MLS Preview Team by Team

I know some of you may not care about MLS, but I personally am excited for this season. I was wondering if some of you that support a team (Petty-Columbus, Don-Houston [I think],DC Heather-DC United, myself- RSL) would be willing to do just a brief team capsule of your team for the upcoming season so that others may get some insight to the make-up of that team and possibly gain some interest. I know I myself would love to see what everyone has to say about their team, and it would be cool if we had a one for every team. Dumb idea? Let me know. Thanks

 

I live in Houston, and am a big Dynamo fan - I'd be more than happy to volunteer my services to preview the Dynamo season.

 

cool...i'm a huge DeRosario fan...he's good!!!

 

Yeah he is! Too bad he's Canadian... the USMNT could certainly use him! All right--I'll get cracking on the preview...

 

right on...no worries. FC Dallas is a good team to follow...they have some good players

 

I support the Chicago Fire but I do not think I would qualify as someone who has enough knowledge to write a preview. I do know this, the Fire was awfully quiet this offseason in terms of bringing new players in. They just signed Blanco but he will not play until July.

They lose Jaqua along with Andy Herron. I think they will struggle a bit this season. They are expecting some young players to step in and contribute. Who knows.

They still have Chris Rohlf, Justin Mapp, Tiago (I think), Guerrero and some other guys whose names are eluding me right now that could make them dangerous. Unfortunately, I think they will make the playoffs but do very little more.

 

I enjoy the MLS. But since my team ditched me, I can only view from afar. Go Dyna-Quakes!!
MK

 

soccernet has great team previews, complete with always entertaining quotes from Wynalda

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/st ... ls&cc=5901

I'm pretty excited for the start of the season this weekend. I don't have a team but do plan on keeping an eye on Toronto, wether I become a fan only time will tell. Here are my predictions:

West
1)Colorado Rapids- going out on a limb yes, but Colorado looked good at the end of last year and have made some major additions
2)Houston Dynamo- this is a solid team, not a ton of skill or flair but they find ways to win games
3)LA Galaxy- its not just Beckham, this will be Yallops first full year in charge and he'll sort this team out
4) Chivas USA- have lost Bradley as well as some key players, but have made some additions, besides no matter how Preki does in his first season he's a better coach then John Ellinger!
5) Real Salt Lake- added Tejhada and Adu, will battle with Chivas for the last playoff spot but will lose out in the end
6) FC Dallas- they've contended the past few season but the boat has passed on this side,I see crash and burn in this teams future

East

1) DC United- with the Revs depleated I don't see anyone out east challanging these guys with the signings they've made, the true test for them will be the playoffs
2) Red Bull NY- still not that strong a squad but Arena will have them playing
3)New England- weaker then before and the Shalrie Jospeh question looms, they can still hack it out east though
4) Chicago Fire- they just signed frikin Blanco, I don't see this working out
5) KC Wizards - new owners but unless EJ steps it up big time these guys aren't in the playoffs, so ah don't count on it
6) Toronto FC- will be very tough for expansion team, and I don't know if MOJO is the right man for the job
7) Columbus Crew- can Schmid finally get petty's boys playing, for his sake I hope so but I doubt it

MLS CUP Champion= Galaxy will defeat DC off a Beckham free kick

US Open Cup Champion= Minnesota Thunder 8)

 

The Optimizer Red Bull NY Preview!

Goaltending: Solid with Watteraus in net.

Defense: Wynne will continue to improve on the right back and Duninvant is set at left back. No Parke right now means it's Mendes and Stammler at CB. I have no problem with them; but I think an upgrade at CB would be beneficial.

Midfield: Solid with Reyna, Kovalenko, Schopp, and van den Bergh. Solid. Getting van den Bergh was a smart move. Injuries could really mess up this otherwise strong midfield. though, and Schopp and Reyna aren't exactly examples of Iron Men soccer players. Supposedly, Dane Richards has been looking good and has crazy speed, he could be a good sub. Maybe for Schopp on the right.

Forward: Josmer Altidore, Jon Wolyneic, uh...that's it? A 17 year old and a journeyman forward as the top two forwards. Eek. I hope Altidore develops quickly. In a pinch, I guess Mathis can go up top; but I really hope DP slot #2 is spent on a forward either real soon (before the MLS transfer deadline on 4/15) or in the summer (re-opening of transfer window).

X Man: Clint Mathis. Supposedly he's fit. I know he fell a long, LONG way down since Germany, but RBNY got him for 5 cents on the dollar. If he bounces back, he could push this team over the top and...really into the playoffs instead of just fighting for one.

Expected formation: 4-5-1 with Altidore up top? 4-4-2 means Woly and Altidore up top. That 4-5-1 can easily be a 4-3-3 if Richards/Schopp and van den Brugh push up. Hmmm...it depends, I suppose.

PREDICTION: They make the playoffs...and lose in the first round. 6th overall, 3rd in the East.

 

nice Opt....i'll come up with one for Real Salt Lake