Based on my 2011 Pre-Season Rankings (http://coloradorapidsfan.com/2011/03/2011-mls-pre-season-rankings/), I wasn’t terribly off with how the season ended. The top and bottom of my list was pretty accurate while I was off with a few teams such as the New York Red Bulls, Timbers and Earthquakes. If you’re a soccer fan, you should be anxious to see how the 2012 MLS season starts to unfold. Here is my 2012 edition of the MLS season:
Major League Soccer is finally becoming a respected league across the globe. Last year, we got to see new faces that brought the world’s eye to our league with the arrival of Omar Bravo, Robbie Keane and Torsten Frings. We got to see full seasons by Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and wonder strikes by the likes of Eric Hassli that made global sports news (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Vfdx7LEh4). We had two new teams join the league in Portland and Vancouver that have brought the most heated, entertaining and passionate soccer matches to an expanding MLS fan base. A new soccer specific stadium in Kansas City (I repeat, in Kansas City…) is becoming a widely used venue for international and club matches and David Beckham finally won his MLS Cup. If your mind isn’t blown from just the strides our league made last year, please return to your regularly scheduled EPL matches. How will 2012 unfold?
1) LA Galaxy –
The team that won the 2011 MLS Cup resigned David Beckham for two more years, brought back Juninho from Sao Paulo and signed Edson Buddle who spent the 2011 season in the second division in Germany. Both Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane spent their offseason on loans in the EPL where both shined. This team is built to not only repeat as MLS Champions in 2012, but to win the CONCACAF Champions League as well.
2) Seattle Sounders -
Because this isn’t official reporting, I don’t like the Sounders. The catalyst in this odd rivalry stemmed from Brian Mullan’s season ending tackle on Steve Zakuani. While I have nothing but respect for the club and the deepest and sincere apology to what happened to Steve, the Seattle supporter base seemed to be everywhere, bashing our club. As @craig_de_aragon would say, it’s just part of the #RapidsThugLife. The Sounders recently added a mysterious piece known as Eddie Johnson, who will prove to be an important cog to the Green Rave machine. This club is well backed to make important moves for success and the passionate fan base won’t accept anything less than a top finish.
3) New York Red Bulls -
Now that the spotlight is (somewhat) off the New York Red Bulls, I have a feeling they will achieve more than they did last year. The Eastern Conference is for the taking. Compared to the West, the East seems to be a version of an earlier MLS league. Thierry Henry is coming back from an Arsenal high that will bring loads of confidence back to his club. They have an available DP spot open now that goalkeeper Frank Roast is no longer with the team so expect that spot to be filled during the summer transfer window. They will try to be the east coast version of the LA Galaxy, but for once, management has to be on the same page to finally be a force in the league.
4) Sporting Kansas City –
Kansas City, new Soccer City USA? It’s hard to believe the support in KC. With a brand new stadium, a front office that wants to win now and a core team that can already compete, Sporting are a few roster moves away from competing for the top spot once again in the East. Goal scorer, Omar Bravo is gone, but the forward position isn’t of need in Kansas City. Spending DP money on another midfielder next to emerging superstar Graham Zusi could become a recipe for the MLS Cup this year.
5) Portland Timbers –
The Timbers had arguably the best offseason in the league. Both the Galaxy and the Timbers reinforced their club to compete today, but Portland is building something sustainable for the future. They brought on Scottish Premier League’s leading scorer, Kris Boyd, to replace Kenny Cooper and their focus on youth will make for an entertaining season. They will be fast, technical and backed by one of the most inspiring fan bases the league has seen. The key to a top finish this season will be winning their road matches.
6) Colorado Rapids –
After the Timbers, this new look Rapids team is another mystery team that could be boom or bust in the first season under Oscar ‘Papi’ Pareja. The core of the 2010 Championship team is practically still intact. Papi is bringing in a creative force that was lacking last year, which could give Omar Cummings another career season. The team is not done changing. This work in progress should start to iron itself out in the Hawaiian Islands Invitational this week, when new Argentine signing, Martin Rivero takes the field with the first team.
7) Philadelphia Union -
The Union are 7th because they get to play the weak East more than the West in the new unbalanced MLS schedule. Le Toux is gone, but the Union have a surplus of talent at the forward position. Their leader on the defense, goalie Faryd Mondragon, has left the club in the offseason which brings some questions to how the defense will hold up for their 3rd MLS campaign. There is talent in this club and it’s an organization that seems to be making the right moves to compete in the East.
8 ) Real Salt Lake –
Because this isn’t official reporting, I don’t like Salt Lake. I respect this club’s focus on the youth system and while they haven’t made any jaw dropping offseason moves, they have a gem in the making in Luis Gill. This team is pretty banged up heading into March, but for the long haul, they have team depth that was shown during their great CCL run last year.
9) Chivas USA –
Head coach Robin Frasier is back for his second year at the helm for a very improved Chivas USA team. James Riley joins the team along with Ryan Smith and Oswaldo Minda (from Ecuadorian champions, Deportivo Quito) who brings playoff talent to a team that’s always been in the shadow of the LA Galaxy. I expect Frasier to bring a winning culture to Chivas starting in 2012 with their first playoff appearance since 2009.
10) FC Dallas –
FC Dallas is slightly banged up this preseason. There is much unknown about how this team will do in the 2012 season. Historically, this team competes with the best, but could this be a down season for Dallas? David Ferreira is still on the mend but has been cleared to start practicing. The attention in Texas this year will surely be on the Houston Dynamo who will have a brand new soccer stadium this year. Could the new Rapid’s head coach, Oscar Pareja, have been the true magician to the success in Dallas? I have a feeling Dallas could very well be near the bottom half of the table.
11) Toronto FC
12) Houston Dynamo
13) New England Revolution
14) D.C. United
15) Vancouver Whitecaps
16) Chicago Fire
17) San Jose Earthquakes
18) Columbus Crew
19) Montreal Impact
Final Thoughts:
The Reds finally make the playoffs to a very deserving fan base. Houston barely makes the playoffs once again due to a big front office push to make the inaugural season at BBVA Compass Stadium successful. The new expansion side, the Impact, will see regular wins at their home stadium with typical road woes as a new team in the MLS finishing similar to how the Whitecaps placed in 2011. The usually successful Crew will have a down year as other teams in the East become stronger this year such as United and the Revs.
The West will be dominant in conference play this year. The 2012 unbalanced MLS schedule will be extremely helpful to East teams and we should see a battle among the Rapids, Salt Lake, Chivas and FC Dallas to get into the final playoff spots. There will be better teams not making the playoffs in 2012 and much weaker Eastern sides getting in which will make for highly debatable conversation come playoff time.
Supporter Shield: LA Galaxy
MLS Cup Champion: New York Red Bulls
JMH