2010 MLS SEASON POWER POLL PREDICTIONS

in MLS by Itai — March 21, 2010 at 9:49 pm | 9 comments

Late Saturday morning, the MLS’ new collective bargaining agreement [CBA] was signed and the league therefore will begin play on Thursday.  We here at Soccer Jones break down all 16 Major League Soccer teams and give you our 2010 power rankings.  Check out the roster changes, players to watch out for, and new comers looking to make an impact.

#1 – COLUMBUS CREW -

Last year, the Columbus Crew notched more wins than any other team during the regular season.  With the return of the versatile Argentine, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who can either play a midfield or forward role, look for the Crew to return as one of the league’s top scoring teams during the 2010 season.  The young Steven Lenhart, while lacking experience, seems to be a fast learner and another definite offensive weapon for C-Bus.  The Crew lost both of their opening playoff games last season to Real Salt Lake, who caught fire towards the end of the season and ending up taking home the Cup.  Don’t you think that will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Columbus players and fans?  Yeah, I think so too.  Oh and by the way, they are anchored by what is probably the best defense in all of MLS.

Players To Watch - Guillermo Barros Schelotto (M/F); Robbie Rogers (M/F); Chad Marshall (D)

Newcomer To Watch – Dilly Duka (M); Sergio Herrera (F)

#2 – SEATTLE SOUNDERS -

Last year, they were the MLS’ newest addition.  This year, instead of being seen as “the new guys,” they will only be looked at as legitimate MLS Cup contenders.  Seattle has their base built upon one of the greatest, if not the greatest, fan bases in all of MLS.  They have more season ticket holders than any other team in the league and truly act as a 12th man from the stands.  While some of their young players are only going to continue improving, they are anchored by leaders like Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg who have loads of soccer experience, not to mention their strikers up top.  Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua comprise one of the league’s best attacking duos without a doubt.

Players To Watch – Fredy Montero (F); Freddie Ljungberg (M); Kasey Keller (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Blaise Nkufo (F)

#3 – CHICAGO FIRE -

With the loss of Mexican living legend, Cuauhtemoc Blanco in their midfield, they will be looking for a new leader to step up and fill the hole he left at the end of last season.  The good news is that Chicago is an extremely well-rounded squad from front to back.  Marco Pappa has the potential and skill to fill that gap left by Blanco, and Wilman Conde is arguably the best defender in all of Major League Soccer.  At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, Conde’s presence is well-recognized on the pitch and acts as the backbone of the Fire’s defense.  Brian McBride’s veteran experience will provide the leadership the Fire need to make another run at the Cup this season.

Players To Watch -Brian McBride (F); Marco Pappa (M); Jon Busch (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Collins John (F)

#4 – LA GALAXY -

Well, for starters, the Galaxy have the best player in the league with the versatile Landon Donovan, who can play either the winger or second striker position.  He has recently made his return home to southern California from Everton in the English Premier League.  During his time in England, Donovan made a name not only for himself, but for American soccer after immediately making an impact as soon as he arrived in Liverpool.  Even with the absence of English legend and part-time underwear model, David Beckham, LA is solid enough to maintain their position near the top of the Western standings this season.  Second-year defender, Omar Gonzalez, has already made a name for himself after being named the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year and you can expect more big play out of the 6’5″ defender.

Players To Watch – Landon Donovan (F); Omar Gonzalez (D); Donovan Ricketts (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Clint Mathis (M) – Recently acquired midfielder with plenty of experience under his belt

#5 – REAL SALT LAKE -

Last year’s MLS Cup champions will look to defend their title as they are now seen as the team to beat.  While they are one of the league’s teams without an international super star, they are one of the more solid teams from top to bottom.  Nick Rimando is arguably one of the best penalty kick shot stoppers in all of soccer and an all-around reliable goalkeeper.  The RSL midfield is anchored by veteran Kyle Beckerman, who is surround by a solid supporting cast with players like Javier Morales and Will Johnson.  Oh yeah, and Robbie Findley, who has made a number of national team appearances recently, will be accompanied up top by their newest addition from Costa Rica, Alvaro Saborio.

