MLS (...i sve o fudbalu u Sjevernoj Americi)

[Tribalian]

Marcelo Sarvas(30) potpisao za L.A.Galaxy.

[Zeljovac_1921]

Novi stadion Dynama


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Zvanicno otvaranje Maja 12-og.

[rio_Ferdy88]

Posto nova sezona u MLS-u krece za sedmicu(nedjelju, tjedan ili hevtu ) dana, evo male analize svih timova Istocne konferencije( a bit ce i West)

MLS 2012 season preview: Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference: From established stars such as Thierry Henry to the newcomers of Montréal Impact

With First Kick just over a week away, coverage of the 2012 MLS season starts with our team-by-team preview of the Eastern Conference. Who were the winners and losers in the off-season trades? Who will finish where? Will Sporting Kansas City repeat their 2011 regular season triumph, or will Houston Dynamo triumph in their new stadium? All these questions and more will be answered (or at least neatly evaded) below.

The Eastern Conference

Overview

The 2011 Eastern Conference was played in an admirable spirit of fraternal cooperation: "After you...", "No, after you...", "Please, I insist...", "I would like to, in a way, but we just lost 3-0 at Rio Tinto so, perhaps better you..." etc. All season it was as if nobody wanted to finish first, as teams took it in turns to politely open the door for their rivals, who would in turn gratefully slam their own foot in it. In the end the beneficiaries of all this self-sabotage were not Sporting Kansas City (who secured home field advantage for the playoffs by winning the regular season), but Houston Dynamo - who tiptoed below the radar, through the wreckage, past Kansas City, and into the MLS Cup Final. Dominic Kinnear seemed to keep his players' minds on the truism "Get into the playoffs and anything can happen." Anything except beating the Western Conference winners, that is...

In 2012, once again, the East is harder to call than the West. Several teams who spent 2011 in flux should be better this year (Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, possibly Toronto FC); Kansas City remain strong and Houston will enjoy the boost of a new home; New York have mostly addressed last season's problems and should add "grass" to "paper" on the list of things they are good on; if Philadelphia can get over the loss of LeToux they'll be thereabouts too. Only New England and the MLS debutantes of Montréal Impact are likely to struggle, as things stand. I will say that Kansas City will finish first. Or fifth..

It's also hard to work out how the unbalanced schedule (added to allow for the addition of Montréal and in part to encourage local rivalries) will affect things. Looking through the schedule for the end of the season makes for dizzying permutations as conference rivals will face off repeatedly. At time of writing it's sad to see the Supporter's Shield lose some significance, with it no longer being based on results from an even playing field for all teams - but come the end of the season the many significant conference rival games and an exciting play-off race will be some consolation.

This is all to say, that if your favorite team is competing in the Eastern Conference this year, wherever they are predicted to finish below, take the verdict with a large pinch of salt and relax in the knowledge that your side will finish as runaway Conference winners - your side and everyone else's...

2011:
Regular Season Winners: Sporting Kansas City
Play off teams: Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia
Conference Champions: Houston Dynamo

2012 Team by Team Previews

(NB in trade summaries below, unless otherwise stated, players "In" came from Superdraft or Supplemental Draft; Players "Out" were waived or did not have their option picked up)

Chicago Fire

2011: 6th (missed playoffs)

In: G Jay Nolly (trade from Vancouver); F Kheli Dube (Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Rafael Robayo (free/Millonarios); F Federico Puppo (free/Danubio); D Austin Berry; F Lucky Mkosana; D Hunter Jumper; M Tony Walls

Out: F Christian Nazarit; F Gabriel Ferrari; G Alec Dufty; M Baggio Husidic (Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); G Jon Conway (Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); F Diego Chaves, (free/Palestino); D Yamith Cuesta (loan expired); D Josip Mikulic

Opening Game:
(A) Montréal Impact, Saturday, March 17, 2pm ET, Olympic Stadium

Another year of rebuilding beckoned for Chicago Fire last year, after they lost Designated Players Nery Castillo and Freddy Ljungberg, along with retiring local legend Brian McBride. After one win in ten Coach Carlos De Los Cobos swiftly followed them out the door and technical director Frank Klopas stepped up as interim coach to try to stabilize an under-performing Fire team. This he did, though for long stretches of the season that stability read as predictability - other than their Open Cup run the Fire's main competition seemed to be a contest with New York Red Bulls as to who could draw most. Unlike the Red Bulls, the Fire's problem wasn't conceding goals but scoring them. The Chicago side features a talented midfield and nobody in the league created more chances than them last year, but translating that into goals is what counts (over to you, Federico Puppo...).

Yet the most eye-catching off-season addition has been another midfielder, Rafael Robayo, who looks like the kind of all-action, all-tackling, all-badge kissing live wire who other teams' fans will hate (and wish played for them). Klopas will be hoping he animates Chicago's compact counter-attacking game which is based on the team driving forward as a single, well-drilled, 40-yard deep unit (which Klopas shouts at tenderly from the sidelines). There were definitely signs at the end of last season that the team were coming together after nearly two years of transitioning - the Fire finished very strongly (just ask shell-shocked DC United fans...) and were just a win shy of a play-off place. Carry that form forward and they'll do well this year.

Prediction: 4th

Columbus Crew

2011: 4th (lost in Wild Card play off to Colorado Rapids)

In: D Carlos Mendes (Re-Entry Stage 1/New York); G Matt Lampson (Home Grown); M Milovan Mirosevic (free/Universidad Católica); F Olman Vargas (free/Club Herediano); F Ben Speas (Home Grown); F Ethan Finlay; D Aubrey Perry; M Kevan George; M Kirk Urso; D Jamie Finch; F Darren Amoo; F Andrew Bulls

Out:D Josh Gardner (expansion draft); M Santiago Prim; D Dejan Rusmir; F Andrés Mendoza; M Kevin Burns; F Jeff Cunningham; M Robbie Rogers (free/Leeds United)

Opening Game:
(A) Colorado Rapids, Saturday, March 10, 6pm, Dick's Sporting Goods Park

The Crew generally find a way to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but like Chicago have been a team in transition for a little too long for comfort at this point - and were bundled out of the play offs by an injury ravaged Colorado Rapids side last year. Basically, the Crew were too crude a force going forward.

That said, their strike team was poised to make history when they played Real Salt Lake in June: veteran forward Jeff Cunningham only needed a goal to draw level with Jaime Moreno on the MLS all-time goal scorers list, and when the Crew won a 75th minute penalty, Cunningham dutifully stepped up ...only to find fellow striker, and one man charm offensive, Andrés Mendoza, standing over the ball. Attempts by his own team mates to point out that Cunningham was the designated penalty taker were ignored - Mendoza took, and scored, the penalty and Columbus went on to win. But the incident typified his contribution to the Crew's stuttering season - Mendoza was their leading scorer, but his presence was ultimately more corrosive than constructive. He left the club in the off season - as did Cunningham (who eventually got the go-ahead goal for the scoring record...with a penalty).

This year, new signing Olman Vargas will carry the frontline hopes for the team (it may be a season early for homegrown prodigy Ben Speas...). Of the new faces beside him, veteran defender Carlos Mendes might be what Ron Atkinson would call "lightning slow", but is strong and reads the game well and was a good value squad pick-up to add to the defensive rotation. Really though, the Crew need a spark - a lot of eyes are on Milovan Mirosevic as a playmaker who might provide it. It may take a season to work.

