In the middle of March the focus changed to the Champions League but after a delay we now have the final edition of our MLS preview. Keith Costigan took time away from his duties with Fox Soccer and gave his insight on the season. Costigan had the advantage of getting to see each team play a few times before making his predictions so will see in November if that was to his benefit.
Soccer Banter: With the start of the 2011 MLS season just around the corner with a total of 18 teams, let's think back to 10 years ago in 2001 when two teams folded from MLS (Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny) and the league was at 10 teams and many people thinking the entire league could be eliminated...what are your thoughts on what has transpired over the last decade and the current state of MLS?
Keith Costigan: Major League Soccer has changed for the better in the last 10 years and I believe learned from the mistakes of NASL. The clubs in MLS have been able to build soccer specific stadiums that create a great atmosphere such as Toronto FC. Each club has also been able to create their own identity and the supporters clubs have been a big part of that. During this same time span, the game has grown so much at the youth level and young MLS players grew up following the game. Lastly players in Europe or South America now take notice of the league and have aspirations to play in the United States.
SB: Easier question, which team(s) will win the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup in 2011 and in your opinion, which is more rewarding?
KC: I think Jason Kreis has done a tremendous job with Real Salt Lake and the club is built to win the Supporters Shield. I think Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman are one of the best midfield combinations in the league. I think the toughest competition for the Supporters Shield will be by the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. The Rapids have a lot of confidence after winning the MLS Cup last season and have added some good players including Caleb Folan. The Galaxy and Red Bulls both have some very good individual players that will push them to the top of MLS.
Winning the Supporters Shield doesn't guarantee success in the playoffs and in some ways MLS Cup is a separate tournament similar to the Champions League. I believe to win MLS Cup a team needs to have match winners and LA Galaxy with Donovan and Angel will win it this year.
Growing up in Ireland I believe that a team should be judged on their season and I am partial to the Supporters Shield. That being said, being in the US now, I have been caught up by the atmosphere that playoffs bring and those games can be very exciting.
SB: Which Designated Player will have the biggest impact on a team’s success this season?
KC: I still haven't seen a lot from Thierry Henry and he doesn't seem like the player he was a few years ago. Many people forget that Landon Donovan is a designated player because he's American but I think he has been consistently the best player the last few years and will be again this year. He is able to change his game and make players around him better. When he needs to score goals he is still able to but has developed a great ability to deliver good balls to forwards. He was able to give great service last season to Edson Buddle and now this year will have Angel to pass to. He is still in the prime of his career and by not going on loan this winter he will be well rested which will show in the playoffs.
SB: Who will be this year’s Chris Wondolowski?
KC: I think Kei Kamara will have a breakout season for Sporting KC especially with the addition of Omar Bravo. He has steadily improved every season and though he plays out of position sometimes on the wing I think he will score a good number of goals this year.
SB: A bit off-topic but what young American (playing in MLS or abroad) are you most excited for in regards to future national team success?
KC: I am excited to see the development of Teal Bunbury the next few few years. He is a confident young man, a good finisher and he's working with a very good manager in Peter Vermes who will help him grow as a player. On Saturday against Vancouver he scored twice and from his reaction he expects to score goals which is a great quality. In a lot of ways with the media so focused on Juan Agudelo, it has taken some of the limelight off of Bunbury. He needs to continue to work hard but he has a bright future in MLS or overseas.
Soccer Banter: With the start of the 2011 MLS season just around the corner with a total of 18 teams, let's think back to 10 years ago in 2001 when two teams folded from MLS (Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny) and the league was at 10 teams and many people thinking the entire league could be eliminated...what are your thoughts on what has transpired over the last decade and the current state of MLS?
Keith Costigan: Major League Soccer has changed for the better in the last 10 years and I believe learned from the mistakes of NASL. The clubs in MLS have been able to build soccer specific stadiums that create a great atmosphere such as Toronto FC. Each club has also been able to create their own identity and the supporters clubs have been a big part of that. During this same time span, the game has grown so much at the youth level and young MLS players grew up following the game. Lastly players in Europe or South America now take notice of the league and have aspirations to play in the United States.
SB: Easier question, which team(s) will win the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup in 2011 and in your opinion, which is more rewarding?
KC: I think Jason Kreis has done a tremendous job with Real Salt Lake and the club is built to win the Supporters Shield. I think Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman are one of the best midfield combinations in the league. I think the toughest competition for the Supporters Shield will be by the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. The Rapids have a lot of confidence after winning the MLS Cup last season and have added some good players including Caleb Folan. The Galaxy and Red Bulls both have some very good individual players that will push them to the top of MLS.
Winning the Supporters Shield doesn't guarantee success in the playoffs and in some ways MLS Cup is a separate tournament similar to the Champions League. I believe to win MLS Cup a team needs to have match winners and LA Galaxy with Donovan and Angel will win it this year.
Growing up in Ireland I believe that a team should be judged on their season and I am partial to the Supporters Shield. That being said, being in the US now, I have been caught up by the atmosphere that playoffs bring and those games can be very exciting.
SB: Which Designated Player will have the biggest impact on a team’s success this season?
KC: I still haven't seen a lot from Thierry Henry and he doesn't seem like the player he was a few years ago. Many people forget that Landon Donovan is a designated player because he's American but I think he has been consistently the best player the last few years and will be again this year. He is able to change his game and make players around him better. When he needs to score goals he is still able to but has developed a great ability to deliver good balls to forwards. He was able to give great service last season to Edson Buddle and now this year will have Angel to pass to. He is still in the prime of his career and by not going on loan this winter he will be well rested which will show in the playoffs.
SB: Who will be this year’s Chris Wondolowski?
KC: I think Kei Kamara will have a breakout season for Sporting KC especially with the addition of Omar Bravo. He has steadily improved every season and though he plays out of position sometimes on the wing I think he will score a good number of goals this year.
SB: A bit off-topic but what young American (playing in MLS or abroad) are you most excited for in regards to future national team success?
KC: I am excited to see the development of Teal Bunbury the next few few years. He is a confident young man, a good finisher and he's working with a very good manager in Peter Vermes who will help him grow as a player. On Saturday against Vancouver he scored twice and from his reaction he expects to score goals which is a great quality. In a lot of ways with the media so focused on Juan Agudelo, it has taken some of the limelight off of Bunbury. He needs to continue to work hard but he has a bright future in MLS or overseas.
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