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!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Revolution open season against the Fire April 7th
from MLSNET.com
The New England Revolution opens the 2007 Major League Soccer season against one of its biggest rivals, the Chicago Fire, this Saturday, April 7, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
Coach Steve Nicol and his team are coming off yet another successful season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference table in 2006, with a 12-8-12 record and 48 points in the regular season. The Revs won their third Eastern Conference Championship in their fifth straight appearance in the conference final. The Revs also made their third appearance in the MLS Cup, finishing as runners-up for the second year in a row.
Chicago finished 2006 in third place in the East, just one point below the Revs, with a 13-11-8 record and 47 points. Matched against each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the teams needed two 15-minute extra-time periods and penalty kicks to decide a series champion, as the Revs topped the Fire, 4-2 in kicks to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.
After Chicago midfielder Justin Mapp put Chicago ahead, 1-0, on aggregate in Game 1 of the series with his 35th-minute free-kick goal at Toyota Park on Oct. 22, former Fire forward Nate Jaqua pushed Chicago’s advantage to two goals in the 18th minute of Game 2 at Gillette Stadium six days later.
However, Revs All-Star forward Taylor Twellman struck back in the 41st minute with a goal to cut Chicago’s aggregate lead to one goal, and Pat Noonan leveled series at two goals apiece in the 58th minute. The teams played two scoreless extra-time sessions, sending the series to penalty kicks.
Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis stopped Thiago’s first penalty kick for Chicago before former Revs midfielder José Cancela put New England ahead, 1-0. Leading 3-2 in kicks, Reis then saved Ivan Guerrero’s kick, allowing Twellman to step up and score the series-winning penalty kick in front of the Revs’ faithful fans.
New England’s series victory marked the third time since 2002 that the Revs had eliminated Chicago from the postseason, following 2002’s win in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and 2005’s victory in the Eastern Conference Championship. The Fire ended the Revolution’s season in 2003, winning the Eastern Conference Final in overtime at Soldier Field.
Throughout the course of the rivalry, the Revs and Fire have been closely matched. New England holds the edge in the all-time series, finishing the 2006 season with a 12-10-6 in regular season matches and a 17-17-6 record in all-time competitions, including the MLS Cup Playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup.
In 2006, Chicago won the season series, going 2-1-1 against the Revs in MLS regular-season games. The Fire’s victories both came at Gillette Stadium, a pair of one-goal wins on April 30 (2-1 on New England’s home opener) and August 20 (1-0). Conversely, the Revolution spoiled Chicago’s first-ever game at its new soccer-specific home, Toyota Park, with a 3-3 come-from-behind draw in stoppage time after the Fire held a 3-1 lead in the 91st minute. In the second meeting, goals by Steve Ralston and Andy Dorman propelled the Revs to a 2-1 victory.
The Revs had an up-and-down season in 2006, suffering a string of injuries to regular starters and losing two key players for almost two months because of the World Cup. New England opened the season with a 4-4-6 record during the first three months of the year, but closed out the season undefeated in the final seven regular-season games, going 5-0-2.
The Revs have seemingly ridden their late-season success into the new 2007 campaign, completing their six-game preseason schedule with a 6-0-0 record and having outscored their opponents by a combined 21-3.
Rookie forward Adam Cristman led the Revs in scoring during the preseason, despite missing two games while training and playing with the U.S. Under-23 Team. A fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia, Cristman scored five goals and tallying four assists to lead all Revs players.
Perennial MLS All-Star and former league MVP Taylor Twellman, too, got his share of excitement in the preseason. He scored four goals in a 7-0 victory against Inter Playa del Carmen of Mexico’s Segunda Division while the team was in Cancun, Mexico. He was also called into U.S. National Team camp in advance of its pair of March friendlies.
In addition to Cristman, the Revs have brought in what promises to be a successful class of rookies this year, including Wells Thompson, Amaechi Igwe and Ryan Solle. Solle joined Cristman with the U.S. Under-23 Team in February, and Igwe has twice been called into camp with the U.S. Under-20 Team.
