Western Conference Look-Ahead

Now for the part of MLS preseason predictions that I actually care about...The Western Conference. It is going to be another tight race this year and likely will go down to the last few games for the third and fourth playoff spot again. FC Dallas probably are the most talented team, but Houston has the momentum. Chivas is growing as a club, but ReAL may have filled in a few blanks. As for LAG and the Rapids...I hope they both lose every game this season.

1st - Houston Dynamo
I couldn't justify putting the reigning MLS champs with a team that has changed relatively little anywhere but back at first place. I watcher their home game against Puntarenas and they looked good despite an almost non-existent DeRosario and Ching not at 100%. They were able to create a lot of chances though finishing was an issue. And Puntarenas, other than a few close set-pieces, may not of even got a shot off in the second half. This team has momentum, confidence, and talent.
If I were going to take them out of the number one spot why would I do it? A few reasons. Yes they won the MLS Cup, but as far as points going into the post-season they were only 5th in the MLS. Though for having such drastic off-season changes that might not be too bad. They also lost Adrian Serious to Dallas which in theory could hurt their D, but their D looked just fine in the second game against Puntarenas.
If DeRosario gets back to 2005/early 2006 form, Ching can stay healthy, Onstad continues to play above his age, and Davis stays solid they will be good.

2nd - FC Dallas
Arguably the most talented team in the West this season and they could easily take first place in the regular season, but the inevitability of their postseason choke lands them in second place of my preseason picks.
Ruiz and Cooper are a deadly combo upfront...I hope that JC/Tejadas can come to strike that much fear.

3rd - CD Chivas USA
We saw a glimpse of what they could accomplish at the end of last season and I predict that Chivas could have a real break-out season this year if the loss of Bradley doesn't set them too far back. They are going to be more talented than last year though with the addition of Guevara. I know AG was a cancer to the RBNY organization, but I don't think Chivas will face those problems with him...at least not this season. And with him controlling the mid and passing up to Rasov Chivas is going to score a lot of goals.

4th - ReAL Salt Lake
All I want for October is a playoff spot. I still have too many questions to ask for anything more at this point.
The good. Freddie could be an exciting addition to the middle and I hope this is his year to live up to the hype. Tejadas is looking good at forward and if things work out right the Tejadas/JC combo could be killer. We have a new keep with Rimando that should help us to see immediate improvement and if the unfortunate happens and he goes down this season we have Seitz to back him up. There are a lot of unknowns surrounding this team and we will not know much until after April 7th. At least there is a lot to be excited for.
The bad. I hate to say it, but Ellinger is already scaring me. We have seen formation switching, personel changes, and goals given up due to lack of concentration. I know it is only preseason, but according to reports we outplay the opposition in every single game yet we still lose. That is concerning. And by leaving the 3-5-2 for the 4-4-2 we already lose Freddie in the middle and possibly Medhi on the field. Maybe we should look into the 4-3-3 with Medhi-Talley-Klein at mid and JC/Tejadas/Adu forming a triangle upfront with Adu falling just behind them. I really hope this gets straightened out soon...I worry. Also I can already tell you that my idea would never come to see the light of day because it doen't have Kries on the field and RSL tends to pick players based on loyalty not who will win the game. Don't get me wrong...I like Jason, but I just don't think him starting helps our team this season.

5th place - LA Galaxy
What happens when you take the West's last place team and add David Beckham mid season (complete with new LAG jerseys)? A team that will have a world renowned star in last place...or second to last...TBD. David Beckham will earn is dollars off the field this season. It's not that I don't think he is talented, but it is that I don't think LAG is all that good (Yes, I know they are 5-1-1 in preason. Key word...preseason).
Now I do have some reserve not putting them at least in the last playoff spot. It seems after signing Posh's dude that the league would almost give them a default playoff spot for publicity alone, but I just don't think the team as a whole has what it takes. On D Chris Albright is good, but after that it is slim pickens. With the mids you have of course Cobi Jones. He is old...yes, but he still does have a bit in him. For maybe 60 or 70 minutes a match and that isn't going to be good enough when he needs to run the show for the first half of the season. And their A-mid needs to be running the show now that they are going with the 4-3-3 and Landy is up front on the left (so far this preseason). And that brings me to Donovan...I don't really like him. When I watched him play against Costa Rica in SLC I just about became a fan, but when I watched him in the WC I lost my love. He is inconsistent, pushed off the ball easily, and a pre-Madonna. Watch for LAG breakdown at some point when Becks comes and steals his thunder. There are going to be tears in LA. (Besides unless LAG can find another DP spot in '08 Becks will be the reason he has to leave the Galaxy...makes me laugh a little inside)
I also can't neglect to mention that LA is going to busy this year and possibly a bit worn out between Hunt's Cup, LaLiga, and the 'World Series of Futbol'. Does it bother anybody else they are using the title World Series of Futbol and picking a team to represent the MLS that didn't make the playoffs? I know it is just a little publicity/money maker, but come on...name it like the 'Chelsea pounds on the World Series'.

6th place - Colorado Rapids
It could be an exciting 'off the field' season for the Rapids. They almost became Arsenal (which I am glad didn't happen), they got some new kits (which I have to admit I like), and they get to play in a new soccer specific stadium (hehehe...they said Dick). That is very exciting and should help them draw hundreds if not one thousand fans to their home games.
On the field is a different story. I really don't have to say much. Zach Thorton is their goal keeper. Pablo is a prick (that is beside the point) and will spend much of his summer with the USMNT. Whether he plays much or not Mathis is on the team. And though I kinda of like Herculez Gomez he isn't going to flood the net with soccer balls.
And as a little side note...could the Arsenal 'partnership' be anymore worthless? Real Madrid comes and playes here every few years and we get to go hang out there. Chelsea and LAG will now be playing every few years thanks to their partnership. Arsenal will not come here to play. Lame.

Well...there you have it. Use the comments box to give me your predictions.