Prediction: 6th

DC United

2011: Finished 7th (missed playoffs)

In: D Robbie Russell (trade from RSL); M Nick DeLeon; M Lance Rozeboom; D Charles Rodriguez; M Matt Kuhn; F Maicon Santos (free); M Danny Cruz (trade from Houston); D Emiliano Dudar (free/BSC Young Boys); F Hamdi Salihi (Rapid Vienna); M Marcelo Saragosa (Ravan Baku); GK Andrew Dykstra (free)

Out: M Santino Quaranta (retired); D Marc Burch (Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde Simms (Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Brandon Barklage; G Steve Cronin; F Joseph Ngwenya; D Jed Zayner; D Devon McTavish (retired); F Blake Brettschneider

Opening Game:
(H) Sporting Kansas City, Saturday, March 10, 7.30pm, RFK Stadium

DC presumably couldn't believe their luck last year when Dwayne De Rosario fell through New York's fingers and landed at RFK Stadium with a point to prove - halfway through a season that was threatening to run away from Ben Olsen's young team. The Canadian promptly turned round and scored the winner against his former employers, before setting off on a scoring run that almost singlehandedly carried DC to the playoffs. The key word is 'almost' - ultimately DC fell short of the postseason and even the heroic efforts of their new talisman and league MVP could not change that. An infamous stoppage time choke against Chicago, and a sound-and-fury, clown car, second half of mutually assured destruction against Portland (think 22 David Beckhams against Greece, without the cathartic goal), did for DC's season.

Will this season be better? Aside from DeRo, who has just signed a new and improved contract, Najar impressed in flashes last year; veteran RSL defender Robbie Russell will bring experience, if not pace; and a lot of eyes will be on new Designated Player signing Hamdi Salihi, to see if the former Rapid Vienna man can settle straight away and take on his share of the goalscoring burden. Overall though, for all the goodwill that exists for Ben Olsen in the city, the impression remains that his team don't yet have a clear personality and developing that kind of coherence and spirit may mean another year of consolidation. Speaking of consolidation, the team still remains in limbo regarding their long term home, despite being close to a short term extension at RFK stadium (or to give it its usual media designation, "the crumbling RFK stadium"...). DeRo's contract was partly covered by allocation money, suggesting DC's cash-strapped owners were reluctant to pay the additional $350K designated player fee to the league - building a new home may be a way off.

Prediction: 7th

Houston Dynamo

2011: 2nd (MLS Cup finalists, lost to LA Galaxy)

In: M Nathan Sturgis (trade from Toronto); F Colin Rolfe; M Warren Creavalle; F Brian Ownby; F Karo Okiomah; M Eder Arreola; F Phillip Aseweh; M Daniel Roberts; F/M Macoumba Kandji (trade from Colorado); F Brian Ching (trade from Montreal); GK Erich Marscheider (waiver wire)

Out: M Francisco Navas Cobo; G Evan Newton; F Carlo Costly; D Hunter Freeman (Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); F Jason Garey; D Eddie Robinson (retired); M Danny Cruz (trade to D.C.)

Opening Game:
(A) Chivas USA, Sunday, March 11, 7.00pm, Home Depot Center (Galavision)

The last two Eastern Conference regular season standings have been topped by a team in a brand new stadium (2010 New York Red Bulls, 2011 Sporting Kansas City). So by that logic, should we pencil in Houston as conference winners for 2012? Dominic Kinnear's men will enter a new home at BBVA Stadium this season and if the traditional (if it's happened twice in a row in MLS, it's traditional...) bounce from that happens, we should expect a high finish, at the very least. Add to that the fact that Houston were MLS cup finalists in 2011 (and but for a Brad Davis injury in the Eastern Conference decider, who knows how their set pieces might have rained on the David Beckham parade in that final?) and 2012 should look bright.

But there are definite caveats to this. As with Sporting Kansas City last year, Houston's building schedule means they face a seven game road trip to start the season (though as SKC showed, that can turn into an advantage if you're not cut adrift by the time the compensatory runs of home games appear down the stretch) - but just as important has been the unnecessary distraction of the Brian Ching saga. Ching was left unprotected in the expansion draft and promptly snatched up by Montréal Impact. The player, understandably devastated at the prospect of missing a swan song in the new stadium, threatened to retire, before dragging his heels to Montréal. Some tedious brinksmanship later and he was back, welcomed like the prodigal son. (Get some idea of why Ching is fought over here.)

The sentimentality around Ching's return may have been understandable, but it masked the fact that Houston had essentially re-signed a striker they'd left exposed on the assumption another team wouldn't take him. Ching is a year older and amid the distraction of getting him back, Houston haven't really addressed his long term replacement. Yes, they signed Mac Kandji, who is an MLS Cup winner (having wandered into the 2010 Colorado Rapids side towards the end of that season), but he is not exactly someone to bet the brand new house on...

Prediction: 2nd

Sporting Kansas City

2011: 1st (Eastern conference finalists, lost to Houston Dynamo)

In: D Seth Sinovic (trade from Montreal); M Paulo Nagamura (trade from Chivas USA); M/D Bobby Convey (trade from San Jose); F Dom Dwyer; D Cyprian Hedrik; D Shawn Singh ; M Pablo Punyed; D Stefan Antonijevic; M Kyle Miller; M Michael Thomas; F Jacob Peterson (free/San Jose Earthquakes)

Out: M Davy Arnaud (trade to Montreal); M Jéferson; D Scott Lorenz; M Craig Rocastle; D Seth Sinovic (expansion draft) M Milos Stojcev; F Omar Bravo (Cruz Azul/Mexico); D Shavar Thomas

Opening Game:
(A) D.C. United, Saturday, March 10, 7.30pm, RFK Stadium

Full Season Schedule

A season of two halves for Sporting, who spent the first ten games on a wretched road trip waiting for the cement to dry on their new home at Livestrong Park. When it was finally finished though, the new stadium was a beautiful addition to the MLS landscape and quickly became a fortress for the resurgent SKC. It caught the imagination and fired the pride of the home town fans too. The sight of the Kansas City fans cheering their team on in the play offs was (along with the Portland fans bellowing out the national anthem on their home debut and Seattle's Tifo taunting of the same opponents during their derby) one of those sights that made you want to turn to Euro snob friends and point out that this was happening, with or without their permission or approval. Kansas City had fast forwards, generally played a quick-tempo game, were fun to watch in their attacking 4-3-3, and they were deserving leaders of the Eastern Conference by the end of the season. They fell just short in the conference final against a Houston Dynamo side who managed to limp past the early loss of Brad Davis - but with Bobby Convey traded in from San Jose and slotted in to a more familiar attack minded role, and as long as someone (Dom Dwyer?) steps up to replace Omar Bravo's goals, they'll again be one of the teams to beat in 2012.

Prediction: 1st

Montréal Impact

2011: N/A This is the club's first year in MLS

In: D Nelson Rivas (free/Inter Milan, Italy); G Evan Bush (NASL Impact); D Sinisa Ubiparipovic (NASL Impact); M Hassoun Camara (NASL Impact); D Jeb Brovsky (expansion draft); D Bobby Burling (expansion draft); D Josh Gardner (expansion draft); M Justin Mapp (expansion draft); M Sanna Nyassi (expansion draft); D James Riley (expansion draft); D Seth Sinovic (expansion draft); M Collen Warner (expansion draft); D Zarek Valentin (expansion draft); F Justin Braun (trade from Chivas USA); M Gerson Mayen (trade from Chivas USA); D Tyson Wahl (trade from Seattle Sounders); M Bryan Arguez (free/Ft. Lauderdale Strikers); M Davy Arnaud (trade from Sporting KC); G Donovan Ricketts (trade from LA); M Ian Westlake (NASL Impact); M Miguel Montaño (free/Seattle); G Greg Sutton (free/New York); M Patrice Bernier (free/Lyngby); M Felipe Martins (free/FC Lugano); D/F Andrew Wenger; M Calum Mallace ; M Evan James; F Aaron Schoenfeld; F Steven Miller; F Carl Haworth; D Geinier García (trade from Vancouver); D Shavar Thomas (free); F Eddie Johnson (allocation); F Mike Fucito (trade from Seattle); M Lamar Neagle (trade from Seattle); F Eduardo Sebrango (free); entire special teams unit of the 1985 Dallas Cowboys, a family pack of Kardashians and the Season Three cast of Survivor (unconfirmed)

