MLS '08 power rankings (Week 1)

TYH’s preseason power rankings for the 2008 season of the great American soccer experiment Major League Soccer:

14 San Jose – The resurrected club, helmed once again by Frank Yallop, will not need a lot of time to adjust. Through strong defense and goal poaching, the Earthquakes will shake things up. Yallop still needs a proven goal-scorer, however, if he dreams of repeating his MLS Cup glory this time around.
Key additions: Joe Cannon, Ronnie O'Brien, Ramiro Corrales

13 Real Salt Lake – The fightin’ Mormons, well, they reportedly worked hard to overhaul their roster. And they did make some nice off-season acquisitions. Whether it will be enough to move them out of their current residence in the MLS cellar remains to be seen.

Key additions: Tony Beltran, Ian Joy, Kenny Deuchar

12 Toronto FC – TFC fans deserve a team that rewards their amazing support. It doesn’t look like they’ll get it this year. Besides Maurice Edu, Toronto still haven’t found the answer for their goal-scoring worries. Danny Dichio needs help and Jeff Cunningham isn’t it. And who will fill Ronnie O’Brien’s role? If Kiwi Jarod Smith turns into a valuable asset, I hope the team starts coming out to Flight of the Conchords.
Key additions: Julius James, Jarrod Smith

11 Colorado – The Rapids are hoping that recently acquired midfielder Christian Gomez can be their midfield engine, but with injuries to three starters this preseason it will be a rocky start. Like many of the MLS bottom-feeders, questions remain in Colorado’s attack as well. When Conor Casey is your best option, you’re in trouble.

Key additions: Christian Gomez, Jose Burciaga Jr., Rafael Gomes

10 Los Angeles – Beckham … They sold their soul to get him and now they must live with their decision, knowing that sooner or later the devil will collect what’s due. With Carlos Ruiz back in Los Angeles the goals should come a bit easier for the Galaxy, so should the distractions and disruptions. New coach Ruud Gullit is a big question mark. Will this be a breakout or just a break-up?

Key additions: Carlos Ruiz, Alvaro Pires

9 Columbus – The Crew have to be many pundits’ darkhorse pick this season. After nearly squeaking into the MLS Cup last season, Sigi has finally put together his team, and he has apparently followed the DC model, picking up a pair of Argentineans. Although the construction of his club may have some suspect seams (Eddie Gaven, Alejandro Moreno, etc.), the Crew will certainly be in the hunt.

Key additions: Nicolas Hernandez, Gino Padula, Andy Iro

8 Chicago – The Fire lost the coach responsible for their turnaround, but kept the player. Blanco’s age may catch up with him this season, meaning the Fire’s attacking depth will be tested. Fire fans hope that Polish forward Tomasz Frankowski is the second coming of Peter Nowak.
Key additions: Tomasz Frankowski, Patrick Nyarko

7 Chivas USA – Chivas Americano-style needed to get younger this off-season, as their last late-season collapse due to injury proved last year. They didn’t. A talented defense will have to carry them and Gallindo and Razov will need to stay healthy. Either that, or they’ll have to rely on Alecko Eskandarian. Yikes!
Key Addition: Raphael Wicky

6 New York – Poor Jozy. The Red Bulls did little to support the talented young striker. Angel might have another year in him and Reyna was done three seasons ago only someone forgot to tell him that. Still, they poached talented coach Juan Carlos Osorio from Chicago and he won’t stand pat. Dane Richards’ injury hurts NY bad.
Key Additions: Oscar Echeverry, Luke Sassano

5 Kansas City – The Wizards have always had trouble scoring. I’m not sure why; ladies love Wizards. But now with EdJo off to Europe, who will provide the goals in KC. Coach Curt Onalfo hopes that his South American acquisitions of Ivan Trujillo and Claudio Lopez fit the bill. Is Lopez the new Angel or the old Denilson?
Key additions: Claudio Lopez, Ivan Trujillo, Chance Myers

4 FC Dallas – A talented team with a lot of questions. Has Kenny Cooper fully recovered to form after sustaining a broken leg last season? Will coach Steve Morrow get some consistent play from his defense? If the Hoops ever figure themselves out, they could be one of the top teams in MLS.
Key Additions: Duilio Davino, Brek Shea

3 DC United – United prez Kevin Payne hopes a pair of Argentines can deliver DC to regional dominance once again, but they’re going gray up top and need some youngsters to supplement their scoring.
Key additions: Marcelo Gallardo, Gonzalo Peralta, Zach Wells

2 New England – Double-T publicly expressed his displeasure at MLS’s refusal to sell him to Europe, but whether this will affect team chemistry remains to be seen. Solid in the back and in midfield, the Revs are poised to remain one of the top teams, but the loss of Pat Noonan could impact them more than they anticipated. That is, unless, the buzz surrounding Gambian forward Kenny Mansally is to be believed.
Key additions: Chris Albright, Mauricio Castro

1 Houston – The mix of veterans and up-and-comers will keep the defending Cup champion Dynamo dynamic. New striker Franco Caraccio, 21, will need some adjustment time, but could help ease the pain of losing Joseph Ngwenya.
Key additions: Franco Caraccio, Bobby Boswell