Alright, alright, everyone else is passing out their predictions and since the season starts, oh, TONIGHT, I though I may as well toss my hat into the proverbial ring. At least this way everyone will probably know which way not to bet.
Here's a quick capsule rundown of the divisions:
Southeast
1. Richmond - David Testo improves on the history of players like Henderson and Ferruzzi, Pascale is hitting his stride as one of the A-League's best 'keepers, and Chris Fox returns to an already strong and deep defense. Also, don't forget that Kevin Jeffrey returns to this squad that also added the oft-maligned Greg Simmonds up top. They'll go back and forth with the Battery all season long but I think they'll win by a nose at the end.
2. Charleston - Do the names Hudock, Titus, Watson, Wilson, and Dixon among others mean anything to you? Well they should, as these guys are the backbone of what may just be the best defense anyone's seen in recent history in the A-League. This defense won't lose the Battery very many games but the offense is banking on top-notch performances by Ted Chronopoulos in midfield and an as yet unknown potent partner for Paul Conway up top. If Jamar Beasley rounds into form this season and plays up to some of his potential the Battery will have another potent weapon in their arsenal.
3. Charlotte - This team is trouble and in any other division I think they'd easily make the playoffs. Unfortunately they have to play in a division with arguably the two toughest clubs that don't play in Rochester, NY. Early returns seem to have this team getting better at all positions with their returning goalkeeper hopefully raising his level of play as he may have been arguably their weakest link during points of last season. Bench depth and inconsistent performances in goal could doom their challenge against the Battery and Kickers.
4. Virginia Beach - Joe Larson and Matt Nelson are both strong goalkeepers, Dante Washington and Roy Lassiter will be deadly up top in the A-League if they get proper service, and it appears that they'll have a nice midfield as well. These guys will need to gel quickly in this division and their defense will need to have a career year to keep Nelson and/or Larson from getting shelled. This division is just too tough to not return a major core of your starting players let alone practically build from scratch. Just look at Atlanta in previous years.
5. Atlanta - the Silverbacks are always competitive and are very talented. John Barry Nusum should be a star in this league. They've also got some extra talent in other positions around the park but once again they've managed to change coaches. This team needs to come together very quickly to keep from being left behind at the outset in the Southeast race. It's likely the only silverware they'll really be competing for this season will be the Southern Derby trophy they currently hold.
Central
1. Minnesota - the addition of Marco Ferruzzi and the fact that the bulk of this squad has been around Buzz for awhile now should tilt things back in favor of Milwaukee's western neighbors. It also helps when you have one of your top scorers in club history back on the team instead of on another continent. Johnny Menyongar being back and hopefully healthy and in form again should help this solid side regain the top spot in this division.
2. Milwaukee - even though this club did get first right of refusal on former Rampage players I think Coach Art Kramer is going to have a difficult time at the start before he gets his team to come together. It should be a nip and tuck affair all season long between these two and a slip or two here and there should be the cause of this club not finishing at the top of this division.
3. El Paso - talent, this team has it. It also still has a huge question concerning goal scoring. Provided they can put away their chances this season and dominate at home they could be quite an obstacle for both the Thunder and Wave United.
4. Indiana - Jimmy MacDonald is back coaching the team and there's a hint of optimism in the air. If the players they have gel and have one collective career year they could sneak into the mix of contenders in this division. If nothing else they should definitely play the spoiler role well.
5. Cincinnati - many out there aren't even entirely sure this club will make it through the opener let alone the season. Personally, I'll be a little surprised if they win more than one or two games. The San Andreas Fault looks less shaky than the lineup that could be on the field for the Riverhawks but, hey, at least some of these kids will get a look at what A-League soccer is like.
Northeast
1. Montreal - it's always going out on a limb when you pick someone to beat out Rochester in this division but I think Bob Lilley will be back at his Rhino-beating best this year. His club has a tough early part to the season with a trip to Charleston but it should help to prepare this team for a hard fought year in their division. I look for them to gut out the top seed.
2. Rochester - even I am not crazy enough to think the Rhinos won't make the playoffs. It's the same old story in Rochester: great fans, great team, and pretty soon they'll begin breaking ground on a great new place to play… we think. In all seriousness, Pat Ercoli's Rhinos have reloaded once again for another run at the league championship and may even be able to lay back a bit in preparation for the playoffs. No doubt they've all relived that shootout against Richmond and want the opportunity to correct that perceived wrong.
