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March 18, 2009
MLS PREVIEW
Western Conference
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Brian Ching will need to shoulder more of the Houston Dynamo attack now that Dwayne De Rosario has gone to Toronto FC.
Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images |
Can the Houston Dynamo get back to MLS Cup without Dwayne De Rosario? Will the Galaxy break their string of missing the playoffs? How will the expansion Seattle Sounders FC fare in their first MLS Season? Our team of national correspondents previews MLS’ Western Conference
CHIVAS USA
Coach Preki enters his third season at the helm of a team known for short-passing and possession soccer. In 2008, Chivas USA finished second in the Western Conference (12-11-7) despite a rash of injuries. The team allowed just 41 goals against (tied for 7th in MLS) and put away 40 goals of their own (tied for 9th in MLS).
The Goats are expected to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, but how likely they are to contend depends on a healthy team and player retention. Midfielder and 13-year MLS veteran Jesse Marsch captains the team. The squad also features US National Team players Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan in a strong midfield aided by Paolo Nagamura. The probable defensive lineup is Carey Talley, Shavar Thomas, Jim Curtin and newcomer Ante Jazic. Guarding the net will be five-time MLS All-Star Zach Thornton .
Chivas USA open Saturday, March 21 versus Colorado Rapids at Home Depot Center at 7:30pm.
COLORADO RAPIDS
The Colorado Rapids (11-14-5) fell one point short of making the MLS postseason in 2008. A mediocre season, which saw the team switch coaches in August, ended on a high note. Gary Smith took over and led the club to a 5-4-2 record and the hunt for the playoffs. A 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake and a 2-1 loss to Chivs USA ended their playoff hopes in mid-October. In November, Smith was named the sixth head coach in Rapids history.
The Rapids bring back a number of key players, including MLS veteran Pablo Mastroeni. The team struggled in 2008, scoring 44 goals while allowing 45. Goalkeepers Bouna Coundoul and Preston Burpo shared time in net. Coundoul parted ways with the club in January, so former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens will challenge the 37-year-old Burpo for a starting spot. Cory Gibbs and Ugo Ihemelu return to lead the defense, joined by former Galaxy player Ty Harden. Captain Mastroeni anchors the midfield, directing traffic in both directions. Ivan Guerrero joins the midfield after a stint with D.C. United.
Conor Casey led the Rapids in 2008 with 11 goals and two assists, while Omar Cummings had six goals and four assists. Both players return to the front line in 2009.
Colorado opens March 21st at Chivas USA. They return home to host the Kansas City Wizards on March 28th.
FC DALLAS
FC Dallas (8-10-12) had its share of excuses for its thoroughly forgettable 2008 season, with three head coaches at the helm and transition woes. Still, the Hoops (fifth in the Western Conference) kept their playoff hopes alive nearly to the last game.
New coach Schellas Hyndman made offseason moves to address the team’s biggest problems. Gone from last season’s roster are defender and Captain Duilio Davino, Dominic Oduro, Bobby Rhine, Adrian Serioux, and Victor Sikora. Midfield is most improved, with incoming Colombian center mid David Ferreira and veteran left flank Dave van den Bergh. This pair should boost service to the impressive strike corps of 18-goal scorer Kenny Cooper Jr. and Jeff Cunningham. Add an improved Dax McCarty and holding mid Pablo Richetti (now captain) for a very solid midfield.
Still, the key to success this season will be defense, which must improve mightily over last year’s woeful 41 goals allowed. Questions still abound here, but at least not in goal, where Dario Sala is solid. Athletic Steve Purdy is an upgrade at center and vet signee Daniel Torres will contend. Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa moved to right back. No questions with veteran Drew Moor or left back Blake Wagner, but the backline still must jell.
Dallas hosts Chicago March 21 to start the season.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Houston Dynamo, MLS champions two of the past three seasons, were shocked in 2008 by the New York Red Bulls in the Western Conference semifinals, losing 4-1 in aggregate. The Dynamo (13-5-12) was first in the West and first in the MLS in goals allowed (32). The big task for Houston will be to replace dynamic attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, traded to Toronto FC. Other losses include forward Nate Jaqua, Tony Caig and Patrick Ianni. The burden will rest with Stuart Holden, a returning three-year veteran who moves over to the crucial center mid commander’s role. Julius James is a talented newcomer who will bolster the defense. With veteran defender Eddie Robinson injured, the youthful James will be under pressure to produce. The Dynamo have all the pieces to get back to the top in the MLS, but how long will coach Dominic Kinnear be able to keep the team percolating with an edge? The usual suspects will fill key positions, including forward Brian Ching; defender and Captain Wade Barrett; defensive mid Ricardo Clark and timeless goalie Pat Onstad. A big plus---Houston players are versatile in filling other roles.
