LA Galaxy
The geographic power in MLS has shifted over the last couple of seasons, and the West looks like it will have an unbalanced portion of the quality once again. Listed in order of predicted finish in playoffs/Supporters Shield full table format (with division finish in parenthesis), here are my thoughts on each MLS club going into the 2010 season.
Speaking today after an 8-0 friendly drubbing by the Galaxy of amateur side (and some-time home to Alexi Lalas) Hollywood United, in which he scored 2 and set up 2 more, Landon Donovan had this to say about a possible return to Everton should an MLS strike occur: “”We’ve stated that there could be a possibility that I could go back if something where to happen, but everyone on this side of the pond is hopeful that we can work out a deal with the league,” said Donovan. “If I ever did return to England, the only team that I would want to play for is Everton.” (source SBI)
Former USA International Sasha Victorine today (source MLSnet.com) retired from professional soccer at age 32, listing recurring injury as the reason for his retirement. A veteran of almost 250 MLS games with the LA Galaxy, Kansas City, and Chivas USA between 2000-2010, Sasha is best known for helping LA to US Open Cup and MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2002. Victorine played for the USA 4 times, scoring a goal against El Salvador in 2002. (source wiki). Not, probably, hall of fame numbers for an American player, though a very good career by any measure. But Sasha Victorine was one of OUR guys, a collegiate player who played in MLS and who never set foot in another league or country as a player unless he was wearing the shirt of the USA or a US club team. A true product of the system in this country. But the most important part of his career in the game may be what is to come.