Out: D James Riley (trade to Chivas USA); D Seth Sinovic (trade to Sporting KC); F Brian Ching (traded to Houston); F Eddie Johnson (traded to Seattle); M Ian Westlake

Opening Game:
(A) Vancouver Whitecaps, Saturday, March 10, 6.00pm, BC Place

Montréal Impact certainly know how to make an entrance. At the expansion draft (where new MLS teams get the chance to pick from a list of 'unprotected' players from the other teams), Impact surprised everyone by taking Houston's Brian Ching and then apparently ignoring the Texans' attempts to bring him back. They also made a big deal of announcing Ching as their number one pick, which in a context where a list of players was all that was required, seemed like a dramatic, if not provocative, gesture. It was a risky move for a player on a big salary, who was reluctant to head up North, and ultimately it backfired - Houston should do well this season, so the conditional draft pick Montréal eventually negotiated for Ching may not be worth as much next year as just having selected a more realistic, but less noteworthy option to play right now.

One move Montréal did do well out of was acquiring then immediately trading Eddie Johnson to Seattle, in exchange for Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito - giving their probable starting line up a much healthier look. Looking at other notable signings, if veteran Davy Arnaud enjoys the kind of career season Jack Jewsbury managed for Portland last season, Montréal will be delighted. Of the younger players, Zarek Valentin will be looking to improve on his false start at Chivas USA and this year's number one SuperDraft pick Andrew Wenger should be ready for an early start. Montréal will do fine and will enjoy the conference and Canadian rivalries, but, look at that "In" list above and you get a sense of the task that faces Jesse Marsch to blend a competitive team.

Prediction: 9th

New England Revolution

2011: 9th (missed playoffs)

In: D Danleigh Borman (Re-Entry Stage 1/Toronto); F Nate Jaqua (Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde Simms (Re-Entry Stage 2/D.C. United); D John Lozano (free/América de Cali); M/F Fernando Cárdenas (free/América de Cali); M Kelyn Rowe; D Tyler Polak; M Rick Smith; M Alec Purdie; D Kevin Garcia; F Mike Roach; F José Moreno (loan/Once Caldas); F Saer Sene (free: Bayern Munich)

Out: F Alan Koger; D Otto Loewy; M Andrew Sousa; F Milton Caraglio; F Monsef Zerka; D Ryan Cochrane; M Franco Coria; M Pat Phelan; F Kheli Dube (Re-Entry Stage 2/Chicago); F Rajko Lekic (free/Lyngby)

Opening Game:
(A) San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, March 10, 10.30pm, Buck Shaw Stadium

In the next few days we will be publishing our fan/blogger previews of the MLS season. Reading through their questionnaire answers generally raises a wry smile at the universal phenomenon of pre-season partisan optimism: everyone is "stronger this year", everyone is "going to the play-offs, at least" and a cautious prediction is "finishing 3rd"... Everyone except New England that is - their beleaguered fans watched last season through their fingers and their ambitions for this year tend to be on the pessimistic side of realistic. Five wins all season was a desperately sad way for Steve Nicol to take his leave from a side he had taken to four MLS Cup finals in ten years, and where he had also nurtured the careers of several MLS and international stalwarts such as Clint Dempsey, Shalrie Joseph and Taylor Twellman.

Nicol was replaced by Jay Heaps, who'd also flourished under the ex-Liverpool man as a player and New England fan favorite. But the feeling remains that it will take more than a bright and popular young coach to correct the malaise at the Revs. The hardcore fans have spent the last few seasons complaining about the drift and lack of accountability within the organization, and apparent disinterest in changing things from the owners, the Kraft family. Relationships reached a new low last year with arrests and protests in the home section, The Fort. Even supporters of nominal league rivals got in on the "Defend the Fort" campaign at one point, but that moment of solidarity was as good as it got for New England fans in 2011.

The off season signs have been intermittently encouraging: Heaps has brought energy and professionalism and made all the right noises about revitalizing the defense (John Lozano is a good start); captain and midfield general Shalrie Joseph flirted with leaving, but has re-signed on a designated player deal; midfielder Kelyn Rowe, a SuperDraft selection, has carried his eye-catching confidence from the Combine through to his pre-season displays - notably in a 3-2 win over the Galaxy. It doesn't necessarily add up to a big turnaround though - the team may get a lift from Heaps' presence and determination in the short term, but a longer term cultural change might be the real key to progress.

Prediction: 10th

New York Red Bulls

2011: 5th (lost Western Conference semi-final to LA Galaxy)

In: D Connor Lade (Home Grown); D Jonathan Borrajo (free/Hamarkameratene); D Markus Holgersson (free/Helsingborg); F Kenny Cooper (trade from Portland); G Ryan Meara (SuperDraft); D Mike Volk; M Christian Barreiro; M Nate Polak; G Jeremy Vuolo (free/AC Oulu); D Wilman Conde (rights from Chicago); M Victor Pálsson (free)

Out: G Alex Horwath; D Mychal Jones; D Tyler Lassiter; M Marcos Paullo; M John Rooney; D Teddy Schneider; G Frank Rost (contract expired); D Carlos Mendes (Re-Entry Stage 1/Columbus); D Chris Albright; G Bouna Coundoul; D Tim Ream (transfer/Bolton Wanderers); D Sacir Hot; M Matt Kassel

Opening Game:
(A) FC Dallas, Saturday, March 10, 3.00pm, FC Dallas Stadium (NBC Sports)

2011 began promisingly for the Red Bulls. After a stuttering personal start for Henry, he caught fire and he and surprise cult success Luke Rodgers were scoring goals for fun, aided by the teenage prodigy Juan Agudelo. When they destroyed a demoralized DC United 4-0 at RFK, with the evening capped by a wonderful Agudelo goal straight from an Henry highlight reel, the Red Bulls looked good value for their pre-season favorite's tag:

But the signs of trouble were already there. Continually swapping between starting goalkeepers Coundoul and Sutton just served to undermine both their confidence, and in front of them the center back combination of Marquez and Ream never quite clicked. The Red Bulls began to leak goals and drop points. Dwayne de Rosario, who had been imported from Toronto in a move consistent with the Red Bulls' current "Win NOW" policy, had barely unpacked when he was moved on again to free up cap space for a replacement goalkeeper. Frank Rost steadied the ship slightly, and by the end of the season the Red Bulls were beginning to win more than they drew, but they never looked quite convincing and were picked off by LA in the play-offs.

As for Agudelo, he peaked with that DC goal, then spent the majority of the season on the bench - where he joined the ranks of underused reserves who spent the season jogging disconsolately between the bench and the home goal (Wayne Rooney's brother, John, may not have played much, but he was definitely the most warmed up man in America by the time the Red Bulls released him). In a Gold Cup season where the squad was stretched, Hans Backe's reluctance to use subs seemed inexplicable, but there were signs in the off-season that some lessons had been learned, as the squad was re-jigged with an eye on serviceable depth. Ream has departed of course, but the new center back combination of Markus Holgersson and Wilman Conde, along with veteran forward Kenny Cooper, should address some of the Red Bulls lack of height at set pieces, and Joel Lindpere's contract extension was treated with the significance of a new signing by the locals.

But with Rost, Coundoul and Sutton all gone, a lot depends on the young goalkeepers Vuolo and Meara. And even more depends on an unnamed American embassy worker in London - Luke Rodgers is stranded there till the start of March, trying to resolve his visa issues. If he's back though, then with the other changes New York should improve - and the run of home games at the end of the season could tilt things their way in the run-in.

