[nas] MLS: After the makeovers

MLS: After the makeovers

via The Netminder by Beau Dure on 8/29/08

Twenty-one games down, nine to go. Incoming transfer window closed, though trades and discovery claims can continue through the roster freeze date of Sept. 15.

A few teams are involved in the CONCACAF Champions League, which will complicate their schedules to say the least. Judging by the MLS results in the first leg, some teams may view that competition as more of a nuisance than anything else.

Here's how each team stands going into the stretch run:

EAST

New England (37 pts.): Great depth, but how do we explain the 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago side Joe Public? A convincing win in the second leg, moving the Revolution into the group stage, would add more games to the schedule but might be a confidence boost.

Columbus (37): Emmanuel Ekpo is back from a productive run at the Olympics, and Pat Noonan has joined the forward ranks. This team looks legit.

Chicago (35): Brian McBride had an assist right out of the gate for a Fire team already playing solid ball.

D.C. United (31): Finally brought in a new goalkeeper (Louis Crayton) along with a proven midfielder in Ivan Guerrero. Reclamation project Joe Vide is contributing for an injury-battered side that could be a contender if Ben Olsen can come back to full strength. They'll have distractions from CONCACAF and the Sept. 3 U.S. Open Cup final

New York (31): The Red Bulls made the boldest makeovers with midfielder Jorge Rojas, defender Diego Jimenez and defender Gabriel Cichero. So far, the moves are working.

Toronto (26): Rolling the dice with Carlos Ruiz after letting Jeff Cunningham and Laurent Robert go. Losing Maurice Edu to Rangers could hurt.

Kansas City (26): Defender Jimmy Conrad still leads the team in scoring. If only the Wizards could clone him.

WEST

Houston (32): Once again, some minor midseason tweaking coincided with the Dynamo hitting their stride.

Real Salt Lake (27): Aside from having the league's worst road record, the Utah club is in good shape. Can Clint Mathis regain some sort of form and help out?

Dallas (26): Former Dutch international Victor Sikora was injured soon after arriving, and Jeff Cunningham keeps playing his way out of locker rooms despite his gaudy careeer goal-scoring totals. But with Kenny Cooper sticking around, Dallas has a shot at the playoffs.

Colorado (24): Fernando Clavijo's departure may be the last straw for the Rapids' chances this season.

Los Angeles (24): Bruce Arena replaces Alexi Lalas and Ruud Gullit. Eddie Lewis is on board. They still have the offensive talent; if Arena can get the defense on the same page, they'll at least make the postseason.

Chivas USA (24): Brad Guzan has gone to England, Maykel Galindo is still hurt, Jesse Marsch is out, Ante Razov is missing time ... no wonder this team lost in Panama.

San Jose (22): The July moves for Darren Huckerby, Scott Sealy et al have the Earthquakes poised for a playoff run.

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MLS: After the makeovers

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