This past season in U.S. soccer was certainly an interesting one.&nbsp; In MLS, two new teams were promoted and the soccer world fell in love with them and their passionate fans.&nbsp; Coaches were hired and fired, players finally fulfilled their potential, and others failed to inspire.&nbsp; One MLS team had a chance to make history and win the CONCACAF Champions League, but fell short in a heart-breaking fashion.&nbsp; During the season, the team that dominated from First Kick forward hoisted the trophy at the end of the season.&nbsp; Internationally, the U.S. women took Germany by storm but in the end it was Japan that took everyone’s hearts.&nbsp; The U.S. senior men were underwhelming in the Gold Cup, and seeing Bob Bradley out the door was new coach (and long hoped-for savior) Jurgen Klinsmann.
It was certainly a year of memories, but as we belt out Auld Lang Syne and drink Champagne/sparkling cidar/assorted alcoholic beverages, let’s take a look ahead to 2012.&nbsp; The upcoming year will hopefully feature a U.S. team in the London Olympics, a new broadcast network, World Cup qualifiers, and a whole host of new heroes and villains.&nbsp; One of the things we do best at MLS Talk is make bold and informed predictions that are on occasion proved wrong.&nbsp; Below are twelve such predictions I think we occur in 2012.&nbsp; Happy New Year!
1. The U-23 team will not only qualify for the Olympics, but contend for a medal.
This U-23 team has a confluence of a good youth coach and good young depth on the team.&nbsp; While the team is less talented than probably Mexico and some European teams, I think it will well set up to make a run at the Olympics, especially if they add some quality overage players like Carlos Bocanegra looking to supplement their legacy as medalists.
2. Ratings for MLS matches on the NBC networks will exceed those on the Fox network
NBC has three major advantages for MLS over Fox Soccer.&nbsp; One, it has more platforms to promote the games (imagine MLS commercials showing up on Sunday Night Football, Brian Williams programming, or The Office).&nbsp; Two, NBC needs its new sports network to succeed and will put the resources behind it to make MLS programming a success.&nbsp; Three, the network formally known as Versus is available on more television sets than Fox Soccer, making it easier for casual sports fans to find the matches.&nbsp; The ratings still won’t approach BPL matches on Fox, but the numbers will tick upwards.
3. The USMNT will beat a major European power and drop an&nbsp;embarrassing&nbsp;World Cup qualifier
Rumors are swirling of a U.S.-Italy friendly in the upcoming months, and even if that falls through the U.S. will surely line up one or two more big money friendlies.&nbsp; Because of its talent and Euro 2012 fatigue, the U.S. will knock off a European power and gain some instant cred in world soccer (see Spain 2009).&nbsp; However, it will lose to&nbsp;one of the teams in the group stage of World Cup qualifying in embarrassing fashion, adding unneeded drama into qualifying.&nbsp; Because, after all, this is the Red-White-and-Blue.
4. An MLS team will again play in the CONCACAF Champions League final
Real Salt Lake almost made history this year, and another MLS team stands a good chance of repeating the feat. &nbsp;In the current round, three of the eight teams are MLS teams and two are facing each other (Galaxy v. Toronto). &nbsp;All of them have the talent and depth to make a run at the finals, and the Galaxy and Sounders may be among the two or three most talented teams this spring. &nbsp;Expect to see either Los Angeles or Seattle trying to hoist the CCL trophy this spring.
5. Los Angeles will not repeat as MLS champions
The 2011 LA Galaxy were a truly&nbsp;dominant&nbsp;team. &nbsp;They had the right mix of superstars, support players, and good coaching plus a friendly playoff schedule to allow them to dominate from start to finish. &nbsp;The 2012 season will not be as kind. &nbsp;In addition to two sets of CONCACAF Champions League matches (’11-’12 and ’12-’13) the team will play an unbalanced schedule, which means more matches against the tougher Western Conference teams. &nbsp;In addition, even if Beckham returns, he and Robbie Keane will be playing in Euro 2012. &nbsp;Landon Donovan will be coming off a short-term loan and spending time with the USMNT in World Cup qualifying, as could possibly one or two of his teammates. &nbsp;The schedule glut for the players and team, plus the improvement of the teams around them, mean we will have a new champion in 2012.
