall)
Playoffs: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Houston
FC Dallas will compete again quite well this year in the west. They have several unproven players who will need to step up - especially with the departure of striker Carlos Ruiz. Adding Mexican international Duilio Davino definitely shores up the backline while the club should also have a healthy Adrian Serioux for a full season this term. Look for Juan Toja to continue his fine form from last season in the midfield while Kenny Cooper will spearhead the Hoops' attack. I have a feeling they will compete with the Colorado Rapids this season for the final playoff spot in the West.
Predicted Finish: 5th (West)
Houston DynamoLast Year: 2nd (West), 3rd (Overall)
Playoffs: MLS Cup Champions
The Dynamo will look to Canadian international Dwayne DeRosario to be up to his old tricks again. As well, with a fit and in form Brian Ching the team's offense looks like it could be firing on all cylinders. Could a lack of depth up front be an issue for Houston? Potentially. The losses of Ngwenya, Jaqua, and Dalgleish could hurt them in the end. They have brought in Bobby Boswell to help shore up an already solid back line. At midfield, the team is absolutely stacked with talent: Mulrooney, Clark, Mullen, Davis, Holden, and the afformentioned DeRosario. I think this team will win the West, however might fall short in the playoffs. It will interesting to see how the Dynamo do in their quest for a third straight MLS Cup Championship.
Predicted Finish: 1st (West)
Los Angeles GalaxyLast Year: 5th (West), 11th (MLS)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
It's do or die for Alexei Lalas and his Galaxy. The "Chelsea" of Major League Soccer is looking forward to an exciting year with a healthy (finally) David Beckham. They've brought in a truly world class coach in Ruud Gullit and have signed Carlos Ruiz for a second spell with the club. The triangle of Beckham-Donovan-Ruiz has the potential to be lethal this year. A lot remains to be asked about the team's defense, however. A "nobody" in goal could be a downfall for the team while Abel Xavier and Ante Jazic will be relied on to lead the back line. Losing Chris Albright could hurt the team in the long run as Gullit may be searching for defenders in the first few weeks of the season. Can money buy you success? Only time will tell. If the Galaxy choke again this year, however, Mr. Lalas may be collecting unemployment. That said, the potential is definitely there for this Galaxy side.
Predicted Finish: 3rd (West)
Real Salt LakeLast Year: 6th (West), 12th (Overall)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Is this the year that RSL finally get off the bottom of the Western Conference? With an expansion side in San Jose, and having made some potentially significant signings, I think they might just do it! Freddy Adu is of course gone for good. Kenny Deuchar, brought in from Gretna in Scotland, could form a formidable strike partner with Robbie Findlay. Add in the hard-nosed Dema Kovalenko in the midfield and RSL have some more to build upon. Acquired last season, Kyle Beckerman will remain the main man for Salt Lake. With a new stadium under construction, Real Salt Lake can at least say they are headed in the right direction.
Predicted Finish: 6th (West)
San Jose EarthquakesLast Year: N/A
Playoffs: N/A
Rejoining MLS this year is the San Jose Earthquakes, coached by Frank Yallop. The Quakes have a proven goalkeeper in Joe Cannon as well as reliable players such as Ryan Cochrane, Ronnie O'Brien and Nick Garcia. The club had a very impressive showing at the Carolina Challenge Cup, winning the tournament and beating fellow MLS sides Toronto FC (1-0) and the New York Red Bulls (3-0). Unfortunately for San Jose, they are lacking depth - badly. If one player on this team goes down, the rest will seemingly follow. They may surprise, or they may bomb. My money is on the latter.
Predicted Finish: 7th (West)
Well there you have it. My Western Conference Preview. To recap, I am predicting that in October the standings in the West will look like:
1. Houston Dynamo
2. Chivas USA
3. Los Angeles Galaxy
4. Colorado Rapids
5. FC Dallas
6. Real Salt Lake
7. San Jose Earthquakes
Thanks for reading. I hope to have my Eastern Conference Preview up tomorrow.
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