In a file photo from Dec. 1, 2012, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) hugs teammate Robbie Keane (7) after Keane’s goal against Houston in the MLS Cup at Home Depot Center.(Photo: Robert Hanashiro USA TODAY Sports)
For the past seven years Major League Soccer has generated significant pre-season hype by welcoming a new team into the league. There is no expansion storyline this year to give MLS that boost as the league prepares for its 18th season, which begins Saturday with five games. But there are a handful of other soccer storylines to fill the void. Here are five:
The Post-Beckham era begins
MLS pundits are undoubtedly sick of discussing David Beckham’s departure. But the storyline that dominated the 2012 MLS Cup championship — Beckham’s final game — is still relevant.
Why? Despite Commissioner Don Garber’s assurance that “[Beckham] got us to a point and we’re going to take it higher and not look back,” Beckham’s departure will effect the league. Sure, MLS is losing its top-selling jersey, but the sting could be deeper. Beckham filled stadiums. He also lobbied European players to come play in the U.S. And MLS executives know that no player — other than perhaps Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo — could bring that star power to the league.
Does MLS have a New York state of mind?
OK, so expansion is still a storyline, sort of. MLS has publicly pursued various options for a second franchise in greater New York City for several years, and the plan continually hinges on the construction of a privately funded stadium.
In November, Garber said the league was “at the finish line” for the project, and in December, MLS president Mark Abbott presented plans for a stadium at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. As for the ownership group, Bloomberg reported Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, owner of the English Premier League’s Manchester City, was close to a deal with MLS. Manchester City later denied the deal. But the league can’t wait forever, and attractive expansion pitches from Florida could send the New York project to the backburner.
Donovan disappears, will he reappear?
Landon Donovan regularly complained of burnout during the 2012 season, and hinted that his career may be over on the eve of his Los Angeles Galaxy’s second-straight MLS Cup championship win. Instead, Donovan will take a sabbatical from all soccer competition through March.
Whether Donovan stays on vacation, returns with a tan and a beer belly, or comes back ready to play are scenarios to ponder for the L.A. Galaxy’s front office, which saw its other star, Beckham, leave for Paris-Saint Germain after last season.
“This is the greatest American soccer player, he’s made an interesting decision, and everybody is talking about it,” said former MLS defenseman Alexi Lalas. “When he comes back it affects everything, from the team’s marketing image to play on the field.
Can Petke save the Red Bulls?
Five newcomers step into head coaching positions this year: Mike Petke in New York; Marco Schallibaum in Montreal; Ryan Nelson in Toronto; Caleb Porter in Portland and Jose Luis Sanchez Sola at Chivas USA.
Of the five, its Petke has perhaps the steepest task, which is to transform the Thierry Henry-led Red Bulls from an annual underachiever into a championship team. The Red Bulls axed or traded 16 players from last year’s team, including Mexican superstar Rafa Marquez and stars Joel Lindpere and Kenny Cooper. In their place are European scorer Juninho and Real Salt Lake’s former duo of Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola.
“If success is based on points and points only, it’s Mike Petke — he’s got the best team around him,” said former MLS great Taylor Twellman during the league’s 2013 roundtable discussion.
MLS lays down the law
Last season MLS went the way of the National Hockey League and granted its five-member disciplinary committee the power to hand out fines and suspensions based on videotape review, even in instances when a player was not penalized during the game. MLS hopes to curb the flopping, hacking and off-ball dirty play that drive American sports fans crazy. This year the committee is back, and will also assess penalties to players who crowd referees after a call, among other bad behavior. The fines and suspensions could help steer MLS’ playing style away from that of international soccer.
Five games to watch
March 16, D.C. United at New York Red Bulls
The oldest rivalry in MLS added a new chapter last year when a November snowstorm postponed the semifinal playoff game between the two.
May 5, Houston Dynamo at L.A. Galaxy
This game is a rematch of the 2012 MLS Cup, which was a rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup, both won by the Galaxy.
June 29, L.A. Galaxy at San Jose Earthquakes
Once a year the ‘Quakes fill Stanford University’s football stadium for a rivalry game against cross-California rivals L.A. Galaxy.
Aug. 18, Sporting Kansas City at San Jose Earthquakes
Both teams posted the best 2012 regular-season records before choking in the conference championships.
Oct. 13, Seattle Sounders at Portland Timbers
The Cascadia Cup rivalry between the Sounders, Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps produces some of the best crowd revelry in U.S. sports.
Five breakout stars of 2013
Austin Berry (Defender), Chicago Fire – Last year’s Rookie of the Year should be a league-wide standout in his sophomore year.
Andrew Farrell (Defender), New England Revolution – The top pick of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft will fill out the Revs backline and provide a scoring option.
Carlo Cudicini (Goalkeeper), Los Angeles Galaxy – The Italian star starts his MLS stint this year after a 12-year EPL career with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Diego Calderon (Center back), Colorado Rapids – The Ecuadorian goal scorer has won nearly every major title in South America.
Oscar Boniek Garcia (Midfield), Houston Dynamo – The Honduran star signed with Houston midway through 2012. With half a season under his belt he’s ready to shine.
