ASN: Excessive hopes for Portland, Vancouver, & Seattle

Making predictions in MLS may be very tough to do however ASN’s Isaac Heath took a have a look at the Western Confernce and believes issues are particularly sunny within the The Pacific Northwest in addition to with the newly shaped LAFC. Right here is his Western Convention preview

BY

Isaac Heath

Posted
March 01, 2018
9:45 AM

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THE 2018 MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SEASON is lastly upon us and with the U.S. Males out of the World Cup, it’s actually all American soccer followers have going for them this yr. After three straight years of the West successful MLS Cup, Toronto FC was capable of deliver the cup again to the East after they outdueled Seattle within the rematch of the 2016 Ultimate.

Not solely did Toronto win MLS Cup, however the Japanese Convention proved to be superior all season lengthy and appears to be so once more this yr. That stated, don’t be too fast to depend the West out, as each author who has coated MLS will inform you, predicting ends in a league of such parity is tough.

The Western Convention has some intriguing storylines and a number of other unknowns that ought to make for an entertaining season. How will Portland rebound with out Darlington Nagbe and Head Coach Caleb Porter? Will FC Dallas and their dedication to youth propel them again to the highest of the league after a disappointing end final yr? Will Bob Bradley and LAFC’s maiden MLS season be extra like Atlanta United’s or extra like Minnesota United’s?

Buckle up as we check out ASN’s Western Convention Preview.

Portland Timbers
Predicted Convention end: First
For a staff that received MLS Cup just some years in the past, and returns 10 of 11 starters from a staff that completed first within the Western Convention final yr, the Portland Timbers have an uncommon quantity of uncertainty getting in to the 2018 marketing campaign.

To the shock of many, Caleb Porter walked away from the staff shortly after the season, after which through the offseason Darlington Nagbe was traded away to Atlanta United. Portland rapidly named former NY Cosmos boss Giovanni Savarase head coach to switch Porter.

Whereas on paper Portland seems to have taken a small step again with the lack of Nagbe, the Timbers nonetheless depend on among the finest gamers within the league in reigning MLS MVP Diego Valeri. The midfielder makes everybody round him higher, and Portland hopes that continues this season with new attackers Andy Polo and Samuel Armenteros.

Key Losses: HC Caleb Porter, Darlington Nagbe, Darren Mattocks

Key Additions: Andy Polo, Andres Flores, Samuel Armenteros

Vancouver Whitecaps
Predicted Convention end: Second
The 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps appeared to be headed to a primary place Western Convention end earlier than faltering in the direction of the top of the season. Then, within the playoffs Vancouver regarded nice in opposition to Seattle solely to not be capable of discover the online and disappointingly crash out within the semifinals.

Regardless of the 2017 flame out, Craig Robinson has Vancouver heading in the right direction and Whitecap followers ought to be enthusiastic about 2018. Sure, main scorer Fredy Montero departed, however the entrance workplace traded for confirmed ahead Kei Kamara who though 33, ought to match effectively into the road up.

Vancouver picked up Efrain Juarez of Monterrey and Canadian defender Doniel Henry which ought to deliver power to the midfield and protection whereas shopping for their offense time to gel.

Key Losses: Fredy Montero, Christian Bolanos

Key Additons: Kei Kamara, Efrain Juarez, Doneil Henry

Seattle Sounders
Predicted Convention end: Third
This preview would have actually regarded completely different had it been written previous to Jordan Morris happening with an terrible damage this previous week. The younger US Worldwide will likely be out 6-9 months with an ACL damage leaving a gaping gap within the Sounders assault.

Because it stands Will Bruin and US legend Clint Dempsey will likely be relied on to fill the void within the assault. Very long time Sounder Brad Evans left in free company, however Seattle signed Waylon Francis from the Crew and Magnus Wolff Eikrem from Malmo to solidify their protection and midfield.

All isn’t doom and gloom for the Sounders and they need to nonetheless have a powerful staff. Nonetheless with a view to make it to MLS Cup for a 3rd consecutive yr, a number of gamers should step up.

Key Losses: Joevin Jones, Brad Evans, Jordan Morris (INJ)

Key Additions: Waylon Francis, Magnus Wolff Eikram

Los Angeles FC
Predicted Convention end: Fourth
In a league that’s powerful to foretell already, enlargement groups are particularly tough. LAFC does appear to have constructed a reasonably sturdy roster that may very well be aggressive in yr one. Add to the truth that the West is vast open, and it might not be too stunning to see them within the playoffs their debut season.

