San Jose Earthquakes
Nickname: Earthquakes, Quakes
Colors: Blue, Black, & Red
Kit Sponsor: Sutter Health
Ground: Avaya Stadium (18,000), grass

Owner: Lew Wolff (USA), John Fisher (USA)
Executive: President Dave Kaval (USA), GM Jesse Fioranelli (SUI), Director Chris Leitch (USA)
Manager: Dominic Kinnear (USA)

MLS Cups Won: 2 (2001, 2003)
Supporters Shields Won: 2 (2005, 2012)
US Open Cups Won: 0
2016 Record: 9th place Western, 17th place overall

Farewells: M Alberto Quintero (to Universitario de Deportes), F Chad Barrett (to RSL), D Clarence Goodson (unsigned), F Innocent (unsigned)
Greetings: M Jahmir Hyka (from FC Luzern), M Florian Jungwirth (from Darmstadt), F Danny Hoesen (from Groningen), F Marco Urena (from Brondby), M Jackson Yueill (from UCLA), D Harold Cummings (from Alajuelense)

Outlook: The wheels fell off for San Jose last season. A paltry offensive output was the prime reason for the failings and the team looked sluggish and disjointed on the pitch. The new GM expects a return to what Dominic Kinnear has usually done throughout his managerial career: win. To help in that regard, a number of new international signings were made and the underproductive, inconsistent, and oft injured were cast off. Chris Wondolowski had his worst season in recent years. At age 34, the hope is for him to rebound for a couple more productive years. Danny Hoesen and Marco Urena will compete for time next to Wondo in what will probably be a 4-4-2. Dutchman Hoesen is on loan from Groningen and has shown flashes of ability but has yet to find a consistent rhythm. He has an opportunity to take a step forward in San Jose. The same can be said of Urena, a Costa Rican who has struggled to find form in the Danish league. Simon Dawkins needs to step up on the wing. He was unable to create chances or unlock defenses, not good for a winger that relies more on possession than speed. On the other side, Jahmir Hyka arrives from several productive years in the Swiss league. He is fast, technically skilled, and will be tasked with something the Quakes sorely lacked last year: fulfilling the #10 role. As such, look for Hyka to drift inside as he tries to bring creativity to the attack. Central midfield is a bit fluid but will probably see Fatai Alashe and Anibal Godoy together. Alashe needs more consistency and Godoy needs to reduce his careless giveaways. Shea Salinas and Cordell Cato are quality experienced wingers that will see significant minutes. El Salvadorian national team captain Darwin Ceren is another option in midfield. Young Tommy Thompson needs to take another step in his development and make a greater impact with his looks. Jackson Yueill arrives from UCLA and looks ready to contribute. Florian Jungwirth and Victor Bernardez are the likely CBs. Bernardez is a brutish defender who is not shy about making a rough tackle. Jungwirth is a talented and experienced German CB who should be very sound. Nick Lima should be the RB while Shaun Francis will be the LB. Kofi Sarkodie is an experienced quality FB. GK David Bingham is one of the best in MLS. While depth seems solid, injuries have taken a toll on important contributing players. M Marc Pelosi and F Quincy Amarikwa still have not recovered from knee injuries. D Marvell Wynne is out with arrhythmia. D Harold Cummings underwent hernia surgery in January. The new players will need time to form chemistry with the returning veterans. The reality of this question means that the Quakes will be somewhat of a work in progress.

Seattle Sounders FC
Nickname: Sounders, Rave Green
Colors: Sounder Blue, Rave Green, & Cascade Shale
Kit Sponsor: Xbox
Ground: CenturyLink Field (69,000), turf

Owner: Adrian Hanauer (USA), Joe Roth (USA), Paul Allen (USA), Drew Carey (USA)
Executive: GM Garth Lagerwey (USA), Director Chris Henderson (USA)
Manager: Brian Schmetzer (USA)

MLS Cups Won: 1 (2016)
Supporters Shields Won: 1 (2014)
US Open Cups Won: 4 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)
2016 Record: 14-14-6, 4th place Western, 7th place overall

Farewells: D Tyrone Mears (to ATL), M Erik Friberg (to Hacken), D Zach Scott (retired), F Nelson Valdez (to Cerro Porteno), M Andreas Ivanschitz (to Viktoria Plzen), D Dylan Remick (to HOU), F Herculez Gomez (retired), M Nathan Sturgis (unsigned)
Greetings: F Will Bruin (from HOU), M Harry Shipp (from MON), M Gustav Svensson (from Guangzhou)

