The 15th season of Major League Soccer almost didn’t begin on time, but now that the league’s labor battle has culminated in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the most important season in the league’s history is ready kick off.
The arrival of the league’s newest expansion team (the 16th overall), the Philadelphia Union, and the opening of the league’s newest stadium, the $200 million Red Bull Arena, are just some of the headline-grabbing developments in the league.
You also have Landon Donovan’s triumphant return from his successful loan stint with English club Everton, as well as the league’s role in the build-up to this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Six teams will be led by new head coaches in 2010, with the Eastern Conference boasting five coaches who weren’t in charge of their clubs a year ago. That, coupled with expansion Philadelphia’s inclusion in the East, should make the conference a wide-open affair.
What can we expect in 2010? A strong Western Conference (again), packed stadiums in Seattle, Toronto, New York and Philadelphia, and a race to the MLS Cup title that will be as tough to call as it has been for years.
Here is a rundown of how all 16 teams are shaping up heading into the season. Click on the link provided here to preview the Western Conference.
1. COLUMBUS CREW
Star Player: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The former MLS MVP is the straw that stirs the drink for the league’s strongest team. Whether its dangerous free kicks, beautiful passes or just controlling the pace of the game, the Argentine is head and shoulders above all others on the pitch.
New Face: Sergio Herrera. The Colombian striker should step in and help fill the void left by the departure of Alejandro Moreno, and could partner with Steven Lenhart to form one of the league’s more underrated strike forces.
Outlook: After an upset playoff to eventual champion Real Salt Lake, the Crew returns with most of its top players back and a new hunger to return to the championship peak it reached in 2008. With a solid defense, athletic midfield and Schelotto serving as the creator, Columbus is the class of the East again and the favorite to win the league.
2. CHICAGO FIRE
Star Player: Brian McBride. The former U.S. national team standout is the leader of a Fire team in a state of flux. McBride may be slowing down, but he’s still an imposing physical presence who will serve as the focal point of the Fire offense.
New Face: Collins John. The former Fulham striker has seen his stock fall considerably since his days at Craven Cottage, but he has come to the United States hoping to re-charge his career. His size-speed combination, coupled with his familiarity with McBride, should give the Fire some solid options up top.
Outlook: The team’s surprising decision to waive veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch leaves a major question mark on a team that was already dealing with plenty of turnover. New coach Carlos De Los Cobos will be integrating a new goalkeeper while trying to help the Fire make up for the loss of Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Chris Rolfe. Chicago’s loaded midfield and standout defender Wilman Conde should help keep the Fire near the top of the east standings.
3. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Star Player: Shalrie Joseph. The league’s best central midfielder can dominate a game in the middle, and can even score goals if needed up top. He won't have midfield partner Jeff Larentowicz around anymore,
but he should still keep the Revs right in the east playoff race.
New Face: Corey Gibbs. A former U.S. national team defender, Gibbs is still a top central defender and he will partner with second-year standout Darrius Barnes in what could be one of the league’s better center back pairings.
Outlook: The Revs lost a key player in Jeff Larentowicz via trade, but the bigger concern is the team’s lack of a proven goal-scorer. If Taylor Twellman can’t come back from concussion problems, New England will likely remain a striker short of being a legitimate title contender. That said, the Revs defense and Joseph should keep New England in the playoffs.
4. D.C. UNITED
Star Player: Jaime Moreno. The all-time leading goal-scorer in MLS history has enjoyed an unbelievable pre-season and looks poised to turn the clocks back for one more stellar season. If he can stay healthy and play at his top form, D.C. should be able to content for a playoff berth.
New Face: Troy Perkins. Goalkeeper has been an issue for D.C. ever since Perkins left D.C. for Europe after the 2007 season, but now that he is back D.C. is banking on him helping the club return to the playoffs for the first time since he left.
Outlook: The addition of Perkins should provide enough of a boost to help D.C. reach the playoffs, but Moreno’s health, as well as the continued growth of Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace, and Bryan Namoff’s recovery from a concussion will all be key to first-year coach Curt Onalfo’s plans beyond a playoff berth.
5. KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
Star Player: Davy Arnaud. While defender Jimmy Conrad is one of the league’s best, Arnaud can be considered the heartbeat of the Wizards attack. His dynamic play in midfield makes him tough to handle and he’s capable of scoring some stunning goals.
New Face: Ryan Smith. The English midfielder has wowed in pre-season with his speed, vision and passing touch. He could help provide the spark Kansas City’s offense sorely lacked in 2009.
Outlook: The Wizards overhauled their roster with a variety of international players that looks like a mini-United Nations. If head coach Peter Vermes can get the pieces to fit together, the Wizards could be the surprise of 2010, but there could be growing pains as all the new players adapt to the style of play in MLS.
6. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Star Player: Juan Pablo Angel. The league’s best striker endured a rough season playing on the league’s worst team, but he still managed to score 12 goals. With an improved supporting cast, and a grass field at Red Bull Arena to play at, Angel could push closer to the 20-goal mark.
New Face: Joel Lindpere. The Estonian midfielder has been the standout of a successful preseason for the Red Bulls. He’s a true two-way midfielder who can create chances for his teammates and also help defensively when the team doesn’t have the ball.
Outlook: Going from worst team in MLS to a playoff squad is a big leap, but playing in a beautiful new stadium as well as playing for new head coach Hans Backe could help a revamped New York team reach the postseason. It may ultimately boil down to whether the Red Bulls sign a second Designated Player this summer (such as long-rumored transfer target Thierry Henry).
7. TORONTO FC
Star Player: Dwayne DeRosario. The Canadian standout enjoyed a strong 2009 season, but couldn’t have been happy with how it ended. Where he will play depends on other signings Toronto makes and you can expect the club to bring in a handful of new players before the deadline.
New Face: Jacob Peterson. Though an ACL surgery last fall still has him in recovery mode, the speedy winger is still expected to provide an impact for Toronto. He could face increased competition for minutes, but once he’s healthy, Peterson should be a factor.
Outlook: TFC has faced three years of disappointing finishes and rebuilding and this summer was no different as new head coach Preki looks to instill his own tough brand of soccer.
8. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Star Player: Fred. The Brazilian winger disappointed in D.C. after a strong first year in MLS, but this preseason he has been one of the team’s more impressive players and looks poised for a breakout year.
New Face: Toni Stahl. Everyone is a new face in Philly, but rookie Toni Stahl could develop into an impact player in his first professional season. The UConn product is a skillful central midfielder of Finnish descent who should step in and start.
Outlook: The Union will boast strong fan support and should have a good defense, but the lack of true marquee attacking talent will keep the expansion team at or near the bottom of the standings in year one. Now, if Philadelphia goes out and signs some stars, things could be different.
Ives Galarcep is FoxSoccer.com's newest senior writer who will be covering U.S. Soccer and MLS.
