(In predicted order of finish)
Houston
The Dynamo are the best MLS team at being resourceful enough to play below par and still win the big ones. The defense is based on aggressiveness and physicality, the midfield on the transitioning abilities of Ricardo Clark and Richard Mulrooney, plus the wing play of Brian Mullan and Brad Davis. Attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario is the difference-maker. If Brian Ching drops off, Stuart Holden could provide another attacking option. The Dynamo's most difficult foe has been the steamy weather in Houston. But after two successive MLS Cup titles, the Dynamo find themselves at home.
COACH: Dominic Kinnear (fifth year)
IN: D Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), F Kyle Brown (Real Salt Lake), G Tony Caig (Gretna FC), F Franco Caraccio (Arsenal de Sarandi)
OUT: D Ryan Cochrane (San Jose), F Paul Dalglish (Kilmarnock), F Nate Jaqua (SCR Altach), F Joseph Ngwenya (SK Austria Karnten Klagenfurt), G Zach Wells (D.C. United)
D.C. United
Marcelo "El Muneco" Gallardo, an Argentine who has been performing for Paris Saint-Germain, is an upgrade on Christian Gomez in midfield. But Gallardo will have to prove he can adjust to MLS as well as Gomez did. United are still the best team in the league on the ball. Gonzalo Martinez and Gonzalo Peralta are expected to add physicality and savvy to the back line. Ben Olsen provides midfield support for Gallardo and Jaime Moreno, and Lucio Emilio provides the goals.
COACH: Tom Soehn (second year)
IN: D Jeremy Barlow (U. Virginia), D Pat Carroll (West Virginia U.), G Jose Carvallo (Universitario), M Ryan Cordeiro (U. Connecticut), D Jeff Curtin (Chicago), M Marcelo Gallardo (Paris Saint-Germain), M Quavas Kirk (Los Angeles), D Gonzalo Martinez (Millonarios), F Franco Neill (Argentinos Juniors), D Gonzalo Peralta (Almirante Brown), F Santino Quaranta (New York), D Dan Stratford (West Virginia U.), G Zach Wells (Houston)
OUT: F Nicholas Addlery (Vancouver Whitecaps), M Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), D Bobby Boswell (Houston), M Brian Carroll (San Jose), M Stephen deRoux (Minnesota Thunder), M Christian Gomez (Colorado), M Josh Gros, G Jay Nolly (Vancouver Whitecaps), F Brad North, G Troy Perkins (Valerenga), D Greg Vanney (Los Angeles), D Kiki Willis
Chivas USA
A strong back line of goalkeeper Brad Guzan and central defenders Claudio "El Emperador" Suarez and Shavar Thomas allows Chivas to play effective defense away from home and frees the attack at the
COACH: Preki (second year)
IN: F Justin Braun, D Jim Curtin (Chicago), F Alecko Eskandarian (Real Salt Lake), F Atiba Harris (Real Salt Lake), M Dan Paladini (San Fernando Valley Quakes), G Lance Parker (Missouri State U.), M Keith Savage (U. West Florida), M Raphael Wicky (FC Sion)
OUT: F David Arvizu, D Desmond Brooks, G Preston Burpo (San Jose), D Jason Hernandez (San Jose), D Carlos Llamosa, F Laurent Merlin, M Justin Myers, F Ramon Nunez (CD Olimpia), D Orlando Perez, F Eder Robles, F Erasmo Solorzano
New England
Four key players have departed from the Revolution's run to three successive MLS Cups.
COACH: Steve Nicol (seventh year)
IN: D Chris Albright (Los Angeles), M Kyle Altman (Trinity U.), D Sam Brill (Boston College), D Matthew Britner (Brown), M Mauricio Castro (CD Olimpia), F Argenis Fernandez (Santos de Guapiles), M Joe Germanese (Duke), D Chase Hilgenbrinck (Nublense), D Rob Valentino (U. San Francisco), F Spencer Wadsworth (Duke)
OUT: M Bryan Byrne, M Andy Dorman (St. Mirren), M Miguel Gonzalez, D Marshall Leonard, F Chris Loftus, F Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK), D James Riley (San Jose), F Willie Sims
FC Dallas
Kenny Cooper, who missed 16 games with a broken leg last season, carries Dallas's hopes, at least until the team acquires a scoring threat to replace Carlos Ruiz. Arturo Alvarez and Andre Rocha provide midfield threats. Juan Toja is the best of the holding midfielders but will also have to provide offense. Duilio Davino, who starred for Club America in Mexico, keys the defense.
