Will Mike Magee repeat as league MVP? Can the New York Crimson Bulls give Thierry Henry a pleasant going-away current? We requested 5 ASN regulars to share their predictions for the 2014 season.
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
March 08, 2014
11:37 AM
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WE ASKED SOME KEY American Soccer Now contributors to share their predictions for the 2014 Main League Soccer season, and so they have been completely happy to oblige.
Mike Magee and Robbie Keane each earned nods from our panel of soccer fanatics; the Portland Timbers and Los Angeles Galaxy might be going through excessive expectations this season; and the 5 totally different rookie of the 12 months decisions all present meals for thought.
Learn what our crew needed to say after which inform us which gamers and groups you assume will prosper this season.
Brooke Tunstall
GOLDEN BOOT
Jack McInerney—The Union child will study from final season’s second-half stoop and preserve his scoring up all season.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Tommy Thompson—The Earthquakes’ homegrown signing is an ideal complement to the physicality of San Jose’s large bruising forwards, however he has sufficient chew to pair nicely with Chris Wondolowski. He ought to get loads of taking part in time and the objectives ought to observe.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Chris Schuler—After lacking common season time with an damage final 12 months, Schuler shined within the playoffs and was pretty much as good as any defender in MLS. If he stays wholesome and retains final 12 months’s kind for a whole season, the large heart again ought to get the DOY honor.
MLS MVP
Darlington Nagbe—With the ability Portland has added, Nagbe could have teammates to assist him shine—and vice versa—and opposing defenses will not have the ability to deal with simply him.
SUPPORTERS SHIELD WINNER
Sporting Kansas Metropolis—The reigning champs come into the season with cohesion and confidence that can enable them to get off to a robust begin. The membership additionally has the mandatory depth to allow them to trip out the World Cup responsibility absences of Matt Besler and Graham Zusi.
MLS CUP CHAMPION
Portland Timbers—By the top of his second season Caleb Porter could have found out what works in MLS and have the Timbers rarin’ to go within the playoffs. The ability gamers he is added this offseason will assist, too.
Daryl Grove
GOLDEN BOOT
Jermain Defoe—He’ll be so thrilled at lastly being somebody’s first-choice striker, he’ll explode with objectives.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jordan Allen—His versatility ought to see him get loads of minutes at Actual Salt Lake.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Chris Klute—I am on the Chris Klute bandwagon and I refuse to get off. Nice mixture of defensive consciousness and attacking intuition.
MLS MVP
Clint Dempsey—As a result of I am an optimist.
SUPPORTERS SHIELD WINNER
Portland Timbers—The Timbers received the west in 2013, solely lacking out on the Defend by two factors. With a wholesome Diego Valeri and Porterball in full impact, the Timbers will go one higher and prime the standings.
MLS CUP CHAMPION
New York Crimson Bulls—As a result of it is Thierry Henry’s ultimate 12 months. As a result of NYCFC arrives subsequent season. As a result of, as Samuel Johnson stated, “Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”
Brian Sciaretta
GOLDEN BOOT
Mike Magee—Mike Magee will show that final 12 months was no fluke. He’ll now be taking part in underneath Frank Yallop and I believe that can assist him as a participant. The membership narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2013 however I believe they will make it this 12 months and Magee will seize his scoring title.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Steve Neumann—The MLS Rookie of the 12 months is at all times so arduous to foretell. Neumann is my alternative as a result of he is a sensible participant and he’ll be a part of a Revolution workforce that has labored so nicely with younger gamers over time—together with Kelyn Rowe, Diego Fagundez, Andrew Farrell, and Juan Agudelo.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Chris Schuler—My shock of this season is Chris Schuler who was a star for Actual Salt Lake when wholesome. He is injured at first of this 12 months but when he can get previous this foot damage, I believe he could be one of many elite defenders within the league.
MLS MVP
Graham Zusi—Zusi has blossomed into the final word MLS midfielder and he’ll additional stamp his relevance this 12 months. The one factor stopping him is a future within the World Cup and heavy European curiosity.