Prediction: 3rd

Philadelphia Union

2011: 3rd (Lost to Houston Dynamo in Eastern Conference semi-finals)

In: F Josué Martínez (transfer, Deportivo Saprissa); M Jimmy McLaughlin (Home Grown); M Gabriel Gómez (Indios/Mexico); D Porfirio López (Dalian Haichang/China); F Chandler Hoffman; M Greg Jordan; D Raymon Gaddis; D Tom Brandt; F Krystian Witkowski; F Antoine Hoppenot; M Brandon Zimmerman; F Lionard Pajoy (Itagüí Ditaires); D Chris Albright (free); GK Chase Harrison (free)

Out: D Juan Diego González; G Thorne Holder; M Justin Mapp (expansion draft); G Chase Harrison; M Stefani Miglioranzi; F Levi Houapeu; M Morgan Langley; M/D Ryan Richter; D Joe Tait; F Veljko Paunovic (etired); G Faryd Mondragón (released); F Sébastien Le Toux (trade to Vancouver); M Kyle Nakazawa (trade to LA); M Nizar Khalfan
Opening Game:
(A) Portland Timbers, Monday, March 12, 9.30pm, JELD-WEN Field (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

There's been plenty of upheaval for Philadelphia in the off-season, prompting General Manager Nick Sakiewicz to write an unprecedented open letter to the supporters to ask them to keep faith with the management moves. The loss of goalkeeping stalwart Faryd Mondragón was expected, but when Sébastien LeToux returned from an unsuccessful trial at Bolton, the Union fans' sighs of relief turned into gasps of disbelief as the crowd favorite was immediately traded to Vancouver (who the Philly fans, by way of consolation, have since nicknamed "Philadelphia West"). LeToux figured prominently in a strong second MLS season for the Union, though the team's early promise settled into what was probably a more realistic final outcome, with a creditable play-off exit.

Most heartening perhaps, was the Fall recovery just as the season was threatening to unravel. An emphatic 3-0 defeat of New England on July 17th was their last win for exactly two months - a period that included the loss of leading goalscorer Carlos Ruiz after just 5 months in Union colors. Ruiz left under a cloud (possibly a dust one caused by repeated diving - if his reputation with his own team's fans was to be believed) and for a while Philadelphia could not buy a win. Yet headline writers itching for a "Curse of the Bimbo" story were thwarted by the return visit of New England. The Revs led 4-1 at half time at PPL Park, before the Union managed to spark a fightback that tied the game and brought the belief back.

There were two goals for LeToux in that game and his predatory hussle will be missed in the Union's counter-attacking game this season. And with Danny Mwanga now off the Generation Adidas list and onto the payroll proper, there's a lot of pressure on the young striker to produce.

Prediction: 5th

Toronto FC

2011: 8th (missed playoffs)

In: D Jeremy Hall (trade from Dallas); M Reggie Lambe (free/Ipswich Town); M Luis Silva; D Aaron Maund; M Michael Green; D Nick Blake; D Mykel Bates; M Arthur Ivo; M Michael Mazzullo; D Geovanny Caicedo (LDU Quito); D Miguel Aceval (Universidad de Concepción)

Out: D Kyle Davies; M Matt Gold; M Leandre Griffit; F Javier Martina; D Demitrius Omphroy; D Eddy Viator; M Gianluca Zavarise; D Danleigh Borman (Re-Entry Stage 1/New England); M Nathan Sturgis (Trade to Houston) F Mikael Yourassowsky; D Andy Iro (declined extension); F Peri Marosevic (declined extension); M Elbekay Bouchiba

Opening Game:
(A) Seattle Sounders, Saturday, March 17, 10.00pm, CenturyLink Field

Not much to cheer about last year for Toronto - a franchise that has begun to look a little shop-worn after five seasons in the league (during which time the team has never made the play-offs). The mid-season arrival of designated players Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans took a while to make an impact - largely because of new coach Aron Winter's insistence on a fluid 4-3-3 formation that Toronto's players had some trouble mastering. To compensate for this and to provide stability, Frings routinely found himself playing so deep that his impact was negated and the attacking intent of the formation compromised. Toronto struggled to the end of the season.

Winter's insistence on Total Football for Toronto, somewhat recalled his former international team mate Ruud Gullit promising "sexy football" to sceptical Geordies - given the reality of the **** and setting, it suggested denial rather than idealism. 4-3-3 can work in MLS - Kansas City topped the East, often playing a version of this formation (though they had a faster, younger core than Toronto and the calculated risk was generally worth it), but most MLS sides play 4-4-2 because, really, there's not much to choose between most of them and it's the formation that makes the most sense, most of the time.

Winter has the long view in mind though. He caused some controversy when what were really very anodyne remarks, made during the off-season, were seized on as evidence that he wasn't targeting the play-offs in 2012 (MLS sacrilege...) - but in fact he was insisting that he's building a team that can genuinely challenge in 2013 and he's determined to do it methodically, in a three year arc. And there have been successes along the way: a 4-2 victory over their rivals Columbus Crew; a gutsy progression to the quarter finals of the Champions League (their way is now barred by LA Galaxy).

Most importantly perhaps, the off-season additions of Geovanny Caicedo and Miguel Aceval may shore up the defense enough to let Frings push forward more in Winter's intended style. So hopefully Toronto will give him the full three years to make the team competitive - after all, they indulged Mo Johnston and his infamous and mysterious "5 year plan" for roughly four years longer than most teams would have. This is year 2 for Winter though, so a higher finish might have to wait.

Prediction: 8th

[rio_Ferdy88]

MLS 2012 Season Preview: Western Conference

The Western Conference

Overview

In 2011, once again, the West was the best: LA swept all before them; Real Salt Lake fought their way to the Champions League Final; Seattle won the US Open Cup and renewed old Cascadia rivalries with Portland and Vancouver in vivid style, as the latter two teams and their fans brought their unique flavor to the league.

The MLS play offs had the air of a coronation. LA squeezed the life out of their opposition and at times did what champions do when they have to (win without playing well and without key players), even if in retrospect there wasn't much doubt about the outcome. When they got to the final they were at full strength though, and won with a goal fashioned by the side's three Designated Players.

The build up to the winner included an assist by the most recent star signing from the EPL and a finish from the Golden Boy of American soccer, but the story of the night was the LA finale of David Beckham, winning MLS Cup at the last, before riding into the sunset announcing he was staying after all. When you looked past the soap opera plot round the number 23 though, the most significant event of the evening was probably the fact that a team containing Designated Players had won the MLS Cup for the first time. In the longer term, we may see a sea change in the way future team owners construct a blueprint for success.

That's for the future though. This year, again, it's hard to look past LA. Their attack is stronger and the core of the team has stayed together. Only the defense has been weakened with the loss of Gonzalez. Seattle will push them close, though much depends on whether Eddie Johnson remembers how to score after his torrid time out of the league. Real Salt Lake were the pre-Designated-Player model for success in the league: an experienced core group, complemented by well-drilled, athletic, young American players. They've also hit the glass ceiling inherent in that model - winning players want to be paid as such and one of the league's most attractive ball-playing sides may find themselves victims of their own success. Elsewhere, Kris Boyd may have found his niche up front for Portland and be a shrewd buy for them (as shrewd as Jose Adolfo Valencia was inexplicable - what with him being broken when they unwrapped him...) and they may do what Philadelphia did in their second MLS season, by making a surprise play-off push.

It'll be LA though.