COACH: Steve Morrow (second year)
IN: M Eric Avila (U. California-Santa Barbara), D Duilio Davino (Club America), G Josh Lambo (Chicago Magic), M Andre Rocha (CA Paranaense), D Brek Shea (Texans FC)
OUT: F Sebastian Botero (Atletico Huila), M Denilson (Palmeiras), D Chris Gbandi (Haugesund FK), D Sandy Gbandi, D Clarence Goodson (San Jose), D Scott Jones, F Roberto Mina (Ginmasia y Escrima de La Plata), F Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles)
Columbus
The Crew could surprise, if Guillermo Barros Schelotto's health holds up. The Crew are making a tactical gamble by moving Danny O'Rourke from midfield into defense. Frankie Hejduk, Ezra Hendrickson, and Duncan Oughton provide experience and leadership. Brian Carroll will run the midfield and Alejandro Moreno is expected to finish. Stefani Miglioranzi will be among those counted on to make up for the loss of Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers for US Olympic team duty.
COACH: Sigi Schmid (third year)
IN: M Kevin Burns (Rochester Rhinos), M Brian Carroll (San Jose), F Nico Hernandez (Colorado), D Andy Iro (U. California-Santa Barbara), F George Josten, F Steven Lenhart, D/M Ryan Miller (Notre Dame), D Gino Padula (Montpellier)
OUT: D Marcos Gonzalez (Universidad Catolica), M Ned Grabavoy (San Jose), F Andy Herron (Puntarenas), F Kei Kamara (San Jose), M Brandon Moss (retired), D Rusty Pierce, M Jacob Thomas, M Ricardo Virtuoso, D Tim Ward (Colorado)
Los Angeles Galaxy
Coach Ruud Gullit will have a difficult MLS learning curve. David Beckham, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan, and Carlos Ruiz should provide goals. Ante Jazic, Greg Vanney, and Abel Xavier lead the defense. Chris Klein will either run the right wing or drop back to fill Chris Albright's vacated right back spot. Steve Cronin lacks experience in goal.
COACH: Ruud Gullit (first year)
IN: G Charles Alamo (U. California-Riverside), F/M Ely Allen (U. Washington), D/M Sean Franklin (California State U.-Northridge), F Bryan Jordan (Portland Timbers), F Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas), D Greg Vanney (D.C. United), D Julian Valentin (Wake Forest), G Josh Wicks (Portland Timbers)
OUT: D Chris Albright (New England), G Joe Cannon (San Jose), M Kelly Gray, F Gavin Glinton (San Jose), D Ty Harden (retired), M Kevin Harmse (Toronto FC), M Cobi Jones (retired), M Quavas Kirk (D.C. United), M Kyle Martino, F Clint Mathis (Ergotelis FC), F Carlos Pavon (Real España), D Kyle Veris (Hodd)
Colorado
The Rapids are missing a proven scorer. Defense should be strong, with Bouna Coundoul in goal, Facundo Erpen and Mike Petke in central defense, and Pablo Mastroeni in midfield. Colin Clark and Terry Cooke threaten on the wings. Jose Burciaga Jr. will add an attacking dimension to the back line and Christian Gomez should thrive on the best playing surface in the league.
COACH: Fernando Clavijo (fourth year)
IN: M Rafael Gomes (CD Santa Clara), M Christian Gomez (D.C. United), G Mike Graczyk (U. of New Mexico), M Brian Grazier (St. Louis U.), D Ciaran O'Brien (U. California-Santa Barbara), D Tim Ward (Columbus), F Cesar Zambrano (U. Illinois-Chicago)
OUT: M Jose Cancela, F Nico Hernandez (Columbus), F Daniel Osorno (Dorados de Sinaloa), D Brandon Prideaux (Colorado), D Tony Sanneh, G Zach Thornton (New York)
Kansas City
Much depends on Claudio "El Piojo" Lopez. The Wizards should be balanced defensively with Jimmy Conrad guiding the defense and Sasha Victorine and Kerry Zavagnin in midfield. Carlos Marinelli directs the midfield. Davy Arnaud, Eloy Colombano, Ryan Pore, Scott Sealy, and Ivan Trujillo are candidates to pair with Lopez up front.
COACH: Curt Onalfo (second year)
IN: M Roger Espinoza (Ohio State), D Jonathan Leathers (Furman), F Claudio Lopez (Racing), D Matt Marquess (Santa Clara U.), D Rauwshan McKenzie (Michigan State), D Chance Myers (UCLA), F Ivan Trujillo (La Equidad)
OUT: D Jose Burciaga Jr. (Colorado), F Edson Elcock, D Nick Garcia (San Jose), D Aaron Godbolt, M Willy Guadarrama, F Will John (Randers), F Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), G Chris Konopka (Bohemians), D Ryan Raybould New York Juan Pablo Angel (19 goals in 24 games) carried the team last season. The Red Bulls' fate could depend on the availability of Jozy Altidore (who will be away for US Olympic team duty), Claudio Reyna, and Dane Richards (who will miss the start of the season with an injury). Eric Brunner adds a strong presence to the back line. Seth Stammler and Dave van den Bergh provide midfield threats.
