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Sampson's MLS Coaching Future Bleak After Revelation
Former U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson hasn't coached in MLS since 2006. After stepping into the public consciousness again on Tuesday, Sampson probably ensured the situation won't change any time soon, writes Kyle McCarthy.

Feb 3, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

In few countries would a domestic title-winning manager with World Cup experience struggle to find a job coaching a first-division club.

Steve Sampson provided a reminder on Tuesday why the United States holds a spot in that group and why the incongruency likely won't change in his particular instance any time soon.

Sampson told the Associated Press that an alleged affair between then-U.S. captain John Harkes and the then-wife of Eric Wynalda contributed to his decision to drop Harkes from the U.S. squad for the 1998 World Cup. The confirmation occurred one day after Wynalda opened the door by dropping a big, fat hint when discussing the current imbroglio surrounding John Terry and Wayne Bridge on Fox Soccer Channel's Fox Football Fone-In.

Stating the truth after Wynalda's prompting isn't the issue here. Neither is Sampson's decision to drop Harkes from the World Cup squad. Both calls were probably correct given the circumstances. No, the issue is what the issue tends to be with Sampson. The man simply can't get out of his own way even when he's on the right side of things.

Sampson kept a divisive and pertinent secret to himself for 12 years, eschewing the facility of leaking it at the time and obtaining some much needed cover from the horde of critics that rightly barracked him for a host of questionable tactical and man-management decisions. At that time and in that particular instance, Sampson subjugated what was best for him and placed his team first. The choice to do so merits praise.

The decision, however, to use the just decision to take a curtain call in an attempt to favorably revise history years later reveals a considerably less laudable side. The not-so-subtle context to Sampson's contributions to the story: stop blaming me, it wasn't entirely my fault.

“Maybe now people will have a little bit more of an understanding as to why I made such a critical decision back in 1998,” Sampson told the AP in one of the two instances in which he discussed helping people “understand” the 1998 World Cup. “The last thing I wanted to do was drop John Harkes from the team because I really did believe that he was an outstanding leader on the field.”

The story itself would have rebuilt Sampson's reputation somewhat without his helpful nudge. Instead of letting the news cycle do its work to burnish his credentials, Sampson made the intent behind his revelation fairly well known, threw Roy Wegerle firmly under the bus more than a decade after Wegerle tossed Harkes under a moving train by spilling about the alleged affair and revealed a bit of himself – both good and bad – in the process. A moment that should have boosted Sampson's credibility ultimately came off as self-serving.

In some ways, the whole revived kerfuffle embodies Sampson's complex personality. A manager who produces impressive (1995 Copa America, 1-0 over Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup) and galling (1998 World Cup) results. A relatively successful coach ultimately reviled for one massive failure on the big stage and one unappealing stint with Los Angeles. An overachiever and an underachiever depending on the time and place. A prideful man selfless enough to take a public battering to cover up a scandal. A bilingual, Latin-influenced coach comfortable enough to take a job in Costa Rica but settled enough to make his preference for Southern California known when MLS teams came calling.

The best MLS fit for Sampson's complexity, incidentally, came calling not too long ago out of the blue. By most accounts, Sampson finished in the runner-up spot to his former assistant, Martin Vasquez, for the Chivas USA job. The gig would have catered to Sampson: close to home, plenty of Latin influence and relative obscurity to push those naysayers away. It didn't work out, leaving Sampson to run his soccer camps and wait for another opportunity.

Sampson's next chance likely won't arrive any time soon if the howls of derision surrounding his Chivas USA candidacy are any indication. Too many lingering memories of mediocre Galaxy teams and World Cup disappointments, too few lingering memories of the good times, too many quirky formations, too much pride, too much baggage and too much discomfort in his changing rooms. Is the situation fair considering the results on Sampson's CV? Maybe, maybe not.

Either way, Sampson's unexpected return to the spotlight on Tuesday offered a renewed understanding into why the situation is what it is.

History Indicates Midweek Matches Hinder MLS Playoff Hopes
Kyle McCarthy peruses MLS results over the past two seasons and suggests the data indicates the impact of midweek matches can limit playoff success.

Feb 10, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

The biggest setback to Real Salt Lake's hopes of repeating as MLS Cup champions may have arrived when MLS released its schedule last week.

MLS handed RSL eight midweek fixtures as part of its slate of 30 league matches, tying the Claret-and-Cobalt atop the list of most frequent midweek combatants with Philadelphia and ensuring it will have to overcome recent history in order to mount a vigorous title defense.

A brief study of the allocation of midweek matches – defined as all games played between Monday and Friday for these purposes – in MLS during the CONCACAF Champions League era (2008-present) reveals clubs have struggled to make a sustained playoff impact when faced with fixture congestion. While the conclusion appears sensible because of the roster restrictions and the lengthy travel facing MLS clubs at home and abroad, history backs up the hypothesis with jarring (although limited) data that concludes RSL may do well even to scrape into the playoffs and exit at the quarterfinal stage.

In addition to casting a shadow on RSL's playoff hopes, the detailed look at the past two years uncovers a few notes and tendencies worth sharing:

The more games a team plays midweek, the less likely it is to make a deep playoff run: Eleven teams, including ties, earned a spot on the top five list of the most midweek matches played in all competitions in 2008 (five clubs) and 2009 (six). Although nearly all of these clubs excelled in the previous campaign, the prior success ultimately contributed to a loaded fixture list and a disappointing playoff run in the following season.

The total playoff yield for those 11 teams: one MLS Cup berth (New York's Cinderella run in 200 cool , two conference final losses (Chicago and Houston in 2009), four quarterfinal exits and four trips to the golf course.

One exception to the general rule: RSL tied for second last year on the list of teams with the most MLS midweek matches and stormed through the playoffs to win its first MLS Cup. The caveat to the exception: RSL's six MLS midweek matches wouldn't have broached the top five in the all competitions category in either 2008 or 2009.

Flip a coin to determine whether the midweek warriors will make the postseason: During the past two seasons, six out of the combined 12 teams featuring in the top five (and ties) clubs with the most MLS midweek matches have made the playoffs.

Real questions about midweek popularity in Utah: Real Salt Lake's eight midweek matches represent two fewer midweek tilts than the other three direct CONCACAF Champions League group stage invitees combined in 2009 (Columbus – 2 and Houston – 3) and 2010 (Columbus – 5). RSL's popularity isn't a championship perk after six midweek appearances in 2009, but the Claret-and-Cobalt must be wondering why the MLS schedule makers didn't cut them more of a break unless the midweek matches stem from RSL's overwhelming (and wise) reluctance to play on Sundays out of respect for the significant Mormon population in Utah.

No team fits the midweek better than FC Dallas: Although the Hoops haven't made the playoffs since 2007, FCD stands out as the only team to feature in the top five of the MLS midweek scheduling heap for each of the past three seasons.

Location plays a major role in the Hoops' 18 midweek matches over the past three seasons. Dallas' central geographical placement and its access to two airports filled with non-stop flights makes the trip to Frisco an easy stop on the way to a weekend match on the opposite coast or in the middle of the country.

In addition to its geographic advantages, FCD offers a particularly appealing option for ESPN when it schedules its midweek matches. Dallas combines a large footprint (fifth in the nation according to the Nielsen ratings heading into the 2009-10 TV season) with a large Hispanic audience to supply the ESPN Deportes broadcasts. Little wonder then why ESPN vice president John Skipper highlighted FC Dallas as one of the teams he expected ESPN to feature in 2010 during a press availability in early December. One may wonder, however, how handing FCD a pair of ESPN2 appearances counts as featuring the Hoops.