Players to Watch – Robbie Findley (F); Kyle Beckerman (M); Nick Rimando (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Alvaro Saborio (F)

#6 – HOUSTON DYNAMO -

The loss of national team member, Stuart Holden, to the EPL’s Bolton Wanderers will be a big-time hole to fill… even if it is for the 2009 power house Houston Dynamo.  The Dynamo were one of the most solid teams throughout all of last season, however, they took a few steps backwards when Holden left and they got rid of Kei Kamara to Kansas City in the middle of last season.  Hopefully, the addition of Adrian Serioux from Toronto to the back line for a 2011 SuperDraft pick proves to be a wise move, which we expect it will be.

Players To Watch – Brian Ching (F); Brad Davis (M); Pat Onstad (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Lovel Palmer (M)

#7 – TORONTO FC -

We are expecting Toronto to continue achieving success as they start the 2010 season.  With the exception of maybe Seattle, Toronto has one of the most loyal bases in the MLS and highest number of season ticket holders, which provide an outstanding 12th fan for Toronto to help wear down any team that marches into their stadium.  What we like best about Toronto is their solid midfield core that’s comprised of Dwayne De Rosario and Sam Cronin.  Toronto let go of Adrian Serioux for a 3rd round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2011, who last year anchored their defense, and filling the gap he left could be difficult.

Players To Watch – Chad Barrett (F); Dwayne De Rosario (M)

Newcomers To Watch – Ty Harden (D)

#8 – CHIVAS USA -

There is no doubt about it… Chivas USA is solid.  Zach Thornton is one of the league’s most respected keepers and the defense is anchored by national team member Jonathan Bornstein.  Don’t let Bornstein’s poor USA national team performances during the off-season make you think that he can’t ball it up.  He can.  We promise.  The midfield is also solid as Sacha Kljestan will look to continue his role as the team play maker.  Veteran and southern California native Sasha Victorine has made his exit from soccer and will not make a return to Chivas USA this season.  Look for Chivas USA to have a solid season… nothing too spectacular.

Players To Watch – Sacha Kljestan (M); Jonathan Bornstein (D); Zach Thornton (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Osael Romero (M); Blair Gavin (M)

#9 – COLORADO RAPIDS -

While in the past the Rapids have been lava hot or ice cold, look for them to be on the warmer side more often than not during the 2010 season.  There is no question that Conor Casey, who recently signed a 3-year deal, knows how to find the back of the net.  He is accompanied up top by Omar Cummings, who is also a league-wide much feared goal scorer.  You can look for that tandem to do some damage this season.  Kosuke Kimura, while labeled as a defender, has the ability to find the back of the net as well.  He is a versatile player who has the ability to push up as a midfielder, or be held back on the defensive line.  You can also look for for one of their newest additions, Oscar Murillo, to add some consistency to the back line.

Players To Watch – Conor Casey (F); Omar Cummings (F); Kosuke Kimura (D)

Newcomer To Watch – Oscar Murillo (D)

#10 – NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION -

This middle-of-the-pack team has the potential to be one of the top two Eastern Conference teams this upcoming season.  The heart and soul of the team, Shalrie Joseph, now has experience under his belt and the potential to lead the Revs to a higher number of wins than they notched during the 2009 season.  However, the question at hand is this… is Joseph capable of stepping up above and beyond this season to fill the gap left by Steve Ralston?  Only time will tell, but you can still bet that the Revs will look to make a splash this MLS season.

Players To Watch – Kheli Dube (F); Shalrie Joseph (M)

Newcomer To Watch – Niouky Desire (M)

#11 – PHILADELPHIA UNION -

The league’s newest addition will be just fine and look to hold their own this season.  We predict that while they won’t quite accomplish what the Sounders were able to do last season, the Union will see success and begin to build their club and establish a loyal fan base.  Goalkeeper Chris Seitz rode the bench in Salt Lake behind Nick Rimando, but now has the chance to prove his worth as the Union look to take on the Sounders this Thursday.  Seitz is a young keeper who was definitely too good to ride the pine in Salt Lake, so you can definitely look for him to have a successful 2010 season along with their rookie pick-up Danny Mwanga.  This rookie has “star” written all over him and his future is bright!  Soccer Jones sees Mwanga as the league’s next Rookie of the Year.

