With the lack of real soccer action going on in America right now, and a lack of new RSL news as well, I’ve decided that it’s finally time for my 2008 league predictions. These will undoubtedly change soon, but this is how I feel things will go down right now. Keep in mind that I don’t follow every team super-attentively, and I apologize for any misconceptions I may have.
- DC United: DC is just an excellent club all around. With the acquisition of Marcello Gallardo and the return of Luciano Emilio, I can’t see DC anywhere but at the top of the league. Their midfield is slightly lacking, due to the loss of Christian Gomez, but I still think they’ll pull out an excellent year.
- New England Revolution: The Revolution have the best coach in MLS, hands down. Steve Nicol has led this team passionately for many years, and has brought about great success. They have lost Pat Noonan, but they picked up four excellent prospects in the SuperDraft which will help them on their way to victory.
- FC Dallas: Dallas has a solid club. The loss of Carlos Ruiz will effect their front line, which seems to have weakened a bit. However, their midfield and defensive arenas are spectacular and should provide solid service to a sub-par frontline. Duilio Davino will lead Dallas forward.
- Chivas USA: Chivas has improved tremendously ever since MLS great Preki has taken over as head coach. They are perhaps the team with the most talented young players in MLS, with Sacha Kljestan, Brad Guzan, Jonathan Bornstein, and Maykel Galindo. Expect to see a lethal striking force coming out of this team, and maybe even a cameo from Alecko Eskandarian.
- Houston Dynamo: Houston is the two-time defending MLS champ, and this is the year I believe they’ll fall off their high horse. They’ve lost both Joseph Ngwenya and Nate Jacqua to foreign lands and Brian Ching appears to be losing his touch. Their front line is now lacking tremendously, and you can’t win if you can’t score. Also, Dwayne de Rosario seems to think that the only time he needs to play is in crunch time, so the Canadian’s value may go down. Stewart Holden will be the stand out in the Houston midfield this season.
- New York Red Bulls: I struggle for a reason why I put New York so high up on the list, but I can only think of two. Those reasons are the young star Jozy Altidore and the returning Juan Pablo Angel. These two guys are a killer pair and should easily be the best striking pair in the league. Look for Francis Doe to pull it all out this season, and create endless chances for the aforementioned forwards.
- Real Salt Lake: This may seem like a surprise to some, but Real Salt Lake has put together a quality team this year. Head coach Jason Kreis has gone around the world looking for new talent and have picked up names like Ian Joy, Jamilson Olave, Matias Cordoba, and Nat Borchers. The strength and depth of RSL’s defense is now top class, perhaps even the best in the league. The weakest point in the lineup for Real is their forwards, which according to General Manager Garth Lagerway, is being addressed abroad right now.
- Chicago Fire: Chicago has been consistently sub-par in recent years, and I think they’ll continue this trend in 2008. Their front line, which will likely consist of forwards Chris Rolfe and Andy Herron does not look to great, however, their offense will be carried by the old man Cuatehmoc Blanco. Blanco was a great addition for the Fire last year, and will bring an exciting new level of play to Chicago again this year.
- Los Angeles Galaxy: Sure, LA has some spectacular players in Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz, and Abel Xavier, but just look at the rest of that roster! They’ll score ridiculous amounts of goals, but Steve Cronin’s GAA will be somewhere near 3.65.
- Colorado Rapids: Fernando Clavijo’s team has been lackluster, to say the least, in recent times. His roster has remained almost unchanged, with the exception of the additions of Jose Burciaga, Jr. and Christian Gomez, this offseason. Colorado has the worst front line in the league, with nobody but Herculez Gomez to lead the team. Luckily, Terry Cooke and Mehdi Ballouchy will get the offense going from the midfield.
- Kansas City Wizards: Even the Wizard’s fans can see that this year will be a severe disappointment. The departures of Eddie Johnson and Jose Burciaga, Jr. will leave a large hole in both ends of the field for Curt Onalfo’s club. Look for #1 SuperDraft pick Chance Myers to be the defensive stand out for the Wizards.
- Columbus Crew: Even with the amazing skill of the Argentinian Guillermo Barros Schelotto leading the midfield, I have no doubt that Colubus will struggle to do well. The lineup for the Crew is too thin in every position, especially in the keeper position. Look for Frankie Hejduk and Eddie Gaven to hold the torch for the Crew, no matter how dim it may be burning.
- Toronto FC: On paper, Toronto’s roster looks to be fairly solid, mostly in the forward and midfield areas. However, the chemistry in the team seems to never fit right. If he ends up signing with TFC, look for Joe Lapira to make an instant impact. Also expect Jeff Cunningham, Maurice Edu, and Collin Samuel to be impact players. The defense is where this team lacks, and that’s the most critical of all the puzzle pieces.
- San Jose Earthquakes: The enthusiasm of the Earthquake fans reminds me of mine when RSL first came to town. I quickly learned that my optimism was misdirected. San Jose fans will find the same. Head Coach Frank Yallop is struggling to fill a roster, even if he must sign small caliber players to do it. Ramrio Corrales will lead the midfield, while Joe Cannon will be the one calling all the shots. Expect to see a lot of playing time for Gavin Glinton, the former Galaxy forward, and some good stuff from rookie Shea Salinas.
That, of course, leaves the final standings at:
1)DC UNITED
2)NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
3)FC DALLAS
4)CD CHIVAS USA
5)HOUSTON DYNAMO
6)NEW YORK RED BULLS
7)REAL SALT LAKE
8)CHICAGO FIRE
9)LOS ANGELES GALAXY
10) COLORADO RAPIDS
11)KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
12)COLUMBUS CREW
13)TORONTO FC
14)SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