Toronto FC plays midweek matches...just not in MLS: The Reds played in nine MLS midweek matches in the years covered by the survey, lowest in the league. Three reasons contribute to TFC's absence from the midweek calendar: (1) its midweek participation in the Canadian Championship and, in 2009, the CONCACAF Champions League; (2) the travel difficulties presented by its geographic location; and (3) the inability to include its Canadian television viewership in the American television ratings.

Avoiding midweek fixtures doesn't necessarily yield success either: Kansas City and Colorado logged just ten MLS midweek matches (tied for second-lowest in the MLS) over the past three schedules. There are several factors – venue availability questions during the summer in Kansas City and meager national TV appeal among them – for MLS' reluctance to hand the Rapids and the Wizards midweek fixtures, but the scheduling benefits haven't transferred to the league table. The two teams – plus bottom-ranked Toronto FC – have combined for just one playoff appearance between them during the past two seasons.

A few notes about the methodology: This survey covers the schedules released for the past two seasons and the upcoming campaign and coincides with the arrival of the CONCACAF Champions League. The data includes four external competitions: the Canadian Championship, the CONCACAF Champions Cup (2008 only – matches must have occurred after the start of the regular season), the CONCACAF Champions League and SuperLiga. The U.S. Open Cup is omitted because of the rather scattershot nature of its qualifying rounds, the proclivity of teams to field reserve-laden lineups and the need to stop the review somewhere. As stated above, midweek matches include all games played between Monday and Friday.

The Data

Key
& – Entered CONCACAF Champions League in the qualifying round
# – Entered CONCACAF Champions League in the group stage
@ – Competed in CONCACAF Champions Cup
^ – SuperLiga participant

Midweek matches played in 2008 – MLS
1. New England – 11 (T-4th place, quarters) – &, ^
T2. Houston – 8 (2nd place, quarters) – #, ^, @
T2. New York – 8 (8th place, final)
T4. D.C. United – 7 (10th place) – #, ^, @
T4. FC Dallas – 7 (11th place)

Midweek matches played in 2008 – MLS + Champions Cup + Champions League + Canadian Championship
1. Houston – 18 (2nd place, quarters) – #, ^, @
T2. D.C. United – 16 (10th place) – #, ^, @
T2. New England – 16 (T-4th place, quarters) – &, ^
4. Chivas USA – 9 (T-4th place, quarters) – &, ^
5. New York – 8 (8th place, final)

Midweek matches played in 2009 – MLS
1. New York – 8 (15th place) – &
T2. Real Salt Lake – 6 (T-8th place, winners)
T2. San Jose – 6 (14th place)
T3. Chicago – 5 (T-5th place, semis) – ^
T3. Chivas USA – 5 (T-5th place, quarters) – ^
T3. D.C. United – 5 (T-8th place) – &
T3. FC Dallas – 5 (T-11th place)

Midweek matches played in 2009 – MLS + Champions League + SuperLiga + Canadian Championship
1. D.C. United – 13 (T-8th place) – &
2. New York – 10 (15th place) – &
3. Houston – 9 (T-2nd place, semis) – #
T4. Chicago – 8 (T-5th place, semis) – ^
T4. Columbus – 8 (1st place, quarters) – #
T4. Toronto FC – 8 (T-11th place) – &

Midweek matches scheduled for 2010 – MLS
T1. Real Salt Lake – 8 – #
T1. Philadelphia – 8
3. Los Angeles – 7 – &
T4. Chicago – 6 – ^
T4. Chivas USA – 6 – ^
T4. FC Dallas – 6
T4. New England – 6 – ^
T4. Seattle – 6 – &

Clarence Seedorf's Stunning Reminder To MLS
AC Milan midfielder and MLS target Clarence Seedorf wants to move to America. Kyle McCarthy points to Seedorf's audacious goal against Manchester United on Tuesday and suggests MLS should do all it can to ensure his arrival sooner rather than later.

Feb 17, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

Clarence Seedorf has made his interest in MLS clear time and again. With eyes around the world firmly fixed upon him on Tuesday, Seedorf provided yet another reminder why MLS should satisfy his curiosity with a Stateside move sooner rather than later.

While Seedorf's former Dutch international teammate Edgar Davids hobnobbed with MLS commissioner Don Garber in his role as an ambassador for the UEFA Champions League trophy tour winding its way through America, the AC Milan midfielder bounded on to the field after 72 minutes at the San Siro as part of his quest to lift the trophy for a fifth time at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 22.

Although Milan's Champions League dreams are now all but extinguished after Manchester United's flattering and ruthless 3-2 away victory in the first leg of a round-of-16 tie, Seedorf conjured a moment of fantasy to keep Milan's hopes flickering ahead of the trip to Old Trafford next month.

Few players would have approached Ronaldinho's low cross on 85 minutes with Seedorf's panache. Instead of attempting to sidefoot awkwardly with his left foot or trying to slot home with the outside of his right boot, the Dutch playmaker allowed the ball to roll through his legs and flicked it into the net with an audacious swipe of his right heel.

Seedorf's artistry may not arrive consistently at the highest level any longer considering his 33-year-old legs and Milan's depth in attack, but the goal offered a flashback to the days when Seedorf captivated audiences regularly at the height of his powers. The sequence also showed the former Ajax and Real Madrid star could still provide MLS with a desperately required infusion of top-class ingenuity.

If there is one facet of play MLS acutely lacks, it is the inspiration supplied by truly bold and creative attacking midfielders. Seedorf's temporary Milan teammate David Beckham and Seattle's Freddie Ljungberg offer accomplished quality on the ball and consummate professionalism off of it, but the ebb and flow of their approaches betrays their European careers as wide players and strays more toward precision than endeavor. Everton's on-loan sensation Landon Donovan deserves mention in the same breath as Beckham and Ljungberg on current form, yet he prefers to slash and exploit rather than jink and unlock. Columbus schemer and former DP Guillermo Barros Schelotto comes closest to meeting the creative standard among the current crop, though former Chicago playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco's complement of tricks best represents the ideal. The high-priced failures of Denilson and Marcelo Gallardo should not scare MLS away from it.

MLS clubs often eschew mediocre attacking midfield options to employ a stodgy central midfield pairing designed to disrupt first and push forward second. While there is no doubt to the effectiveness of determined tactics at this level, MLS must cultivate a diversity of tactical deployments to increase the standard of play and improve poor results on the continental stage. Real Salt Lake's impulsiveness – and its willingness to stick with Argentine number ten Javier Morales despite his indifferent form for much of 2009 – showed attacking football can reap titles even among the resolute status quo.

Significant hurdles – a Milan contract that doesn't expire until June 2011 and a negligible box office impact among them – suggest Seedorf's arrival remains a topic for the future rather than the present. MLS should plot Seedorf's eventual destination wisely and ensure any manager hands him the freedom to operate without much in the way of defensive strictures.

Obtaining Seedorf's signature quickly, however, is well worth the money it might cost to make those obstacles fade away. Fantasy, as MLS has discovered to its bemusement, doesn't arrive cheaply. In Seedorf's case and with yet another magical reminder in tow, transforming the dream into reality makes sense for everyone involved.

McCarthy's Musings: Tension Mounts As MLS CBA Deadline Approaches
MLS and the MLS Players Union have two days left to reach an agreement over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Kyle McCarthy updates the status of the talks with a few notes before answering reader questions from the mailbag.

Feb 24, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

The wait for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement continues.

MLS and the Players Union met on Monday in Washington, but did not emerge from the talks with an agreement ahead of Thursday's deadline. The Union has started to prepare for a possible strike after the two sides did not meet on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported late Tuesday night. Discussions are expected to resume today.