Players To Watch – Alejandro Moreno (F); Fred (M); Chris Seitz (GK)

Newcomer To Watch – Danny Mwanga (F)

#12 – FC DALLAS -

Even with one of the best strikers in all of Major League Soccer, Jeff Cunningham can only do so much.  With 17 goals last season, Cunningham was one of the league’s most respected forwards.  Also, new comer Heath Pearce, has made national team appearances during the off-season which should only help give the midfielder the confidence he will need to help create plays this upcoming season.  Dallas has some key elements that technically should help put together a good team… lets see if they can pull it together this season down there in the Lone Star State… so far things haven’t been exactly “clicking” to this point.

Players To Watch – Jeff Cunningham (F); Heath Pearce (M); David Ferreira (M)

Newcomer To Watch – Zach Lloyd (M/D); Kevin Hartman (GK)… Acquired this GK with experience.

#13 – KANSAS CITY WIZARDS -

Kansas City was at the bottom of the league standings throughout nearly all of last season and weren’t even close to making the playoffs.  However, the Wizards are better than their record from last year shows.  They have experienced veteran stand-outs like Davy Arnaud, Jimmy Conrad, and Josh Wolff who are all legitimate ballers and are not exactly entering their first rodeo.as KC takes the pitch this season.  Also, whether people would like to admit it, playing on a narrow field in a minor league baseball stadium gives them a definite home field advantage.  The Wizards’ problem really is that they just need to put the pieces together this season.  We here at Soccer Jones are predicting that KC will have a better upcoming year than most MLS fans are predicting.  You heard it here first.

Players To Watch – Kei Kamara (F); Josh Wolff (F); Davy Arnaud (M)

Newcomer To Watch – Teal Bunbury (F)

#14 – D.C. UNITED -

We’re not going to lie to you… while there is an extremely loyal fan base and good soccer history in D.C., we aren’t too impressed with much more than that when it comes to the team.  Outside of strikers Chris Pontius and Jaime Moreno, we don’t see much productivity coming from the boys in black this season.  Also, the loss of Brazilian Luciano Emilio, who was their leading goal scorer last season, is going to prove costly and leave them with a big, big hole to fill starting next week.  Hopefully, we’re wrong when it comes to our predictions.  We would love to see D.C. come out on fire and shock us here at Soccer Jones.

Players To Watch – Chris Pontius (F); Jaime Moreno (F); Santino Quaranta (M)

Newcomer To Watch – Cristian Castillo (M)

#15 – SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES -

The Quakes may be in need of some spring cleaning.  Looking back at the 2009 season, it’s rather difficult to come up with some positive talking points and aspects for SJ fans to look forward to.  Let’s just hope that Ryan Johnson can find the back of the net again this season.  The Quakes, however, need to remember that homeboy needs some help up top and can’t do it solo.  Maybe the answer starts in the back… which would then make their 2010 MLS SuperDraft pick of Wake Forrest All-American and Generation Adidas member Ike Opara, a good pick-up for San Jose.

Players To Watch – Ryan Johnson (F); Bobby Convey (M)

Newcomer To Watch – Ike Opara (D)

#16 – NEW YORK RED BULLS -

The New York Red Bulls need someone to swoop in and rescue them to put it bluntly.  There has been plenty of rumor chatter that French national team star Thierry Henry, is wanted in New York, but what’s it going to take to get him there?  And when would he come?  The Red Bulls need a solution quick before they bottom off as the league’s worst team once again this season.  While Juan Pablo Angel can find the back of the net from time to time, that’s still not nearly enough.  So, the question may be… will the new Red Bull Arena be enough to draw in a savior?

Players To Watch – Juan Pablo Angel (F); Macoumba Kandji (M/F)

Newcomer To Watch – Tony Tchani (M)

Tags: featured