The 2009 season has come and gone and now that we are finally in the off-season I figured it was a good time to take a gander back at the “bold” season predictions I made back before things got started this year to see how I did.

Just as in years past I was dead on about a couple things, sorta right about others and way off about the rest. Its fun and I don’t mind telling you all when I am wrong.

First up I gave you all a hand-full of guys to keep an eye on, just about all lived up to expectations though Kenny Cooper did head to Germany. At least back then I dropped a hint that I didn’t think he would finish the season in Dallas and that turned out to be the case.

Next were a list of coaches on the hot seat. Three out of four either quit or got canned, so not bad. Bruce Arena exceeded expectations on my part and got to MLS Cup though I do believe I had every right to place him there at the start of this past season because of all the changes he made, if they hadn’t panned out and LA had missed the playoffs again you have to think he probably would have been in some hot water.

Then I gave you all three rookies, all lived up to expectations as this rookie class in 2009 was something special to say the least.

Now for the fun. Below are all the items I predicted, with my comments now after the fact along with either a plus or a minus in the point system. Continue Reading…

I know I have been a little delayed in getting this out but I think it actually worked out fine getting the season predictions out on the week of the new season. Hard to believe that we are just days away from the first kick of the new year up in Seattle.

Time now for the final preview if you will, the season predictions. I will go through who I think we need to keep an eye out for, some rookies that could make a splash, and some coaches that could be on the hot seat this year. Later on today (or maybe tomorrow morning) I will have the year’s first power rankings.

Keeping in the tradition of past season predictions there will be some random stat guesses. Like them or hate them, I do them every year and sometimes actually end up correct on them.

As always feel free to add your own predictions below.

Players to watch in 2009:

• Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew – The MVP, probably the best player even for his age in the league. Even if GBS is half as productive as he was a year ago the Crew will be alright. The man can make anyone look good on the field. Sure he is a DP but he is well worth the pay in my book. Still for the Crew to repeat GBS needs another 15-20 assist year, with probably 6-9 goals too.
• Christian Gomez, DC United – The main reason why I have him here is because he is back in Black…the Black-and-Red that is. Getting Gomez back in DC is a big thing, plus this time he seems like he really wants to be there. Good thing too because this could either be a good DC team or a terrible DC team.
• Kenny Cooper, FC Dallas – For Dallas a lot still rests on Cooper. How much longer will he be with the Red Stripes? And can he produce like he did a year ago? A 15-20 goal season shouldn’t be far off with the addition of David Ferreira, but will he stay on board for the full year? I just doubt it.
• Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy – Just like Cooper, how long will the Galaxy be able to hold on to LandyCakes in 2009? For me this should be his last year in MLS. Maybe even last couple months. I really was shocked to see Bayern Munich not pick him up and I wouldn’t be shocked to see another club in Europe come get him before the year is out. As for the MLS side with Donovan, I fully expect him to pick up where he left off in 2008.
• Dwayne de Rosario, Toronto FC – The big guy is finally home in Toronto. Just how good will the Reds be with him in 2009? I think the potential is certainly there but as we all know it comes down to his pairing with Amado Guevara. Its a pairing I have to say I like though and one I think will work. If it doesn’t it could be another long year at BMO Field.

Continue Reading…

Kind of an annual tradition here. Predictions that are sure to go wrong in some categories and sure to go completely right in others. Time will only tell which way they go but it’s something I like to do every year before the ball drops at the start of a new calendar year.

Some items here will be included in the actual season predictions that I will do later on in March but some of this is just New Year’s wishes for different clubs and players.

As always feel free to add your own way too early predictions below. Continue Reading…