| Today we tackle three teams, Chicago, Real Salt Lake, and San Jose. I previewed these three teams together because in my eyes they all have one thing in common: they can either be much much better than I predict or much much worse. Most MLS teams I've been able to form a fairly coherent opinion about, but these three teams are something of an enigma.
So, on to the prognosis.
Chicago Fire:
Key Acquisitions:
Chicago picked up strikers Andy Herron and Polish ex-national player Tomasz Frankowski, as well as defender Brandon Prideaux. Denis Hamlett is their coach going forward this season.
Greatest Strength:
The passing, speed, and creativity in the midfield. Imhotep, I mean, Cuauhtemoc Blanco leads a talented midfield. Justin Mapp should be healthy and ready to go.
Greatest Weakness:
The marking by the defense. Brandon Prideaux should help greatly in this area, but I don’t believe a defense consisting of Prideaux, CJ Brown, Gonzalo Segares, and a small assortment of untested young defenders can get the job done.
I’m also a little suspect of the goal-scoring by Chicago.
What to watch for:
The over/under is roughly 300 on Blanco counting on his fingers the number of times he has supposedly been fouled. That is one seriously obnoxious habit.
Besides that little tidbit, I think the success of the Fire will hinge on how well Blanco can hook up with is strikers – and how well his strikers can finish shots. I’m highly skeptical of both Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe as strikers, although Barrett has been getting much better.
I expect the scoring load to be carried by Frankowski, but he will need help. The sooner Coach Hamlett incorporates the speedy Calen Carr in the place of Rolfe, the better.
Prognosis:
If Chicago can find a reliable goal-scorer and if they can improve their marking, I expect them to ride Blanco’s precision passing, Mapp’s speed, and Frankowski’s strikes to the playoffs.
Buy Chicago Fire kit here
Discuss Here:
Real Salt Lake:
Congratulations to RSL, first of all, on getting a soccer-exclusive stadium in the works.
Combining this with the 13 new players Real Salt Lake acquired during the offseason, and Real Salt Lake is suddenly poised to be a legitimate force in the MLS.
Their major acquisition was landing Kenny Deuchar – an absolute stud of a striker who torched the Scottish Premier League at Gretna. RSL also picked up striker Robbie Findley.
A deep midfield consists of Kyle Beckerman, Nathan Sturgis, Javier Morales, Andy Williams, Argentinian pickup Matias Cordoba, and Liberian Alex Nimo.
The defense is nearly completely new as well, but despite glowing press releases on players like Borcher and Joy, the jury’s out on how effective it can be. Having a goalkeeper tandem of Rimando and Seitz is a beautiful thing.
I expect Real Salt Lake to be vastly improved and to be in the competition for a playoff berth. However, I think the defense may struggle more than is anticipated, and I expect to see a lonely Deuchar wishing Jason Kreis were on the field and not coaching.
Buy Real Salt Lake kit here
Discuss Here:
San Jose Earthquakes:
Welcome to hell, San Jose. If Frank Yallop thought his tension headaches were bad last season, this season will push his consumption of Advil to all time highs.
Yallop and Joe Cannon are the two current predicted leaders in the “who will rupture a forehead vein first” competition.
Key players for San Jose are GK Joe Cannon, F Gavin Glinton, and M Ronnie O’Brien.
OUCH.
San Jose may have to wait up until May before securing a victory. A four win season seems likely.
The best thing about the San Jose season is that they have a pretty hot new kit.
Buy San Jose BRAND NEW SOCCER JERSEYS HERE.
Discuss Here:
Find all MLS Gear
| 
