MLS opening night is just a few days away so put together an annual preview. I figured it was fine to create a separate preview thread and post the extended version. Now is the time to ask me any questions you have as I don't get particularly chatty in my weekly match posts. My staking is 1-10 units and if I post something like "2u -150" that is the same as "3/10 @1.67" for you decimal odds guys. Last year I was a dismal 103.6% which was the first time I'd had a ROI less than 9% in MLS. Late goals simply killed me as I ended with a -20u differential with goals scored in final 10' of matches that either made wins into pushes or losses, or pushes into losses. I don't post GOY, locks, fantasy prices, or 3 minutes before a match starts but if you see with something like "8u +100" or "6u -140" I've taken a big stake. Occassionally I will have a match posted in final hour before a game but that will be due to odds moves and/or lineup changes so most of my picks are put forth well in advance of match.
2012 MLS Preview
Another season in MLS with one newcomer, Montreal Impact, making the jump to the top flight giving the East 10 teams vs the 9 teams in the West. For those that don't watch MLS very much or believe it's still the 2004 version most teams are chock full of Internationals from Concacaf, Conmebol, and Africa and the level of play is pretty decent, comparable to England Championship level. It's a bit slower paced, unfortunately, and because it doesn't match up schedule-wise to Europe my March preview can usually be thrown out the window when the European transfer window opens. There is a huge gap between the talent in East vs West and really many of the Eastern Conference games won't be all that enjoyable as the West is simply superior in all facets. We've had a Colombian infestation and now looking at approximately 30 Colombians that are playing in MLS. In total, 105 different nationalities have played in MLS and 172 players on active rosters have been capped by their national teams led by those capped for USA, of course, but also 13 capped in Jamaica, 12 capped in Colombia, 11 capped for Canada.
Western conference teams will play each other 3x each for 24 matches and will play each of the 10 Eastern teams one time. Eastern conference teams will play 25 conference matches with 7 opponents played 3x and 2 opponents just twice. All Eastern teams will play a Western team one time for the remaining 9 matches on the 34 match calendar. One day the MLS will stop trying to fit like every other American sport and just use a single table but, until then, here's what you've got.
We'll start with the dreadful Eastern Conference. From a ratings perspective I have a clear top 2 (Houston, sporting KC) and a clear bottom 2 (New England, Montreal). The other 6 teams are fairly interchangeable and if I had to put them in order I might go with Chicago, RBNY, Philly, DC United, and Columbus but I see little difference b/w teams 3-7.
Next up we have the Western Conference. The two teams with the best rosters (depth + starters) in the league are Seattle and Los Angeles. Then you have the next two clubs, RSL and Dallas, who have the starting XI to contend with Seattle and LA but are a few injuries away from being a bubble playoff team. Right there you have the four best starting XI in MLS and they are all in the West. I’d say every team in the bottom 5 are improved this year but both Colorado and Vancouver must learn new systems, Portland look to be very dependent on just a few players to score, CUSA are in major rebuilding mode, and San Jose don’t really do a lot for me. CUSA and Vancouver both have the talent to surprise but Colorado’s roster is the best out of this group so they should find the 5th spot, slightly ahead of Portland. Brutal conference when compared to the Eastern teams and these folks will all be taking a lot of home points against the other side.
Another season in MLS with one newcomer, Montreal Impact, making the jump to the top flight giving the East 10 teams vs the 9 teams in the West. For those that don't watch MLS very much or believe it's still the 2004 version most teams are chock full of Internationals from Concacaf, Conmebol, and Africa and the level of play is pretty decent, comparable to England Championship level. It's a bit slower paced, unfortunately, and because it doesn't match up schedule-wise to Europe my March preview can usually be thrown out the window when the European transfer window opens. There is a huge gap between the talent in East vs West and really many of the Eastern Conference games won't be all that enjoyable as the West is simply superior in all facets. We've had a Colombian infestation and now looking at approximately 30 Colombians that are playing in MLS. In total, 105 different nationalities have played in MLS and 172 players on active rosters have been capped by their national teams led by those capped for USA, of course, but also 13 capped in Jamaica, 12 capped in Colombia, 11 capped for Canada.
Western conference teams will play each other 3x each for 24 matches and will play each of the 10 Eastern teams one time. Eastern conference teams will play 25 conference matches with 7 opponents played 3x and 2 opponents just twice. All Eastern teams will play a Western team one time for the remaining 9 matches on the 34 match calendar. One day the MLS will stop trying to fit like every other American sport and just use a single table but, until then, here's what you've got.
We'll start with the dreadful Eastern Conference. From a ratings perspective I have a clear top 2 (Houston, sporting KC) and a clear bottom 2 (New England, Montreal). The other 6 teams are fairly interchangeable and if I had to put them in order I might go with Chicago, RBNY, Philly, DC United, and Columbus but I see little difference b/w teams 3-7.
Next up we have the Western Conference. The two teams with the best rosters (depth + starters) in the league are Seattle and Los Angeles. Then you have the next two clubs, RSL and Dallas, who have the starting XI to contend with Seattle and LA but are a few injuries away from being a bubble playoff team. Right there you have the four best starting XI in MLS and they are all in the West. I’d say every team in the bottom 5 are improved this year but both Colorado and Vancouver must learn new systems, Portland look to be very dependent on just a few players to score, CUSA are in major rebuilding mode, and San Jose don’t really do a lot for me. CUSA and Vancouver both have the talent to surprise but Colorado’s roster is the best out of this group so they should find the 5th spot, slightly ahead of Portland. Brutal conference when compared to the Eastern teams and these folks will all be taking a lot of home points against the other side.
CHICAGO FIRE
IN- Jay Nolly, Kheli Dube, Rafael Robayo (Millonarios), Frederico Puppo (Danubio)
OUT- Christian Nazarit, Gabriel Ferrari, Baggio Husidic, Jon Conway, Diego Chaves, Josip Mikulic
Another offseason meant another squad rotation for Chicago so the exact questions I had about them in Mar 2011 and back again. Really this team can end up anywhere from 3rd to 7th in the East. They've gone with an all-Latin/African midfield and attack in staring XI and with the addition of Dube to go along with Nyarko and Oduro they certainly have the fastest set of strikers in the league. When his mind's right left MF Pappa can contend for league MVP and newcomer Robayo should be a nice addition to the right of Grazzini while old man Pavel Pardo is still a competent holding MF. Overall they return their top 4 assist-men and 4 of their top 5 goal scorers so offense looks just fine. The backline is, well, miserable outside of Segares. Gibbs is sure to get injured which will leave the Fire with the youngest center back tandem in MLS. Good thing they play in the East! No worries in net with Sean Johnson, one of the best young keepers in MLS, but don't be surprised if he's bound for Europe in the summer.
Player to Watch: Dominic Oduro
COLUMBUS CREW
IN- Carlos Mendes (RBNY), Milovan Mirosevic (la UC), Olman Vargas (Herediano)
OUT- Andres Mendoza, Robbie Rogers, Jeff Cunningham, Emmanuel Ekpo
Cbus doing some freaky South American experiment which has never really worked well in MLS except for the current crop at Seattle which is much stronger. Their top offensive players, Rogers (#1 assists) and Mendoza (#1 goals), left and they brought in some major question marks which makes me believe they'll be an offensively challenged unit. No less than 5 South Americans are expected to start although the defense of Francis/Mendes/Marshall/Miranda with Tchani in holding mf is excellent, especially considering the depth they add in the back with James and others. Duka should have a coming out year down the left side but their new attempt at replacing Schelotto, Mirosevic, is a big question mark simply because it's a new and very physical league. If he does well, like he did in Chile, then the Crew will be a playoff team. The depth on this team is definitely a worry with many young players and newcomer but it really does fall on the shoulders of Mirosevic to create chances and Vargas/Renteria to bury them. If that happens they can contend in the East. If it doesn't they'll miss the playoffs. If Dilly Duka improves enough this year he could challenge for a spot on the 2014 World Cup team and, since I couldn't stand Robbie Rogers, Duka could be an upgrade in left MF.