Houston hosts defending champs Columbus Crew March 21, to start the MLS season.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
After his Galaxy tied for 6th place (8-13-9) in the Western Conference in 2008, Coach Bruce Arena spent the offseason stocking his roster with proven talent.
Landon Donovan, one of the best – if not the best – players in MLS, has returned from loan to Bayern Munich. Responsible for 20 of the Galaxy’s 55 goals (1st in league) last season, Donovan is likely to captain the team in 2009. All-star David Beckham will arrive mid-July after completing the season with AC Milan. Not to be overlooked is Edson Buddle, who scored 15 goals in 2008.
The defense that allowed 62 goals last year has been dismantled. Arena kept only 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Sean Franklin, while adding Todd Dunivant to the backline. Hard-nosed veteran Tony Sanneh was with the team through the preseason, but was not signed at this writing. Six-foot-four Donovan Ricketts is expected to start in goal, but went down with a groin strain during the team’s preseason finale against Chicago, and is questionable for opening night. The Galaxy also return MLS veterans Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis for a solid midfield. Up top it could be Dema Kovalenko, Mike Magee, Alan Gordon, or even 17-year-old Tristan Bowen.
The LA Galaxy host DC United in their home opener on Sunday, March 22 at 12pm.
REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake (10-10-10) made believers out of a lot of skeptics in 2008, surging into the playoffs with a strong late run, only to be sidelined 1-0 by an equally hot New York Red Bulls in the Western Conference Championship.
Coach Jason Kreis has rolled the dice slightly for 2009, hoping less is more. He let some vets (feisty defender Dema Kovalenka and forward Fabian Espindola) go, but stood pat on most of his team. It says something when the 12th pick in the draft, forward Jean Alexandre from Lynn University, is the big deal among newcomers. Kreis is hoping his young side can get back on the fast track, bolstered by such rising talents as Yura Movsisyan, a striker who was red-hot in the late season stretch; Robbie Findley, a third-year forward who may be poised for a breakout season; Javier Morales, midfield attacker who trailed only Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus for MVP honors; Kyle Beckerman, captain and talented midfielder who will be expected to be more defensive this season; stalwart goalie Nick Rimando; defender Nat Borchers; and rock-solid vet and fast-rising defender Chris Wingert.
Salt Lake gets an extra week to open the MLS season, visiting expansion side Seattle on March 28.
SEATTLE FC
In one of the most-anticipated openings in MLS history, Seattle will debut in front of a sellout crowd of over 32,000. Sigi Schmid will lead Sounders FC in the club’s inaugural campaign. Kasey Keller returns to American soccer to lead his hometown club. Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg joins the Sounders from West Ham. Veteran MLS defenders Tyrone Marshall and Patrick Ianni will lead the backline, joined by Colombian Jhon Hurtado. Peter Vagenas will anchor the midfield.
Six members of the Seattle Sounders USL team (Chris Eylander, Taylor Graham, Sebastien Le Toux, Roger Levsque, Sanna Nyassi and Zach Scott) made the roster and hope to keep the tradition alive. Colombian forward Fredy Montero, Cuban midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and New Zealand forward Jarrod Smith add some international flair to the roster. Sounders FC added to their roster with the No. 1 overall MLS SuperDraft pick Steve Zakuani from Akron and a handful of MLS players courtesy of the expansion draft.
Seattle opens MLS play in 2009, hosting the New York Red Bulls Thursday, March 19th in their first-ever match. The Sounders then host a second-straight home contest March 28th vs. Real Salt Lake.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Last year’s expansion team, the San Jose Earthquakes (8-13-9) was seventh in the Western Conference and tied for the worst record in the league. Nevertheless, a late-season run nearly pushed them to the playoffs.
Head coach Frank Yallop made some big changes for 2009, but the question will be, was it enough? Midfielder Bobby Convey comes in to orchestrate the offense. Convey, who started his pro career in MLS with DC United, returns to the league after a five-year stint with Reading, in England. Chris Leitch was brought in from New York to solidify the defense. Cam Weaver, 6-4 forward, arrives to fill an attacking need. Other newcomers include Pablo Campos, Quincy Amarikwa, Simon Elliot and Andrew Weber.
The new Quakes must offset the loss of veterans Ronnie O’Brien, Scott Sealy, Francisco Lima, Ned Grabavoy and James Riley. Returnees must adjust to the changes and be leaders. Key players include midfielder Darren Huckerby, an English import and scoring sensation last season; hard-nosed veteran defender and Captain Nick Garcia; two-time goalie of the year Joe Cannon and forward Ryan Johnson, who should have it physically easier this season because of Weaver. Arturo Alvarez needs to step up in midfield. The former FCD player is at times electric, at times a dud.
San Jose hosts New England March 21 to start the MLS season.
Phil Stephens, Kathryn Knapp and Amy Walz contributed to this preview
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