MLS predictions

We here at the TBG know the season has already started but one week shouldn't affect the quality (or lackthereof) of our MLS predictions. Remember last season before the playoffs, we correctly predicted that Colorado would win the Cup. So here we go ...

East

1. New York - As Alicia Keyes sings it 'There's nothin' you can't do. Now you're in New York.' Apparently except win an MLS title for one of the world's most cursed franchises. Still, NY is the team to watch in the East.

2. Sporting KC - This team can ball with Mexican superstar Omar Bravo and Kei Kamara. Plus opponents will be laughing at the new name.

3. New England - Last season was a disaster for the Revs. Expect Nicol to get this bunch to play better D with some French imports providing the key. A training-camp scuffle in the preseason showed how much fight the Revs have in them.

4. D.C. - That's right, the boys from the nation's capital are back. Ben Olsen wears D.C. pride on his sleeves and TBG expects RFK Stadium to become a fortress again. Perry Kitchen is a name to watch.

5. Houston - Everything went wrong for this once-proud franchise last season. This season, things will go wrong some of the time.

6. Philadelphia - Le Toux is Le Verite (the truth, for you non-French speakers) for the Union but there's not a whole lot else going on for this franchise which thinks it can reach the Red Bulls' level in its own mind.

7. Columbus - TBG thinks that Rogers and company are headed for a big fall.

8. Chicago - We'll say this for the Fire - they lead MLS in Uruguayans!

9. TFC - Clearly Canada's second-best team and more than likely the worst in the entire MLS.


West

1. Los Angeles - In a league with very little talent, LA has at least a few professional-caliber players and that makes all the difference.

2. RSL - Possibly the best team in MLS, RSL should excel once more.

3. Colorado - The defending champs have possibly the best strike force in the league and the best home-field advantage, but seem to be missing something in the midfield.

4. FC Dallas - A solid workmanlike club that should reach the playoffs before crashing out.

5. San Jose - Wonderboy Wondolowski gives San Jose a fighting chance to sneak into the postseason.

6. Seattle FC - Maybe the best place to watch an MLS game but not a team to watch this season.

7. Chivas USA - A team that should struggle on the defensive end.

8. Portland - Some viable MLS vets here in Kenny Cooper, Sal Zizzo and Troy Perkins.

9. Vancouver - Jay DeMerit finished in last in the Prem with Watford so he should be accustomed to this.


Playoffs:

New wild-card round:

FC Dallas over Seattle
DC over San Jose

Conference semis:

East: FC Dallas over NY
KC over New England

West: LA over DC
Colorado over RSL

Conference championships:

East: KC over FC Dallas

West: Colorado over LA

MLS Cup 2011:

Sporting KC 1, Colorado 0