Player to Watch: Milovan Mirosevic
DC UNITED
IN- Robbie Russell, Maicon Santos, Danny Cruz, Hamdi Salihi (Rapid), Marcelo Saragosa, Emiliano Dudar (YB)
OUT- Santino Quaranta, Marc Burch, Clyde Simms, Jed Zayner, Joseph Ngwenya, Charlie Davies
You can pretty much cut and paste what I said about Chicago here. The DC United attack is, of course, led by MVP Dwayne De Rosario but he played for 3 teams last year and none of them finished better than 10th. They added Salihi to pair up with DDR and can pull dangerous Maicon Santos off the bench along with veteran Josh Wolff. In the middle they're pretty well stocked if Boskovic can stay healthy. He's been with them since June 2010 and only played in 17 games so keeping him on the field is #1 priority, and will decide their playoff fate. Najar is a star in the making down the right side while Pontius is another great young player on the left. They're moving another great young player, Perry Kitchen, from centerback to holding MF so this is really one of the best midfields in the East, if not all of MLS. Just like Chicago it's the backline that looks weak although they did add Argentinian Dudar. I like Robbie Russell but he's definitely not a premier right back in this league. Overall DC return 4 of their top 5 goal scorers, their top 4 assisters, and perhaps the best young keeper in Concacaf, Bill Hamid. Just like Chicago I wouldn't be surprised if Hamid went to Europe in the summer as he was working out with West Brom in the fall. Entertaining team...will score a bunch but likely give up a few more than they get. Win or lose they're assembling one of the best core of young players in MLS and had the best offseason in the league...didn't lose any projected starter, added 3 that will start on opening weekend, and added tremendous depth.
Player to Watch: Branko Boskovic
HOUSTON DYNAMO
IN- Nathan Sturgis, Mac Kandji
OUT- Carlo Costly, Hunter Freeman, Jaseon Garey, Danny Cruz, Eddie Robinson
Not much needed to be fixed from the club that made it to the MLS Cup final and they enter the season along with Sporting KC as the favorite to win the East. The only player gone from the Cup Final starting XI is Danny Cruz which is good and bad. Good because they're obviously a talented team and used to playing with each other...Bad because the two major question marks haven't been answered. 1) How will they score during the run of play? 2) Who will step up for them in attack? This team really lived and died by set pieces from Brad Davis in 2011 and might do the same in 2012 as they have 6 strikers that are at least 6 feet tall. Mac Kandji didn't really get a shot in either New York or Colorado but he's the one guy that could develop into a top MLS striker. Will Bruin is in his 2nd year and Brian Ching returns but he's about the oldest 33 year old on the planet. There are no other holes on this team...the midfield is stacked and very deep while they probably have the best defense in MLS and get to play in a brand new stadium. Two keys are to become less reliant on Brad Davis' assists (he had 16...next closest had 5), and find a guy that scores more than 5 (4 players led team with 5 goals in 2011). They have an opportunity to be a great team and are certainly, along with KC, the class of the East...by far.
Player to Watch: Brad Davis
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
IN- Seth Sinovic, Paulo Nagamura, Bobby Convey, Dom Dwyer (r)
OUT- Davy Arnaud, Jeferson, Craig Rocastle, Omar Bravo, Shavar Thomas
Sporting KC didn't lose a single match to an Eastern conference team on their new home field last year until Houston knocked them out of the playoffs. In fact, you would have to go back to April 30 and their 1-0 loss in New York to find the last time they lost ANY game against the East so expectations are high in KC to at least win the conference if not the league. Barring major injuries, transfers, etc it should come down to Houston and KC for the East title but first KC needs to get healthy as they're limping into this regular season. Playing their attacking 4-3-3 you have loads of talent with Sapong/Bunbury/Kamara up front. The midfield features not only one of the USA's best young players, Graham Zusi, but a guy in Bobby Convey that could be the league MVP in the right situation and there's no reason he can't outperform Omar Bravo who is back in Mexico. Two defensive midfielders, Rocastle and Arnaud, left but they brought in Nagamura who is one of the best in the league. Honduran international, Roger Espinoza, missed a lot of games last year but appears set to start and veteran Julio Cesar can play either holding mf or center back. In the back you have Aurlien Collin who emerged as one of the 3-4 best central defenders in the league, along with Myers, Besler, and Sinovic. Depth a bit of an issue in defense and in goal as 2nd keeper, Kronberg, will be out a few months and a teenager is now their backup keeper. If Convey can regain the form that made him a starter in the EPL with Reading this is a championship caliber team.
Player to Watch: Bobby Convey
IN- Jay Nolly, Kheli Dube, Rafael Robayo (Millonarios), Frederico Puppo (Danubio)
OUT- Christian Nazarit, Gabriel Ferrari, Baggio Husidic, Jon Conway, Diego Chaves, Josip Mikulic
Another offseason meant another squad rotation for Chicago so the exact questions I had about them in Mar 2011 and back again. Really this team can end up anywhere from 3rd to 7th in the East. They've gone with an all-Latin/African midfield and attack in staring XI and with the addition of Dube to go along with Nyarko and Oduro they certainly have the fastest set of strikers in the league. When his mind's right left MF Pappa can contend for league MVP and newcomer Robayo should be a nice addition to the right of Grazzini while old man Pavel Pardo is still a competent holding MF. Overall they return their top 4 assist-men and 4 of their top 5 goal scorers so offense looks just fine. The backline is, well, miserable outside of Segares. Gibbs is sure to get injured which will leave the Fire with the youngest center back tandem in MLS. Good thing they play in the East! No worries in net with Sean Johnson, one of the best young keepers in MLS, but don't be surprised if he's bound for Europe in the summer.
Player to Watch: Dominic Oduro
COLUMBUS CREW
IN- Carlos Mendes (RBNY), Milovan Mirosevic (la UC), Olman Vargas (Herediano)
OUT- Andres Mendoza, Robbie Rogers, Jeff Cunningham, Emmanuel Ekpo
Cbus doing some freaky South American experiment which has never really worked well in MLS except for the current crop at Seattle which is much stronger. Their top offensive players, Rogers (#1 assists) and Mendoza (#1 goals), left and they brought in some major question marks which makes me believe they'll be an offensively challenged unit. No less than 5 South Americans are expected to start although the defense of Francis/Mendes/Marshall/Miranda with Tchani in holding mf is excellent, especially considering the depth they add in the back with James and others. Duka should have a coming out year down the left side but their new attempt at replacing Schelotto, Mirosevic, is a big question mark simply because it's a new and very physical league. If he does well, like he did in Chile, then the Crew will be a playoff team. The depth on this team is definitely a worry with many young players and newcomer but it really does fall on the shoulders of Mirosevic to create chances and Vargas/Renteria to bury them. If that happens they can contend in the East. If it doesn't they'll miss the playoffs. If Dilly Duka improves enough this year he could challenge for a spot on the 2014 World Cup team and, since I couldn't stand Robbie Rogers, Duka could be an upgrade in left MF.
Player to Watch: Milovan Mirosevic
DC UNITED
IN- Robbie Russell, Maicon Santos, Danny Cruz, Hamdi Salihi (Rapid), Marcelo Saragosa, Emiliano Dudar (YB)
OUT- Santino Quaranta, Marc Burch, Clyde Simms, Jed Zayner, Joseph Ngwenya, Charlie Davies
You can pretty much cut and paste what I said about Chicago here. The DC United attack is, of course, led by MVP Dwayne De Rosario but he played for 3 teams last year and none of them finished better than 10th. They added Salihi to pair up with DDR and can pull dangerous Maicon Santos off the bench along with veteran Josh Wolff. In the middle they're pretty well stocked if Boskovic can stay healthy. He's been with them since June 2010 and only played in 17 games so keeping him on the field is #1 priority, and will decide their playoff fate. Najar is a star in the making down the right side while Pontius is another great young player on the left. They're moving another great young player, Perry Kitchen, from centerback to holding MF so this is really one of the best midfields in the East, if not all of MLS. Just like Chicago it's the backline that looks weak although they did add Argentinian Dudar. I like Robbie Russell but he's definitely not a premier right back in this league. Overall DC return 4 of their top 5 goal scorers, their top 4 assisters, and perhaps the best young keeper in Concacaf, Bill Hamid. Just like Chicago I wouldn't be surprised if Hamid went to Europe in the summer as he was working out with West Brom in the fall. Entertaining team...will score a bunch but likely give up a few more than they get. Win or lose they're assembling one of the best core of young players in MLS and had the best offseason in the league...didn't lose any projected starter, added 3 that will start on opening weekend, and added tremendous depth.