Their large splash was Mexican Worldwide Carlos Vela. Vela is actually a participant who shouldn’t solely promote tickets, but additionally is a flexible attacker that may make everybody round him higher. On paper he actually appears to be the right Designated Participant signing for LAFC.

Along with Vela, LAFC added Benny Feilhaber, Laurent Ciman and Walker Zimmerman, so the staff undoubtedly has a powerful core. With Bob Bradley on the helm, LAFC has one of many extra revered and profitable coaches in American soccer. In 1998 he led the enlargement Chicago Hearth to an MLS Cup, the one enlargement staff to take action of their first yr. That could be an excessive amount of to ask, however you may guess that they’re constructed to compete.

Sporting Kansas Metropolis
Predicted Convention end: Fifth
As is a typical theme within the West this yr, Sporting Kansas Metropolis skilled lots of adjustments within the offseason. Most notably gone are playmaker Benny Feilhaber and Latif Blessing, however Vermes and Co. did come via with some attention-grabbing signings that would enhance the offense.

One factor that didn’t change although was their strong protection. With Opara, Besler and Zusi within the again Kansas Metropolis ought to subject a really sturdy protection but once more. Roger Espinoza is again once more as effectively so whereas they are going to actually miss Feilhaber, the midfield nonetheless ought to be sturdy because the Honduran pairs with Chilean Worldwide Felipe Gutierrez.

Scoring would be the large query for Sporting KC this yr and to ensure that them to compete within the Western Convention they should discover a mixture that works from Yohan Croizet, Diego Rubio, Daniel Salloi, and Johnny Russell. If they’ll discover offensive cohesion and keep wholesome on protection, don’t be shocked to see them again within the playoffs once more.

Key Losses: Benny Feilhaber, Latif Blessing, Erik Palmer-Brown

Key Additions: Johnny Russell, Felipe Gutierrez, Yohan Croizet, Khiry Shelton

FC Dallas
Predicted Convention end: Sixth
After successful the Supporters Defend in 2016, FC Dallas began the 2017 season on hearth and seemed to be a lock for the playoffs. Nonetheless, Oscar Pareja’s males collapsed in the direction of the top of the season and narrowly missed out on the playoffs.

The 2018 FC Dallas line up ought to characteristic some alternatives for younger homegrown gamers corresponding to Reggie Cannon and Paxton Pomykal. Moreover they added some European expertise to shore up the protection in addition to Santiago Mosquera from Millonarios to assist with the assault.

This mixture of youth and new signings ought to make for an intriguing season for FC Dallas as they appear to search out their method again into the playoffs. The biggest query mark seems to be who will step up for the staff offensively in help of Max Urruti.

Key Losses: Walker Zimmerman, Chris Seitz, Atiba Harris

Key Additions: Santiago Mosquera, Anton Nedyalkov, Reto Ziegler

San Jose Earthquakes
Predicted Convention end: Seventh
The San Jose Earthquakes squeaked into the the playoffs final yr but it surely didn’t really feel like a playoff berth as a result of they have been throttled by Vancouver 5-0 within the opening spherical. The Earthquakes struggled defensively final yr and the hope is new coach Mikael Stahre will be capable of assist the staff discover some a lot wanted consistency on the sphere in 2018.

Offensively they’re large offseason addition was Magnus Eriksson of Sweden. His skill to create will likely be key in serving to the ageless Chris Wondolowski persevering with to attain objectives at a excessive charge in MLS.

General they’ve stored a strong core of contributors from final years staff so so long as they’ll purchase into Stahre’s system rapidly and enhance defensively, they need to have a shot to return again to the playoffs.

Key Losses: Victor Bernardez, Marco Urena

Key Additions: Mikael Stahre (HC), Magnus Eriksson

Actual Salt Lake
Predicted Convention end: Eighth 
Just like FC Dallas, Actual Salt Lake will seemingly be a staff that depends closely on youthful gamers for achievement. Sure, bringing again staff legends Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman was enormous, however the veterans will want lots of assist to get again into the playoffs.

General, the roster does have a good quantity of continuity so that ought to assist Mike Petke construct on final season when he helped the staff enhance from a disastrous begin that noticed Jeff Cassar get fired.