COACH: Juan Carlos Osorio (first year)
IN: M Danleigh Borman (U. Rhode Island), D Eric Brunner (Ohio State), G Danny Cepero (U. Pennsylvania), F Oscar Echeverry (Atletico Nacional), D John Gilkerson (Winthrop U.), M Kevin Mesa (Red Bulls U20s), D Scott Palguta (Rochester Rhinos), G Caleb Patterson-Sewell (Cleveland City Stars), G Zach Thornton (Colorado)
OUT: D Blake Camp, F Francis Doe, M Dema Kovalenko (Real Salt Lake), F Clint Mathis (Los Angeles), F Randi Patterson (Charleston Battery), M Markus Schopp (retired), M Joe Vide (San Jose), G Ronald Waterreus (retired), F Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)
San Jose Coach Frank Yallop developed a championship team in his first stop here, the success continuing in Houston. This is an expansion version of the Earthquakes, though, and the season will depend on the durability of Ronnie O'Brien. With Joe Cannon in goal, and an experienced back line that includes former Revolution starter James Riley, the Earthquakes should improve rapidly.
COACH: Frank Yallop (first year)
IN: G Preston Burpo (Chivas USA), G Joe Cannon (Los Angeles), D Ryan Cochrane (Houston), D Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), D Nick Garcia (Kansas City), F Gavin Glinton (Los Angeles), M Ned Grabavoy (Columbus), M Ivan Guerrero (Chicago), D Jason Hernandez (Chivas USA), F Kei Kamara (Columbus), M Ronnie O'Brien (Toronto FC), M Chris Pozniak (Toronto FC), D James Riley (New England), M Joe Vide (New York)
OUT: M Brian Carroll (Columbus), D Clarence Goodson (IK Start)
Chicago
Chris Armas will be difficult to replace in midfield and the Fire could be overly reliant on Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
COACH: Denis Hamlett (first year)
IN: F Thomas Frankowski (CD Tenerife), F Andy Herron (Columbus/Puntarenas), M Stephen King (U. Maryland), F Patrick Nyarko (Virginia Tech), D Brandon Prideaux (Colorado)
OUT: M Chris Armas (retired), D Jeff Curtin (D.C. United), D Jim Curtin (Chivas USA), M Floyd Franks, M Ivan Guerrero (San Jose), G Matt Pickens (Queen's Park Rangers), F Paulo Wanchope (retired)
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake has not progressed past expansion team status for three years, but that should change this year.
COACH: Jason Kreis (second year)
IN: D/M Tony Beltran (UCLA), D Nat Borchers (Odd Grenland), M Matias Cordoba (Tigre), F Kenny Deuchar (Gretna FC), D David Horst (Old Dominion), M Ian Joy (St. Pauli), M Dema Kovalenko (New York), F Alex Nimo (FC Portland), F Tino Nunez (U. California-Santa Barbara), D Jamilson Olave (Deportivo Cali), M Kevin Reiman (Michigan State), M Brennan Tennelle (U. California-Santa Barbara)
OUT: F Freddy Adu (Benfica), F Chris Brown (Portland Timbers), F Kyle Brown (Houston), F Alecko Eskandarian (Chivas USA), D Willis Forko (Bodo Glimt), F Atiba Harris (Chivas USA), M Duke Hashimoto, M Christian Jimenez, M Jean-Martial Kipre, D Ritchie Kotschau, M Chris Lancos, D Eddie Pope (retired), D Jack Stewart (Charleston Battery), M Jamie Watson
Toronto FC
The best-supported team in MLS, it was among the worst organized on the field last year.
COACH: John Carver (first year)
IN: G Brian Edwards (Wake Forest), M Kevin Harmse (Los Angeles), D Julius James (U. of Connecticut), D/M Pat Phelan (Wake Forest), M Tyler Rosenlund (Atvidaberg), F Jarrod Smith (West Virginia U.), D Marco Velez (Puerto Rico Islanders)
OUT: D Adam Braz (Montreal Impact), D Maycoll Canizalez, G Srdjan Djekanovic, M David Guzman, M Stephen Lumley, M Cristian Nunez (Montreal Impact), M Ronnie O'Brien (San Jose), M Chris Pozniak (San Jose), D Marco Reda (Charleston Battery), G Kenny Stamatopolous (Tromso)
Compiled by Frank Dell'Apa 
