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Reaction: MLS

Fans psyched for a great season

The 2001 MLS season is upon us.

We wanted to know what you thought of the league so far and what your expectations are for the season.

Keep reading for a sample of the responses we received.

So far, so good! Finally, after five years, MLS is reaping the rewards of a salary cap. Like the NFL, and unlike baseball, the cap creates an environment where any team can win, under the right circumstances. Some teams have better players at each position (Chicago, Metrostars), but current standings indicate that DC, Miami and San Jose aren't as likely to miss the playoffs as the pundits think.
Jason Barton, Astoria, N.Y.

I predict that two teams will have breakout seasons: DC United and the San Jose Earthquakes. DC's youth (Convey, Lisi, Nelsen, Quaranta, etc.) will surprise many teams that discount the former superpower, while San Jose's new players vastly improve the quality of the team. Expect Agoos to provide the leadership necessary for advancement. I expect both teams to make the playoffs although Chicago will win the Supporters' Shield and the double cup as long as key players (Armas, Bocanegra, Nowak, Stoitchkov, and Wolff) remain healthy.
Michael De Simone, San Mateo, CA

The teams I expect to battle for the Cup will be Chicago and New York. If New York can stay healthy I expect them to take the trophy home. Both teams are loaded with talent, but I see Tab Ramos as the key to the Metro's success. A healthy full season will show America's new soccer fans what he is capable of ... which is strapping the Metros on his back.
Keith, New York

After seeing some great games in La Liga, I would say MLS has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to be known as a quality league. Nevertheless, it is very important to have the league for the development of players and for the national team. My predictions for 2001: even though I hate them, I see NY-NJ winning the MLS Cup and San Jose winning the U.S. Open Cup, LA representing MLS well in the World Club Championship in Sevilla, and Clint Mathis being the MVP. As far as my Revs, well, hopefully they will find a quality creative midfielder to lead them to the playoffs. Somehow, I think they have to get rid of old relics like Harkes and Winalda.
Paul Toledo, Madrid, Spain

I like the chances for Chicago Fire, mainly because of the addition of Beasly and Wolff, whom I think represent a real settling of soccer in the U.S. I am happy to see a growing number of world quality players. Landon Donovan, Beasly, Wolff, Dante Washington and many other whose names I can't remember right now are proving that American youth are taking soccer seriously. And with the continued success of the U.S. in world and regional competitions, we will see an increase in interest in MLS, especially if we can improve visibility of the MLS and the prime U.S. players. We need to build a history, increase the marketing of the statistics of us players, etc. I feel it is a travesty that when clicking on the soccer section of CNNSI.com the first page is all European soccer. Guys, we're in the U.S. and we should give relevance to our own cups and our own players. Get with it!
Malcolm Boswell, Oregon City, Ore.

The Revolution is going to be a big surprise if Cate get his release papers from Sampdoria. With a player as prodigiously talented as he is (at the height of his career) the team's spine is the best in the league. Maricio Wright (sweeper), Joey Franchino (defensive mid), Cate (playmaker) and Wolde Harris (forward) are a tough combination to beat.
Sam O'Hara, Arlington, Mass.

Break out team: San Jose. You gotta love their acquisitions in Donovan and Agoos, etc. They have energy. Player: Bobby Convey. The guy needs to put on about 30 pounds and he will be unstoppable. He's got both technical and tactical prowess and Etcheverry as a role model.
Daniel DeVilder, Lincoln, Ill.

I expect two teams to play much better than they have in seasons past: San Jose and Miami. The addition and anticipation with Donovan in the Quakes lineup should fire up a good group of veterans who are probably very sick of sub-par, playoff-less campaigns. I see the Fusion playing much better this season with the experience of a good playmaker like Preki really being able to open up Diego Serna's game. He is a good finisher -- just nobody's ever been able to get him the ball in the slot. Do I think either of these teams will win MLS Cup 2001? No, that's either Chicago or LA's hardware, but I do expect these playoff no-shows to step it up and make a good run into the playoffs in 2001.
Robert Burns, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

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