Player to Watch: Branko Boskovic
HOUSTON DYNAMO
IN- Nathan Sturgis, Mac Kandji
OUT- Carlo Costly, Hunter Freeman, Jaseon Garey, Danny Cruz, Eddie Robinson
Not much needed to be fixed from the club that made it to the MLS Cup final and they enter the season along with Sporting KC as the favorite to win the East. The only player gone from the Cup Final starting XI is Danny Cruz which is good and bad. Good because they're obviously a talented team and used to playing with each other...Bad because the two major question marks haven't been answered. 1) How will they score during the run of play? 2) Who will step up for them in attack? This team really lived and died by set pieces from Brad Davis in 2011 and might do the same in 2012 as they have 6 strikers that are at least 6 feet tall. Mac Kandji didn't really get a shot in either New York or Colorado but he's the one guy that could develop into a top MLS striker. Will Bruin is in his 2nd year and Brian Ching returns but he's about the oldest 33 year old on the planet. There are no other holes on this team...the midfield is stacked and very deep while they probably have the best defense in MLS and get to play in a brand new stadium. Two keys are to become less reliant on Brad Davis' assists (he had 16...next closest had 5), and find a guy that scores more than 5 (4 players led team with 5 goals in 2011). They have an opportunity to be a great team and are certainly, along with KC, the class of the East...by far.
Player to Watch: Brad Davis
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
IN- Seth Sinovic, Paulo Nagamura, Bobby Convey, Dom Dwyer (r)
OUT- Davy Arnaud, Jeferson, Craig Rocastle, Omar Bravo, Shavar Thomas
Sporting KC didn't lose a single match to an Eastern conference team on their new home field last year until Houston knocked them out of the playoffs. In fact, you would have to go back to April 30 and their 1-0 loss in New York to find the last time they lost ANY game against the East so expectations are high in KC to at least win the conference if not the league. Barring major injuries, transfers, etc it should come down to Houston and KC for the East title but first KC needs to get healthy as they're limping into this regular season. Playing their attacking 4-3-3 you have loads of talent with Sapong/Bunbury/Kamara up front. The midfield features not only one of the USA's best young players, Graham Zusi, but a guy in Bobby Convey that could be the league MVP in the right situation and there's no reason he can't outperform Omar Bravo who is back in Mexico. Two defensive midfielders, Rocastle and Arnaud, left but they brought in Nagamura who is one of the best in the league. Honduran international, Roger Espinoza, missed a lot of games last year but appears set to start and veteran Julio Cesar can play either holding mf or center back. In the back you have Aurlien Collin who emerged as one of the 3-4 best central defenders in the league, along with Myers, Besler, and Sinovic. Depth a bit of an issue in defense and in goal as 2nd keeper, Kronberg, will be out a few months and a teenager is now their backup keeper. If Convey can regain the form that made him a starter in the EPL with Reading this is a championship caliber team.
Player to Watch: Bobby Convey
MONTREAL IMPACT
IN- Nelson Rivas (Inter Milan), Bobby Burling, Justin Mapp, Sanna Nyassi, James Riley, Zarek Valentin, Justin Braun, Davy Arnaud, Donovan Ricketts, Miguel Montano, Shavar Thomas, Mike Fucito, Eduardo Sebrango
Expansion team alert! Yes, just like all expansion teams before them don't expect Montreal to do a whole lot. They'll likely finish 10th in the East, 9th if New England are a complete disaster, and they have no star power at all. They do have a lot of grizzled MLS vets like Burling, Mapp, Nyassi, Riley, Braun, Ricketts, and Arnaud then surrounded them with some young talent. I won't get into the whole Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching sagas but suffice it to say that this team is far worse off in attack without those guys that would have been sure fire opening day starters in attack. The only player you circle as a potential star is Zarek Valentin who has been starting for USA's u-23 team which, in an Olympic year, means he'll miss a month in the summer. They added Inter reserve Nelson Rivas as a centerback but he's been hurt all preseason and is out until perhaps May. Up front you've got Braun who has scored a lot of goals with Chivas USA and you've got a couple of ex-Seattle reserves. In the middle you have some good MLS experience with Mapp, Nyassi, and Arnaud and in the back a couple guys like Ferrari, Thomas, and Valentin who are solid. Obviously Ricketts is still a great keeper but beyond those guys? nada. I'll give Collen Warner a pass because he did play quite a bit for RSL and he's got a shot to make an impact (no pun intended) but otherwise this is a club with almost no creative player on the pitch. This is not going to be pretty.
Player to Watch: Zarek Valentin
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
IN- Danleigh Borman, Nate Jaqua, Clyde Simms, John Lozano (America Cali), Fernando Cardenas (America Cali), Saer Sene (Bayern II), Jose Moreno (Once Caldas), Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe (r)
OUT- Ryan Cochrane, Pat Phelan, Kheli Dube, Rajko Lekic
Rebuilding year for New England who cleaned house both on and off the pitch and threw in ex-player Jay Heaps as new coach although he has no previous coaching experience and was a teammate of 8 current Revs. Another team in the East that decided to go with some South American flavor after their Euro experiment, Lekic, worked out so poorly they added 3 Colombians along with a French striker, Sene, that did well with Bayern Munich II. Revs will be playing more like a 4-5-1 this year as they have no proven goal scorer in attack. Their midfield is far stacked with central MF but Feilhaber can certainly have a break out year. Lozano and Cardenas come into MLS after getting relegated with America de Cali but I think Lozano will be a really good centerback as he was a Boca trialist just last year. Alston and Soares will start in the back but are just coming in off injuries as is Cardenas so not the perfect preparation for the new season. Matt Reis is just an OK keeper now as he's getting up there in years and his backup, Shuttleworth, won just 2 of 12 starts in 2011. Perhaps Heaps can give them some young coach enthusiasm but at some point talent takes over and this club has precious little of it. One bright spot is newcomer Kelyn Rowe but rookies rarely can make a full season impact. Still, don't be surprised if he gets off to a great start before wearing down this summer.
Player to Watch: Benny Feilhaber
NEW YORK RED BULLS
IN- Jonathan Borrajo (Ham Kam), Kenny Cooper, Markus Holgersson (Helsingborg), Willman Conde, several goalies
OUT- Frank Rost, Carlos Mendes, Chris Albright, Bouna Coundoul, Tim Ream
The biggest disappointment in 2011 have changed their squad up a bunch. Both keepers are gone (Rost/Coundoul) along with 3 defenders including US International Tim Ream who's now in England with Bolton. Their strike force is perhaps tops in MLS as they added Kenny Cooper (Portland) to go along with Agudelo (US u-23 starter), Rodgers, and Henry. The midfield is pretty solid with Richards and Lindpere out wide and Marquez/McCarty or Marquez/Tainio in the middle. Tainio was perhaps the most underrated player in MLS last year while Marquez probably the most overrated. They added two centerbacks, Holgersson and Conde, although Conde got injured in preseason. Solli and Miller are more than capable but it's that centerback pairing that could be their downfall. Last year this club was a mess when Marquez and Ream were gone for intl duty. That takes us to the keeper...either Meara or Vuolo, two youngsters that have never played in the league. Meara was just drafted and Vuolo last played in 2nd division in Finland so they're going into the new season with probably the worst goalkeeping group in MLS after having one of the best. When you have two wide backs that love to get forward and two centerbacks that have never played together in front of a rookie keeper a lot of things can go wrong. On the plus side there's not a team in MLS that can boast more talent in midfield and attack so many question marks with this team. If Marquez still plays just for the paycheck this team will struggle. If he's motivated and returns to Barca form they're a shoo-in for the playoffs.