Outlook: Brian Schmetzer took over a team in underperforming disarray and guided them with a deft, calm focus to the MLS Cup. The Sounders were the best team in the second half and steamrolled through the playoffs, losing only twice after Schmetzer’s appointment. Aside from the manager, the person most responsible for that brilliant run of play was Nicolas Lodeiro. Arriving midseason, Lodeiro filled the black hole in the middle of the pitch and changed the way the Sounders played. A true #10 with excellent technical skill, pace, fitness, distribution, vision, and scoring ability, he is a complete player. He plays defense too, hassling and disrupting the flow of opposing offenses. He is also humble and a class act. Clint Dempsey has been cleared to play and should be available from day one. However, the Sounders say that he will continue to be handled with caution. Jordan Morris was the Rookie Of The Year, steadily raising his game as the season progressed. The left wing will see new arrival Harry Shipp and returnee Alvaro Fernandez. Shipp needs to improve with consistency to claim the spot outright. Cristian Roldan emerged as a stalwart #8, a solid contributor in the midfield behind Lodeiro. Ozzie Alonso is the destroyer holding down the fort in front of the backline. Chad Marshall and Roman Torres are a great CB pairing. Both are big, physical guys. Brad Evans returns to the right flank. Joeven Jones improved his defense during the course of last season and has always offered the ability to fly forward. He has good recovery speed. GK Stefan Frei is one of the better keepers in MLS and became storied with that MLS Cup save. Depth is thin. Will Bruin is a solid, physical striker while new signee Gustav Svensson brings reinforcement for midfield. D and Jamaican international Oniel Fisher has a couple years experience on his boots. There is no experienced backup for Frei. Age and fitness are a bit of a concern. Dempsey, Alonso, Evans, Marshall, Torres, Fernandez, and Frei are all in their 30s and have dealt with injuries in the past year. A proliferation of injuries, coupled with a lack of proper depth, could derail this club’s chances. Yet if fitness can be maintained the Sounders should be one of the best in MLS this year.

This post was edited on 3/11/17 at 3:30 am

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by John Keating

College Green, Ireland

Member since Jan 2015

2593 posts

Posted on 3/4/17 at 5:45 am to John Keating

Sporting Kansas City
Nickname: Wizards
Colors: Sporting Blue, Indigo, & Lead
Kit Sponsor: Ivy Investments
Ground: Children’s Mercy Park (18,467), grass

Owner: Neal Patterson (USA), Clifford Illig (USA), Pat Curran (USA), Greg Maday (USA), Robb Heineman (USA)
Executive: Director Peter Vermes (USA), Director Brian Bliss (USA)
Manager: Peter Vermes (USA)

MLS Cups Won: 2 (2000, 2013)
Supporters Shields Won: 1 (2000)
US Open Cups Won: 3 (2004, 2012, 2015)
2016 Record: 13-13-8, 5th place Western, 8th place overall

Farewells: D Lawrence Olum (to POR), M Paulo Nagamuro (retired), GK Alec Kann (to ATL), M Jacob Peterson (to ATL), M Justin Mapp (unsigned), M Brad Davis (retired)
Greetings: M Ilie Sanchez (from Elche), F Soony Saad (from Pattaya), M, Gerso Fernandes (from Belenenses), D Igor Juliao (from Fluminense), M Latif Blessing (from Liberty Professionals), D Erik Palmer-Brown (from Porto)