As we wait for further news, here are a few brief notes (and one not-as-brief mailbag) to fill in the gaps as the deadline approaches.

A work stoppage is not inevitable. Negotiations thrive on pressure, tension and timing. As the deadline approaches, the two sides could decide to stop posturing and start compromising. It happens quite frequently, in fact. The current rancor and the ample philosophical divide don't help matters in this particular instance, but the stakes are significant enough to cultivate a deal if both sides commit to hashing out an agreement over the next couple of days.

The Union faces a stark choice – make a deal or prepare for a lengthy strike. As I wrote on Monday, the pressure falls squarely on the Union at this point. In order to lay the foundation for future CBA negotiations, the players have to show resolve and strength over the next two days. If the Union decides to make a deal, it has to force MLS to concede some meaningful ground somewhere – even if just in one particularly crucial area – to claim incremental yet substantive progress toward its eventual aims. If the Union decides not to budge off its philosophical approach, then it has to strike for a considerable period of time to display its solidarity and fight for its values unless MLS quickly decides to move off its firm stance for some unforeseeable reason. An outcome between those two poles (especially an abbreviated strike) will leave the Union – which has made strides in this set of negotiations with its coherence and direction – weakened as it heads into the future.

Don't be surprised if MLS reconsiders its stance on a lockout. MLS president Mark Abbott ruled out a lockout over the weekend, but league executives probably should reexamine that tactical move internally if the Union decides not to strike over the weekend and doesn't agree to another extension. Abbott's statement heaped pressure on the Union and displayed MLS' negotiating acumen, but MLS doesn't want to operate from day-to-day with the threat of a player strike either. Even if MLS decides to reconsider its stance, it would still be a surprise to see the league reverse its course now. The positives of forcing the players to strike (and the benefits of exposing their weakness if they do not) and maintaining the current CBA for as long as possible outweigh the positives generated by a lockout.

As for the promised mailbag... I plucked out a few questions and Tweets (@kylejmccarthy) to respond to a couple of lingering issues and show a fair sampling of the views on both sides.

If there is a work stoppage, then are MLS players allowed to take their FIFA pass and play for a club in a different league? Does it depend on lockout vs strike? Would MLS field teams of non-union players and have a season? Can Landon Donovan's loan be extended at Everton?
Evan Mitz, via e-mail

MLS players are under contract to the league. Therefore, they can't move to another club without the league's consent (and without a valid ITC from U.S. Soccer). MLS players have the option to play elsewhere during a work stoppage under the terms of the old CBA (Section 18.5), but any contract they sign must end once the work stoppage ends. The work stoppage does not invalidate the MLS contract – it merely ensures the players aren't getting paid.

(writer's note - The original version of this article stated MLS players were not permitted to play elsewhere during a strike or lockout. A helpful reader referred me to the CBA provision and set me on the straight and narrow.)

It is nearly impossible to envision MLS trying to fill its teams with replacement players to hold a season if the Union improbably remains on strike for an entire campaign. There aren't enough available, qualified and willing players in the United States to make it work. In addition to those problems, the quality of play would suffer considerably and impact attendances across the league.

As for Donovan, he'd probably have to extend his loan at Everton prior to the start of any work stoppage and SI.com indicated last week that he'd probably stay in England in case of a lockout or strike. Even with that well-sourced report in mind, both sides would appear to benefit tactically from Donovan's return to the States. The Union wouldn't want him to break ranks by reaping an additional loan fee for the league and could generate public sympathy if MLS sidelined America's most important player in a World Cup year. MLS probably can't consent to an extended loan either because it would want to end any strike as quickly as possible and keeping Donovan on the sidelines – even in the face of some nasty press – advances that goal. Then again, there could be a clause in Donovan's loan deal that automatically triggers an extension at a set price in the event of a MLS work stoppage, but it's hard to say without intricate knowledge of the contract between Everton and MLS. We'll have to wait and see how that scenario unfolds.

One related point: David Beckham's loan with AC Milan runs until the end of the season, so his status won't be impacted by a work stoppage.

Will sanctions be put on MLS & Columbus Crew if there is a lock out [or strike] & miss their Champions League match [on] March 9th?
@danielBosse, via Twitter

This question generated significant buzz on both sides of the border on Tuesday. The simple answer is that CONCACAF doesn't have specific guidelines for this situation and will have to decide how to proceed in the event a work stoppage impacts the game, CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer told the Associated Press. A forfeit and a fine would appear most likely if there is no postponement, though a suspension for the Crew and for MLS isn't out of the question (particularly if a lockout occurs). Keep in mind, however, that CONCACAF needs MLS to buy into the Champions League to facilitate its growth and can't afford to alienate the league with a substantial punishment.

Why does Luis Gil dictate where he plays, yet Kevin Hartman remain in purgatory? What determines a player's leverage when it comes to these matters? Is there a double standard between youngsters and veterans?
@robertjonas, via Twitter

It is a bit perverse to see a 16-year-old prospect choose his club while an established 35-year-old goalkeeper sits without a chance to select his next destination, isn't it? It isn't a double standard, but it mostly reflects the difference in external options. MLS can afford to play hardball with Hartman – and similar players like Dave van den Bergh – because he doesn't have any foreign options and can't have MLS teams bid against each other in the current system. Therefore, he can't generate the leverage Gil can. If MLS doesn't accommodate Gil, he's tromping off to Arsenal, Real Madrid or whatever other European club offers the proper compensation and tutelage. Needless to say, the players don't particularly see the equity in the status quo and want to find a way to give Hartman and other similarly affected veterans more of an opportunity to control their own destiny.

Clearly, MLS is an improvement over no first division league in the US and has improved somewhat since the beginning. It has developed young players – most of whom leave – and has developed a stadium infrastructure. It has, however, failed to develop excitement and committed passion amongst a majority of its fans. Why? A failure to attract world class players on a consistent basis. A failure to create meaningful regular season competition. … MLS has got to get it straight. I am concerned by the lack of soccer consciousness in its leadership. Double the salary cap, guarantee contracts and create free agency and the MLS will all of a sudden generate the excitement we need. If what Mark Abbott says is true, this the best way to spend the “sixty million dollars” that the MLS has said it has offered.
David Borts, via e-mail

MLS understands it needs to improve the quality of play, but the league simply isn't willing to spend wildly to do it. World class players carry a price tag MLS can't afford given the current balance sheet, though the league has spent selectively when handed the opportunity to secure players who can help on and off the field. The modest increases in expenditures from year-to-year have worked so far – the battle in these negotiations is how much the league should adjust its trajectory northward as it continues to grow.

American soccer has tried free agency with the North American Soccer League. The Cosmos dominated and the league went bust. Having a few teams get the best players and dominate a league does not work because the fans of the other cities see that their teams do not have a chance to win. Thus, these fans stay home like the Scottish fans who are dominated by Rangers and Celtic. Free agency would let Seattle, L.A. and New York dominate.
Keith Watkins, via e-mail

Free agency would certainly increase costs at the league level for the middle-class player, but the salary budget structure currently in place wouldn't permit the ridiculous spending that killed the NASL and might not allow the big-market teams to tilt the market in their favor. Just ask the New York Knicks and New York Rangers whether a big-market team is guaranteed to win in a salary-capped league with free agency.