Player to Watch: Rafa Marquez
PHILADELPHIA UNION
IN- Josue Martinez (Saprissa), Gabriel Gomez (Indios), Lionard Pajoy (Itagui), Chris Albright, Chander Hoffman (r), Porifirio Lopez (Alajuelense)
OUT- Justin Mapp, Stefan Miglioranzi, Faryd Mondragon, Sebastian Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz
Someone else should preview the Union as I really don't know what to make of this team. They let arguably their 3 best players from 2011 leave (Le Toux, Mondragon, Mapp) but it could end up being addition by subtraction allowing MacMath, McInerney, and Mwanga more time on the field. U pfront everyone is a question mark except for Mwanga and McInerney who have both shown signs of brilliance but never for extended periods of time. Martinez and Pajoy were brought in from down south and Hoffman led the NCAA's in goals last year. There's definitely talent here but it's easily the yongest front line in MLS with only one player older than 22 years of age. The midfield is really strong with Adu, Carroll, the Farfan's, Torres, and newcomer Gomez so no issues there. The biggest addition was Costa Rican international Porifirio Gomez to left back to join a veteran crew led by Danny Califf. Long time MLS right back Albright can also play centerback so I think you've got a quality defense in Philly. Zac MacMath is in nets after playing 8 matches last year but he's starred for US in both u-17 and u-20. Still he's only 20 and is backed up by a journeyman keeper, Chase Harrison, who's been playing 2 levels below MLS. Unless the young attackers show up big time this will be a really boring team to watch and good for many unders.
Player to Watch: Freddy Adu
TORONTO FC
IN- Jeremy Hall, Reggie Lambe (Ipswich), Geovanny Caicedo (LDUQ), Miguel Aceval (U de Conce), Luis Silva
OUT- Danleigh Borman, Nathan Sturgis, Andy Iro, Peri Marosevic
Without a doubt the key to a successful 2012 is to keep Danny Koevermans healthy as he was a star when in the lineup last year. This is year 2 on Winter's 4-3-3 formation and there's some pretty big expectations that come with it especially when you have a front line like Johnson/DK/Plata and a MF with rookie-of-the-year lock, Luis Silva, Torsten Frings, and de Guzman. Now the bad...defense. TFC conceded a league-high 59 goals last year and lost Borman who was one of their better defenders in 2011. They did add Aceval and Caicedo from South America but that's rolling the dice that they will be ok in the physical MLS with almost every team sporting a 6-foot striker. Frei is a fantastic keeper so if they can find an everyday playmaker and get some solid back-4 play, this is a playoff team. If not, they'll trudge around just above NE and MTL. Including CCL play this team lost just 1 of their final 8 games in 2011 overall and didn't lose a home game against an Eastern Conference foe since May. Pretty easy to circle TFC as the possible surprise of the conference as long as the South American defenders perform and Koevermans stays healthy.
Player to Watch: Danny Koevermans
IN- Nelson Rivas (Inter Milan), Bobby Burling, Justin Mapp, Sanna Nyassi, James Riley, Zarek Valentin, Justin Braun, Davy Arnaud, Donovan Ricketts, Miguel Montano, Shavar Thomas, Mike Fucito, Eduardo Sebrango
Expansion team alert! Yes, just like all expansion teams before them don't expect Montreal to do a whole lot. They'll likely finish 10th in the East, 9th if New England are a complete disaster, and they have no star power at all. They do have a lot of grizzled MLS vets like Burling, Mapp, Nyassi, Riley, Braun, Ricketts, and Arnaud then surrounded them with some young talent. I won't get into the whole Eddie Johnson and Brian Ching sagas but suffice it to say that this team is far worse off in attack without those guys that would have been sure fire opening day starters in attack. The only player you circle as a potential star is Zarek Valentin who has been starting for USA's u-23 team which, in an Olympic year, means he'll miss a month in the summer. They added Inter reserve Nelson Rivas as a centerback but he's been hurt all preseason and is out until perhaps May. Up front you've got Braun who has scored a lot of goals with Chivas USA and you've got a couple of ex-Seattle reserves. In the middle you have some good MLS experience with Mapp, Nyassi, and Arnaud and in the back a couple guys like Ferrari, Thomas, and Valentin who are solid. Obviously Ricketts is still a great keeper but beyond those guys? nada. I'll give Collen Warner a pass because he did play quite a bit for RSL and he's got a shot to make an impact (no pun intended) but otherwise this is a club with almost no creative player on the pitch. This is not going to be pretty.
Player to Watch: Zarek Valentin
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
IN- Danleigh Borman, Nate Jaqua, Clyde Simms, John Lozano (America Cali), Fernando Cardenas (America Cali), Saer Sene (Bayern II), Jose Moreno (Once Caldas), Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe (r)
OUT- Ryan Cochrane, Pat Phelan, Kheli Dube, Rajko Lekic
Rebuilding year for New England who cleaned house both on and off the pitch and threw in ex-player Jay Heaps as new coach although he has no previous coaching experience and was a teammate of 8 current Revs. Another team in the East that decided to go with some South American flavor after their Euro experiment, Lekic, worked out so poorly they added 3 Colombians along with a French striker, Sene, that did well with Bayern Munich II. Revs will be playing more like a 4-5-1 this year as they have no proven goal scorer in attack. Their midfield is far stacked with central MF but Feilhaber can certainly have a break out year. Lozano and Cardenas come into MLS after getting relegated with America de Cali but I think Lozano will be a really good centerback as he was a Boca trialist just last year. Alston and Soares will start in the back but are just coming in off injuries as is Cardenas so not the perfect preparation for the new season. Matt Reis is just an OK keeper now as he's getting up there in years and his backup, Shuttleworth, won just 2 of 12 starts in 2011. Perhaps Heaps can give them some young coach enthusiasm but at some point talent takes over and this club has precious little of it. One bright spot is newcomer Kelyn Rowe but rookies rarely can make a full season impact. Still, don't be surprised if he gets off to a great start before wearing down this summer.
Player to Watch: Benny Feilhaber
NEW YORK RED BULLS
IN- Jonathan Borrajo (Ham Kam), Kenny Cooper, Markus Holgersson (Helsingborg), Willman Conde, several goalies
OUT- Frank Rost, Carlos Mendes, Chris Albright, Bouna Coundoul, Tim Ream
The biggest disappointment in 2011 have changed their squad up a bunch. Both keepers are gone (Rost/Coundoul) along with 3 defenders including US International Tim Ream who's now in England with Bolton. Their strike force is perhaps tops in MLS as they added Kenny Cooper (Portland) to go along with Agudelo (US u-23 starter), Rodgers, and Henry. The midfield is pretty solid with Richards and Lindpere out wide and Marquez/McCarty or Marquez/Tainio in the middle. Tainio was perhaps the most underrated player in MLS last year while Marquez probably the most overrated. They added two centerbacks, Holgersson and Conde, although Conde got injured in preseason. Solli and Miller are more than capable but it's that centerback pairing that could be their downfall. Last year this club was a mess when Marquez and Ream were gone for intl duty. That takes us to the keeper...either Meara or Vuolo, two youngsters that have never played in the league. Meara was just drafted and Vuolo last played in 2nd division in Finland so they're going into the new season with probably the worst goalkeeping group in MLS after having one of the best. When you have two wide backs that love to get forward and two centerbacks that have never played together in front of a rookie keeper a lot of things can go wrong. On the plus side there's not a team in MLS that can boast more talent in midfield and attack so many question marks with this team. If Marquez still plays just for the paycheck this team will struggle. If he's motivated and returns to Barca form they're a shoo-in for the playoffs.