SUPPORTERS SHIELD WINNER
Portland Timbers—I actually like Portland’s possibilities this 12 months as Caleb Porter enters his second 12 months. With some Argentine imports to go together with a longtime core, I believe Porter’s workforce would be the finest workforce throughout the common season.
MLS CUP CHAMPION
Los Angeles Galaxy—When it comes to the MLS Cup, it’s simply too robust to move up on the Galaxy. With Donovan and Keane, I believe the youthful core of gamers like Zardes will step up and shine within the playoff format.
Blake Thomsen
GOLDEN BOOT
Robbie Keane—Like Magee, Keane has the benefit of not lacking any video games because of the World Cup. He might very nicely gobble up objectives in Landon Donovan’s absence, and he’ll reap the rewards of taking part in with an improved Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Rogers all season lengthy.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Steve Birnbaum—United will inevitably enhance on its dreadful 2013 marketing campaign, and the previous California Golden Bear ought to play an enormous function within the turnaround. Birnbaum is dominant within the air and might be instrumental in bolstering a protection that conceded extra objectives in 2013 than each workforce besides Chivas USA.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
DeAndre Yedlin—The lightning-quick proper again will look to construct on his All-Star marketing campaign by snagging the league’s prime honor for defenders. With main contenders Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, and Victor Bernardez all lacking time on the World Cup, it might flip right into a two-horse race between Yedlin and New England’s Jose Goncalves for the award.
MLS MVP
Mike Magee—If Magee can drag the Chicago Hearth to the playoffs and rating tons of objectives alongside the best way, he might be in prime place to be the league’s first ever back-to-back MVP. Honest or not, he doubtless received’t make the World Cup squad, so he’ll have the possibility to pad his MVP resume and purpose tally whereas a number of fellow MVP contenders are in Brazil.
SUPPORTERS SHIELD WINNER
Sporting Kansas Metropolis—SKC has the depth and confidence to observe up its MLS Cup win with a Supporters Defend. Shedding Graham Zusi and Matt Besler throughout the World Cup received’t assist, however Peter Vermes is greater than able to driving the workforce ahead within the U.S. stars’ absence.
MLS CUP CHAMPION
Los Angeles Galaxy—If LA had been extra medical at residence and defended set items higher in Salt Lake, Bruce Area’s males simply might have beat RSL and marched onto the Cup ultimate. With a lot attacking firepower in addition to a strong backbone shaped by Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, and Omar Gonzalez, LA has each probability of profitable its third title in 4 years.
John Godfrey
GOLDEN BOOT
Robbie Keane—The Los Angeles Galaxy striker turns 34 this summer season, and his advancing age is the one factor that may stop him from taking the MLS scoring title. He does not should go to Brazil, he is surrounded by proficient teammates, and if he does not get injured this season he ought to get it performed.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Patrick Mullins—College of Maryland soccer coach Sasho Cirovski is aware of a factor or two about expertise, and he’s bullish on the two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner. With Juan Agudelo in Europe and Teal Bunbury an enormous query mark, Mullins has a possibility to do one thing particular in his rookie season with New England. I believe he’ll.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Amobi Okugo—Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez are going to overlook a lot of time with their golf equipment, and Gonzalez might depart the league in August. Jamison Olave is a hamstring damage ready to occur. So I am going with a longshot in Okugo. With a 12 months on the backline underneath his belt, the 22-year-old California native might take an enormous step ahead this season.
MLS MVP
Tim Cahill—Chemistry + Desperation x Mike Petke getting even higher = an incredible 12 months for the New York Crimson Bulls. Cahill will will this workforce into the MLS Cup Finals, and get all of the credit score he deserves.
SUPPORTERS SHIELD WINNER
New York Crimson Bulls—See above.
MLS CUP CHAMPION
Los Angeles Galaxy—Don Garber’s moist dream will turn out to be a actuality: Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan will line up in opposition to Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill a number of PATH stops from the media capital of the world. Juninho will rating the gamewinner late within the second half to offer the Galaxy a 3-2 win and its third title in 4 years.
OK, now it is your flip. Share your 2014 MLS predictions under.
