After one of the busiest off-seasons in the history of the league, the 19th season of Major League Soccer kicks off this weekend. Two clubs that have been at the bottom of MLS in the past, both received major facelifts this winter. Toronto FC added Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe, while MLS bought Chivas USA from Jorge Vergara with the idea that a new owner will rebrand the club following the 2014 season. A host of clubs hired new head coaches with Jeff Cassar having the biggest shoes to fill after New York City FC stole away Jason Kreis. With plenty of other story lines occurring as the season kicks off, Soccer Banter spoke with a few experienced MLS supporters to get their opinions on the upcoming season. The guest panel for the 2014 MLS preview includes - Jamie Clark (University of Washington Head Men's Soccer Coach), Marc Connolly (Chief Researcher & Editorial Consultant for ESPN's MLS & U. S. National Team soccer broadcasts), Eric Da Costa (Quinnipiac Univeristy Head Men's Soccer Coach), and Sam Lopes (University of New Hampshire Head Women's Soccer Coach).
SB: Who will win Rookie of the Year?
Jamie Clark: I couldn't choose just one, but think these three will be the leading candidates.
Thomas McNamara - Chivas USA need help and he's been able to get it done in preseason. Very smart player that is technical enough to adapt to the faster pace. Not an easy position to jump right into but has done well in preseason.
Harry Shipp - Usually it's defenders that have the easiest time breaking in but I'm going for another attack minded midfielder. If he is able to adapt and play out wide effectively then I think he will get enough minutes to make his mark and tally some points. Would be fun to see younger Americans take the reigns on the creative positions and he might just be good enough.
JJ Koval - Has done well in pre-seaon and I think his game is suited to make the leap. He's such a smart player that he'll figure out how to step up his game in the right area. He's a real competitor with the quality to play in the midfield. When he gets his chance I think he'll do well with it.
Jamie Clark: I couldn't choose just one, but think these three will be the leading candidates.
Thomas McNamara - Chivas USA need help and he's been able to get it done in preseason. Very smart player that is technical enough to adapt to the faster pace. Not an easy position to jump right into but has done well in preseason.
Harry Shipp - Usually it's defenders that have the easiest time breaking in but I'm going for another attack minded midfielder. If he is able to adapt and play out wide effectively then I think he will get enough minutes to make his mark and tally some points. Would be fun to see younger Americans take the reigns on the creative positions and he might just be good enough.
JJ Koval - Has done well in pre-seaon and I think his game is suited to make the leap. He's such a smart player that he'll figure out how to step up his game in the right area. He's a real competitor with the quality to play in the midfield. When he gets his chance I think he'll do well with it.
SB: Which Designated Player will make the biggest impact in MLS this season?
Sam Lopes (@_CoachLopes): With it being a World Cup year it's tough to say who will have the biggest impact. If no World Cup, it would be Michael Bradley. But with all eyes focused on Brazil, I think two elder Designated Players will both have big impacts once again - Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane.
SB: Who will lead MLS in goals this season?
Eric Da Costa (@DaCostaEric): Tough one to call here. There are a number of new signings in the league that could make an immediate impact, but will they gel quick enough with their new teams? I predict we will see either Mike Magee, Diego Fagundez or newcomer Jermain Defoe lead the charge for the golden boot. Magee is the safe bet. He just missed out last season and has been a consistent scorer each and every week. Defoe is the logical choice. His pedigree speaks for itself and he still has pace which will trouble most defenders in the league. Michael Bradley should be the set up man for Defoe, but will the team gel quickly enough for Defoe to bag enough goals? My wild card is Fagundez. Fagundez is young, dynamic, and clinical. This young player has already started to make a name for himself in the league and I wouldn't be surprised to see his name at the top of the list at the end of the season. All that being said I'm going with Fagundez to claim the scoring title. Defoe may not make the England squad for the 2014 World Cup, but Bradley will and that will hurt. Fagundez with a year of maturity will be a force to reckon with this year.
SB: Who is the best dressed coach in MLS?