Not sure why free agency would be a bad thing. No one to pay your exorbitant asking price? Either take a cut or not play. … I know that the rookies and the lesser known players make considerably less – some make half my yearly take home – and then get a job. Minor league baseball does it. Most Olympic athletes do it. Why not footballers? … I think the players should have the same rights that FIFA gives all players, that doesn’t mean that they are going to get the La Liga, Serie A or EPL price. … Soccer is never going to be as big as baseball or hockey, and never football, but if groomed and invested in, it can grow to be profitable.
Jocelyn, via e-mail

The theoretical problem with free agency from the MLS perspective is three-fold: it creates contractual leverage for players, it drives up the cost of the middle-class player and it undermines the single-entity structure. As for the FIFA rights issues, MLS has two major problems with the current worldwide system: it believes the current single-entity approach complies with the regulations and it knows adopting the practices required in the rest of the world would increase its costs considerably. Naturally, the Union falls on the opposite end of the spectrum and this deep-rooted philosophical divide is why we're here in the first place.

Players should accept minor [changes] to CBA but hold out for making it a one or two year agreement, revisit the major issues then.
@MrTuktoyaktuk, via Twitter

It makes sense for the Union to keep the agreement as short as possible because the collective bargaining process institutes changes incrementally. That being said, one or two years simply isn't long enough to allow MLS or the Union any sense of stability. When this agreement gets done, the two parties need a few years of labor peace before gearing up for the next battle.

Can anyone really get through to these knuckle heads? Do they have any concern at all for what they are doing to the existing fans, future fans, and fans in other parts of the world? Is a work stoppage inevitable? I blame the league!!! How can the players be faulted for wanting guaranteed contracts and free agency? Am I missing something? … A work stoppage of any kind is going to kill this league before it even gets out of diapers. A lot of the fans will simply turn their attention to European football. Will someone explain to me the genius behind the apparent desire of the league, owners, and players union to ignore potential new fans, and their seeming readiness to give existing fans a two (2) finger salute? … What can we, the forgotten fans, do to get some type of deal done that both the league and the union can live with?
(Ticked) off in L.A., via e-mail

Fans have every right to be angry. Few people expected the negotiations to reach this point without a deal considering the stakes in play and even fewer folks anticipated a looming work stoppage. Everyone gets hurt when labor strife and work stoppages occur, but the fans are certainly the most powerless of those groups. In the end, the fans can't force the two sides to sit down and hash out a deal that contradicts their individual interests. It's just a matter of hoping the two sides can find enough common ground before the games are impacted and some fans are disillusioned for good.

I'm 44 years old & go back to the Cosmos. A strike now would be a disaster. I feel for the players, but, realistically, 60% of the guys in MLS would not be able to make it elsewhere & they don't seem to realize it. The league may not be perfect but it's ours. Let's find a compromise.
Will Smith, via e-mail

We'll see whether both sides share these sentiments over the next two days.

McCarthy's Musings: MLS Trio Aims To Advance World Cup Claims In Amsterdam
U.S. coach Bob Bradley pared down his group of MLS World Cup hopefuls to three players for today's friendly against the Netherlands. Kyle McCarthy breaks down the World Cup chances for the trio.

Mar 3, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

A gaggle of MLS standouts attempted to stake a claim for a place in the U.S. World Cup squad over the past two months. Only three of those players earned a place in Bob Bradley's squad for today's friendly against the Netherlands.

Other MLS players will no doubt enter Bradley's thoughts for a spot in the delegation heading to South Africa – Los Angeles and Everton midfielder Landon Donovan will play in this friendly and remains integral to the American hopes this summer, while Brian Ching and Conor Casey also merit consideration up front – but only Jonathan Bornstein, Robbie Findley and Heath Pearce will have the chance to bolster their cases for World Cup inclusion on the field in Amsterdam.

While only one of the three players (Bornstein at left back) projects as a likely starter for the contest, all three squad members will hope to have an opportunity to impress in the last friendly before Bradley selects his squad for the World Cup in May.

Here's how the current landscape looks for each of the three MLS World Cup hopefuls in Amsterdam:

Jonathan Bornstein: No player has improved his stock more than Bornstein has in the two U.S. friendlies in 2010. When placed among the domestic group featured in those two matches, the Chivas USA defender and U.S. regular stuck out as a potential contributor for Bradley's side in South Africa this summer. Bornstein adds versatility to the squad – in a desperate situation, he could slide into the central role he played in the second half of 2009 with his club and in the El Salvador friendly with his country – and represents exactly the type of fast, flexible and young option coaches crave when selecting a 23-man roster for a grueling tournament.

With a spot in the squad all but assured barring injury, the question for Bornstein now is whether he can carve out a spot in the U.S. starting XI. Bradley's projected first-choice lineup – Jonathan Spector on the right, Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu in the middle and Carlos Bocanegra on the left – doesn't include Bornstein at the moment. Strong form for club and country could see Bornstein force his way into the first-choice back four by allowing Bradley to shift Bocanegra back into the middle to cover for the injured Onyewu or press DeMerit for his starting berth.

Robbie Findley: Findley's World Cup future changed from the moment Charlie Davies nearly lost his career in a car accident last summer. Bradley doesn't possess a multitude of speedy striking options to employ in Davies' absence and turned to Findley and FC Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham in an attempt to inject some pace up top. Neither player has particularly impressed with his performances, but it appears Findley has edged ahead of Cunningham in the pecking order after earning the starting nod against El Salvador and winning a place in this squad.

In order to book his place on the plane, Findley will need considerable help and improved form at the international level. Findley's current case for inclusion rests solely on the fact he is the most viable option with pace in a wafer-thin pool. Other options – Davies if he completes his stunning recovery and regains his fitness and form for Sochaux and Eddie Johnson if he can stand out against the Dutch and manage consistent first-team action with Aris – could emerge to knock Findley out of the running if he continues to spurn opportunities to establish himself as a fixture in the squad. A competent and dangerous performance against the Dutch could go a long way to dispelling some of those lingering doubts.

Heath Pearce: The former Hansa Rostock left back returned to MLS at the tail end of 2009 with the World Cup in mind. Pearce featured consistently for the U.S. national team during 2008, but fell out of the starting XI as his club situation deteriorated in Germany. Pearce's form with FC Dallas encouraged Bradley to hand him a call-up for the January camp, though the 25-year-old had slipped considerably down the pecking order at left back. Steady performances as a substitute against Honduras and in a starting role against El Salvador earned Pearce a place in the squad to face the Dutch.

Although Pearce has done well to return to the fold as a potential option, he faces long odds to book a trip to South Africa. At the moment, Pearce ranks third on the depth chart at left back behind Bocanegra and Bornstein. One could even argue that Spector, who has filled in on the left for West Ham in recent weeks, would earn the start at left back before Pearce. With all of that said, Pearce provides some versatility – FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman deployed him at right back last season – and possesses a decent level of experience with the national team. It will take a unique confluence of events to keep Pearce in the mix – a couple of injuries on the back line or Bradley expressing a strong desire to sacrifice a midfielder to select an extra defensive option, for example – but stranger things have happened.

McCarthy's Musings: Hartman, Robinson Moves Reveal Difficult Decisions Prompted By MLS Veterans
Prominent MLS veterans Kevin Hartman and Carl Robinson are en route to new addresses for 2010 even though both players could certainly fill a role with their old team. Kyle McCarthy explains why teams struggle to cope with established veteran players in McCarthy's Musings.

Mar 10, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

As established MLS veterans age, clubs struggle to figure how to reconcile the player's changing place within the team structure with his corresponding value on the salary budget.

Consider two transactions from this week as the most recent examples in the long-held pattern.

In the first of the two featured moves, Kansas City finally reached a deal to send out-of-contract goalkeeper Kevin Hartman elsewhere and shipped the 35-year-old to FC Dallas in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2012. Hartman told MLSnet.com on Tuesday that he signed a new multi-year deal with MLS that included a pay cut for 2010.

