Post by warrior16 on Jul 31, 2015 15:05:51 GMT -6
MLS is arguably the hardest league in the world to predict, with all of its parity, but I shall do my best. Here I'll give some analysis on all the MLS teams so far and try to predict where each will finish in the final standings.
Let's start with the brutal and far superior Western Conference, where I think all 10 teams would make the playoffs in the East.
Western Conference
1. FC Dallas- Considering how young the core of this team is, they look to be really good for the next several seasons, and their academy is one of the best in North America. The Toros will make the playoffs for sure and look like strong contenders for MLS Cup this season.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps- Similar to FC Dallas. Young and talented. Not a lot of weaknesses.
3. Sporting Kansas City- Would be the best in the East if they were still there. They'll have to settle for third this year, with two of the best young attackers in MLS leading the way.
4. LA Galaxy- As talented as this team is on paper, the Galaxy have an atrocious road record and just lost their keeper, Jaime Penedo, who left the team due to contract unhappiness. Bruce Arena's team will make the playoffs, however, and I don't think anyone will want to face them there.
5. Seattle Sounders- The Sounders are great when healthy, mediocre at best when not, and currently they are not. They will make the playoffs, but don't expect them to challenge for much this year unless they can get a creative midfielder like Keisuke Honda, who trade rumors have linked them with.
6. Portland Timbers- Very inconsistent team, but I think there's enough talent here to at least make the playoffs. On a good day, their attack is fantastic.
Playoff Cut-off
7. Houston Dynamo- Finally getting Cubo Torres will help, but I don't think the Dynamo have quite enough quality to make the playoffs as they try to rebuild into the juggernaut they were 4 years ago.
8. San Jose Earthquakes- The core of this team is too old. Will take some rebuilding, although Marc Pelosi could prove to be an interesting addition to the midfield. The Quakes rely on Wondo to score way too much.
9. Real Salt Lake- The core of this team is too old. Good enough too beat some good teams every once in a while, but not consistent enough.
10. Colorado Rapids- Cheap owner that doesn't pay for good players. Just not a very good team. Not much Pablo Mastroeni can do if his owner won't pay for anyone good.
Now for the much weaker Eastern Conference, where both expansion teams play. A general theme of the East is good attacking players, but absolutely horrendous defense. Anything can happen with these teams and nothing would really surprise me.
1. Toronto FC- Not only will they finally make the playoffs after years of heartbreak, they have a good shot at winning the Supporters' Shield if they play to their potential. Sebastian Giovinco is the best player in MLS, and his supporting cast gets the job done. If they can improve their bad defense, they will be formidable. 10 of their last 14 games are at home, as well.
2. DC United- A team with no star players at all that still finds themselves atop the East. Very well-balanced.
3. NY Red Bulls- Similar to FC Dallas. Very young team, with a handful of experienced vets like Dax McCarty and the Wright-Phillips brothers.
4. Montreal Impact- A year after finishing dead last in the league, the Impact made an incredible run all the way to the CONCACAF Champions League final, where Club America just barely edged them out in the last 45 minutes. The core of that team remains with Didier Drogba now joining the team. The Impact also have the best center back in MLS in Belgian international Laurent Ciman. They should make the playoffs this year if they can keep their best guys healthy.
5. NYCFC- One would think just based on the sheer quality of NYCFC's players, they will at least make the playoffs, even in their first year in the league. The defense is pretty terrible, but expect Jason Kreis to sort that out soon enough.
6. Columbus Crew- Impossible to predict this team. This past week they jumped to a 3-0 lead only to scrape out a 3-3 draw against Toronto. Their attack is strong, but the defense needs a complete overhaul if they want to do anything this year.
Playoff Cut-off
7. New England Revolution- Lee Nguyen is not having anywhere near as productive a year as last season, and the Revs have suffered mightily for it. Expect them to just miss the playoffs.
8. Orlando City- Kaka is trying his best, but the rest of the team just isn't good enough yet. Maybe next year the Lions will be better.
9. Chicago Fire- The Fire are a decent team playing like a horrible team, currently sitting dead last in the league standings. Their designated players have been massive busts so far and the defense is absolutely shambolic, allowing really cheap goals almost every game. Missing out on Drogba just added insult to injury a year after missing out of Jermaine Jones in a blind draw.
10. Philadelphia Union- If MLS wanted to take away a franchise and give it to someone else for the good of the league, look no further than Liberty City. The front office can't do anything right. Last year they signed a goalkeeper to a multi-million dollar deal only to release him after 3 weeks for free. The Union are a bad team playing like a bad team. Expect them to finish last this season and probably fire their coach. Again. Just a hopeless situation for them.
I doubt I'll pick 100% of the teams correctly, but I feel pretty good I'll at least get 9 of the 12 right. I might do an updated list in October or something before the playoffs approach.