By Peter Taylor
In the MLS, just like in the NBA, the Western Conference boasts the elite teams, while the mediocre ones reside in the East. In the MLS this year, the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy are massive favorites for the MLS Cup, while the top teams in the East – DC United, New England Revolution, and Sporting Kansas City, last year’s winners – seem to be playing for the right to lose in the MLS Cup.
But, even with the Western Conference’s apparent domination over the competition over the last few years, the Eastern Conference still can surprise in this year’s playoffs. Take last year for example when Sporting beat Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup final to claim the ultimate prize, and Red Bull New York won the Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season.
If the East does well in the playoffs, it will most likely be DC United, New England or Sporting leading the way. DC has been the East’s most consistent team this year. After enduring a horrid 2013 campaign when the team set the record for the most losses, DC, under the tutelage of coach Ben Olsen, rebuilt by signing solid MLS veterans instead of bringing in flashier foreign names. Players like Bobby Boswell, Davy Arnaud and Fabian Espindola have hugely increased the talent level at RFK Stadium, and young players like Luis Silva and Perry Kitchen have taken steps to becoming stars in the league.
New England is led by a stellar young core of players. They have a very skilled, technical midfield in Kelyn Rowe, a possible MLS MVP in Lee Nguyen running the offense and Diego Fagundez providing danger from wide positions. New England also picked up U.S. World Cup vet Jermaine Jones from Europe in the summer. He has provided another level for his side, doing a great job of defending and playing simple passes in midfield to let his playmakers thrive.
Finally, defending champion Sporting Kansas City has performed at a much lower level than many expected. The team was hurt when one of its core players, Uri Rosell, left the side in the summer to move to FC Porto in Europe. Sporting has been unable to adequately replace him, and unable to deal with injuries to players like Chance Myers. Sporting’s usually lockdown defense has been particularly suspect this year. However, Sporting has the talent to go on a hot streak and potentially retain their title. They have a ton of talent, from World Cup veterans Matt Besler and Graham Zusi to 20 goal scorer Dom Dwyer.
The Eastern Conference is also deeper than it was last year. Toronto FC, Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union were all poor teams last year. But this year, all three could pose threats in the playoffs, along with RBNY, who have suffered a massive drop in form from last year’s team. Toronto has disappointed after bringing in American star Michael Bradley and English forward Jermain Defoe in the offseason but, if they round into form, could make the playoffs. Columbus is a solid squad, boasting star Federico Hugain and young talent in midfield Will Trapp. Philadelphia may be the most talented team of all in the second tier in the East, after bringing in solid players like Vincent Nogueira, Cristian Maidana, and American former World Cup veteran Maurice Edu. They even brought back former captain Carlos Valdes to anchor the back line. But, the Union has dropped a few winnable games recently and may be beaten out by RBNY and Columbus for the last playoff spots.
In the end, I believe that New England or DC will walk away as Eastern Conference champions. Both teams would pose decent threats to whatever powerhouse succeeds in the West. But, with the Eastern Conference boasting more depth this year, the East could make some waves in this year’s playoffs.