The deal represented significant value for a player Kansas City didn't want to keep and, more importantly, didn't want to sign for multiple years. By swapping Hartman for Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, the Wizards ensured they wouldn't have to commit to a multi-year deal with two or more guaranteed years for Hartman (a reasonable demand given Hartman's stature and his above-expectations performance in 2009, but not a proposal the Wizards were particularly likely to entertain) and would have the flexibility to search elsewhere if Nielsen didn't perform to expectations during his one-year deal at a similar salary number. While Kansas City's move to dump Hartman doesn't rank particularly high on the sentimentality meter given his contributions to the cause over the past three seasons, it does give the Wizards more options heading into the future.

FC Dallas, on the other hand, sacrificed some of its financial flexibility to acquire a proven player that may not earn a starting berth this season. FCD coach Schellas Hyndman now possesses two potential number ones with Hartman and incumbent goalkeeper Dario Sala both in the fold. Two practical problems arise with carrying both players: neither goalkeeper likely features in a list of the top seven or eight goalkeepers in the league and one of them will end up as an overpriced backup option if both players remain on the roster. Trading for Hartman heaps significant pressure on Hyndman to either cut Sala loose or accommodate his comparative largesse at goalkeeper – former number two Ray Burse made $34,650 in base compensation last season, according to MLS Players Union documents, and Hartman's taking home at least two to three times that amount even with a healthy pay cut from last year's $165,000 salary – by trimming his expenditures in other areas.

In contrast to FC Dallas' decision to carry veteran cover at a comparatively significant price, Toronto FC opted to release veteran midfielder Carl Robinson over the weekend rather than retain him for a fourth season. The former Welsh international then joined long-standing admirers New York on trial this week in Fort Lauderdale.

Robinson's departure marks yet another in a rather lengthy list of salary budget busting moves by TFC. On the surface, Robinson's departure makes considerable sense. The Reds possess plenty of cover in central midfield – Julian de Guzman will occupy one spot, while Sam Cronin can slot inside to his natural defensive midfield role to fill the other vacancy – and TFC simply can't carry Robinson's substantial guaranteed salary ($300,000 base, according to the Union) in a reserve role with de Guzman and Dwayne De Rosario on the books already.

Dig a little deeper and the negative ramifications of the move hit home. Although Robinson will play elsewhere in 2010, a significant portion of his salary will count against the Reds' salary budget because teams can't just dump players with guaranteed deals without assuming a corresponding budget charge. The same principle that keeps Nick Garcia – currently in the second year of a two-year guarantee after San Jose rather impulsively granted him a new deal at $190,000 in base compensation per season after a solid 2008 campaign and then assumed a considerable portion of that salary to ship him to TFC last June – on the TFC roster will see the Reds pay a hefty price for Robinson to play for a competitor in 2010 and hope they can use the meager funds freed by his departure to sign an impact player.

The salary arrangement makes Robinson a reasonably-priced addition for New York. While Robinson probably doesn't represent a wise investment at the face value of his contract, he makes sense in the $100k-150k pay bracket given his ability, his experience and his willingness to play in central defense if asked. Considering New York's current assortment of options in both spots, Robinson could certainly make an impact if he can maintain possession consistently and show his fitness during his trial stint.

Veterans such as Hartman and Robinson present difficult cases for MLS clubs. Many accomplished MLS players warrant guaranteed, multi-year contracts when they are offered and signed, yet these same deals – which, in the case of many foreign players, lay the foundation for the player's arrival in the first place – can transform into salary budget millstones once a player's performance or utility falls beneath his salary level. Dumping those salaries turns into an exercise in mitigation as clubs must find a way to extract a modest return for a player worth considerably more on the field and among his teammates than on the salary budget.

Striking the right balance between change and consistency remains the overarching goal as teams weigh the tangible effects on the field and the intangible effects in the locker room. As both of these moves indicate, finding the perfect mix remains elusive for most MLS clubs.

2010 MLS Western Conference Preview
Kyle McCarthy kicks off his MLS conference previews with a look at the Western Conference.

Mar 23, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

One look at the 2009 MLS playoffs reveals the strength of the Western Conference.

Five playoff teams emerged from the Western pack last season. The last of those qualifiers, Real Salt Lake, scampered through the Eastern Conference and knocked off top seeds Columbus and Chicago in the process. RSL's run set up an all-Western Conference affair in MLS Cup with the Claret-and-Cobalt lifting the trophy on penalty kicks in Seattle.

Expect more of the same in 2010 as the Western Conference boasts three of the league's four top teams and offers considerably more strength in depth than the East does heading into the campaign.

Projected order of finish
1. Seattle*
2. Los Angeles*
3. Real Salt Lake*
4. Houston*
5. Colorado*
6. Chivas USA
7. FC Dallas
8. San Jose
*- denotes playoff qualifier

1. Seattle – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Sounders FC thrilled sell-out crowds with a playoff berth and a U.S. Open Cup title in its inaugural season.
Offseason moves: Swiss international striker Blaise Nkufo will join in the summer from Dutch title chasers FC Twente to give Sigi Schmid a true target man, but perhaps the most important move is the one that didn't get made as Fredy Montero returns for a second season in the Pacific Northwest. On-trial defender Jeff Parke could strengthen the defensive corps if he eventually signs.
Key figure: Kasey Keller. Seattle lacks quality cover for the former U.S. international and will expect the 40-year-old to remain healthy and turn a few close games in Sounders FC's direction.
The skinny: Schmid has constructed a sturdy side built for the long haul. In Fredy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle possesses two attacking players with genuine quality. Keeping both players on task and away from attitude (Montero) and injury (Ljungberg) issues will be important for a side that doesn't have much attacking depth until Nkufo arrives. Then again, the back four – ably supported by Osvaldo Alonso in midfield – provides enough of a foundation to mount a title challenge even if the attack sputters occasionally.

2. Los Angeles – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Landon Donovan's MVP campaign and a resolute defense led to a first successful season with David Beckham in the fold and a MLS Cup defeat to Real Salt Lake.
Offseason moves: Galaxy manager Bruce Arena added three young Brazilians from Sao Paulo to bolster his depth and reunited with another former national team charge by acquiring Clint Mathis from Real Salt Lake. Veteran midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi went to Philadelphia in the expansion draft.
Key figure: Landon Donovan. As chronicled here and here over the past week or so, the Galaxy will go as far as Donovan takes them.
The skinny: Although Donovan plays a significant part in his side's success, the bedrock of this group is formed at the back with Gregg Berhalter and Omar Gonzalez in central defense. If Donovan isn't available (and he won't be on several occasions due to U.S. duty this season), Los Angeles can close up shop and make it difficult for other teams to play. Those qualities are enough to garner regular season results, but not enough to achieve the Galaxy's overall goals without Donovan at his influential best. Beckham's delayed return after tearing his Achilles during a loan stint with AC Milan won't impact the side as much as many might expect; he's an important player, but the club wasn't expecting him back until late July anyways.

3. Real Salt Lake – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: After securing a playoff place on the final day of the regular season, RSL shook off its underachieving ways and played to its potential by storming through the postseason to lift its first MLS Cup.
Offseason moves: RSL secured a much-needed striker by acquiring Costa Rican international Alvaro Saborio on loan from Swiss club Sion, but lost Yura Movsisyan (Randers FC) on a free transfer and Chris Seitz (Philadelphia) via trade.
Key figure: Kyle Beckerman. Real Salt Lake's captain – in tandem with Will Johnson's relentless work rate – sets the tone for his side's active and productive midfield diamond.
The skinny: Few teams move the ball better than RSL when the Claret-and-Cobalt is in the right mood. RSL's freeflowing work through the middle of the park often handicaps the side on the road, though shifting to a more defensive deportment hasn't worked particularly well either. Jason Kreis will have to find a way to erase the road woes if RSL is to join the league's elite regular season teams. The back four – marshaled by Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave – takes no prisoners in front of veteran stopper Nick Rimando. Saborio's arrival addresses the one lingering roster concern by creating competition for places up front, so RSL will have few excuses aside from CONCACAF Champions League participation if it meanders through the regular season once again.