Known for his keen eye for young talent and his draft-day acumen, Nicol is impressed with the rookies’ early performances, as well. Each has been working hard to earn a on the 18-man squad that will travel to face the Fire this weekend.
"So far we’ve been very pleased with them," Nicol said. "In the preseason they’ve done very well, but in the preseason it’s a different ball game than when it comes to the real game, the league games. But again, we’re optimistic that they’ll carry on with what they’ve done."
Historically, Twellman has been known to be successful against Chicago, posting 11 goals and five assists in 19 games against the Fire. Ralston, too, has had success against the "Men In Red," posting five goals and seven assists in 28 games throughout his career against the team.
In the offseason, the Fire lost several key players from their 2006 squad, including forwards Andy Herron and Nate Jaqua who together scored 17 goals for the team last year. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton was traded to the Rapids for a conditional pick in the 2008 Supplemental Draft. Thornton posted seven shutouts and added a 1.25 goals against average for the Fire in 2006. Chicago will rely heavily on veterans Chris Rolfe, Thiago and Chad Barrett to push them through the season. Additionally, Matt Pickens emerged as the team’s number one option in net for the Fire, backing the team to the 2006 U.S. Open Cup title after Thornton was forced to miss time with an injury.
Reis - who trained with Pickens and Mapp at U.S. National Team camps in January and February - noted that, even though the Fire has seen some roster changes, the game will still be tough.
"Each season is a new season," Reis said. "They’ve added a few new players and have gotten rid of a few players so it’s going to be a different look for them. But, whenever you go to Chicago it’s going to be a tough game. I’m sure with the end of the season last year, it’s definitely in the back of their mind. It’s just important for us to get out and get back to a good start."
This year the Revs open the season with a road heavy schedule, traveling six of their first eight games. New England’s home opener is a doubleheader on Saturday, April 14, against new MLS expansion club Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on TV38. Before the match the US Women’s National Team will face the Mexican Women’s National Team at 5 p.m.
For ticket information and to learn how you can get in on the action call 1-877-GET-REVS
The New England Revolution opens the 2007 Major League Soccer season against one of its biggest rivals, the Chicago Fire, this Saturday, April 7, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
Coach Steve Nicol and his team are coming off yet another successful season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference table in 2006, with a 12-8-12 record and 48 points in the regular season. The Revs won their third Eastern Conference Championship in their fifth straight appearance in the conference final. The Revs also made their third appearance in the MLS Cup, finishing as runners-up for the second year in a row.
Chicago finished 2006 in third place in the East, just one point below the Revs, with a 13-11-8 record and 47 points. Matched against each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the teams needed two 15-minute extra-time periods and penalty kicks to decide a series champion, as the Revs topped the Fire, 4-2 in kicks to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.
After Chicago midfielder Justin Mapp put Chicago ahead, 1-0, on aggregate in Game 1 of the series with his 35th-minute free-kick goal at Toyota Park on Oct. 22, former Fire forward Nate Jaqua pushed Chicago’s advantage to two goals in the 18th minute of Game 2 at Gillette Stadium six days later.
However, Revs All-Star forward Taylor Twellman struck back in the 41st minute with a goal to cut Chicago’s aggregate lead to one goal, and Pat Noonan leveled series at two goals apiece in the 58th minute. The teams played two scoreless extra-time sessions, sending the series to penalty kicks.
Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis stopped Thiago’s first penalty kick for Chicago before former Revs midfielder José Cancela put New England ahead, 1-0. Leading 3-2 in kicks, Reis then saved Ivan Guerrero’s kick, allowing Twellman to step up and score the series-winning penalty kick in front of the Revs’ faithful fans.
New England’s series victory marked the third time since 2002 that the Revs had eliminated Chicago from the postseason, following 2002’s win in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and 2005’s victory in the Eastern Conference Championship. The Fire ended the Revolution’s season in 2003, winning the Eastern Conference Final in overtime at Soldier Field.
Throughout the course of the rivalry, the Revs and Fire have been closely matched. New England holds the edge in the all-time series, finishing the 2006 season with a 12-10-6 in regular season matches and a 17-17-6 record in all-time competitions, including the MLS Cup Playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup.
