Freddy Adu unleashed. Sure, I have my doubts that he's ready to lead an MLS team, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see it. I think RSL's fatal flaw a year ago was a lack of variety in the attack, so to that end, putting the unpredictable Adu in the center of it all should, at the very least, spice things up. I've heard this before, but RSL has a pretty nice team on paper, a nice combination of veterans and youth. And, after missing the playoffs twice, there's urgency. This team should be a fun team to watch all year long. I know I'm looking forward to it.
6. Galaxy look to strike. Until David Beckham arrives this summer, the man who will carry the heaviest burden in Los Angeles is Nate Jaqua. There will be no more fiddling around with Nate's position now that he's in L.A. He is a striker and he has to score goals. Playing with Landon Donovan, if Jaqua can simply find the right places on the field, he should get to double-digits on tap-ins alone. I know that's a lot of pressure on the big guy, but that's why Frank Yallop got him, and that's going to be his responsibility. Personally, I think he's going to have a big year. It seems like the right place for him.
5. FCD lays it on Ruiz. I loved the news the other day that FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow had named Carlos Ruiz captain. It's about time this guy was given more responsibility than to just show up and score goals. It will be interesting to see if Ruiz responds to the challenge, but it's a move I like because, my gut feeling is, Ruiz is just one of those guys - like Amado Guevara - who wants to be shown some love.
4. New D in Denver. Brandon Prideaux, Ugo Ihemelu and Greg Vanney were all added to the always interesting mix in Colorado, and I like it. The big question will be how well these guys can coordinate, and if they can add some stability to a team that - from my perspective - always looks a bit disjointed. Don't take that as criticism, Rapids fans (I know how you guys feel about me), but the Rapids are a team I never have a firm grasp on. But with a new cast of MLS veterans in the back, I think I'm beginning to see a team that will have a better chance than ever to take that final step into an MLS Cup.
3. TFC takes smart approach to expansion. Of course, Toronto didn't really have one particular problem to fix this offseason -- they had to start from scratch. As is always the case with expansion teams in MLS, no one will know a thing until they've played a bunch of games, but I really like the approach that Mo Johnston took to building this team. It has everything to do with the proven MLS guys that Mo put into the mix. Guys like Ronnie O'Brien, Paulo Nagamura and Richard Mulrooney. Sure, Alecko Eskandarian and Edson Buddle have to prove all over again what they can do, but it's not like these guys are in their late 30s. This is a playoff team. I'm just feeling it.
2. Chivas USA adds speed. The big thing lacking with Chivas USA's attack last year was one burner up front who could keep a defense honest. When Jon Bornstein got his chances up front, you could instantly see the difference his pace made in the way defenses had to play against the Red-and-White. Enter Maykel Galindo, who may be the fastest player in the league, to run up front with Ante Razov. If this tandem can learn to play together - and with Amado Guevara - they could be the class of the West.
1. Red Bulls leadership. The trade for Clint Mathis the other day was a bit of a shocker to me, but when I thought about this Red Bulls team, and I thought about Claudio Reyna wearing the captain's armband, it made sense. I think Reyna's presence will be that strong in the RB locker room. He'll get the most out of his teammates and put his years of experience to good use, not just on Clint, but on guys like Dema Kovalenko and Jozy Altidore. The Red Bulls/MetroStars have lacked a leader since the day Tim Howard left for Manchester United. They've found the right guy in Reyna.
Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Send your comments and complaints (200 words or less, please) to Jeff at jbradleyespn2003@yahoo.com and he promises to read (but not respond to) all of them. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