6. At least two more fringe USMNT players will come to play in MLS
Last year, Benny Feilhaber, Charlie Davies, and Freddy Adu all returned to MLS to try and get themselves back on the USMNT radar. &nbsp;I can see this trend continuing as players who are on the cusp on making the team will take pay cuts to play in MLS where Jurgen Klinsmann’s staff can more easily watch them. &nbsp;In addition to the older players (maybe Carlos Bocanegra?) who will want to wrap up their career on national soil, players like Edson Buddle or Michael Parkhurst will bite the bullet and come play for an MLS team.
7. Arsenal will conduct a summer tour of the United States
While this is not a specific prediction for U.S. soccer, this is a prediction that will have a major impact on the American soccer scene. &nbsp;Due to Arsene Wenger’s training philosophies, the club has hesitated to play the summer friendlies outside of Europe which has brought the major European clubs to America’s shores. &nbsp;That will change this summer on the heels of a successful Asian tour in 2011. &nbsp;Arsenal will announce a multi-city tour in the spring featuring a mix of MLS teams, one or two Euro club matches at major venues, and a match-up against the MLS All Stars. &nbsp;Arsenal will reap a financial windfall, American Arsenal fans will finally get to see their favorite team without flying across the ocean, and more U.S. fans will become familiar with the Arsenal style of play.
8. A player from one of the BPL big six (not Thierry Henry) will come to MLS midseason
The rumors have been swirling around a number of big name players like Evra and Anelka. &nbsp;One of them this summer will bite the bullet and sign with New York or LA as the latest designated player. &nbsp;My prediction is that it will be a Chelsea player, a victim of AVB’s house cleaning who is too old to play in the new style.
9. A Canadian team will not have the first/second pick in the 2013 Superdraft
Obviously there are three Canadian teams in MLS and none of them will have the first pick in the Superdraft (or second if the 20th franchise is ready for 2013). &nbsp;Even though they are the new team, Montreal has too much talent and too good of a coach to be the worst team in MLS this upcoming season. &nbsp;Vancouver, while still not necessarily playoff bound, will be improved enough to avoid having the worst record in MLS. &nbsp;Toronto will make a huge leap forward this year and contend for the playoffs.
10. The New York Cosmos will be announced as the 20th MLS franchise
It’s the worst kept secret in U.S. soccer, and over the All Star break MLS will announce that the New York Cosmos will be the 20th franchise in the league. &nbsp;Whether they begin play in 2013 or 2014 I will leave to others to predict, but they will be announced to no one’s surprise.
11. DC United will finally find a home, and it will be in DC
Eventually everyone will come to their senses and work this deal out, but one major factor will help with DCU’s push to stay in DC: population growth. &nbsp;The city’s population is growing, with most of the growth coming from young professionals and Hispanics, two demographics that are likely to support a soccer team in the city. &nbsp;In addition, the population growth will help stabilize DC’s shaky finances, making a partial funding of a stadium on the Southwest Waterfront seem even more likely. &nbsp;There will be a major announcement in 2012 and the DC area soccer community will breathe a major sigh of relief.
12. The 4-2-3-1 formation will make the U.S. women’s team unbeatable in international competition
The U.S. women’s team is switching to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation for the next World Cup cycle to have more of their dynamic attacking young players on the pitch at the same time. &nbsp;It’s a change that is overdue and will lead to the U.S. women being the de facto best women’s national team in the world by the end of the year.