In 2006, Chicago won the season series, going 2-1-1 against the Revs in MLS regular-season games. The Fire’s victories both came at Gillette Stadium, a pair of one-goal wins on April 30 (2-1 on New England’s home opener) and August 20 (1-0). Conversely, the Revolution spoiled Chicago’s first-ever game at its new soccer-specific home, Toyota Park, with a 3-3 come-from-behind draw in stoppage time after the Fire held a 3-1 lead in the 91st minute. In the second meeting, goals by Steve Ralston and Andy Dorman propelled the Revs to a 2-1 victory.
The Revs had an up-and-down season in 2006, suffering a string of injuries to regular starters and losing two key players for almost two months because of the World Cup. New England opened the season with a 4-4-6 record during the first three months of the year, but closed out the season undefeated in the final seven regular-season games, going 5-0-2.
The Revs have seemingly ridden their late-season success into the new 2007 campaign, completing their six-game preseason schedule with a 6-0-0 record and having outscored their opponents by a combined 21-3.
Rookie forward Adam Cristman led the Revs in scoring during the preseason, despite missing two games while training and playing with the U.S. Under-23 Team. A fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia, Cristman scored five goals and tallying four assists to lead all Revs players.
Perennial MLS All-Star and former league MVP Taylor Twellman, too, got his share of excitement in the preseason. He scored four goals in a 7-0 victory against Inter Playa del Carmen of Mexico’s Segunda Division while the team was in Cancun, Mexico. He was also called into U.S. National Team camp in advance of its pair of March friendlies.
In addition to Cristman, the Revs have brought in what promises to be a successful class of rookies this year, including Wells Thompson, Amaechi Igwe and Ryan Solle. Solle joined Cristman with the U.S. Under-23 Team in February, and Igwe has twice been called into camp with the U.S. Under-20 Team.
Known for his keen eye for young talent and his draft-day acumen, Nicol is impressed with the rookies’ early performances, as well. Each has been working hard to earn a on the 18-man squad that will travel to face the Fire this weekend.
"So far we’ve been very pleased with them," Nicol said. "In the preseason they’ve done very well, but in the preseason it’s a different ball game than when it comes to the real game, the league games. But again, we’re optimistic that they’ll carry on with what they’ve done."
Historically, Twellman has been known to be successful against Chicago, posting 11 goals and five assists in 19 games against the Fire. Ralston, too, has had success against the "Men In Red," posting five goals and seven assists in 28 games throughout his career against the team.
In the offseason, the Fire lost several key players from their 2006 squad, including forwards Andy Herron and Nate Jaqua who together scored 17 goals for the team last year. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton was traded to the Rapids for a conditional pick in the 2008 Supplemental Draft. Thornton posted seven shutouts and added a 1.25 goals against average for the Fire in 2006. Chicago will rely heavily on veterans Chris Rolfe, Thiago and Chad Barrett to push them through the season. Additionally, Matt Pickens emerged as the team’s number one option in net for the Fire, backing the team to the 2006 U.S. Open Cup title after Thornton was forced to miss time with an injury.
Reis - who trained with Pickens and Mapp at U.S. National Team camps in January and February - noted that, even though the Fire has seen some roster changes, the game will still be tough.
"Each season is a new season," Reis said. "They’ve added a few new players and have gotten rid of a few players so it’s going to be a different look for them. But, whenever you go to Chicago it’s going to be a tough game. I’m sure with the end of the season last year, it’s definitely in the back of their mind. It’s just important for us to get out and get back to a good start."
This year the Revs open the season with a road heavy schedule, traveling six of their first eight games. New England’s home opener is a doubleheader on Saturday, April 14, against new MLS expansion club Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on TV38. Before the match the US Women’s National Team will face the Mexican Women’s National Team at 5 p.m.
For ticket information and to learn how you can get in on the action call 1-877-GET-REVS
Reis Resigns
All-Star goalkeeper and U.S. National Team member Matt Reis has resigned with Major League Soccer to remain with the New England Revolution, the team announced today. Per MLS and team policies, terms of the deal were not released.
