even the diminutive Cerritos -- are good in the air and the Quakes have some good crossers in Brian Mullan and Brad Davis. Let's not forget Dwayne De Rosario, who is going to push for time as well. The Quakes are going to be a playoff team, there's no doubt in my mind, and their forward play will be solid.
4. Ante Razov and Edson Buddle (Columbus Crew):
Watching Razov on Saturday night (
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), you have to wonder how the Fire could trade him to a team that was already the best team in the East last year? The thing about Ante that's going to help the Crew so much is his ability to partner with Buddle. Razov is a warrior who makes all the runs that count, drawing defenders with him every step. Buddle is going to be a happy guy this year. That said, he should expect closer marking than he saw out of L.A.
3. Jaime Moreno and Alecko Eskandarian (D.C. United): The return of Moreno's craftiness last year is what enabled D.C. United to separate itself from the pack in the playoffs. No forward ever in MLS has been able to set up a chance as well as Moreno. He is always putting defenders on the wrong foot. His timing is impeccable and his touch superb. As for Esky, the kid has a rocket of a left foot. In D.C.'s 2-0 win against Chivas USA, neither forward got on the board, but both created uneasy moments for an inexperienced backline. D.C. and K.C. certainly have the best idea of how they like to play as this season begins.
2. Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards): If Wolff can stay healthy and isn't pulled in too many directions with national team games, he could be a legitimate Golden Boot and MVP contender this season. In my opinion, he's that good. He and Arnaud excel on the break and continue to improve their understanding of how to play with one another. The Wizards have also got to be delighted to have Chris Klein back on the right side, doing his thing that he does so well. Well-oiled machine at this point, these Wizards. A lot of teams in the league must certainly be envious when they see K.C.'s continuity.
1. Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas):
The trendy pair, of course. Johnson had a nice diving header off a Carey Talley cross (
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). Ruiz was busy, as usual. Of course, the question in Dallas is going to be how FCD (those uniforms were very NASL-ish, especially when combined with white shoes) responds when CONCACAF calls in their top three forwards -- EJ, El Pescadito and Cornell Glen. For now, however, FCD look striking indeed.
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 its clubs.
