2007 was a great year for Major League Soccer, the arrival of David Beckham helped bring a legitimacy to a league that struggles for respect on the world's stage. Now with the Becksapalooza having had its big hooray I really hope that 2008 will see this league appealing more to the soccer fan rather than the 'People Magazine' subscriber. Almost every team this season went overseas scouting for the next 'Emilio' or 'Galindo' rather than the next Jaun Pablo Angel. Meaning they looked for a diamond in the rough that they can pay less rather than a possible star with a star's paycheck. This approach has helped more teams pull in more talent. The obvious risk to this method is that many of these players, while successful in the second divisions around the world, have yet to prove that they can play well on the MLS stage. ('The Best Eleven' blog has a running list of new overseas talent in Major League Soccer this '08 season that you can go to here)
(This map, provided by The Best Eleven, shows all the countries helping to supply talent to Major League Soccer)It is difficult to gauge MLS teams from one year to the next because of the global aspect of the sport. Teams, such as Real Salt Lake has done, have the ability to change just about every single player in the organization over the span of just a few months. This makes it so the league's 'bottom dwellers' can make quick and thorough roster changes from one season to the next as long as they have a competent and knowledgeable staff (both coaching and front office).
David Beckham was what '2007' will always be known for in United States soccer. I hope that the international flavor brought in can be the theme for 2008. Not only will this global approach help to improve league play, but it should help our own guys improve at a quicker rate setting up US Soccer for a winning future. It also helps to absorb some of the talent loss that the league sees as more and more US stars seek fame in Europe.
With that said and done, here are my good as fool's gold season predictions.
For the past couple of years the Eastern half of the league has been stronger (top to bottom) up until October, but thanks to D.C.'s ability to choke in the playoffs and New England's knack for making champions out of their MLS Cup opponent the East finishes each season still wanting more.1. DC United - There will be a slightly different look to the D.C. United of 2008, but I'm sure we can still pencil them in for another Supporter's Shield. They have had a strong preseason with legitimate international play which gives them a head start on the season.
2. New England Revs - This is a difficult team to judge. They lost a lot with the departure of Noonan, but they also added Chris Albright. They could be great again, but it depends on a few things. Will their new additions pan out? Will Twellman be upset they wouldn't let him go to England? Will the Revs continue to be the Buffalo Bills of Major League Soccer? There are a lot of questions marks, but this isn't an overly difficult conference top to bottom...unless New York secures some defense this should be the Revs spot.
3. New York Red Bulls -The goal of NY this off season was to add some defense to their potent offense. I don't think they did that much to help out their defense needs and they even added a bit more offense with Oscar Echeverry from Columbia. Watch for a lot of goals, but also many goals given.
4. Chicago Fire - This may be too high for Chicago. They really didn't do very much this offseason and their star is going to continue to slow down...Blanco is now 35. This team will depend heavily on a new coach to make them a better team than last season.
5. Columbus Crew - This team needed a lot of help, but I really don't see much of an improvement. On a positive note...at least the fans still attending games will keep coming...you know they aren't bandwagon fans after all that the CC has put them through. (The feeling is becoming eerily familiar in Salt Lake City)
6. Kansas City - Losing Eddie Johnson is HUGE in my ever so humble opinion and I believe it will be manifested in the results.
7. Toronto FC - Mo Johnston has tried to put a better product on the field for 2008, but will it be enough to get the ball in the goal this season? Doubt it. Their amazing fans may
The west seems to play second fiddle in MLS when searching for the top team each regular season, but they playoffs are a different story. Since 2001 only one team that plays in the east has won the MLS Cup (DCU - 2004). This season I would also argue that the west is the better conference top to bottom with many of the teams undergoing vast improvements over the last few months. Working against the conference is San Jose who is sure to secure their last place finish as the expansion franchise.1. Chivas - Chivas had a great 2007 and I believe they will be even better in 2008. If DC United doesn't end up with the 2008 Supporter Shield then I'd put my money on the goats. With Brad Guzan sticking around for a while longer and Jim Curtin coming in to help secure the defense Chivas will be the team to beat in the West. I'm already dreading the annual beating RSL receives in Los Angeles each season.
2. Houston - Houston is well coached and is full of players that have a 'winning' attitude. As far as overall talent is concerned the Dynamo may have taken a small step back in '08 after losing Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya to Austria. They have brought in Boswell from DCU and then a Scot and an Argentine (sound familiar?), but what form Boswell will take and how the new additions will pan out remains to be seen.
3. FC Dallas - This third place spot may be too low for Dallas, but Dallas (like their basketball brothers the Mavericks) seems to have the ability to underachieve. They went to Mexico and Argentina to improve their squad, but as with many of the teams it remains to be seen if these acquisitions will have any impact. I'm sure 'Hoops fans are a bit weary after last season's flop with Denilson.
4. Real Salt Lake - My heart says to put them higher while my mind says to put them lower. After 2007 I told myself I would never let my expectations get out of hand ever again...I lied.
5. Colorado - A lot of the same...I don't see Christian Gomez as being enough to really change this team. His better days are definitely behind him and despite any off-season player movement they still have Fernando Clavijo at the helm. It could be a long season in Denver...to make things worse they will be spending their summer at The Dick. Does seem fitting though.
6. LA Galaxy - Any number times zero equals zero. So even though the Galaxy has three top class players they have surrounded them (for the most part) by a bunch of zeros. 3x0=0. I also predict David Beckham will be sporting that frustrated scowl from preseason long into the summer.
7. San Jose - Does this prediction really need to be justified? Expansion = The Sucks. 'Nuf said.
Agree? Disagree? Tell me what you think. Before you disagree just remember one thing...I'm a genius.
Also...what do you think about the influx of international players in Major League Soccer? Am I wrong in my analysis?
