Well-rounded Fire to be atop deep, talented East
After examining Major League Soccer's Western Conference last week, we preview the stronger half of the league on the day of the season opener.
Here's a look at the Eastern Conference, in order of predicted finish:
1. Chicago Fire
It will be a good season if - Cuauhtémoc Blanco (36) and Brian McBride (36) remain all-star-caliber players and can be a dangerous combination. Fans also are eager to see if young speedsters Patrick Nyarko and Marco Pappa can crack a solid lineup.
It will be a bad season if - the team struggles with bouts of inconsistency, as it did last season. The defense, particularly, faltered a little bit last fall.
Bottom line: The Fire appears to be strong everywhere - front line, back line, midfield, goalkeeping - with a good mix of youth, experience and depth.
2. Toronto FC
It will be a good season if - Dwayne De Rosario remains one of the top players in MLS. Fire fans will keep an eye on forward Chad Barrett, too.
It will be a bad season if - Amado Guevara proves more of a distraction than a playmaker. It'll help, also, if one of Toronto's young goalkeepers steps up to take the position from Greg Sutton.
Bottom line: This club has plenty of mojo going for it, with perhaps the best fan base in the league filling BMO Field on a regular basis.
3. Columbus Crew
It will be a good season if - Chad Marshall continues to develop into a staunch defender and leader. Eddie Gaven also might be on the verge of fulfilling his promise.
It will be a bad season if - midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the 2008 MLS MVP, now 35, can't duplicate last year's magical season.
Bottom line: If Robert Warzycha can step in and seamlessly replace departed coach Sigi Schmid, it could be another fun summer in central Ohio.
4. New York Red Bulls
It will be a good season if - coach Juan Carlos "The Professor" Osorio does better with off-season acquisitions like Spanish midfielder Albert Celades than he did with his midseason pickups in 2008.
It will be a bad season if - they miss midfielder Dave van den Bergh like David Beckham missed Europe. Is Khano Smith the answer?
Bottom line: The Red Bulls have been active in the off-season. They lack a top-notch goalkeeper, however.
5. D.C. United
It will be a good season if - Christian Gomez, after a year in Colorado, can duplicate his 2007 magic now that he's back in D.C.
It will be a bad season if - coach Tom Soehn, an Arlington Heights native, can't resolve the team's goalkeeping problems. Age also is a factor with Gomez (34), Jaime Moreno (35), Luciano Emilio (30) and gimpy Ben Olsen (31).
Bottom line: Chemistry is the operative word for United this season. If it can't be found, Soehn's job could be in jeopardy.
6. New England Revolution
It will be a good season if - goalkeeper Matt Reis and defensive midfielder Shalrie Joseph remain as impenetrable as the national debt.
It will be a bad season if - health problems continue to hamper forward Taylor Twellman and midfielder Steve Ralston.
Bottom line: It's hard to figure a Steve Nicol team this low, but these aren't your older brother's Revs.
7. Kansas City Wizards
It will be a good season if - Argentine Claudio Lopez can be this season's Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
It will be a bad season if - Davy Arnaud and Josh Wolff can't stay healthy and be productive.
Bottom line: Coach Curt Onalfo is considered one of the bright young minds in American soccer. He'll need to figure out how to get the most out of this roster.
oschwarz@dailyherald.com