2011 Results:
Regular season winners: LA Galaxy (Supporters Shield winners)
Play off teams: Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids
Conference Champions: LA Galaxy (MLS Cup winners)

2012 Team by Team Previews

(NB in trade summaries below, unless otherwise stated, players "In" came from Superdraft or Supplemental Draft; Players "Out" were waived or did not have their option picked up)

Chivas USA

2011: 8th (missed playoffs)

In: M Ryan Smith (trade from Sporting KC); D James Riley (from Seattle, via trade from Montreal); M Oswaldo Minda (SD Quito); M Miller Bolaños (LDU Quito); F Casey Townsend; D R.J. Allen; G Brian Rowe; D Daniel Steres; D Fabian Kling; D Kevin Venegas; G Tim Melia (free); D John Valencia (Atlético Junior); M Marvin Iraheta (Cosmos Academy); D Rauwshan McKenzie (free); M Peter Vagenas (free); F Cesar Romero (free)

Out: F Justin Braun (trade to Montreal); M Gerson Mayen (trade to Montreal); D Zarek Valentin (expansion draft); M Paulo Nagamura (trade to Sporting KC); D Andrew Boyens (Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); F Chukwudi Chujindu ; M Simon Elliott; G Zach Thornton; D Mariano Trujillo ; D Michael Umaña (free/Comunicaciones); F Marcos Mondaini; G Sergio Arias; F Víctor Estupiñán; D R.J. Allen; D Fabian Kling

Opening Game:
(H) Houston Dynamo, Sunday, March 11, 7.00pm, ET Home Depot Center (Galavision)

Juan Pablo Angel must be wishing he hadn't started the trend for Premier League imports. First Thierry Henry's arrival curtailed his reign in New York, then the chance to show the Red Bulls what they were missing ended in disappointment in Los Angeles, in the wake of the Galaxy's move for Robbie Keane last summer. At least Angel didn't have to move his locker contents far on his next trade - finally landing with a team where he's undisputed top dog. Of his fellow forwards at Chivas USA last season, Justin Braun may have made himself a fan favorite with the hat trick at Red Bull Arena, but he was traded to Montréal this off-season, and Víctor Estupiñán is gone too - possibly regretting his prediction that he would score 30 goals last year (he did get 1...).

The good news for Chivas USA fans is that Angel, unlike half the squad he played with last year, is back for 2012. When you think of Chivas USA in recent seasons you think of turnover - on and off the field. For practical reasons (money) Chivas tends to focus on developing young players and of course receives first look at some of the best of them (low league placement = high draft picks). But the revolving door at the club means those young players tend to become the finished product elsewhere. Robin Fraser is in year two of a building project at Chivas, but the real-politic of managing this team means he has had to pretty much knock down last year's house and start again. Angel is an exception, and so, thankfully, is Dan Kennedy. The goalkeeper had an amazing season last year, showing no signs of long-term effects of his season-ending injury from 2010. Kennedy's acrobatic saves kept Chivas in contention in many games and his presence, and that of Angel and the improving Heath Pearce at center back, should give Fraser some hope that at least the spine of the team is in good shape. Two more signings, Oswaldo Minda (SD Quito) and Miller Bolaños (LDU Quito), may be the missing link in midfield, but Fraser needs his new look side to gel fast, or they'll be rebuilding again next year.

Prediction: 9th

Colorado Rapids

2011: 5th (lost to Sporting Kansas City in Eastern Conference semi-finals)

In: D Hunter Freeman (Re-Entry Stage 2/Houston); M Tony Cascio; M Kohei Yamada ; G Joel Helmick; M Jaime Castrillón (free/Independiente Medellín); M Martín Rivero (loan/Rosario Central); D Luis Zapata (free)

Out: M Sanna Nyassi (expansion draft); D Mike Holody; D Danny Earls; D Miguel Comminges; F Caleb Folan; F/M Macoumba Kandji (trade to Houston)

Opening Game:
(H) Columbus Crew, Saturday, March 10, 6.00pm, Dick's Sporting Goos Park

Colorado started 2011 as reigning MLS Cup champions and their season peaked 30 minutes later, as they ran up a 3 goal lead against league newcomers Portland. After that promising start, Colorado's season unravelled in a wave of recriminations and injuries to key players. Brian Mullan received a 10 match ban for a horrible lunge on Seattle's Steve Zakuani and in the return game Colorado suffered a season ending Achilles injury to Conor Casey, that removed their main attacking threat for the second half of the season. The Sounders had laid a temporary turf on top of their usual plastic, for their leg of Manchester United's pre-season tour, and Colorado coach Gary Smith wasted no time in blaming this for Casey's injury. Indeed, Smith was a confrontation waiting to happen for most of the season - most notably when his autonomy was threatened by the presence of technical director Paul Bravo and he chose to go public with his displeasure. The management pushed back, and despite being Colorado's only MLS Cup winning coach, the one-time interim coach became the former coach in the close season - with Colorado's loss being Stevenage's gain.

In the context of this upheaval, reaching the play-offs was a creditable result, but despite squeezing past Columbus Crew in the wild card game, Colorado fell apart against Kansas - Tyrone Marshall's first leg red card was an insult added to the injuries of Caleb Folan, Kosuke Kimura and Drew Moor as Colorado lost both legs easily. A season to forget.

New coach Oscar Pareja has had a quiet start, with no wholesale changes. The attacking playmaker Martín Rivero joined on loan from Rosario Central and may provide a little fluidity to Colorado's physical, if rather rigid, formation - but the key to success is Casey. If he's back and on form they'll be a handful for anyone on their day, but the lack of a plan B may make for a long season in the competitive West.

Prediction: 6th

FC Dallas

2011: 4th (eliminated in wild card play off by New York Red Bulls)

In: F Blas Pérez (free/Indios de Ciudad Juárez); D Hernán Pertúz (free/Independiente Medellín); D Matt Hedges; D Alex Lee; F Walter Hines; D Ian Kalis; D Carlos Rodríguez (Tauro FC)

Out: D Edson Edward; D Jeremy Hall (trade to Toronto); F Maykel Galindo; F Maicon Santos; M Marvin Chávez (trade to San Jose); M Jackson (loan to Cruzeiro)

Opening Game:
(H) New York Red Bulls, Sunday, March 11, 3.00pm, FC Dallas Stadium (NBC Sports)

Dallas seemed to play around 347 games last year and presented one of the more compelling arguments yet for MLS to reconsider squad rules for teams playing in CONCACAF competition. In trying to compete with the dominant Mexican sides whilst juggling the squad and salary restrictions that are the American and Canadian teams' lot in life, Dallas' victory against Pumas, on Mexican soil (the first such victory by an MLS side), was a worthy achievement. But by the end of the season viewers were wincing as a young, but overplayed, squad took the field yet again and even Brek Shea, the marauding physical specimen from Vidal Sassoon's nightmares, began to look less like the modern attacking full back/winger who'd terrorized defenses until the summer (garnering attention from Arsenal) and more like the overstretched young man in need of a rest that he actually was.

It's not that Dallas were unique in MLS in being strained like this, it's just that they seem particularly hard done by for trying to do the right thing - developing and encouraging youth with a consistency that's the envy of many other teams in the league. The other half of the youth-orientated formula for MLS success though, is strategic use of more experienced (read also, "expensive") players - and Dallas sorely missed the 2010 MVP David Ferreira after he was badly injured early in the season. Ferreira's on the mend and back in training now, but will have to play through pain in the immediate future and who knows when, or if, he'll get back to his best. In the meantime, Dallas will be hoping their new Panamanian forward Blas Pérez lives up to his billing and starts scoring goals immediately - aside from fixture scheduling, part of their late season fatigue was down to too many close games catching up with them. They need to put teams away earlier and more ruthlessly. If they do that and can bring the prodigy Shea to the boil at the right time this year, they'll push the top 3 all the way.