Reis, who has played more games in goal (92) than any other Revolution goalkeeper, holds nearly every career club goalkeeping record, including goals against average (1.22), wins (36), saves (365), shutouts (23) and saves percentage (72.9).
During a career season in 2006 in which he set new personal bests in goals against average (1.09) and saves (141), Reis also led the league in shutouts with 10.
"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to keep Matt with the Revs," Revolution Director of Soccer Mike Burns said. "Matt has established himself as one of America's top goalkeepers and he's been a tremendous part of the success we've had as a team the last several years. We're looking forward to him continuing to play an important role in helping us meet our goal of winning MLS Cup."
Entering the 2007 season, Reis ranks among the top 10 in several MLS career goalkeeping categories, including games played (seventh - 131), games started (seventh - 126), minutes played (seventh - 11,476), goals against average (fifth - 1.27), wins (10th - 53), saves (ninth - 490) and shutouts (tied for seventh - 32).
Reis, 32, is a member of the U.S. National Team and has earned two caps and is 2-0-0 with one shutout. He made his first international appearance for the USMNT on Jan. 22, 2006, and posted a shutout in the team's 1-0 victory over Canada. He made his second appearance in the team's 3-1 victory over Denmark on Jan. 20, 2007. Reis was also an alternate to the U.S.'s 2006 FIFA World Cup Squad.
Reis, who became the Revs' starting goalkeeper midway through the 2004 season, was originally drafted by his hometown Los Angeles Galaxy in the third round (26th overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft. He played five seasons in L.A., before being traded to New England on Jan. 17, 2003 in exchange for All-Star Alex Pineda Chacon.
Reis, who has played more games in goal (92) than any other Revolution goalkeeper, holds nearly every career club goalkeeping record, including goals against average (1.22), wins (36), saves (365), shutouts (23) and saves percentage (72.9).
During a career season in 2006 in which he set new personal bests in goals against average (1.09) and saves (141), Reis also led the league in shutouts with 10.
"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to keep Matt with the Revs," Revolution Director of Soccer Mike Burns said. "Matt has established himself as one of America's top goalkeepers and he's been a tremendous part of the success we've had as a team the last several years. We're looking forward to him continuing to play an important role in helping us meet our goal of winning MLS Cup."
Entering the 2007 season, Reis ranks among the top 10 in several MLS career goalkeeping categories, including games played (seventh - 131), games started (seventh - 126), minutes played (seventh - 11,476), goals against average (fifth - 1.27), wins (10th - 53), saves (ninth - 490) and shutouts (tied for seventh - 32).
Reis, 32, is a member of the U.S. National Team and has earned two caps and is 2-0-0 with one shutout. He made his first international appearance for the USMNT on Jan. 22, 2006, and posted a shutout in the team's 1-0 victory over Canada. He made his second appearance in the team's 3-1 victory over Denmark on Jan. 20, 2007. Reis was also an alternate to the U.S.'s 2006 FIFA World Cup Squad.
Reis, who became the Revs' starting goalkeeper midway through the 2004 season, was originally drafted by his hometown Los Angeles Galaxy in the third round (26th overall) in the 1998 MLS College Draft. He played five seasons in L.A., before being traded to New England on Jan. 17, 2003 in exchange for All-Star Alex Pineda Chacon.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
MLS 2007 Preview
The season begins in less than 46 hours . . . wow. It seems like only yesterday that Brian Ching got the most conveniently deflected cross to fall onto his head so that he could kindly insert it into the back of the net and make Tim Crawford very disheartened . . . (Pause for weeping)
Alright, 2007, new year. Here we go. My predictions for the coming year:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1) DC United: They should've won last year, and they probably only got better this year . . . somewhat. The adition of Emilio is definitely an upgrade from Alecko if the preseason was any indication. Freddy's gone but that only takes away questions about where and if he should be playing. Mattias Donnet was short-lived, but it doesn't make too big of a difference. The lineup looks quite solid attacking-wise with the lone question at right midfield where it looks like newcomer Fred will be taking over. With DC's pedigree for foreign acquisitions (and the fact that he's Brazilian), it looks like he should be able to fit in quite nicely. The league's best offense simply has to make sure it doesn't concede too many goals. Boswell and Namoff are definitely good enough, but is Erpen? He's a fine offensive-defender, but definitely has his lapses at the back. He may be allowed to concede one goal per game all by himself and DC would still likely win, but there are no guarantees. Additionally they shouldn't lose too much with the US National Team callups except for Ben Olsen and maybe Boswell and hence they should be able to coast through the regular season, just like last year; they'll simply be hoping the playoffs are a little more kind.