One participant to look at, and one we now have featured on ASN, is true again Adam Henley. Henley was as soon as a extremely wanted twin nationwide who debuted with Blackburn within the Premier League as a 17 yr previous. After accidents slowed him the previous few years, at 23 the younger veteran has an opportunity to leap begin his profession once more. If he does, he could be a key characteristic in getting the staff again into playoff rivalry.

Key losses: Chris Wingert

Key additions: Pablo Ruiz, Adam Henley, Damir Kreilach

LA Galaxy
Predicted Convention end: Ninth
The LA Galaxy will look to rebound rapidly in 2018 after a disastrous 2017 that noticed the perennial contenders not solely miss out on the playoffs, however embarrassingly end tied for fewest factors in MLS.

Wholesale adjustments have been wanted and wholesale adjustments have been made. Gone are Jermaine Jones, Jose Villarreal, Jack McBean, and Gyasi Zardes amongst others. Zardes seemed to be the way forward for the Galaxy after a stellar season in 2014, however the US Worldwide struggled mightily the previous few years so the membership determined to maneuver on.

In his place, Ola Kamara will be part of the Galaxy entrance line and look to mix with Giovani dos Santos. MLS veteran Perry Kitchen was introduced in to shore up the midfield, and the protection added in a pair of worldwide gamers that ought to begin in Rolf Feltscher and Jorgen Skjelvik.

Whereas questions stay, LA appears to have made the suitable strikes to be aggressive within the West once more.

Key losses: Gyasi Zardes, Jermaine Jones, Jose Villarreal, Jack McBean

Key additions: Rolf Feltscher, Jorgen Skjelvik, Perry Kitchen, Chris Pontius, David Binham, Ola Kamara

Houston Dynamo
Predicted Convention end: Tenth
Not many anticipated the 2017 Dynamo to make a run to the Western Convention Finals, however that’s precisely what they did. Wilmer Cabrera acquired essentially the most out of his roster and the staff stayed constant enough- significantly at home- to make the playoffs.

If the Dynamo are to succeed this yr they should get elevated contributions from their present roster, as there have been no main signings for the staff this yr. The truth is, they misplaced Erick Torres and Alex, so the Dynamo are clearly betting on Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto, and Alberth Elis to proceed to develop and lead the offense this yr.

One other large query for the Dynamo on the defensive facet is their age. With Beasley, Senderos and Machado throughout 33, Houston will hope new signing Alejandro Fuenmayor can earn a beginning spot to strengthen the growing older protection.

If they’ll keep wholesome, the Dynamo ought to be capable of have a strong season and problem for a playoff spot. Nonetheless, at this level the staff appears to be shallow in lots of areas, so accidents or poor play might derail them rapidly.

Key losses: Erick Torres, Ricardo Clark, Alex

Key additions: Arturo Alvarez, Darwin Ceren, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Chris Seitz

Minnesota United
Predicted Convention end: Eleventh
Minnesota United had a debut marketing campaign to neglect. Whereas they did enhance because the season went on, the beginning for the enlargement membership was so unhealthy that they couldn’t do rather more however enhance.

For them to expertise a lot success in 2018 they should hope the staff develops a lot quicker as there have been no main signings but. Whereas each Luiz Fernando of Brazil and Bertrand Owundi Eko’o are on the roster, as of this week they’d not joined the staff but. As soon as these two signings arrive the membership hopes they are going to deliver a lot wanted enchancment to their traditionally unhealthy 2017 protection.

Key losses: Johan Venegas

Key additions: Matt Lampson, Luiz Fernando, Bertrand Owundi Eko’o

Colorado Rapids
Predicted Convention end: Twelfth
The Colorado Rapids had a really poor 2017 and look to rebound in 2018 with a brand new supervisor in former New Zealand boss Anthony Hudson. His work is lower out for him as he takes over a staff with a number of new components as effectively.

They nonetheless have Tim Howard in objective, and whereas he isn’t fairly what he was once, the veteran US Nationwide Workforce keeper nonetheless is a consolation to have main your protection. The Rapids hope newcomers corresponding to defender Tommy Smith and Edgar Castillo may also help solidify the protection and convey some a lot wanted consistency.

General, the staff ought to get some stability from a number of the veteran signings, but it surely seems to be extra of a rebuilding yr than a contending yr for the Rapids.

Key losses: Alan Gordon, Josh Gatt, Luis Gil, Mohammed Saeid

Key additions: Deklan Wynne, Edgar Castillo, Tommy Smith, Jack McBean