Marc Connolly (@mconnolly10): Mike Petke - He thinks about it, for one. And he has a great sense of humor about it. I'm still waiting for an epic meltdown when he rips off the sweater vest and throws it onto the ground in disgust.
Sam Lopes (@_CoachLopes): With it being a World Cup year it's tough to say who will have the biggest impact. If no World Cup, it would be Michael Bradley. But with all eyes focused on Brazil, I think two elder Designated Players will both have big impacts once again - Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane.
SB: Who will lead MLS in goals this season?
Eric Da Costa (@DaCostaEric): Tough one to call here. There are a number of new signings in the league that could make an immediate impact, but will they gel quick enough with their new teams? I predict we will see either Mike Magee, Diego Fagundez or newcomer Jermain Defoe lead the charge for the golden boot. Magee is the safe bet. He just missed out last season and has been a consistent scorer each and every week. Defoe is the logical choice. His pedigree speaks for itself and he still has pace which will trouble most defenders in the league. Michael Bradley should be the set up man for Defoe, but will the team gel quickly enough for Defoe to bag enough goals? My wild card is Fagundez. Fagundez is young, dynamic, and clinical. This young player has already started to make a name for himself in the league and I wouldn't be surprised to see his name at the top of the list at the end of the season. All that being said I'm going with Fagundez to claim the scoring title. Defoe may not make the England squad for the 2014 World Cup, but Bradley will and that will hurt. Fagundez with a year of maturity will be a force to reckon with this year.
SB: Who is the best dressed coach in MLS?
Marc Connolly (@mconnolly10): Mike Petke - He thinks about it, for one. And he has a great sense of humor about it. I'm still waiting for an epic meltdown when he rips off the sweater vest and throws it onto the ground in disgust.
Supporters' Shield:
Jamie Clark: Sporting KC - East is weak where as the West will beat up on each other...
Marc Connolly: Portland - This is a team that knows how to grind out results. And with such a strong home field advantage you'd have to think those points will pile up. Their depth will serve them well, also. Caleb Porter really has turned this into a juggernaut in such a short period of time. That often gets overlooked.
Eric Da Costa: Houston Dynamo - Although they had a little dip in form last season they have quietly made some moves in the off season. Dominick Kinnear will have his team purring this season. This team is fantastic at home and will continue their home form in 2014.
Sam Lopes: Portland Timbers
Jamie Clark: Sporting KC - East is weak where as the West will beat up on each other...
Marc Connolly: Portland - This is a team that knows how to grind out results. And with such a strong home field advantage you'd have to think those points will pile up. Their depth will serve them well, also. Caleb Porter really has turned this into a juggernaut in such a short period of time. That often gets overlooked.
Eric Da Costa: Houston Dynamo - Although they had a little dip in form last season they have quietly made some moves in the off season. Dominick Kinnear will have his team purring this season. This team is fantastic at home and will continue their home form in 2014.
Sam Lopes: Portland Timbers
MLS Cup:
Jamie Clark: Seattle Sounders - Hometown bias, but this might be the year it all comes together late.
Marc Connolly: LA Galaxy - Boring choice, I know, but one has to think the fire is back in their belly from getting bounced early last year. Rob Friend is a great addition up top and their flank play should be much better than what it was a year ago.
Eric Da Costa: LA Galaxy - Bruce Arena's team is just too deep. While they may struggle losing their top players to the World Cup, they will be buzzing just in time for the playoffs. Look for London Donovan and company to lift their first MLS Cup post Beckham.
Sam Lopes: New York Red Bulls
Jamie Clark: Seattle Sounders - Hometown bias, but this might be the year it all comes together late.
Marc Connolly: LA Galaxy - Boring choice, I know, but one has to think the fire is back in their belly from getting bounced early last year. Rob Friend is a great addition up top and their flank play should be much better than what it was a year ago.
Eric Da Costa: LA Galaxy - Bruce Arena's team is just too deep. While they may struggle losing their top players to the World Cup, they will be buzzing just in time for the playoffs. Look for London Donovan and company to lift their first MLS Cup post Beckham.
Sam Lopes: New York Red Bulls
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