2) Chicago Fire: The East is weak. I've proclaimed it so. Chicago isn't very good, but they probably are better than the rest. Chris Rolfe will need to stay healthy since there's no Nate Jaqua or Andy Herron to carry the goalscoring load. Meanwhile it looks like everything is lining up for Chad Barrett to have a breakout season and aid Rolfe. When Blanco arrives in June, he'll no doubt step into the lineup hoping to pump in the goals as well, but I think the physicality of MLS (and the lack of respect he'll get) may put him quite off of his game. The goals will be hard to come by, but the defense is solid. Matt Pickens really picked up his game last year replacing Zach Thornton and looks like a plenty good enough goalie for the future. The defense is quite solid with Curtin anchoring the back line, and the midfield is creative thanks obviously to Justin Mapp, Thiago (if he gets consistent playing time), and potentially Brian Plotkin (with his laser left foot that spent way too much time on the bench), along with the aid from Ivan Guerrero on defense. It's a solid team, but not a great team. There are some national team worries with the potential to be missing Mapp, Segares (Costa Rica), Ivan Guerrero (Honduras), and possibly Rolfe. They should finish far enough behind DC to not worry the Barra Brava too much.
3) New England Revolution: If they stay healthy, if the rookies perform like they look like they can, if if if if if . . . The East isn't very good . . . as I already said . . . and the Revs really haven't lost too much. Dempsey is gone, but Dorman is going to have one heck of a season taking his role. He's probably more of a playmaker than Dempsey and certainly provides more defensive help. The team is a year older though and that's not good. Ralston and Franchino seem to be losing some gas every year and, while Franchino's role is likely greatly reduced, Ralston is still going to be the right-sided lock as usual. The bulk of central midfielders is quite encouraging, however, and should aid a defense that will likely look the same as last year . . . once Parkhurst returns. Parky is expected to miss the first three weeks and Daniel Hernandez will be out as well, leaving James Riley to replace him in the center of defense, a position that he is not typically found in. In addition, Franchino's status remains unknown, Noonan's just recovering and unlikely to start game 1, Shalrie is listed as questionable and has asked to be traded, and Khano (always sporadic) is listed as probable. The injuries will probably come as usual, if not more than usual, and with no Dempsey to turn to, this season really could go either way. Expect Twellman to return to form, a surprisingly good season from Adam Cristman, and possibly the arrival of Pat Noonan as a right midfielder. We'll see . . .
4) Toronto FC: Impressive! What a team they've assembled for an expansion franchise. A lot of the defensive side is unknown by MLS but proven in the USL First Division. Braz and Sutton should have no problems since they have locked the Montreal Impact into the best defensive numbers in that league for the last few years. The forwards are proven and loaded. I wanted the Revs to try to get Buddle, but he was on his way to Toronto well before we ever had a chance. I think he's ready to break out, and, combined with Alecko Eskandarian, Toronto is going to be one heck of a forward powerhouse. But wait! There's more! Conor Casey is amazing. He's a tank. I'm thinking he's going to be one heck of a surprise for all of those American fans who somehow missed his time for the US National Team. Abbe Ibrahim also looks ready to terrorize defenses again with his speed. They have the guys to score the goals, but may not be able to get them the ball. Ronnie O'Brien is expected to miss the first four to six weeks and the rest of the midfield is a question mark. That's the weakness if there is one, but this team has great potential.