4. Houston – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Houston's final act with Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden brought regular season success and Western Conference final heartache.
Offseason moves: Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Holden (Bolton Wanderers) vacated their posts in central midfield, while Lovel Palmer and Adrian Serioux joined to help fill the considerable breach left by their departures.
Key figure: Eddie Robinson. For reasons explained in last week's Friday Five, Robinson's return to form in central defense will play a key role in how the Dynamo transitions to a new reality without Clark and Holden.
The skinny: With Holden now in the Bolton treatment room, the Dynamo will have to rely on the versatile Geoff Cameron to orchestrate the attacks through the middle and the veteran duo of Brad Davis and Brian Mullan to provide plenty of service from the flanks. Cameron's shift from central defense to central midfield will force a rethink at the back with Robinson facing significant pressure to return to his old form. The Houston back four, however, generally adapts to change well and Dominic Kinnear always finds a way to squeeze the very best out of his side.

5. Colorado – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: A promising run towards the playoffs hit the skids when a rash of knee injuries sidelined the Rapids' three primary wingers.
Offseason moves: Colorado reinforced its midfield options by acquiring Jeff Larentowicz and Wells Thompson from New England, but lost Preston Burpo, Cory Gibbs and Jacob Peterson (in a separate deal with Toronto FC) in the process and must also replace Philadelphia-bound Jordan Harvey. The Rapids also injected some youth with the arrivals of Danny Earls and Oscar Murillo, yet couldn't secure the desired additional option up top.
Key figure: Omar Cummings. Strike partner Conor Casey rightfully draws much of the attention, but the Jamaican international drives the attack by linking with the midfielders and stretching defenses with his pace.
The skinny: Colorado excels when it can use its width to stretch the field and provide service to Casey and Cummings. In Colin Clark and Jamie Smith, the Rapids possess a pair of dynamic wingers who can provide the requisite service when available. Larentowicz and Pablo Mastroeni should form one of the league's best combos in the center of the park with Nick LaBrocca a useful option to plug holes or provide cover. Colorado coach Gary Smith likes his fullbacks to join the attack, but the generally rugged back four does its job when required. If the Rapids can keep their starting XI on the field and avoid testing their depth, the playoffs should beckon.

6. Chivas USA – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Another combative effort from the Red-and-White ended with another first-round playoff exit.
Offseason moves: Preki decamped for Toronto FC when his contract expired at the end of last season. Martin Vasquez ushered in the new era by adding Osael Romero and Michael Umana, dumping Carey Talley and watching Jesse Marsch retire and Paulo Nagamura cross the border to join Tigres. Shavar Thomas also made his way to Philly.
Key figure: Jonathan Bornstein. The U.S. international operates best as a left back, but Vasquez may need to use his versatility to paper over the cracks in central defense.
The skinny: Chivas USA will likely field a more appealing team under Vasquez, a former Red-and-White assistant. Sacha Kljestan and Romero will enjoy ample license to create in the attacking third, while the now-healthy Maykel Galindo stretches defenses over the top. A moribund attack may improve with more support in the wide areas and an improved campaign from Kljestan, but questions linger about how this side will look defensively with such widespread changes to its resolute core. Growing pains inevitably await with the transition to a more positive approach.

7. FC Dallas – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: A second-half surge propelled FCD into the playoff hunt, but the offensive explosion wasn't enough to snag an improbable playoff berth.
Offseason moves: FCD boss Schellas Hyndman primarily stayed the course with the side he constructed last season. Kevin Hartman arrives from Kansas City to challenge Dario Sala's spot in goal, while first-round pick Zach Loyd offers depth in a number of positions.
Key figure: Jeff Cunningham. FCD wasn't going anywhere until Cunningham – aided by midfield service from David Ferreira and Dax McCarty – caught fire in the second-half of the season. The Hoops must keep him healthy and among the goals once again to push for a playoff berth.
The skinny: FCD will challenge teams when it can get players forward in numbers. Team speed represents a strength, though the fullbacks – Jair Benitez on the left and Heath Pearce (playing out of position) on the right – provide most of the width. Cunningham, Ferreira and McCarty combine well together through midfield and into the attacking third. Questions arise when other teams dictate the cadence of the game and force the Hoops to defend. Club captain Daniel Hernandez will have to provide ample cover in front of a suspect central defensive pairing, while Hartman and Sala may have to come up with key saves time and again.

8. San Jose – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Key injuries and suspect defensive performances kept the Quakes rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference.
Offseason moves: San Jose signed FC Basel striker Eduardo to end its search a top-caliber striker and inked Joey Gjertsen (Montreal), Brad Ring ('08 draft pick sidelined by a hip injury last season) and Javier Robles (Velez Sarsfield) to bolster the options in midfield. Promising winger Shea Salinas went to Philadelphia in the expansion draft, while fringe midfielders Simon Elliott and Antonio Riberio departed on Monday.
Key figure: Jason Hernandez. San Jose needs the reliable central defender to overcome his persistent injury concerns and provide the leadership required to improve the league's worst defensive unit in 2009.
The skinny: In order to mount a viable playoff bid, the Quakes must find a way to strengthen a flimsy back line. Better defensive support from the wide players would certainly help, but the onus falls on Hernandez to form a strong partnership with Brandon McDonald in front of the steady Joe Cannon. Plenty of responsibility falls on Frank Yallop's cadre of central midfielders to lend some support defensively as well and the Quakes will hope the influential Andre Luiz can return quickly from recent arthroscopic knee surgery to aid those efforts. San Jose can rely on the quietly effective Ryan Johnson to lead the line with Eduardo in tow, but must draw more consistent performances out of Bobby Convey to maintain proper supply from midfield.

2010 MLS Eastern Conference Preview
Kyle McCarthy wraps up his conference previews with a look at the Eastern Conference.
Mar 24, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

Questions permeate throughout the Eastern Conference as seven teams try to unseat Columbus atop the heap.

Robert Warzycha's Crew have captured the Supporters Shield in each of the past two seasons and looked primed to collect a third successive first-place finish in the East. In order to mount a challenge, the aspirants to the throne will have to address a series of concerns that could impair or sideline their bids to oust Columbus from its perch.

The strength of the Western Conference might limit the East to three playoff berths for a second consecutive season, but the parity after Columbus and Chicago could see any club mount a viable playoff push with a healthy dose of good fortune and a key addition or two in the summer transfer window.

Projected order of finish:
1. Columbus*
2. Chicago*
3. New York*
4. Toronto FC
5. New England
6. D.C. United
7. Kansas City
8. Philadelphia
*- denotes playoff qualifier

1. Columbus – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: The Crew followed up its double in 2008 with a second consecutive Supporters Shield and a surprising first-round exit to Real Salt Lake.
Offseason moves: Robert Warzycha essentially swapped veteran stalwart Alejandro Moreno (Philadelphia) with Colombian striker Sergio Herrera (Deportivo Cali) and called it a day aside from adding a few draft picks.
Key figure: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The attack runs through his aging legs, but the congested calendar means Warzycha will have to use his Argentine maestro judiciously in order to have him ready for the critical stages of the season.
The skinny: Columbus boasts the strongest squad in the league and generally obtains results no matter who takes the field. Even with that said, the Crew relies on Barros Schelotto to orchestrate the attack. Steven Lenhart's emergence adds a persistent and robust element up front to complement the silky playmaker. Wingers Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers provide plenty of width, while Brian Carroll does all of the dirty work quietly in central midfield. Chad Marshall leads a stingy back four in front of the dependable Will Hesmer. Given its depth and its experience, Columbus enters 2010 as the favorite to win MLS Cup.