Player to Watch: Rafa Marquez
PHILADELPHIA UNION
IN- Josue Martinez (Saprissa), Gabriel Gomez (Indios), Lionard Pajoy (Itagui), Chris Albright, Chander Hoffman (r), Porifirio Lopez (Alajuelense)
OUT- Justin Mapp, Stefan Miglioranzi, Faryd Mondragon, Sebastian Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz
Someone else should preview the Union as I really don't know what to make of this team. They let arguably their 3 best players from 2011 leave (Le Toux, Mondragon, Mapp) but it could end up being addition by subtraction allowing MacMath, McInerney, and Mwanga more time on the field. U pfront everyone is a question mark except for Mwanga and McInerney who have both shown signs of brilliance but never for extended periods of time. Martinez and Pajoy were brought in from down south and Hoffman led the NCAA's in goals last year. There's definitely talent here but it's easily the yongest front line in MLS with only one player older than 22 years of age. The midfield is really strong with Adu, Carroll, the Farfan's, Torres, and newcomer Gomez so no issues there. The biggest addition was Costa Rican international Porifirio Gomez to left back to join a veteran crew led by Danny Califf. Long time MLS right back Albright can also play centerback so I think you've got a quality defense in Philly. Zac MacMath is in nets after playing 8 matches last year but he's starred for US in both u-17 and u-20. Still he's only 20 and is backed up by a journeyman keeper, Chase Harrison, who's been playing 2 levels below MLS. Unless the young attackers show up big time this will be a really boring team to watch and good for many unders.
Player to Watch: Freddy Adu
TORONTO FC
IN- Jeremy Hall, Reggie Lambe (Ipswich), Geovanny Caicedo (LDUQ), Miguel Aceval (U de Conce), Luis Silva
OUT- Danleigh Borman, Nathan Sturgis, Andy Iro, Peri Marosevic
Without a doubt the key to a successful 2012 is to keep Danny Koevermans healthy as he was a star when in the lineup last year. This is year 2 on Winter's 4-3-3 formation and there's some pretty big expectations that come with it especially when you have a front line like Johnson/DK/Plata and a MF with rookie-of-the-year lock, Luis Silva, Torsten Frings, and de Guzman. Now the bad...defense. TFC conceded a league-high 59 goals last year and lost Borman who was one of their better defenders in 2011. They did add Aceval and Caicedo from South America but that's rolling the dice that they will be ok in the physical MLS with almost every team sporting a 6-foot striker. Frei is a fantastic keeper so if they can find an everyday playmaker and get some solid back-4 play, this is a playoff team. If not, they'll trudge around just above NE and MTL. Including CCL play this team lost just 1 of their final 8 games in 2011 overall and didn't lose a home game against an Eastern Conference foe since May. Pretty easy to circle TFC as the possible surprise of the conference as long as the South American defenders perform and Koevermans stays healthy.
Player to Watch: Danny Koevermans
CHIVAS USA
IN- Ryan Smith, James Riley, Oswaldo Minda (Dvo Quito), Miller Bolanos (LDUQ), John Valencia (Atl Junior), Peter Vagenas, Tim Melia (G), Cesar Romero, Casey Townsend (r)
OUT- Justin Braun, Zarek Valentin, Paulo Nagamura, Andrew Boyens, Simon Elliott, Zach Thornton, Michael Umana
I really thought CUSA made some great signings in the offseason and were ready to emerge as the surprise team in the West but then they started actually playing matches. They ended up 3-1-7 in the preseason but a brutal 1-1-5 vs MLS competition with only win being a 60' match vs expansion Montreal. Twice they allowed FIVE goals...first to Tijuana's B team then in final preseason match to New England, one of the league's expected bottom feeders. I actually thought this team was putting things together last year after losing Bornstein to Tigres and Kljestan to Anderlecht but they decided to pretty much start from scratch. Their best young defender was left unprotected and is now in Montreal along with Braun (top striker for past few years) and Mayen plus Andrew Boyens left for the Galaxy. They've also gone with the South American newbies bringing in a pair of Ecudorians and a Colombian defender and I've got to think they'll be playing to stay off the bottom of the West. There's not a sector in this squad that doesn't have holes except their wealth of goalkeepers led by Dan Kennedy who was tested often in 2011. The defense has some talent with former US Intl Heath Pearce and u-23 Jorge Flores but easily the worst depth in MLS. If ANY of the starters are out for long periods of time this is a shaky group. The MF is led by LaBrocca and its overall an interesting group. I know Bolanos from watching him in Copa Libertadores and Sudamerica and he is very good as is Minda. Up front you've got the capable JP Angel and veteran Alejandro Moreno but beyond them just a group of unknown kids. Neither Angel nor Moreno are young guys so this could be a real weak area for them. Ryan Smith is a bit of a head case but when he's happy, he's good. Assuming he's not homesick he brings some creativity into the offense. Still, just way to many "if's" with CUSA to see them make the playoffs. This is a team I think need a lot of time to gel but could be a play-on team in 2nd half of the season similar to TFC a year ago
Player to Watch: JP Angel
COLORADO RAPIDS
IN- Hunter Freeman, Jaime Castrillon (DIM), Martin Rivero (Rosario), Luis Zapata (COL df), Tony Cascio, new coach with 4-3-3
OUT- Sanna Nyassi, Caleb Folan, Mac Kandji, Ryan Smith
Just a year removed from winning the title Colorado changed coaches after a poor 2011. A completely new style piggybacking what TFC and SKC brought to the league a year ago, this 4-3-3 could be pretty interesting as Pareja brought in several South Americans he felt could play this new system better than the guys they had. So, out went 4 key MF and ATT players and in came Castrillon, Zapata, and Rivero who are all expected to start right away. You've always got Conor Casey and Omar Cummings running the show in attack so adding Castrillon and Rivero in mf and attack along with Mastroeni and Larentowicz in defensive midfield gives Colorado a really solid front 6. Moor and Wynne are a solid centerback combo and newcomers Zapata and Freeman could step right in out wide with both Tyrone Marshall and last year's starter, Anthony Wallace, adding depth. Overall they've added a lot of talent but the big question is how quickly can they adapt to a new system and new coach. Typically in this league it takes a few years so I expect they'll be a bubble playoff team.
Player to Watch: Martin Rivero
FC DALLAS
IN- Blas Perez (Indios), Hernan Pertuz (DIM), Carlos Rodriguez (Tauro)
OUT- Jeremy Hall, Maykel Galindo, Maicon Santos, Marvin Chavez, Jackson
Losing David Ferreira for the 2011 season was a killer blow as was the added workload of international matches and Dallas pretty much collapsed at the end of the year. Ferreira picked up an achilles injury in preseason and might not start week one but if they can keep him healthy this is certainly one of the 5 best teams in MLS. In goal they might have the best group in MLS with Hartman, Seitz, and Mexican u-17 Sanchez. In defense you've got questions because of Europe. George John is back from his West Ham stint but will he get another call this summer? Same goes for US International Zach Loyd. Benitez is an excellent LFB and the Ihemelu/John centerback combo is among the best in the league. The pontentially starting MF is also stacked led by Ferreira in the middle, star LM Brek Shea, Daniel Hernandez, and Castillo. Also some great depth with Jacobson and Villar but the questions are Ferreira's health and Brek Shea's potential move to Europe. Dallas' attacking issues appear behind them with the addition of Panamian star Blas Perez to join Luna, Sealy, and Castillo. Perez immediately becomes one of the league's top strikers if not THE top striker as he's been a dominant player in Panama, Colombia, and Mexico. Unfortunately there are big question marks behind Perez so keeping him healthy is paramount to Dallas' success this year. It could all get torn apart though if Shea, Loyd, and John look toward Europe and Hernandez/Perez/Ferreira can't stay healthy. This is a great starting XI
Player to Watch: Brek Shea
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
IN- Andrew Boyens, Pat Noonan, Edson Buddle
OUT- Gregg Berhalter, Donovan Ricketts, Jon Conway, Jovan Kirovski, Frankie Hejduk, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Leitch
LA's the big preseason favorite to defend their title as they somehow kept Juninho, Beckham, Keane, and Donovan and brought back Edson Buddle who scores goals for fun in this league. I put Omar Gonzalez on the "out" list because he's unlikely to play this year recovering from knee surgery and he is a great defender, perhaps the best young American defender we have. Berhalter and Hejduk retired but they weren't going to start anyway. Ricketts is gone but Saunders was awesome in his place during the cup run so no worries there. Defensive depth is a cause for concern but picking up New Zealand INTL Boyens was a solid signing...pretty thin after him though. MF is stacked with Beckham, Donovan, Juninho, Paolo, Magee, McBean, Jordan, Stephens, and newcomer Nakazawa from Philly. Move up front and you've got Robbie Keane, Pat Noonan, Edson Buddle, Chad Barrett, and Adam Cristman which is the strongest group in MLS. Arena is by far the best coach in MLS, probably MLS history, and the Galaxy should not only win the MLS cup but should take Concacaf Champions League as well. The only potential obstacle is the defensive depth as they return their top 5 goal scorers, top 4 assist men, and every starter from the MLS Cup Final except for the injured Gonzalez.