5) Red Bull New York (I refuse to call them the New York Red Bulls): They added a great midfielder in Reyna, and another couple of good ones in van den Bergh and Schopp, but where's the spark? There's not much pace to this team and I feel like Altidore can only do so much. The hype built around him is great, but can he really come through already? All by himself? John Wolyniec will not suffice as a second forward. It's a need they must address to have any type of success this year. The midfield will be composed, but teams like DC and Chicago may just run around them. I foresee a lot of 2-1, 1-0 games for Red Bull. They spent a lot of dollars and yet still have too many holes to really be a force in this league. Not the best Yankees impression I've ever seen . . .
6) Columbus Crew: They're better! Really! How could they be worse? They're a year older, and hopefully healthier. Likely missing Chad Marshall to start the season, they will have Jacob Thomas back. I believe he, combined with Ricardo Virtuoso, will combine to give them a good wing presence, and they should be able to score more goals with Andy Herron up front and hopefully Ngwenya along side of him. They'll certainly be fast enough to score goals, but youth remains and who knows if they'll be consistent. The defense will be interesting, and the goalkeeping situation remains a major question mark. They won't be good, but they're better.
7) Kansas City Wizards: First of all, when did they change their logo? I missed that memo . . . Secondly, I know this pick is a bit of a shocker, but it's mainly spiteful. They're boring. That's all there is to it. This "score one goal and sit on the lead" tactic is just atrocious. They have so many forwards (even without Josh Wolff) and their inability to make use of them is just disgraceful. Sure they play defense well, and their goalkeeping has certainly been upgraded, but ties don't get you into the playoffs. However, maybe the new man in charge can change strategies enough to get Eddie Johnson a fifteen goal season and allow for Sealy to blossom. We shall see. Buuuuuut . . . since they appear to be adding a playmaker, pick them ahead of the Crew and possibly Red Bull, but I'm not going to move them. They've annoyed me too many times.
The West and league results will tomorrow hopefully.
Alright, 2007, new year. Here we go. My predictions for the coming year:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1) DC United: They should've won last year, and they probably only got better this year . . . somewhat. The adition of Emilio is definitely an upgrade from Alecko if the preseason was any indication. Freddy's gone but that only takes away questions about where and if he should be playing. Mattias Donnet was short-lived, but it doesn't make too big of a difference. The lineup looks quite solid attacking-wise with the lone question at right midfield where it looks like newcomer Fred will be taking over. With DC's pedigree for foreign acquisitions (and the fact that he's Brazilian), it looks like he should be able to fit in quite nicely. The league's best offense simply has to make sure it doesn't concede too many goals. Boswell and Namoff are definitely good enough, but is Erpen? He's a fine offensive-defender, but definitely has his lapses at the back. He may be allowed to concede one goal per game all by himself and DC would still likely win, but there are no guarantees. Additionally they shouldn't lose too much with the US National Team callups except for Ben Olsen and maybe Boswell and hence they should be able to coast through the regular season, just like last year; they'll simply be hoping the playoffs are a little more kind.
2) Chicago Fire: The East is weak. I've proclaimed it so. Chicago isn't very good, but they probably are better than the rest. Chris Rolfe will need to stay healthy since there's no Nate Jaqua or Andy Herron to carry the goalscoring load. Meanwhile it looks like everything is lining up for Chad Barrett to have a breakout season and aid Rolfe. When Blanco arrives in June, he'll no doubt step into the lineup hoping to pump in the goals as well, but I think the physicality of MLS (and the lack of respect he'll get) may put him quite off of his game. The goals will be hard to come by, but the defense is solid. Matt Pickens really picked up his game last year replacing Zach Thornton and looks like a plenty good enough goalie for the future. The defense is quite solid with Curtin anchoring the back line, and the midfield is creative thanks obviously to Justin Mapp, Thiago (if he gets consistent playing time), and potentially Brian Plotkin (with his laser left foot that spent way too much time on the bench), along with the aid from Ivan Guerrero on defense. It's a solid team, but not a great team. There are some national team worries with the potential to be missing Mapp, Segares (Costa Rica), Ivan Guerrero (Honduras), and possibly Rolfe. They should finish far enough behind DC to not worry the Barra Brava too much.