Prediction: 4th

LA Galaxy

2011: 1st (Supporters Shield and MLS Cup winners)

In: D Andrew Boyens (Re-Entry Stage 2/Chivas USA); D Chris Leitch (Re-Entry Stage 2/San Jose); F Pat Noonan (Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Marcelo Sarvas (free/Alajuelense); M Jose Villarreal (Home Grown); G Nick Noble (free/Ljungskile SK); D Tommy Meyer (SuperDraft); M Kenney Walker; F Bryan Gaul; M Rafael Garcia; F Yuri Gorentzvaig; F Steven Posa; D Justin Davies; F Edson Buddle (free); M Kyle Nakazawa (trade from Philadelphia)

Out: D Gregg Berhalter (retired); G Donovan Ricketts (trade to Montreal); G Jon Conway (retired); M/F Miguel López (loan expired); M Jovan Kirovski (retired); D Dasan Robinson (retired); D Chris Leitch (retired); D Frankie Hejduk (contract expired); F Yuri Gorentzvaig

Opening Game:
(H) Real Salt Lake, Saturday, March 10, 10.30pm, Home Depot Center

Well, he's back. The "will he/won't he?" saga of the off-season (with due respect to 'Downton Abbey' and the off-off Broadway smash 'The Life of Brian of Montréal') ended with confirmation from the Galaxy that the key to their championship-winning midfield has returned for another season - where he will be joined by David Beckham. Juninho was great for LA last season - managing to be both everywhere in midfield and yet always keeping the team in shape as more illustrious names went walkabout or looked for angles for their Hollywood passes. He linked play when LA countered, marshaled the 'Carson Catenaccio' when they defended and generally wore down and dispirited the opposition with his presence. For proof of his worth you had only to look at the first fifteen minutes of the second leg of the Western Conference semi-final. Suspended for instigating Rafa Marquez's best Sonny Liston impersonation at the end of the first leg, Juninho had to watch helplessly as New York scored early and overran the midfield in the spaces he would usually patrol. But for Teemu Tainio's injury restoring a more realistic balance of power, the outcome might have been different without Juninho's crucial presence.

And Juninho is just one player - Bruce Arena seems to have attracted dozens of them. The Designated Player trio of Beckham, Keane and Donovan might have been the story of MLS Cup, but LA's manager is focussed on exploiting every aspect of the MLS system, from late-career talent, to re-entry drafts, to being ahead of the curve on the possibilities for homegrown talent. He's been active again in the off-season. Beckham and Juninho are back of course, though Arena also has Juninho's mooted replacement, Marcelo Sarvas, and Edson Buddle to add to the embarrassment of riches up front. There's additional depth too - players like Pat Noonan and Andrew Boyens brought in with the long season and Champions League play in mind, and homegrown talent in Jose Villareal.

If there's a concern, it's defense. MLS Defender of the year Omar Gonzalez went to Nürnberg to train for the off-season and picked up a serious cruciate injury in his first training session. Last year LA had their share of games where they ground out a game by the odd goal - and that doesn't leave a lot of room for defensive error. So the young star will be missed.

That's it though - not many straws for the opposition to clutch at... The team to beat.

Prediction: 1st

Portland Timbers

2011: 6th (missed playoffs)

In: F José Adolfo Valencia (Independiente Santa Fe/Colombia); F Brent Richards (Home Grown); D Andrew Jean-Baptiste; M Brendan King; D Hanyer Mosquera (free); M Ryan Kowaluk; M Miguel Ibarra; G Doug Herrick; M Logan McDaniel; F Kris Boyd (free); M Charles Renken; M Franck Songo'o (free); GK Joe Bendik (Sogndal)

Out: D Kevin Goldthwaite (retired); F/M Ryan Pore; G Adin Brown; M Rodrigo López; M Peter Lowry; F Brian Umony; F Kenny Cooper (trade to New York)

Opening Game:
(H) Philadelphia Union, Monday, March 12, 9.30pm, JELD-WEN Field (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Portland were an absolute tonic for MLS last season - from the moment the Timbers Army belted out the national anthem at their first home game (by the way, give me heartfelt, mass, off-key singing over American Idol showcases offering improvised, self-indulgent tributes to the land of the Freeeayyyyeeeiiieeeewoaaaaaaaaaaheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee any day...), to the introduction of Timber Joey, who, love him or hate him, has a chainsaw - their fans brought an infectious and very particular glee to their debut season in MLS.

It was an enthusiasm that spread to the players - Jack Jewsbury arrived after eight years at Kansas City, with his future supposedly behind him, but was immediately made captain and responded with a career best season that saw him selected for the All-Star game. He faded down the stretch, as did forward Kenny Cooper, whose 8 goal return saw him traded to the Red Bulls, but by then the understandably callow Timbers had begun to click and they finished the season with the whole team in good form. No visiting side is likely to enjoy visiting Jeld-Wen Field this season. It's one of those intimate grounds, like The Dell was for Southampton, that visitors would find oppressive even before the baying Timbers Army added the atmosphere. More than one nominally superior team left shellshocked: eventual champions LA Galaxy lost 3-0 in August, and Chicago Fire shipped 4 in April, as the sawdust flew.

The Timbers Army didn't fly though - at least not in numbers sufficient enough to boost the team to better away form - which was their Achilles heel all season. If the Timbers can improve on their travels though, and if new signing Kris Boyd does what Cooper never consistently did, and converts the chances made by Portland's wing play, they may challenge more convincingly for a play-off spot this year.

Prediction: 5th

Real Salt Lake

2011: 3rd (lost to LA Galaxy in Western Conference Final)

In: M Enzo Martinez; D Diogo de Almeida; M Sebastián Velásquez; M Andy Rose; F Emiliano Bonfigli; F Oliver Kupe; D Leone Cruz (trade rights from Seattle)

Out: G Tim Melia; M Collen Warner; D Robbie Russell (trade to D.C.); M Jean Alexandre (trade to San Jose); M Arturo Alvarez (Re-Entry Stage 1/Chivas USA); M Andy Williams (retired); D Nelson González; D Rauwshan McKenzie; M Blake Wagner; M Andy Rose (trade to Seattle)

Opening Game:
(A) Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, March 10, 10.30pm, Home Depot Center

A cruel goal and a cruel injury within a week of each other, nearly did for Real Salt Lake's season as early as May. Even the most partisan supporters of other teams were probably secretly urging RSL on when they brought Monterrey back to the Rio Tinto in the second leg of the Champions League final. A 2-2 draw in Mexico meant that the Americans had a great chance to be the first MLS team to win the title, and with the added advantage of playing at home (where they were unbeaten in 37 matches), expectations ran high. Salt Lake duly peppered the Mexican's goal in the early stages, but did not score and a first-half injury time goal gave the cup to Monterrey. A week later playmaker Javier Morales suffered a horrific leg break and RSL's season looked to be collapsing around them. Morales was the creative pivot of the side and his loss put more strain on an already exhausted (and aging) midfield.

Despite this adversity, RSL bent but did not break. They used all their nous to keep going into the play-offs, where they eliminated the favored Seattle (highlights: Saborio's dagger-to-the-heart of a backheel in the first leg, Beltran's instinctive goal line headed save in the second), before a fascinating tactical battle with LA Galaxy in the Western Conference final. RSL lost that one, but in doing so played their part in one of the games of the season, in terms of technical quality on both sides - it's a compliment to Real Salt Lake that they seem to bring out the best qualities of their opponents.

LA and RSL meet again on opening weekend, though in two different stages of their dynastic cycles. Whereas LA seem to have strengthened a winning team, RSL lost some key players to trades, retirement and the expansion draft in the off-season, and Jason Kreis is experiencing the longer term implications of the salary cap - you build a winning side on modest **** and before you know it, you're negotiating the salary cap with a squad of winners. If anyone's equipped to rebuild though, it's the technical staff at RSL - young players, such as the promising draft signing Enzo Martinez, will benefit from the training regime, a system where players are clear on what's expected of them, and an open door to the first team for those who show their worth. They won't overtake Seattle or LA, but they'll stay in close touch this season.