Player to Watch: Landon Donovan
PORTLAND TIMBERS
IN- JA Valencia (Ind Santa Fe), Kris Boyd (Rangers), Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Hanyer Mosquera
OUT- Ryan Pore, Kenny Cooper, Adin Brown
I believe Kris Boyd will be the best off-season signing in the league and could easily return to the nearly goal-a-game #'s he put up with Rangers for 4 years. He more than makes up for Kenny Cooper who was only dangerous on set pieces and with Boyd in the lineup there's no way they go 2-3 months without scoring in open play as they did last Spring/Summer. Not sure what I think about their keepers as two are relative unknowns and Troy Perkins is decent but not fantastic. He did post 9 clean sheets last year so I don't think it’s a position of weakness. Not a lot of change in the back as they added Mosquera and Jean-Baptiste to an already solid group. Horst remains sidelined with hip problems but he'll be back fairly soon which will make this a really impressive group. Midfield is a work in progress because it is so young. Of course Captain Jack Jewsbury willl run the show but you've got a potential superstar in Darlington Nage along with speedy Alhassan. Young Cameroonian Songo'o started at Zaragoza just 2 years ago and has been capped by the Indomitable Lions so he should be more than solid enough at this level. Up front they've really changed a position of weakness to one of strength by adding Boyd (SPL all- time leading scorer) and former English youth international, Eddie Johnson, who had great success in English lower leagues. Partnering with Boyd should be Perlaza and both he and fellow Colombian Diego Chara should be ready for breakout years. Overall, an improved team with an out-and-out goal scorer but still not at LA, Dallas, Seattle, or RSL's level.
Player to Watch: Kris Boyd
IN- Ryan Smith, James Riley, Oswaldo Minda (Dvo Quito), Miller Bolanos (LDUQ), John Valencia (Atl Junior), Peter Vagenas, Tim Melia (G), Cesar Romero, Casey Townsend (r)
OUT- Justin Braun, Zarek Valentin, Paulo Nagamura, Andrew Boyens, Simon Elliott, Zach Thornton, Michael Umana
I really thought CUSA made some great signings in the offseason and were ready to emerge as the surprise team in the West but then they started actually playing matches. They ended up 3-1-7 in the preseason but a brutal 1-1-5 vs MLS competition with only win being a 60' match vs expansion Montreal. Twice they allowed FIVE goals...first to Tijuana's B team then in final preseason match to New England, one of the league's expected bottom feeders. I actually thought this team was putting things together last year after losing Bornstein to Tigres and Kljestan to Anderlecht but they decided to pretty much start from scratch. Their best young defender was left unprotected and is now in Montreal along with Braun (top striker for past few years) and Mayen plus Andrew Boyens left for the Galaxy. They've also gone with the South American newbies bringing in a pair of Ecudorians and a Colombian defender and I've got to think they'll be playing to stay off the bottom of the West. There's not a sector in this squad that doesn't have holes except their wealth of goalkeepers led by Dan Kennedy who was tested often in 2011. The defense has some talent with former US Intl Heath Pearce and u-23 Jorge Flores but easily the worst depth in MLS. If ANY of the starters are out for long periods of time this is a shaky group. The MF is led by LaBrocca and its overall an interesting group. I know Bolanos from watching him in Copa Libertadores and Sudamerica and he is very good as is Minda. Up front you've got the capable JP Angel and veteran Alejandro Moreno but beyond them just a group of unknown kids. Neither Angel nor Moreno are young guys so this could be a real weak area for them. Ryan Smith is a bit of a head case but when he's happy, he's good. Assuming he's not homesick he brings some creativity into the offense. Still, just way to many "if's" with CUSA to see them make the playoffs. This is a team I think need a lot of time to gel but could be a play-on team in 2nd half of the season similar to TFC a year ago
Player to Watch: JP Angel
COLORADO RAPIDS
IN- Hunter Freeman, Jaime Castrillon (DIM), Martin Rivero (Rosario), Luis Zapata (COL df), Tony Cascio, new coach with 4-3-3
OUT- Sanna Nyassi, Caleb Folan, Mac Kandji, Ryan Smith
Just a year removed from winning the title Colorado changed coaches after a poor 2011. A completely new style piggybacking what TFC and SKC brought to the league a year ago, this 4-3-3 could be pretty interesting as Pareja brought in several South Americans he felt could play this new system better than the guys they had. So, out went 4 key MF and ATT players and in came Castrillon, Zapata, and Rivero who are all expected to start right away. You've always got Conor Casey and Omar Cummings running the show in attack so adding Castrillon and Rivero in mf and attack along with Mastroeni and Larentowicz in defensive midfield gives Colorado a really solid front 6. Moor and Wynne are a solid centerback combo and newcomers Zapata and Freeman could step right in out wide with both Tyrone Marshall and last year's starter, Anthony Wallace, adding depth. Overall they've added a lot of talent but the big question is how quickly can they adapt to a new system and new coach. Typically in this league it takes a few years so I expect they'll be a bubble playoff team.
Player to Watch: Martin Rivero
FC DALLAS
IN- Blas Perez (Indios), Hernan Pertuz (DIM), Carlos Rodriguez (Tauro)
OUT- Jeremy Hall, Maykel Galindo, Maicon Santos, Marvin Chavez, Jackson
Losing David Ferreira for the 2011 season was a killer blow as was the added workload of international matches and Dallas pretty much collapsed at the end of the year. Ferreira picked up an achilles injury in preseason and might not start week one but if they can keep him healthy this is certainly one of the 5 best teams in MLS. In goal they might have the best group in MLS with Hartman, Seitz, and Mexican u-17 Sanchez. In defense you've got questions because of Europe. George John is back from his West Ham stint but will he get another call this summer? Same goes for US International Zach Loyd. Benitez is an excellent LFB and the Ihemelu/John centerback combo is among the best in the league. The pontentially starting MF is also stacked led by Ferreira in the middle, star LM Brek Shea, Daniel Hernandez, and Castillo. Also some great depth with Jacobson and Villar but the questions are Ferreira's health and Brek Shea's potential move to Europe. Dallas' attacking issues appear behind them with the addition of Panamian star Blas Perez to join Luna, Sealy, and Castillo. Perez immediately becomes one of the league's top strikers if not THE top striker as he's been a dominant player in Panama, Colombia, and Mexico. Unfortunately there are big question marks behind Perez so keeping him healthy is paramount to Dallas' success this year. It could all get torn apart though if Shea, Loyd, and John look toward Europe and Hernandez/Perez/Ferreira can't stay healthy. This is a great starting XI
Player to Watch: Brek Shea
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
IN- Andrew Boyens, Pat Noonan, Edson Buddle
OUT- Gregg Berhalter, Donovan Ricketts, Jon Conway, Jovan Kirovski, Frankie Hejduk, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Leitch
LA's the big preseason favorite to defend their title as they somehow kept Juninho, Beckham, Keane, and Donovan and brought back Edson Buddle who scores goals for fun in this league. I put Omar Gonzalez on the "out" list because he's unlikely to play this year recovering from knee surgery and he is a great defender, perhaps the best young American defender we have. Berhalter and Hejduk retired but they weren't going to start anyway. Ricketts is gone but Saunders was awesome in his place during the cup run so no worries there. Defensive depth is a cause for concern but picking up New Zealand INTL Boyens was a solid signing...pretty thin after him though. MF is stacked with Beckham, Donovan, Juninho, Paolo, Magee, McBean, Jordan, Stephens, and newcomer Nakazawa from Philly. Move up front and you've got Robbie Keane, Pat Noonan, Edson Buddle, Chad Barrett, and Adam Cristman which is the strongest group in MLS. Arena is by far the best coach in MLS, probably MLS history, and the Galaxy should not only win the MLS cup but should take Concacaf Champions League as well. The only potential obstacle is the defensive depth as they return their top 5 goal scorers, top 4 assist men, and every starter from the MLS Cup Final except for the injured Gonzalez.