2. Chicago – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Expectations mandated postseason glory, but the Fire lost the Eastern Conference final on its own field and subsequently ushered Denis Hamlett out the door.
Offseason moves: Former El Salvador manager Carlos de los Cobos assumed control after yet another protracted coaching search and oversaw a series of changes heading into 2010. Key cogs Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Chris Rolfe (Aalborg) and Gonzalo Segares (Apollon) all departed during the close season. Collins John (NEC Nijmegen) and Julio Martinez (Leon) constitute the attacking reinforcements, while Krzysztof Krol (Jagellonia Bialystok) could assume former teammate Tomasz Frankowski's old spot on the Fire bench after de los Cobos questioned whether the Polish defender offered the speed he desired at left back.
Key figure: Andrew Dykstra. Chicago tapped its untested reserve keeper as the de facto number one by waiving Jon Busch on Monday. Given the expectations placed on the side and the departure of a solid veteran to create room for him in the lineup, Dykstra has no room for error.
The skinny: Busch's shocking departure less than a week before the season creates questions about how the Fire will adapt to his loss. This veteran-laden crew should adjust quickly, but one has to wonder whether the back four will have the same faith in its green number one as it did in the former Goalkeeper of the Year. Previous Fire teams succeeded because of their ability in the defensive half and this group – including the tidy duo of Logan Pause and John Thorrington in central midfield – could continue the trend if Dykstra performs well. Blanco's loss may not impact the Fire attack as significantly as many observers expect. Although the Mexican playmaker offers matchwinning ability and sublime skill, he often slowed down the Fire attack when a brisker tempo would have created more opportunities. With Martinez and Marco Pappa flying down the wings and Patrick Nyarko stretching defenses vertically, this Fire side should attack with vigor and use Brian McBride more often as its fulcrum. Chicago's eventual success or failure, however, may ride on its decision to replace its venerable goalkeeper.

3. New York – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Forget it even happened.
Offseason moves: New sporting director Erik Soler turned to Scandinavia and imported Joel Lindpere (Tromso) to run the midfield and Roy Miller (Rosenborg) to fill the troublesome left back vacancy. Carl Robinson (Toronto FC) lends experience and steel in central midfield at a reasonable price, while Greg Sutton (unattached) waits in the wings if Bouna Coundoul falters. Ibrahim Salou (Vejle) signed on Tuesday to strengthen the Red Bulls' forward group. Two draft picks, Tim Ream and Tony Tchani, could also log significant minutes. Soler made room for fresh blood by ditching a host of underachievers with Carlos Johnson and Jorge Rojas among the departures.
Key figure: Juan Pablo Angel. The Colombian striker may receive further Designated Player help in the summer, but he shoulders the responsibility to score consistently and stay healthy until then.
The skinny: Swedish coach Hans Backe spent most of his time during preseason attempting to construct a sturdier defensive shape. Ream and veteran Mike Petke will form the central defensive duo at the outset with the rookie impressing observers with his quick adjustment to the pro level and his poise in possession. Backe wants his side to use its technique to keep the ball consistently with Lindpere and Robinson crucial to accomplishing that objective. Questions linger in goal and in the wide areas, but this Red Bulls group – presumably bolstered during the summer transfer window and buttressed by the move to Red Bull Arena – has the makings of a playoff side if Angel can stay on the field.

4. Toronto FC – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Two many managers, too few wins and one playoff-crushing, season-ending defeat in New York to cap off the misery.
Offseason moves: Aside from Preki's arrival in the dugout, TFC welcomed few additions. TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston traded for Colorado's Ty Harden and Jacob Peterson and encountered frustration elsewhere. The Reds hope to add trialists Adrian Cann (Esjberg) and Martin Saric (unattached) to a threadbare squad. TFC proved more adept at offloading its own veterans as Amado Guevara (Motagua), Carl Robinson (New York) and Adrian Serioux (Houston) all left. Ali Gerba is expected to join the list of departures shortly.
Key figure: Nana Attakora. The young Canadian defender can play either on the right (in place of Marvell Wynne) or in the middle (as Nick Garcia's partner), but he'll have to excel in either spot to provide Preki with the defensive building block he desperately needs.
The skinny: Preki's practical approach should tighten up TFC's notoriously leaky defense. The former U.S. international will require commitment and graft from all of his players and won't stand for any passengers as he reshapes the squad. The personnel at the back still requires considerable strengthening – particularly in central defense – even with the less-than-ambitious tactics en route. Julian de Guzman stands out in the center of midfield as the key to TFC's efforts in trying to pressure the opposition and move forward quickly when in possession. Dwayne De Rosario may play up top to compensate for a lack of striking options and permit a more committed defensive choice on the left side of midfield. Even with the ample talents of de Guzman and De Rosario in the fold, TFC requires reinforcements in order to push for the playoffs.

5. New England – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Shalrie Joseph carried an injury-riddled and offensively limited squad to the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
Offseason moves: Three core players – Jay Heaps (retired), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado) and Steve Ralston (AC St. Louis) – departed during the offseason to ensure a different look to the squad in 2010. Preston Burpo and Cory Gibbs joined in a trade with Colorado to fill holes at goalkeeper (for the injured Matt Reis) and left back (for Heaps). Joseph Niouky (Port Autonome) arrived from Cameroon to add another choice in central midfield, while the Revs expect to sign Serbian midfielder Marko Perovic (FC Basel) shortly to provide creative nous. First-round pick Zack Schilawski will also see time up front.
Key figure: Joseph. The central midfielder filled several roles in 2009 as injuries ravaged the Revs, but will have to dominate proceedings in the middle of the park to lead this side to the playoffs once more.
The skinny: New England grinded out results last season and the formula hasn't changed much heading into this campaign. The back four gets the job done with plenty of assistance from Joseph and Pat Phelan in central midfield. Going forward presents problems for the Revs with Taylor Twellman's absence acutely felt in the attacking third. With the timeline for Twellman's return from a neck injury uncertain, forwards Kheli Dube, Edgaras Jankauskas (currently injured) and Schilawski need to ruthlessly finish the limited chances they receive in his stead. Steve Nicol always squeezes the most out of his squad, but this version of the Revs looks a bit short in the attacking third unless Perovic replaces Ralston's creativity and Twellman returns to his dangerous best.

6. D.C. United – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: A second consecutive season out of the playoffs and an embarrassing home loss to Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup final cost Tom Soehn his job.
Offseason moves: A protracted coaching search ended with the appointment of former Wizards coach and United assistant Curt Onalfo as the new head man. Former goalkeeper Troy Perkins (Valerenga) addressed the biggest offseason priority when he returned after two years in Norway. Danny Allsopp (Al-Rayyan) and Christian Castillo (Leon) are the highly touted attacking acquisitions, while Onalfo hopes to bolster his defense with Bolivian veteran Juan Manuel Pena (unattached). Familiar faces Luciano Emilio (Rio Branco), Fred (Philadelphia), Christian Gomez (unattached) and new assistant coach Ben Olsen (retired) departed.
Key figure: Jaime Moreno. MLS' all-time leading scorer will have to feature frequently and impact games consistently in order to provide United with the creativity and incisiveness it needs in the final third.
The skinny: Onalfo should have this United side there or thereabouts in the playoff hunt as the season winds to a close, but the current squad will require some upkeep in order to get there. Bryan Namoff (post-concussion symptoms) will miss the start of the season, robbing the back four of a steady, veteran presence. Pena should step into central defense to fill the breach, but he will have to prove his 37-year-old legs can still compete with MLS forwards. The midfield looks set in the holding role (the efficient Clyde Simms) and on the left (Salvadoran international Castillo), though the right wing berth and the second spot in central midfield present selection posers with Santino Quaranta a candidate in both spots. Unless Allsopp can offer a more consistently effective MLS option than former Melbourne Victory teammate Fred, the attack looks overly reliant on Moreno to supply the goals as Chris Pontius continues his development. Depth also remains a considerable concern as the squad evolves, but one or two additions and a couple of breaks could see United end a two-season playoff drought.