Prediction: 3rd

San Jose Earthquakes

2011: 7th (missed playoffs)

In: M Shea Salinas (trade from Vancouver); M Jean Alexandre (trade from RSL); M Marvin Chávez (trade from FC Dallas); D Víctor Bernárdez (free/Anderlecht); F Sam Garza; M Jacob Hustedt ; G Chris Blais; F Cesar Diaz Pizarro; D David Tiemstra; D James Kiffe; D Tyler Krumpe; F Sercan Güvenisik (Preußen Münster); M Tressor Moreno (free); M/F Simon Dawkins ( loan)

Out: D Bobby Burling (expansion draft); M Matt Luzunaris; M/D Bobby Convey (trade to Sporting KC); D Chris Leitch (Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); M André Luiz; M Jacob Peterson; F Scott Sealy; G Andrew Weber; F Chris Agorsor; F/D Donny Toia

Opening Game:
(H) New England Revolution, Saturday, March 10, 10.30pm, Buck Shaw Stadium

Ssshhh, be very quiet...don't wake up Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowskis get cranky if you wake them up before September... For the second successive year, San Jose's fortunes were tied to a late season revival and Golden Boot-challenging surge from the forward, whose goal tally for the season equalled that of the next three Earthquakes players in the standings put together. This time though, it wasn't enough to edge the Earthquakes into the play-offs, following their horrendous mid-season slump - so no Bobby Convey heroics a la 2010 ...and no Bobby Convey for 2012 either. The Quakes' star player was traded to KC during the off-season in what will be a significant move for the organization, however it pans out.

Convey was an unsettled presence during 2011, falling out with coach Frank Yallop over what the music industry euphemistically likes to refer as "creative differences" ("You're a Left Back", "I'm a Left Midfielder", "You're a Left Back", "I want to play Jazz Fusion" - repeat to fade...). After a late season outburst about the whole San Jose organization's professionalism, there was no way Convey could stay - and after that trade a fair amount of salary cap space was opened up for Yallop to shape the team with more malleable talent.

It's a work in progress, but unless Wondolowski comes out of hibernation early this year (and in fairness he carried his 2010 form briefly into the start of 2011), the time it takes a new look Earthquakes to gel may leave them with another big ask to make up ground in the West at the end of the season.

Prediction: 7th

Seattle Sounders

2011: 2nd (lost to Real Salt Lake in Western Conference semi-finals)

In: G Michael Gspurning (free/Skoda Xanthi); D Marc Burch (Re-Entry Stage 2/D.C. United); D Adam Johansson (free/Göteborg); M Christian Sivebaek (free/Midtjylland); D Andrew Duran; F Babayele Sodade; D Tim Pontius; F Jason Banton; F Abdul Aman; D Wes Feighner; M Andy Rose (trade from Real Salt Lake); F Cordell Cato (free/Defence Force FC); Eddie Johnson (trade from Montréal)

Out: G Kasey Keller (retired); D James Riley (to Chivas USA, via expansion draft); D Tyson Wahl (trade to Montreal); GK Terry Boss (retired); D Taylor Graham (retired); F Nate Jaqua (Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); F Pat Noonan (Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); M Erik Friberg (transfer/Malmö); F Mike Fucito (traded to Montreal); M Lamar Neagle (traded to Montreal)

Opening Game:
(H) Toronto FC, Saturday, March 17, 10.00pm, CenturyLink Field

Not quite the finish to the season Seattle and Kasey Keller were hoping for. The veteran goalkeeper bowed out with a clean sheet in a 2-0 Western Conference semi-final/cavalry charge against Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field. It wasn't enough to overturn a 3-0 deficit from a mortifying first leg at Rio Tinto though, and it's somewhat understandable that, just a few months on, that last doomed death-or-glory stand has been airbrushed from Seattle's popular history, in favor of the memory of Keller's last regular season home game.

A record 64,120 crowd turned out for that one, to pay tribute to the much-travelled goalkeeper back in the region where it all started for him (no one seemed to mind that that start had been at Portland Timbers). Keller didn't disappoint on the night - coming up with a sequence of four consecutive saves that won him the MLS save of the season award, though in some ways, the evening belonged just as much to the crowd, celebrating where they now found themselves, as much as the man who'd done so much to bring them there.

So where did they find themselves? Well, they were the Open Cup champions again, for the third year in a row - yet that particular achievement in knockout soccer just made yet another post-season choke in the MLS Cup all the more puzzling. That first leg at the Rio Tinto was one of those games that history will call a mauling, but which for long periods was closer than the scoreline suggested. But there was something about the way that each of RSL's goals came at crucial tipping points in the game that Seattle must learn from, if they want to make the next step to dominate in MLS. Saborio's backheeled second and the fatal third just as Seattle fans were telling each other that 2-0 wasn't a bad score to take back home, were tough lessons for Seattle on how to kill off a crucial game, but ones they perhaps need to learn. The second leg might have showcased their spirit and swashbuckling attacking style, but we knew about that. The first leg was one of those games ambitious teams only want to experience once.

The off-season trade pattern suggests that Sigi Schmid believes that the team is just a little short of the next step up - less talk of consolidation, more moves designed to have an instant impact. Most telling is the trade for Eddie Johnson that sent Neagle and Fucito to Montréal. Once the next big thing, Johnson is back in MLS after bouncing around Europe for a few years (including a stint at American clearing house, Fulham) without doing much to enhance his goalscoring reputation. Schmid is obviously still convinced of his pedigree though, and with Sivebaek and Johannson filling in crucial gaps in the jigsaw, and Keller's replacement Michael Gspurning installed at the back - the conditions, if not the omens, are there for Johnson to be a leading scorer. And if Mauro Rosales performs in a manner proportional to his well-deserved pay increase (2011. Bargain. Of. The. Year. Anywhere...), it could be their year. LA's off-season prudence still has them as favorites for me, but Seattle will go very close.

Prediction: 2nd

Vancouver Whitecaps

2011: 9th (missed playoffs)

In: M Bryce Alderson (Home Grown), D Lee Young-Pyo (free); M/F Lee Nguyen (weighted lottery); M Matt Watson (free/Carolina); D Martín Bonjour (free: Rampla Juniors); F Darren Mattocks; D Chris Estridge; G Brad Knighton (Carolina); D Geinier García; D/M Greg Klazura; G Andrew Fontein; D Mark Fetrow; M Jun Marques Davidson (free); F Sébastien Le Toux (trade from Philadelphia); M Barry Robson (free: Middlesbrough, arriving in July); F Etienne Barbara (free/rights acquired from Montreal)

Out: D Jeb Brovsky (expansion draft); D Bilal Duckett; M Nizar Khalfan; M Alexandre Morfaw; M Shea Salinas (trade to San Jose); D Greg Janicki; M Pete Vagenas; D Jonathan Leathers; G Jay Nolly (trade to Chicago); D Geinier García (trade to Montreal); F Mustapha Jarju; M Philippe Davies

Opening Game:
(H) Montréal Impact, Saturday, March 10, 6.00pm, BC Place

A rather more traumatic opening MLS season for Vancouver than for their Cascadia neighbors, Portland - though like the TImbers, the Whitecaps began showing signs of settling at the end of the season. It all started so well for Coach Teitur Thordarson, as he oversaw a 4-2 victory over Canadian rivals Toronto on opening day. Sadly it was a result that said more about Toronto's prospects than Vancouver's, and there were no more wins for Thordarson. He was fired in May and Director of Soccer Tom Soehn took over for the remainder of the season. Vancouver weren't humiliated often during the season (though their series with LA ended up in a 7-0 aggregate for the eventual MLS cup winners), but it wasn't till the final month of the season that they managed consecutive wins, including an eye-catching 3-0 defeat of Real Salt Lake.