Player to Watch: Landon Donovan
PORTLAND TIMBERS
IN- JA Valencia (Ind Santa Fe), Kris Boyd (Rangers), Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Hanyer Mosquera
OUT- Ryan Pore, Kenny Cooper, Adin Brown
I believe Kris Boyd will be the best off-season signing in the league and could easily return to the nearly goal-a-game #'s he put up with Rangers for 4 years. He more than makes up for Kenny Cooper who was only dangerous on set pieces and with Boyd in the lineup there's no way they go 2-3 months without scoring in open play as they did last Spring/Summer. Not sure what I think about their keepers as two are relative unknowns and Troy Perkins is decent but not fantastic. He did post 9 clean sheets last year so I don't think it’s a position of weakness. Not a lot of change in the back as they added Mosquera and Jean-Baptiste to an already solid group. Horst remains sidelined with hip problems but he'll be back fairly soon which will make this a really impressive group. Midfield is a work in progress because it is so young. Of course Captain Jack Jewsbury willl run the show but you've got a potential superstar in Darlington Nage along with speedy Alhassan. Young Cameroonian Songo'o started at Zaragoza just 2 years ago and has been capped by the Indomitable Lions so he should be more than solid enough at this level. Up front they've really changed a position of weakness to one of strength by adding Boyd (SPL all- time leading scorer) and former English youth international, Eddie Johnson, who had great success in English lower leagues. Partnering with Boyd should be Perlaza and both he and fellow Colombian Diego Chara should be ready for breakout years. Overall, an improved team with an out-and-out goal scorer but still not at LA, Dallas, Seattle, or RSL's level.
Player to Watch: Kris Boyd
REAL SALT LAKE
IN- Yordany Alvarez, Enzo Martinez (r), Emiliano Bonfigli
OUT- Tim Melia, Robbie Russell, Jean Alexandre, Arturo Alvarez, Andy Williams, Collen Warner
We'll start in the back four where RSL return 'em all...Beltran, Borchers, Olave, Wingert...best in the league. The problem is the guys behind them are just a group of kids that looked pretty shaky in preseason. You can pretty much say the same thing about midfield. Javy Morales (league's best?) is back after the 2011 injury and he pairs up in central MF with american INTL Kyle Beckerman. Johnson and Grabavoy are neither the fastest nor most gifted in MF but they are tremendously experienced and excellent players. Get much beyond the regulars and you've got some major question marks though as all of RSL's mf and def depth were pulled out by other MLS squads. Rimando is probably the best keeper in the league and his backup, Reynish, was great last year and didn't lose a single match when sent in. Back again is the great Saborio/Espindola partnership and Paulo Jr returns for depth but the new signing of Argentinian youngster, Emiliano Bonfigli, is really interesting. He scored a ton in Argentina B and is just 23 years old. Obviously depth is the major concern for RSL since the starting XI is 2nd to LA in this league. They played most of preseason without 6 or 7 starters so it could be a very long year if this keeps up. Absolutely a title and Supporters Shield contender though.
Player to Watch: Javier Morales
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
IN- Shea Salinas, Jean Alexandre, Marvin Chavez, Tressor Moreno
OUT- Bobby Burling, Bobby Convey, Scott Sealy
SJ are certainly capable of making a playoff run and go into the year knowing that ground is being broken on a new stadium, so a lot of excitement in No Cal. The big signing was Tressor Moreno to hopefully give Wondo a bit of relief in attack. Moreno had some great years in Colombia before playing with several Mexican clubs but a 5'7" striker making his debut in MLS at age 33 give more than reason for a pause. Still he is a pretty dynamic and speedy player and with big fellas like Wondo, Gordon, and Lenhart he might be a perfect compliment. The midfield got faster but I'm not sure it necessarily got better. You can't replace Convey easily and I've never thought much of Alexandre. Chavez was a good, not great, player for FC Dallas and salinas provides nice depth along with potential star Ampaipitakwong. Overall, unless Moreno falls back in to a true #10 role with success I have to rate this as one of the worst (but very fast) MF in the league. Brutal to lose Burling in the expansion draft as centerbacks that play 2000+ minutes aren't easy to find. Hernandez and Ike Opara (if healthy) are outstanding, Tim Ward is serviceable, and both wide backs are hold overs from last year. Don't like their keepers at all...Jon Busch is prone to mistakes and is keeping a potentially great young keeper, Bingham, from seeing playing time. Put this team next to Portland behind the big 4.
Player to Watch: Tressor Moreno
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
IN- Michael Gspurning (Xanthi), March Burch (DC), Adam Johansson (Goteborg), Eddie Johnson, David Estrada
OUT- Kasey Keller, James Riley, Tyson Wahl, Nate Jaqua, Pat Noonan, Erik Friberg, Mike Fucito
Other than having Kasey Keller retire and Erik Friberg head back overseas the Sounders got better and will probably have the best offense in MLS. We'll start at midfield where they have easily the best talent and depth in the league. Mauro Rosales was perhaps the best playmaker in the league last year while Fernandez is tremendous, Alonso is a great holding MF, and Evans is a quality playmaker. Zakuani is nearly recovered from his broken leg giving them perhaps the most dangerous player off the bench in this league. Montero returns up front where he struggled for much of 2011 but they went out and got former American international Eddie Johnson who scored 41 goals in MLS before he headed to Europe where he did little for Fulham, Cardiff, or Preston. Word is he's fully fit and he could make this partnership with Montero the league's #1 tandem which is needed after the midfielders outscored the forwards in 2011. The big question mark is replacing Keller with Gspurning, an Austrian keeper they got from Xanthi. If he has a good year, Johnson plays with a chip on his shoulder, and Zakuani regains full health they're as good as the Galaxy. If those pieces don't work and they get no production from a 2nd striker they'll be knocked out of the playoffs again.
Player to Watch: Mauro Rosales
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
IN- Lee Young-Pyo, Brad Knighton, Sebastian Le Toux, Barry Robson (Boro- July), Martin Bonjour
OUT- Shea Salinas, Pete Vagenas, Jay Nolly, Greg Janicki
It's not often that a 6-10-18 team from a year ago who scored the least goals in MLS would be the team I'm looking forward to watching the most, but Vancouver are exactly that. Coach Rennie took over midway through their inaugural season and has decided to go with an all-out attacking system. As such the first thing you'll notice on their roster is SEVEN strikers including the additions of Sebastian Le Toux, Etienne Barbara, and Darren Mattocks to go along with last year's holdovers (Hassli, Chiumiento, Salgado, Tan). Mattocks was the #2 pick in the draft and is probably the fastest player in the league while Salgado is one of the USA's best young strikers, Hassli an out-and-out scorer, and Tan a kid that showed major promise in his first year. The midfield is a little shaky. Really great speed down the sides but neither Thorrington nor Davidson are true playmakers but they have one coming in July (Barry Robson of Middlesbrough). The defense is very talented but not very deep. Rochat was one of the league's best last year but Demerit had a hard time keeping healthy. Lee Young-Pyo is a great signing (former Al-Hilal, Dortmund, Spurs, and PSV) while Bonjour gives them depth in the back. Obviously this is a tremdously upgraded team from 2011 and will have the added advantage of being in their new home for a full season. They won't make the playoffs but I can see them running Eastern Conference teams making a 3-time zone journey all over the field and grabbing a lot of home points. They were 0-5-12 away from home last year and I really don't see that changing much as they're going to give away too many goals to succeed in road matches. Still, they could be the most entertaining team in MLS.