3) New England Revolution: If they stay healthy, if the rookies perform like they look like they can, if if if if if . . . The East isn't very good . . . as I already said . . . and the Revs really haven't lost too much. Dempsey is gone, but Dorman is going to have one heck of a season taking his role. He's probably more of a playmaker than Dempsey and certainly provides more defensive help. The team is a year older though and that's not good. Ralston and Franchino seem to be losing some gas every year and, while Franchino's role is likely greatly reduced, Ralston is still going to be the right-sided lock as usual. The bulk of central midfielders is quite encouraging, however, and should aid a defense that will likely look the same as last year . . . once Parkhurst returns. Parky is expected to miss the first three weeks and Daniel Hernandez will be out as well, leaving James Riley to replace him in the center of defense, a position that he is not typically found in. In addition, Franchino's status remains unknown, Noonan's just recovering and unlikely to start game 1, Shalrie is listed as questionable and has asked to be traded, and Khano (always sporadic) is listed as probable. The injuries will probably come as usual, if not more than usual, and with no Dempsey to turn to, this season really could go either way. Expect Twellman to return to form, a surprisingly good season from Adam Cristman, and possibly the arrival of Pat Noonan as a right midfielder. We'll see . . .
4) Toronto FC: Impressive! What a team they've assembled for an expansion franchise. A lot of the defensive side is unknown by MLS but proven in the USL First Division. Braz and Sutton should have no problems since they have locked the Montreal Impact into the best defensive numbers in that league for the last few years. The forwards are proven and loaded. I wanted the Revs to try to get Buddle, but he was on his way to Toronto well before we ever had a chance. I think he's ready to break out, and, combined with Alecko Eskandarian, Toronto is going to be one heck of a forward powerhouse. But wait! There's more! Conor Casey is amazing. He's a tank. I'm thinking he's going to be one heck of a surprise for all of those American fans who somehow missed his time for the US National Team. Abbe Ibrahim also looks ready to terrorize defenses again with his speed. They have the guys to score the goals, but may not be able to get them the ball. Ronnie O'Brien is expected to miss the first four to six weeks and the rest of the midfield is a question mark. That's the weakness if there is one, but this team has great potential.
5) Red Bull New York (I refuse to call them the New York Red Bulls): They added a great midfielder in Reyna, and another couple of good ones in van den Bergh and Schopp, but where's the spark? There's not much pace to this team and I feel like Altidore can only do so much. The hype built around him is great, but can he really come through already? All by himself? John Wolyniec will not suffice as a second forward. It's a need they must address to have any type of success this year. The midfield will be composed, but teams like DC and Chicago may just run around them. I foresee a lot of 2-1, 1-0 games for Red Bull. They spent a lot of dollars and yet still have too many holes to really be a force in this league. Not the best Yankees impression I've ever seen . . .
6) Columbus Crew: They're better! Really! How could they be worse? They're a year older, and hopefully healthier. Likely missing Chad Marshall to start the season, they will have Jacob Thomas back. I believe he, combined with Ricardo Virtuoso, will combine to give them a good wing presence, and they should be able to score more goals with Andy Herron up front and hopefully Ngwenya along side of him. They'll certainly be fast enough to score goals, but youth remains and who knows if they'll be consistent. The defense will be interesting, and the goalkeeping situation remains a major question mark. They won't be good, but they're better.
7) Kansas City Wizards: First of all, when did they change their logo? I missed that memo . . . Secondly, I know this pick is a bit of a shocker, but it's mainly spiteful. They're boring. That's all there is to it. This "score one goal and sit on the lead" tactic is just atrocious. They have so many forwards (even without Josh Wolff) and their inability to make use of them is just disgraceful. Sure they play defense well, and their goalkeeping has certainly been upgraded, but ties don't get you into the playoffs. However, maybe the new man in charge can change strategies enough to get Eddie Johnson a fifteen goal season and allow for Sealy to blossom. We shall see. Buuuuuut . . . since they appear to be adding a playmaker, pick them ahead of the Crew and possibly Red Bull, but I'm not going to move them. They've annoyed me too many times.
The West and league results will tomorrow hopefully.
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