3. Pittsburgh - solid performers like Worthen, Potteiger, Dedini, and Flavius will be helped by the additions of Ricardo Villar and Justin Evans among others. This team is one of my dark horse contenders this year. If Montreal and Rochester aren't careful I believe the 'Hounds could slip by one of them and sneak into the playoffs.
4. Toronto - another solid year with Budalic hopefully sticking around for it and possibly a shot at upending their divisional foes. I don't think it will happen for them but they should have just enough in the tank to keep the "Salty Dogs" at bay.
5. Syracuse - this team is an unknown quantity right now. They have an instant rivalry with the Rhinos, which is good and bad. The Rhinos will probably want to show them whose backyard New York State really is and Syracuse will want to show Rochester that they're serious competition. Either way Coach Calloway has his work cut out for him if he's going to turn Syracuse into as successful a side as his Menace teams in the PDL.
Pacific
1. Seattle - Brian Schmetzer knows what he's doing and he's got a team that's absolutely primed and ready to do some big things this year in a bigger and nicer home. Hopefully the fans will be out in force and the Sounders will pace themselves better this year so that they are just as competitive in the playoffs as they can and should be in the regular season. These guys are my favorite to come out of the West this season.
2. Portland - Tennyson and Afash return to pace this club up front. Predicting them to make the playoffs with their current situation in the back is a bit ambitious but I do think they'll be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat on this one. Somehow I really believe Curtis Spiteri has the tools to be a good A-League goalkeeper and I think they'll find an answer in defense. If that can happen and Tennyson and Afash can keep up their lethal partnership these guys can make a run at the championship. If not they may be batting away the pesky Storm.
3. Vancouver - under new management this year could be a bit of a rebuilding effort. Still, the team will no doubt have a fire in their collective belly to defeat their old enemies and should make it quite a fun race to the finish for the division's other playoff spot. There's no doubt that Bobby Lenarduzzi will help to put a competitive team on the field with a solid defense but can it keep up with the firepower that the Timbers and Sounders have?
4. Calgary - this club went into a little bit of shock last year in their leap up from the PDL but they do have talent. Unfortunately they're in a division with the former NASL teams who just so happen to also be a trio of the more talented and determined teams in the league. Maybe the Storm can hope those three beat each other up so badly that they'll be ripe for the taking when they come to Foothills this summer. The key for this team to remain competitive is to win at home early and often. If these youngsters can get a few wins and some confidence under their belts before running the gauntlet of Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver you never know what could happen.
Quick Passes
Now onto the midfielders that I think will have an impact on their teams in the upcoming season:
1. Joey Worthen - if Worthen continues his solid play and increases his offensive output this year for the 'Hounds he could help lead the team to playoff contention.
2. David Testo - five words for you: rookie of the year favorite. By all means someone in MLS should be using him this year. Their loss is Richmond's gain. Hopefully he gets a full year of starts, good health, and down the line a chance that he deserves at higher levels. For now, Kickers fans enjoy the show.
3. Marco Ferruzzi - the addition of Ferruzzi will provide quality and maturity to a Thunder team that has arguably lacked just that in the center of the field over the last couple of seasons. With his tenacity and ability to hold the ball it will provide chances for the Thunder attack to be more organized this year. His acquisition could be a major reason why Minnesota contends out West again this year.
4. Hayden Woodworth - one of the big surprises, at least for this writer, out of the draft who has been a diamond in the rough and is anticipated to be one of the best young players in the league by many an Eagles fan. If he produces immediately Dustin Swinehart will have a new best friend on the team that could make him the league's leading scorer when it's all said and done.
5. Sean Henderson - could be a calming influence in midfield for the Sounders and will be instrumental in providing guidance to some of the younger guys. If he can blend in well with the team and play up to their pace he could be one of the missing links in a Sounders title challenge. Either way it will be intriguing to watch his comeback season unfold.
That's the way I see things anyway as we head into our first weekend of A-League action. Some quick predictions: Virginia Beach wins 5-1 against Cincinnati and on Saturday the Riverhawks get handed a 3-0 loss in Charlotte as Dustin Swinehart opens his account with two goals before getting rested in the second half. Meanwhile, in the Southeast Classico, Richmond and Charleston play to a grueling 1-1 draw much to the delight of the fans in Charlotte.
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