MLS 2007 Preview, Part Dos

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1) Houston Dynamo: They didn't touch a thing from last season and that was likely the right move. With a second forward finally alongside Ching in Paul Dalglish, who finally has had time to gel with the side, their bound to score even more goals, and the defense is already awesome. Even Pat Onstad wouldn't stop them too much with the way Zach Wells has been playing. De Rosario has to be the best player in MLS as well, and will likely keep things business as usual and bring the Dynamo the Western Conference title.

2) Los Angeles Galaxy: I hate doing this. I never want to say the Galaxy are good. Ever. But they are. Finally they have a forward (Nate Jaqua), finally Landon is playing well (and he seems to score goals somehow even when he isn't), and finally Kyle Martino should be impressive as a playmaker until the arrival of that guy named Beckham. The defense is definitely good, and the goalkeeping took another step up with Joe Cannon, one of only 2.5 difference keepers I feel are in the league (the others being Matt Reis and half of Pat Onstad). Beckham coming will simply put this team over the top and certainly make them challenge the Dynamo for the West crown.

3) FC Dallas: I know this spot isn't very widely agreed to, but I feel like Kenny Cooper and Carlos Ruiz can bring FCD wherever they want to go. Mulrooney and Ronnie O leaving isn't helpful, but I think they can counter that. Have faith in Nunez, Saragosa (though boring, a good controlling midfielder), Arturo Alvarez, and some guy named Toja. I will. The defense, as usual, could potentially be a carousel, but the guys are all solid. The goalkeeper question will make things more interesting at the back. Good, but not great, for FCD this year.

4) Colorado Rapids: New look, new park=lots of excitement surrounding the squad, and that in itself actually adds points to the record in my opinion. Herculez Gomez will fit in nicely with Nico and give the Rapids a few more goals than last year. The additions of Vanney, Prideaux, and Ihemelu make this defensive line look outstanding, but the question will certainly be at goalkeeper. Losing Joe Cannon is never a good thing . . . The midfield is a big question mark, but getting Jose Cancela consistent playing time can definitely mean good things for the Rapids. I feel like they definitely have better fronts and backs, but left out the middles, which will be hard to fix.

5) Real Salt Lake: 3 words: Freddy. Adu. Unleashed. Now the focal point of an offense, he has free reign to take over some games, and that he will. An actual playmaker on RSL should work out well with the more defensive stylings of an impressive Mehdi Ballouchy. Shoutout to my UConn brethren Willis Forko who looks to have earned a starting role this season, but major question marks are found all over the field. How will Kreis do as a midfielder? How can Eddie Pope possibly play well for another year? Daniel Torres? Jack Stewart? Carey Talley? We'll see . . . Hopefully Chris Seitz gets to show his stuff in net, but this team will certainly take some beatings sometimes, and Freddy will certainly terrorize some people at others.

6) CD Chivas USA: I picked them to finish last without thinking, then considered it more and thought they'd be better, and then considered the defense and put 'em right back at six. Still no solidified goaltender (it should be Guzan), no real impressive defenders (Bornstein plays offense), and Jesse Marsch can only do so much to save them. Sure, Amado Guevara, Sacha Klejstan, Francisco Mendoza, and Ante Razov will combine for some goals, but they're going to give up a TON on the other end. Good luck to Preki with this team . . .


PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Top 2 from each conference: DC, Chicago, Houston, LA
Next 4: FCD, Revs, Rapids, Toronto FC

DC over TFC, Houston over Colorado, Revs over Chicago, LA waaaaay over FCD

DC over Revs, LA over Houston

DC over LA


AWARDS PREDICTIONS:

MVP: If RSL makes the playoffs, I seriously believe Freddy has a chance of getting MVP. However, they won't be. Christian Gomez again please.

Golden Boot: There are so many good forwards this year! I like Conor Casey as the surprise pick, but Taylor Twellman will be healthy and pile 'em up this year.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Joe Cannon, LAG. The MLS proved it'll take wins for this award last year by picking Perkins over Reis, and Cannon will get plenty, with a lot of heroics at the beginning as well probably.

Defender of the Year: I'd like to say let's give it to Jim Curtin because I believe he's very undervalued, but he's very undervalued and hence won't get the attention. I'd also like to say Michael Parkhurst as long as he doesn't miss many games, but who knows how much injuries will affect him. Eddie Robinson gets it this year.

Rookie of the Year: Adam Cristman. He's got a leg up on the competition since he's getting playing time right off the bat. The man will score goals and push Noonan back into midfield.

Coach of the Year: Mo Johnston for getting TFC in the playoffs and assembling one heck of a strike force.

Supporters' Shield: DC United. Easy.


CRAZY PREDICTIONS:

Best Jersies: TFC beats Colorado, especially for getting a sponsor on there and making it look good. Why didn't LA change their colors yet? I like the yellow and green, but it got me all excited. I still love the Hoops as well . . .

US National Team Coach When All Is Said and Done: Bob Bradley, sadly. I wanted Klinnsman. I know Bradley is doing well, but it's just not as much fun.

English National Team Coach When All Is Said and Done: Steve McClaren. They'll make EURO!!! JEEZ!!! English fans are so ridiculously obnoxious!!!

Biggest Jerk: I agree with Tino Palace on this one and it easily goes to Blanco. He's a thug. I can't wait until Jay Heaps and fellow no-nonsense defenders lay him out.

Beckham Goals and Assists: 5 Goals, 8 Assists.

Freddy Goals and Assists: 8 goals, 10 Assists.


PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DC: Erpen - the only guy who may not be able to do his job.

Chicago: Thiago - break out or bench?

Revs: Taylor Twellman - he's baaaaaaack . . . I hope.

TFC: Conor Casey - he's going to be scary impressive.

RBNY: ________ - that other forward . . .

Columbus: Andy Herron - hoping to really turn around a team that couldn't score goals. Add Jacob Thomas here too.

KC: Scott Sealy - hopefully getting plenty of playing time, and hopefully making good use of it.

Houston: Paul Dalglish - makes a huuuuge difference from last year adding in another guy who can score goals.

LAG: Duh. Nate Jaqua - obviously. A real forward will definitely help the Galaxy, if he heads home all of Beckham's crosses.

FCD: Nunez/Toja/Alvarez - the midfield will need to help, and who knows if it will.

Rapids: Bouna Coundoul - the goalkeeper for the Rapids, or at least he better be because Zach Thornton implies losing lots of games.

RSL: Freddy - definitely.

Chivas: They're bad. That's all there is to it. I'll say Guevara, but I don't completely buy it. He could possibly turn things around.


WEEKEND PREDICTIONS:

DC 3 - 1 Rapids

FCD 2 - 1 RSL

RBNY 1 - 2 Columbus

Revs 1 - 2 Chicago

TFC 3 - 1 Chivas

LAG 2 - 3 Houston


Enjoy 2007 everyone!