By Andrew Dixon - MIAMI, FL (Sep 17, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- With the roster freeze, it's time for Major League Soccer's contenders to get down to business.
Teams who have a shot at the playoffs have made moves to strengthen their squad for the stretch run while others have had to consider depth for multiple competitions. With all angling for a legit run at the Cup, I’m taking a look at some of the summer moves, previewing their potential, and assessing whose had the most impact thus far:
Columbus Crew
Players in: Emilio RenteríaIf it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Columbus is once again atop the Eastern Conference and just scored a big time win in the Champions League. They’re doing it with basically the same players as last year. Rentería, who has appeared in the Spanish second division as well as in the Copa Libertadores with Caracas FC , was signed in August but hasn’t seen any MLS playing time.
DC United
Players in: Danny Szetela, Ely Allen, David Habarugira, Julius James, Avery JohnGiven DC United's fixture congestion during the latter part of this Summer and into the Fall, DC simply needed bodies. They are still not assured of making the MLS playoffs and are in the toughest CONCACAF Champions League group.
DC’s suspect defense has been the biggest improvement from last year, so if I had to pick one player who’s made the most impact it might be Julius James. The defender from Trinidad and Tobago has brought a lot of energy to the middle of the defense and is getting regular runs in the Champions League. But that’s only because of the curious non-impact of one Danny Szetela. Spelling some of the midfield players down the stretch would have been an ideal way to get him re-acclimated to the league, but he’s only seen 28 minutes of MLS play.
Chicago Fire
Players in: NoneThe most significant thing they’ve done personnel wise was picking up Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s option during the off season. Currently just three points off the pace in the East, they’re going with what they got. The question will be, of course, whether it’ll be enough to overtake Columbus in the playoffs. The return of Brian McBride earlier than expected is a boost.
Toronto FC
Players In: Nick Garcia, Ali Gerba, Lesly Fellinga, Julian de GuzmanToronto is making a legit run for the playoffs after two seasons of not even being close. However, since beating DC a month ago, they’ve struggled for goals and the wins that come with them.
The retirement of Danny Dichio will eventually be offset by the talented Canadian international Julian de Guzman. Another Maple Leaf representer, Ali Gerba, scored on his debut for Toronto and has made mainly come off the bench. Nick Garcia has made the most impact. He’s become an automatic starter for TFC since he and Gerba arrived at BMO, and obviously brings almost a decade’s worth of experience to this young club’s back line.
New England Revolution
Players in: Edgaras Jankauskas, Nico ColalucaThe Revs still have a shot at a playoff spot as they are just three points off the pace for the last wild card. They need to take points from lesser teams like RBNY and FC Dallas, as the rest of their matches are against teams that will probably be in the playoffs.
Of the reinforcements brought in, only the Lithuanian international Jankauskas has made any impact, scoring twice in six appearances.
Houston Dynamo
Players in: Cam Weaver, Ryan Cochrane, Abe Thompson, Luis Ángel Landín, Ade AkinbiyiHouston has seemingly negotiated the series of international distractions over the past couple of months and is once again running MLS West Side. They are currently in a four-team chase for the Supporter’s Shield, and it looks like they’ve got their side ready to erase the memories of last year’s shock playoff exit.
Houston has never been a team afraid to retool its roster to make a deep playoff run. Last year it was bringing back Nate Jacqua. This year. shipping Kei Kamara who started several games for Houston this year in favor of the Dynamo’s first DP (though technically he’s still on loan from Cruz Azul) in Luis Angel Landin. That move certainly raised some eyebrows. Abe Thompson, the man acquired in that trade, will get a little playing and Cam Weaver has seen minutes here and there. Ryan Cochrane is familiar with Houston having played there until earlier this year and has already appeared in the Champions League.
LA Galaxy
Players in: Chris Birchall, Alecko EskandarianMonths before he was hired in LA last year, I envisioned Bruce Arena wanting to put his mark on a team by building it from the ground up. While some have already put his name in stone as Coach of the Year for 2009, he should get some votes for GM of the Year as well. He’s managed to turn this side into something resembling an MLS playoff team and not the circus it’s been over the past few seasons by bringing in several veterans.
The result? A team that is significantly better defensively (last week’s Dallas debacle aside) and capable enough that no one will look past them come playoff time. A remarkable feat considering how little room they had under the salary cap, the international call-ups, injuries and the indifferent start they had to overcome. Let’s not forget that Beckham wasn't around until mid-season.
Eskandarian was brought across the hall from Chivas USA to cope with Edson Buddle’s continued injuries. Though he’s been injured himself, he’s contributed two goals in three starts. T&T’s Chris Birchall has given the team some solid if unspectacular minutes off the bench.
Seattle Sounders
Players In: Leo Gonzalez, Terry BossThe most stacked expansion team in MLS since the miracle that was Chicago 11 years ago, Seattle made had their roster pretty much set before the season even began. They brought in the likes of Kasey Keller, Freddie Ljungberg, the impressive Freddie Montero and drafting Steve Zakuani.
As a result, they’ve only made two moves, signing backup keeper Terry Boss and bringing in an experienced defender in Costa Rica’s Leo Gonzalez. He's already made six appearances (all starts) for the Northwest side. Can’t have enough experience as an expansion team heading into the playoffs.
Colorado Rapids
Players In: Pat Noonan, Facundo Diz, Jamie SmithI swear , I sometimes forget Colorado’s even in the league.
Colorado has probably done enough to make the playoffs again, perhaps get out of the first round and then who knows. Their summer time transfers have been solid as they all bring experience, something that will help down stretch drive and into the playoffs. Facundo Diz, a well traveled Argentine ,has seen some playing time as he acclimates himself to the League. Jamie Smith spent several years in Holland with ADO Den Haag and in his native Scotland with Aberdeen before coming to MLS and has already started matches for Colorado. Pat Noonan is a long time MLS veteran having made over 100 appearances with the Revolution and claiming an MLS Cup with Columbus last year, certainly no stranger to the MLS playoff scene.
Perhaps this is Colorado’s year to make some noise.
Chivas USA
Players In: Jesus Padilla, Maicon Santos, Yamith Cuesta, Marcelo Saragosa, Kevin HarmseIt’s been a struggle for the HDC’s less profile tenant. Their win last week against a similarly fading New England team was just its 4th since a May 9th win over RSL. Injuries, indifferent form, and a lack of goals (3rd worse in the league, behind KC and RBNY) have torpedoed their hopes of challenging for a title.
CUSA have brought in some decent reinforcements, most notably at the forward position through American born Jesus Padilla on loan from Chivas Guadalajara and Maicon Santos who’s started in each of his four appearances and scored a goal. Yamith Cuesta was brought in as a center back to fill in for the often injured Claudio Suarez and has twice gone the distance. Marcelo Saragosa is an MLS veteran who arrived after a trade from FC Dallas for Atiba Harris.
All solid moves to be sure, and Chivas USA is still holding onto a playoff spot. But I’m wondering if these moves will beget more success in 2010.
Real Salt Lake
Players In: Rachid El Khalifi, Nelson GonzalezWestern Conference finalists last season, RSL has simply been mediocre this year - something their 9 win 9 loss 7 tie record might indicate. Their home form has been excellent, but they have struggled on the road and won’t be helped by the fact that three out of their last five are on the road, starting with Saturday’s game against Western Conference leaders Houston.
Rachid El Khalifi signed in August to add depth to the midfield and has started twice since his arrival. Nelson Gonzalez hasn’t gotten off the bench.
Andrew Dixon is a soccer writer based in Miami and a weekly columnist for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at: golnoir@golnoir.net
