MLS Predictions the East

Now we have the Eastern Conference, the toughest conference to predict.

DC United the Supporter shield winners in 2007. They shipped off Rimando, Eskadarian and the sideshow that is Adu. They have replaced them with Emilo and Fred and Casal, Casal is an unknown, Emilo looks fantastic, and if Fred makes the transition DC will be MLS beaters this season. I look for DC to win the Supporter Shield once again, and claim their fifth MLS Cup come November.

Toronto FC the expansion team, yes I expect FC to place second in the east this year. Toronto picked up Casey, Eskadarian, Buddle, O’Brien, Nagamura and a couple of guys from England. That is some proven talent, and Mo seems to be able to get his talent to scrap and claw there way through a game. I look for Toronto to have a good season and qualify for the MLS playoffs in 2007.

Columbus Crew yes the Crew will make the playoffs in 2007. The only real talent that the Crew lost was the Busch, and that leaves a question mark in goal. The additions of O’Rourke and Herron will boost the Crew this year. Some of the late season additions from 2006 will pay off this year. Columbus did look good in the Pioneer Cup; look for them to look good in 2007 as well.

New England while I expect the Revolution to have a down year, I still expect them to claim fourth place in the East. The loss of Cancela and Dempsey will hurt; Clint between suspensions and being hurt last year New England learned how to play without him last year. Joseph’s contract negotiations will affect this team this year.

Kansas City Wizards added Hartman, which is an upgrade in goal, but lost Wolff, and Zotinca. A new coach new ownership, look for this to be a rebuilding year for the Wizards. If Eddie Johnson can return to form though, this team could surprise.

New York Red Bulls, Bruce returns for a full season. They traded Guevera and cut Meola, and signed Reyna, nothing has really changed here. The talent is really not here, and the formation of a seventeen year old up top as a target forward, it didn’t work before Bruce why will it work for you now?

Chicago Fire this is the biggest surprise for me. Thornton, Jaqua and Herron have gone away and I see no real additions to that team. Rumor has it they are negotiating with Blanco from Mexico. Unless something happens here that we haven’t hard about, as of yet, I do not see this being a great year for the Fire fans. There is always a chance of a long run in the US Open Cup.

There you have it, my prediction for the Eastern Conference. Some of these picks even surprised myself, but after looking at the comings and goings for each team, I see it shaking out this way. Let’s hope we can get more than one team this year to win half of their games. That’s right Dallas was the only team to win sixteen games last season. Less tie games in 2007 would be great.