Twelve U.S. Soccer Predictions for 2012 - World Soccer Talk

Twelve U.S. Soccer Predictions for 2012

As our long-time readers know, MLS Talk likes to provide serious, well-thought out news analysis mixed with offbeat and laughable soccer-related thoughts. &nbsp;This is the latter type of post.
Prior to First Kick 2011, the MLS Talk writers got together to give some predictions for the upcoming season. &nbsp;At the time, we promised we’d resurrect the predictions to take credit for everything we got right. &nbsp;Little did we know that such a post would only be about 1-2 sentences if actually written. &nbsp;Regardless, as promised, here are our predictions for the 2011 season, and a little bit of analysis/defending from yours truly on the picks. &nbsp;Feel free to post your wrong predictions (and correct ones) in the comments section.
The Final Standings
Prior to the season, it was common knowledge that RSL was the deepest team in the league and was thus primed to make a run at the Supporters Shield. &nbsp;What we didn’t know was that their loss in the CONCACAF Champions League final and injuries would derail their season, in addition to improved LA and Seattle squads. &nbsp;As such, only Kristan Heneage accurately predicted that Los Angeles would finish atop the Western Conference. &nbsp;In fact, besides flip-flopping RSL and Seattle, he got the conference’s top five correct.
As for the Eastern Conference, the chaos that ensued was reflected in our picks. &nbsp;We all got New York wrong as the Eastern Conference winner but at least they made the playoffs. &nbsp;Earl Reed identified three teams correctly that made the playoffs from the East, but probably regrets picking DC to finish above Philadelphia. &nbsp;Playoff picks are in bold.
Daniel Feuerstein
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Eastern Conference</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Western Conference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New York Red Bulls</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Real Salt Lake</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Houston Dynamo</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Los Angeles Galaxy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Sporting Kansas City</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Seattle Sounders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Toronto FC</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">FC Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New England Revolution</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chivas USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Columbus Crew</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Colorado Rapids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">DC United</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">San Jose Earthquakes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chicago Fire</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Vancouver Whitecaps</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Philadelphia Union</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Portland Timbers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Earl Reed
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Eastern Conference</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Western Conference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New York Red Bulls</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Real Salt Lake</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Sporting Kansas City</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Colorado Rapids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">DC United</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Los Angeles Galaxy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Philadelphia Union</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Seattle Sounders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Columbus Crew</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">San Jose Earthquakes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Houston Dynamo</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">FC Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New England Revolution</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chivas USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chicago Fire</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Portland Timbers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Toronto FC</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Vancouver Whitecaps</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Kristan Heneage
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Eastern Conference</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Western Conference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New York Red Bulls</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Los Angeles Galaxy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">DC United</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Real Salt Lake</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Houston Dynamo</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Seattle Sounders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chicago Fire</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">FC Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Toronto FC</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Colorado Rapids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New England Revolution</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chivas USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Columbus Crew</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Portland Timbers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Sporting Kansas City</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">San Jose Earthquakes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Philadelphia Union</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Vancouver Whitecaps</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Robert Hay
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Eastern Conference</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Western Conference</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New York Red Bulls</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Real Salt Lake</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Sporting Kansas City</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Los Angeles Galaxy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">DC United</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Colorado Rapids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Houston Dynamo</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Seattle Sounders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Philadelphia Union</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">FC Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Columbus Crew</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chivas USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">New England Revolution</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">San Jose Earthquakes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Chicago Fire</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Portland Timbers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="239">Toronto FC</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">Vancouver Whitecaps</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
MLS Cup Predictions
We were 0-4 on this one. &nbsp;Earl and I picked Real Salt Lake to hoist the MLS Cup while Daniel thought Rafa Marquez would be showering Thierry Henry with champagne. &nbsp;Kristan’s pick (DC United) didn’t make the playoffs.
Most Valuable Player
In our defense, while none of us correctly predicted this category, all of our picks were somewhat in the running toward the end of the year. &nbsp;Daniel had Thierry Henry taking home the trophy while Earl and Kristan had Landon Donovan. &nbsp;My pick made a late run but was still misguided: Alvaro Saborio.
The Golden Boot
Only Earl and I were ambitious enough to guess at this category, and my pick (Montero 12) edged his (Saborio 11).
Coach of the Year
Interestingly, none of us had a coach that was remotely in the running, although our picks by the end of the season were setting themselves up as&nbsp;candidates&nbsp;for next year. &nbsp;All of our coach of the year selections were new MLS coaches, with Daniel seeing Toronto head man Aron Winter winning the award while Earl and I agreed upon DC United’s Ben Olsen.
Newcomer of the Year
Again, our picks were solid choices that for the most part contributed in some way but didn’t merit consideration. &nbsp;Daniel went with Fabien Castillo of FC Dallas, Earl and I chose Omar Bravo for Sporting KC, and Kristan went with the right team &nbsp;but wrong player (Erik Friberg of the Seattle Sounders).
Rookie of the Year
Well what can you say. &nbsp;Who’d have thunk that C.J. Sapong would have played such a large roll for Sporting Kansas City? &nbsp;Well we didn’t think he’d play a bigger role than Juan Agudelo (Daniel), Will Bruin (Earl and I), and Darlington Nagbe (Kristan).
Most Improved Player
Admittedly, this is one of the hardest categories to predict. &nbsp;With so many players in the league, who will be the one who exceeds their previous year’s stats to be given an award? &nbsp;Three of us thought that it would be someone from the Red Bulls:&nbsp;Kristan and Daniel thought that Dane Richards would be that player in 2011, while Earl picked Richards’ teammate Tim Ream. &nbsp;However, the award for most laughable prediction for 2011 goes to me, and here is a direct quote from my prediction:
<blockquote>Since I wanted to show my Black-and-Red colors a little, I thought the player who would&nbsp;finally&nbsp;fulfill his promise would be D.C. United’s Branko Boskovic.</blockquote>

A Review of the MLS Talk Preseason Predictions - World Soccer Talk

A Review of the MLS Talk Preseason Predictions

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Leagues: MLS

Twelve U.S. Soccer Predictions for 2012

Leagues: MLS

A Review of the MLS Talk Preseason Predictions