Outlook: Benny Feilhaber and Dom Dwyer carried SKC to the playoffs last year and Feilhaber nearly took down MLS Cup champion Seattle by himself. Dwyer is one of the best strikers in MLS, scoring 50 goals over the past three seasons. On the left, Gerso Fernandez was signed from Portugal and should stretch defenses, opening up space for the center and creating chances. On the right, a pair of youngsters in Latif Blessing and Soony Saad will see time. Blessing is a fast little guy that led the Ghana league in goals last year. Saad returns to SKC after a couple good years in Thailand. Saad can play anywhere up front and young Hungarian Daniel Salloi is a promising 20 year old from SKC’s academy. Chilean Diego Rubio is depth at F. Feilhaber is a bulldog, a fearless attacker with technical skill. Benny does not sit back, survey the pitch, and take what the defense gives him; he runs right at and through the defense. He does not shy from duels. He is the #10 and the engine of the offense as most of SKC’s attack will be right through central midfield. Soni Mustivar has been the #6 for the past couple years but new signee Ilie Sanchez will probably claim the role. He has drawn praise from his manager and teammates for his cool possession from the rear. Roger Espinoza is a steady, experienced #8. Jimmy Medranda will play a number of positions in midfield as well as FB. SKC needs him to step up as a lack of midfield depth is an issue. Matt Besler has been the mainstay of the defense but suffered a dip in form and was benched last season for the first time in years. SKC will look for him to rebound and once again lead the backs. Ike Opara has steadily improved and will be the other CB. Kevin Ellis is quality depth at the position. Erik Palmer-Brown had a good loan with Porto B and is excelling with the USMNT U20. He is currently leading the U20s to the World Cup and therefore could see less time with SKC. Seth Sinovic has slowly laid claim to the LB spot, coming on strong toward the end of last season. Graham Zusi, Saad Abdul-Salaam, and Igor Juliao are all options at RB. Zusi has been given the job although he could also see time up the right wing. His form has diminished the last two years and his lack of speed is a concern. Still, he can send in good crosses and corners, make a timely play, and offers experience and leadership. Abdul-Salaam played a lot of decent minutes at RB last season and Juliao returns from a productive loan stint in Brazil. Tim Melia is okay at GK. There is no experienced backup to him in goal. Peter Vermes is one of the most successful managers in MLS and knows his players well. SKC will play a high, pressing, possession based attack in a 4-3-3 type. They should be good once again.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Nickname: Whitecaps
Colors: Deep Sea Blue, Whitecap Blue, & White
Kit Sponsor: Bell Canada
Ground: BC Place (54,313), turf

Owner: Greg Kerfoot (CAN), Steve Luczo (USA), Jeff Mallett (CAN), Steve Nash (CAN)
Executive: President Bob Lenarduzzi (CAN)
Manager: Carl Robinson (WAL)

MLS Cups Won: 0
Supporters Shields Won: 0
Canadian Championships Won: 1 (2015)
2016 Record: 8th place Western, 16th place overall

Farewells: M Pedro Morales (to Colo Colo), F Masato Kudo (to Hiroshima), F Blas Perez (to Arabe Unido), D Fraser Aird (to Rangers), F Giles Barnes (to ORL)
Greetings: F Fredy Montero (from Tianjin), M Yordy Reyna (from RB Salzburg), M Brek Shea (from ORL), M Mauro Rosales (from FCD), D Jake Nerwinski (from UConn), D Sheanon Williams (from HOU)

Outlook: Regressed defenders, misfiring goal scorers, and the absence of an injured Kekuta Manneh produced a bitter 2016 in Vancouver. The attacking front is somewhat in flux at the beginning but the players are there for a promising offense. Manneh is back and should provide a jolt to the attack just with his presence. He is fast, skilled, and will play the role of a #10. Look for him to line up outside on the left but spend a lot of time drifting inside. Fredy Montero returns to MLS after adventures in Portugal and China. He will stretch the defense on the other side but will also attack the box to create his own chances. F Alphonso Davies is physically gifted, strong, balanced, fast, calm in tight space, and instinctive. He is also 16 years old. He will look to get in front of the goal to finish crosses and combos. Peruvian Yordy Reyna arrives from Europe and will see time up front all around the box. Veteran winger Christian Bolanos returns on the right. Brek Shea was acquired just prior to the first match of the season and could play a variety of roles. Look for him to be used primarily as a winger and forward as well as a LB in a pinch. Christian Techera and Erik Hurtado offer depth. Matias Laba is a strong defensive MF. Andrew Jacobson is an experienced and decent #8 but often fails to impact a match. He will be pushed by Canadian international Russell Teibert. Veteran Mauro Rosales was acquired to help shore up the midfield. CB Kendall Waston was a former Defender of the Year and CB Tim Parker was a promising young phenom a year ago. Then both stumbled through disastrous season performances. What was supposed to be a strength of the club turned out to be a chronic problem. Both should be better and need to be better. There are options at both RB and LB. Veteran Jordan Harvey returns at LB and is very capable. Marcel de Jong can play LB and the midfield; he is sort of a Canadian Brek Shea. MLS veteran Sheanon Williams and highly rated rookie Jake Nerwinski will fight for time at RB. David Ousted is one of the best GKs in the league. Carl Robinson is a talented young manager that weathered adversity for the first time last season. The Whitecaps have the potential to make a good run but some key pieces have to be settled and roles defined.

This post was edited on 3/11/17 at 3:43 am

2 ...

Report Post

Soccer Board - Replies to Post

Return To Board

Page 1

Return To Board