7. Kansas City – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: A midseason swoon saw Peter Vermes take charge and start the process of reviving a team that slipped off the rails last season.
Offseason moves: Vermes rang in the changes during the close season with double-digit tallies on the entry and exit portions of the ledger. Stephane Auvray (Nimes Olympique), Pablo Escobar (Deportivo Cali), Jimmy Nielsen (Vejle) and Ryan Smith (Crystal Palace) headline a worldly group of incoming talent culled primarily from off-Broadway European leagues. Indian striker Sunil Chhetri (Dempo) could soon join the foreign legion after an apparently successful preseason trial. Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Kevin Hartman (FC Dallas) and Claudio Lopez (unattached) led the group that made way for the arrivals.
Key figure: Jimmy Conrad. The Wizards captain once again must carry the defensive burden and find a way to unify this disparate group.
The skinny: Vermes opted for quantity as he sought to rebuild the squad in preparation for his first full season in charge. Early reports peg Auvray and Smith as the most likely contributors right off the bat with Nielsen and Escobar also in line for starting berths. Conrad leads a defensive unit that consistently outperforms the capabilities of its individual personnel, but the group lacks depth in the middle and on the right. Guadeloupe captain Auvray offers steel in midfield, while veterans Davy Arnaud and Josh Wolff offer the best attacking options for a team that struggled to score in 2009. If everything meshes quickly, the Wizards could surprise a few teams, but a season of consolidation looks more likely as Vermes assesses his roster and figures out which of his additions should stick around for the long-term.

8. Philadelphia – Goal.com preview
Last season in a sentence: Peter Nowak and John Hackworth spent the second half of last season scouting for the Union's inaugural campaign.
Offseason moves: Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle), Alejandro Moreno (Columbus) and Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA) represent the high-profile additions from November's expansion draft. Fred (D.C. United) and Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake) joined via trade, while Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Michael Orozco (San Luis) and Roger Torres (America de Cali) linked up with the squad from abroad.
Key figure: Danny Califf. If the Union wants to harbor serious playoff aspirations, it will have to rely on Califf to lead a compact and stingy defensive unit.
The skinny: Nowak sequestered his squad for much of preseason in order to foster cohesion ahead of its debut in Seattle on Thursday. The available options point to some variation of a 4-4-2 as the preferred formation. Seitz enters the season as number one. Califf and Thomas form a competent centerback duo with fullbacks Jordan Harvey (left) and Orozco (right) providing width on the overlap. The midfield should rely on Stefani Miglioranzi's veteran nous to shield the back four, while Fred and Torres could provide the attacking inspiration with Shea Salinas the most likely option to round out the quartet. Le Toux and Moreno offer the most likely options up top. As with most expansion teams, Philadelphia falls short in two departments: depth and top-end quality. Nowak instills a defiant combativeness in his sides, so the Union should field a sound defensive outfit. A dearth of goals, however, may limit Philly's aspirations to the bottom half of the table.

Dykstra Settles Into Starting Role In Chicago
Chicago ousted Jon Busch as its number one a week before the season and handed the starting job to the untested Andrew Dykstra. Kyle McCarthy caught up with Dykstra after his MLS debut to talk about the switch.

Mar 31, 2010
By Kyle McCarthy

HARRISON, N.J. – As Chicago goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra waited to make his MLS debut in Saturday night's 1-0 loss at New York, he received a text message from a former teammate.

Good luck, it read. The sender? Jon Busch, Chicago's recently deposed number one and Dykstra's former mentor.

A week earlier, Busch and Dykstra were teammates prepared to enter the season as starter and backup, respectively. Reality intervened abruptly as Chicago coach Carlos de los Cobos chose Dykstra as his goalkeeper and Fire technical director Frank Klopas opted to place Busch on the waiver wire.

“It was an emotional couple of days in there for him and for me,” Dykstra said.

During the one season they played together, Busch and Dykstra formed a bond as mentor and student. Dykstra leaned on Busch to help him learn how to become a professional goalkeeper. If he had questions, the seasoned veteran could answer them. Dykstra gleaned most of his knowledge by watching Busch from the sidelines as he started just one competitive match during his rookie campaign – a U.S. Open Cup defeat at Wilmington (USL-2) last June.

The tutorial period is over now. Instead of continuing his development as Busch embarked on a third season as the Fire's starting goalkeeper, Dykstra now faces the challenge of backstopping a veteran team to the playoffs without a safety net in place or a steady veteran hand to guide him.

With a swarm of activity buzzing around him in the aftermath of Busch's release last Monday, Dykstra said he spent his first week as the Fire's top goalkeeper building chemistry with his defenders and focusing on the daunting task of trying to stop the Red Bulls in their first MLS match at Red Bull Arena.

“I know some of the guys and I've had a little bit of time in and around the players in game situations,” Dykstra said. “All I had to do was focus on preparation. That's what I did with Aron (Hyde, Fire goalkeeping coach) and Sean (Johnson) all week. I came in feeling pretty confident in my abilities. I knew I needed to relax and let my mind go free. It tends to go your way when you don't think and the preparation is there.”

The preparation paid off even though Dykstra and the Fire didn't emerge with a result. Chicago's back four limited the opportunities Dykstra faced – his first save came courtesy of a tame Mac Kandji effort after 38 minutes – and allowed the former Virginia Commonwealth goalkeeper a chance to settle into his new role. Dykstra's relatively calm debut – aside from a nearly costly bobble of a Joel Lindpere drive after 70 minutes – earned plaudits from de los Cobos in the post-game media scrum.

“Good, good,” de los Cobos said as he reflected upon Dykstra's performance. “He's nervous, but that is logical because he's very young. But with the time and with the games, I'm sure he will be able get more experience and more confidence in himself. I'm very satisfied with his performance.”

Future games will bring greater tests for Dykstra. He knows questions about his promotion still linger and understands that he will have prove himself in order to erase those doubts. In order to grow into his new job, Dykstra said he will rely on what he has learned from Busch and others to guide him down the right path.

“(Others are) saying 'how are we going to get into the playoff hunt,'” Dykstra said. “I have told everybody that if we prepare in practice and do what we're supposed to do, things will take care of themselves. As for myself, I've seen a lot of games. I watched Jon and I remember what he taught me. I remember what (former Fire goalkeeping coach) Daryl Shore did with me last year and what Aron is showing me now. I have a lot of input. Now I just have to try and learn as I go. It's a process.”

Part of that process includes keeping in touch with Busch. Dykstra said he called Busch last week and left him a voice mail to thank him for everything. In the hectic period that followed, Busch and Dykstra swapped text messages. Life will move on, Dykstra said, and they will adjust to their new realities and new roles.

Only time will tell whether Chicago made the right call to jettison Busch and promote Dykstra. Until then, Dykstra will continue to adjust to his new path and develop as a starting goalkeeper. Expect him to remember a few messages – no matter how brief – from a certain departed veteran along the way.