Player to Watch: Eric Hassli
IN- Yordany Alvarez, Enzo Martinez (r), Emiliano Bonfigli
OUT- Tim Melia, Robbie Russell, Jean Alexandre, Arturo Alvarez, Andy Williams, Collen Warner
We'll start in the back four where RSL return 'em all...Beltran, Borchers, Olave, Wingert...best in the league. The problem is the guys behind them are just a group of kids that looked pretty shaky in preseason. You can pretty much say the same thing about midfield. Javy Morales (league's best?) is back after the 2011 injury and he pairs up in central MF with american INTL Kyle Beckerman. Johnson and Grabavoy are neither the fastest nor most gifted in MF but they are tremendously experienced and excellent players. Get much beyond the regulars and you've got some major question marks though as all of RSL's mf and def depth were pulled out by other MLS squads. Rimando is probably the best keeper in the league and his backup, Reynish, was great last year and didn't lose a single match when sent in. Back again is the great Saborio/Espindola partnership and Paulo Jr returns for depth but the new signing of Argentinian youngster, Emiliano Bonfigli, is really interesting. He scored a ton in Argentina B and is just 23 years old. Obviously depth is the major concern for RSL since the starting XI is 2nd to LA in this league. They played most of preseason without 6 or 7 starters so it could be a very long year if this keeps up. Absolutely a title and Supporters Shield contender though.
Player to Watch: Javier Morales
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
IN- Shea Salinas, Jean Alexandre, Marvin Chavez, Tressor Moreno
OUT- Bobby Burling, Bobby Convey, Scott Sealy
SJ are certainly capable of making a playoff run and go into the year knowing that ground is being broken on a new stadium, so a lot of excitement in No Cal. The big signing was Tressor Moreno to hopefully give Wondo a bit of relief in attack. Moreno had some great years in Colombia before playing with several Mexican clubs but a 5'7" striker making his debut in MLS at age 33 give more than reason for a pause. Still he is a pretty dynamic and speedy player and with big fellas like Wondo, Gordon, and Lenhart he might be a perfect compliment. The midfield got faster but I'm not sure it necessarily got better. You can't replace Convey easily and I've never thought much of Alexandre. Chavez was a good, not great, player for FC Dallas and salinas provides nice depth along with potential star Ampaipitakwong. Overall, unless Moreno falls back in to a true #10 role with success I have to rate this as one of the worst (but very fast) MF in the league. Brutal to lose Burling in the expansion draft as centerbacks that play 2000+ minutes aren't easy to find. Hernandez and Ike Opara (if healthy) are outstanding, Tim Ward is serviceable, and both wide backs are hold overs from last year. Don't like their keepers at all...Jon Busch is prone to mistakes and is keeping a potentially great young keeper, Bingham, from seeing playing time. Put this team next to Portland behind the big 4.
Player to Watch: Tressor Moreno
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
IN- Michael Gspurning (Xanthi), March Burch (DC), Adam Johansson (Goteborg), Eddie Johnson, David Estrada
OUT- Kasey Keller, James Riley, Tyson Wahl, Nate Jaqua, Pat Noonan, Erik Friberg, Mike Fucito
Other than having Kasey Keller retire and Erik Friberg head back overseas the Sounders got better and will probably have the best offense in MLS. We'll start at midfield where they have easily the best talent and depth in the league. Mauro Rosales was perhaps the best playmaker in the league last year while Fernandez is tremendous, Alonso is a great holding MF, and Evans is a quality playmaker. Zakuani is nearly recovered from his broken leg giving them perhaps the most dangerous player off the bench in this league. Montero returns up front where he struggled for much of 2011 but they went out and got former American international Eddie Johnson who scored 41 goals in MLS before he headed to Europe where he did little for Fulham, Cardiff, or Preston. Word is he's fully fit and he could make this partnership with Montero the league's #1 tandem which is needed after the midfielders outscored the forwards in 2011. The big question mark is replacing Keller with Gspurning, an Austrian keeper they got from Xanthi. If he has a good year, Johnson plays with a chip on his shoulder, and Zakuani regains full health they're as good as the Galaxy. If those pieces don't work and they get no production from a 2nd striker they'll be knocked out of the playoffs again.
Player to Watch: Mauro Rosales
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
IN- Lee Young-Pyo, Brad Knighton, Sebastian Le Toux, Barry Robson (Boro- July), Martin Bonjour
OUT- Shea Salinas, Pete Vagenas, Jay Nolly, Greg Janicki
It's not often that a 6-10-18 team from a year ago who scored the least goals in MLS would be the team I'm looking forward to watching the most, but Vancouver are exactly that. Coach Rennie took over midway through their inaugural season and has decided to go with an all-out attacking system. As such the first thing you'll notice on their roster is SEVEN strikers including the additions of Sebastian Le Toux, Etienne Barbara, and Darren Mattocks to go along with last year's holdovers (Hassli, Chiumiento, Salgado, Tan). Mattocks was the #2 pick in the draft and is probably the fastest player in the league while Salgado is one of the USA's best young strikers, Hassli an out-and-out scorer, and Tan a kid that showed major promise in his first year. The midfield is a little shaky. Really great speed down the sides but neither Thorrington nor Davidson are true playmakers but they have one coming in July (Barry Robson of Middlesbrough). The defense is very talented but not very deep. Rochat was one of the league's best last year but Demerit had a hard time keeping healthy. Lee Young-Pyo is a great signing (former Al-Hilal, Dortmund, Spurs, and PSV) while Bonjour gives them depth in the back. Obviously this is a tremdously upgraded team from 2011 and will have the added advantage of being in their new home for a full season. They won't make the playoffs but I can see them running Eastern Conference teams making a 3-time zone journey all over the field and grabbing a lot of home points. They were 0-5-12 away from home last year and I really don't see that changing much as they're going to give away too many goals to succeed in road matches. Still, they could be the most entertaining team in MLS.
Player to Watch: Eric Hassli
Thanks rolltide. Very thorough preview and I pretty much agree with every team assessment and projected finish. I've always liked Frank Yallop as a coach and I'm expecting San Jose to push for a top 4 finish in the West. Best of Luck on your wagering this year and looking forward to following your weekly threads.
wanted to add the 2012 team salaries to the preview along with the Designated Players each team has...and avg age of club
$17.23M LA Galaxy (Goldenballs, Donovan, Keane) 29
$13.29M RBNY (Henry, Marquez) 29
$8.370M Toronto (De Guzman, Koevermans, Frings) 27
$5.364M Seattle (Rosales, Fernandez, Montero) 29
$4.543M Phil Union 24
$4.485M Portland (Chara, Boyd) 27
$4.407M FC Dallas (Ferreira) 28
$4.287M Chivas USA (JP Angel) 29
$4.202M Vancouver (Hassli, Robson) 30
$3.929M Chicago 28
$3.898M Real Salt Lake (Saborio) 29
$3.823M Colorado 31
$3.697M Houston 28
$3.674M DC United (Boskovic, Salihi) 27
$3.624M San Jose 29
$3.522M NE Revs (Joseph) 28
$3.317M Montreal 28
$3.270M Sporting KC 26
$2.770M Columbus 27
$17.23M LA Galaxy (Goldenballs, Donovan, Keane) 29
$13.29M RBNY (Henry, Marquez) 29
$8.370M Toronto (De Guzman, Koevermans, Frings) 27
$5.364M Seattle (Rosales, Fernandez, Montero) 29
$4.543M Phil Union 24
$4.485M Portland (Chara, Boyd) 27
$4.407M FC Dallas (Ferreira) 28
$4.287M Chivas USA (JP Angel) 29
$4.202M Vancouver (Hassli, Robson) 30
$3.929M Chicago 28
$3.898M Real Salt Lake (Saborio) 29
$3.823M Colorado 31
$3.697M Houston 28
$3.674M DC United (Boskovic, Salihi) 27
$3.624M San Jose 29
$3.522M NE Revs (Joseph) 28
$3.317M Montreal 28
$3.270M Sporting KC 26
$2.770M Columbus 27