It's probably no coincidence that those wins came at their new home of BC Place - new coach Martin Rennie will be hoping to build on their home form this year. Not that he's trusting to pure home enthusiasm propelling the Whitecaps - the ambitious young Scotsman came to Vancouver from NASL league winners Carolina Railhawks, as perhaps the best coach in North America working outside MLS. He has hit the ground running, and seems to have galvanized the club. 12 players were cleared out and 15 added, in an echo of the overhaul Rennie had performed at the previous under-performing team he had inherited.

Of those who arrived, the stand out is former Philadelphia forward Sébastien LeToux, who in the space of a few days saw his likely destination shift by 6000 miles, as Vancouver moved swiftly for the player Bolton had passed on after a trial. He'll be joined in attack by the speedy Darren Mattocks, who just delivered a pre-season riposte to Montréal, for their surprise choice of Andrew Wenger over him in the SuperDraft, by scoring against them in a 3-0 victory. Of the rest, Rennie has brought Matt Watson and Brad Knighton with him from Carolina and Middlesbrough midfielder Barry Robson will shore up the midfield when he arrives at the end of the British season. It looks a solid signing. Robson comes from a club with the type of system-orientated development that should help him adapt quickly to a new club and culture. Vancouver will be hoping their own adaptation to MLS kicks up a gear with all these changes.

Prediction: 8th

[Zeljovac_1921]

Joj gola Portlanda protiv Phile 2-1, 20 minuta do kraja.
Atmosfera Evropska, pjesma ne prestaje.

[badblueboylivno]

Počelo i ovo. Dynamo mi na dvije pobjede u dvije gostujuće tekme. Uživao sam u golu kod odvratnog Chivasa u prvom kolu. Inače su na gostujućnoj turneji prvih sedam utakmica, do otvaranja stadiona sredinom petog mjeseca. Valjalo bi sad uzeti Seattle u gostima. Go Dynamo

Vidim i da je New York odmah na startu počeo prditi u šišu.

[NedozvoljenaPozicija]

Počelo i ovo. Dynamo mi na dvije pobjede u dvije gostujuće tekme. Uživao sam u golu kod odvratnog Chivasa u prvom kolu. Inače su na gostujućnoj turneji prvih sedam utakmica, do otvaranja stadiona sredinom petog mjeseca. Valjalo bi sad uzeti Seattle u gostima. Go Dynamo

Vidim i da je New York odmah na startu počeo prditi u šišu.

Počeo, al se zaustavio na vrijeme

Henry i Cooper igraju strašno, ostatak tima odlično, ako se saberemo u odbrani onda bi ovo mogla biti mnogo bolja sezona od očekivanog

[badblueboylivno]

Da, vrhunski dvojac. 14 od 16 golova Bullsa ove godine. Impresivno, baš sam ulovio sažetke od tekme s Quakesima.

Sinoć utakmica mog Dynama kod Chicaga dvaput prekidana zbog katastrofalnog vremena i prijetnje tornada, u 66. drugi prekid i proglašen službeni kraj, 1-1.

Dobar Dynamo zasad, s obzirom da igraju samo u gostima, 7 bodova od 12, uz nesretan poraz kod Seattlea pred tri tjedna - nakon toga uslijedila duga trotjedna pauza. Inače, još tri tekme do otvaranja ljepotice u teksaškoj pustinji. Jedva čekam vidjeti napaljivanje DC Uniteda.

[Zeljovac_1921]

Jedva cekam

[badblueboylivno]

Također. Mislim da se ekipa iz Districta neće dobro provesti, kao ni Timbersi nakon toga.

[NedozvoljenaPozicija]

Nakon prvog poluvremena D.C. United ubjedljivo vodi protiv Red Bullsa - 3:0. Diletantske greške u odbrani su nas dovele u situaciju da primimo tri smiješna gola. Prodat tri lopte onako i primit tri gola može samo klub iz San Marina u nekom evropskom pretkolu. U drugom poluvremenu ostaje samo nada u bolji rezultat, ali ono što je mnogo bitnije je da se mora raditi na uigranosti odbrane, sa ovakvom defanzivnom linijom nismo dospjeli nigdje. Smiju nam se djeca moj Reufe.

EDIT: Kraj 4:1. Rezultat drugog poluvremena govori samo jedno, a to je da napadači D.C. Uniteda nisu bili dovoljno skoncentrisani u završnici, inače bismo mnogo gore prošli. Odbrani na čelu sa Holgerssonom bi bilo bolje da se sama ispiše i ide kući, toliku hrpu nesposobnih polovnjaka svijet nije vidio. Ni jednu jedinu loptu oni nisu bili u stanju da očiste, a četvrti gol za domaćina je posebna priča. Uze gospodin Pontius loptu, prelaca sve sam k'o na terminu i ladno tutnu loptu u gol za svoj hattrick. Strašno. Naš jedini svijetli momenat je bio gol Henrya iz slobodnjaka malo iskosa sa lijeve strane, udaljenost oko 20 metara. Osim toga imali smo par dobrih šuteva Henrya i Coopera sa poludistance i neki mini pritisak u zadnjih 20-ak minuta, ali to je bilo sve. Nesuvislo je pričati o bilo čemu dok se ne riješi problem odbrane, svijet nije zapamtio goru odbranu, u historiji fudbala nisu zabilježene gluplje reakcije od ovih večeras.

[Zeljovac_1921]

DC vs Dynamo 1-0
Fino igramo, nesretno primismo gol

[Zeljovac_1921]

1-1

[Zeljovac_1921]

2-2 joj tekme djece mi

[badblueboylivno]

Šteta, evo pogledao sam sažetak, Bruin nastavlja sa odličnim utakmicama, obrana i dalje ima biserne momente. Ali ajde, vratit će se ovo DC-u kad dođu na novi stadion uskoro.

San Jose nastavlja gaziti, iznenađujući start u sezonu. Phila bez Le Touxa sasvim druga ekipa.

Galaxy se opet prosuo. Arena odlazi!

Corradi za Montreal zabio u trećoj utakmici zaredom, Toronto već sedmi poraz u sedmoj utakmici. Bit će zanimljivo skorašnje kanadsko prvenstvo, da vidimo tko će prekinuti primat Toronta.

[badblueboylivno]

Pobjeda Dynama na otvaranju novog stadiona. Kakva praćka Brada Davisa, sa 25 metara. Naklon, majstore!

[Virtu4l]

Dva sjajna gola u ovom kolu. Beckham ponovo skinuo 'paučinu'.

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[NedozvoljenaPozicija]

nakon poraza od DC Uniteda nanizali smo 4 pobjede i sad smo prvi tim istoka, na čemu možemo zahvaliti i Sportingu koji je izgleda totalno ispao iz forme. Nažalost nisam stigao pogledati sve tekme radi raznih preklapanja sa ostalim Major ligama, ali sad kad završe NBA i NHL biće više vremena za MLS...

[rio_Ferdy88]

[badblueboylivno]

Da, plaće su im poprilično, gledano na ostatak svijeta, skromne, ali liga je zauzela takav stav koji ju ne može dovesti do propasti. A plaće rastu i s razvojem ove lige, i nogometa tamo općenito, će i dalje rasti.

Moram dodati da večeras očekujem pobjedu Dynama nad Portlandom, a dodajem još da počinje i US Open Cup, ove godine veći no ikad. Po prvi put u cijelom turniru će sudjelovati svi američki MLS klubovi.