Twas the night before First Kick...

Today, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. (Truth by told, I still feel extremely anxious to open presents even now as a near 30-year old "adult".) Regardless, the reason I feel so giddy with excitement is that the Major League Soccer season kicks off with my beloved Seattle Sounders FC versus the Los Angeles Galaxy tomorrow evening at 6:30 PST (on ESPN).

2011 is set to be a banner year for MLS. Here are a few storylines to know and follow throughout the season:

- PAC NW RIVALRIES: The league welcomes two expansion franchises to the Pacific Northwest soccer hotbed, Vancouver and Portscum Portland. Along with the Sounders, these three clubs will instantly have the best, most intense rivalry in professional U.S. soccer.  The Whitecaps have mostly built for the future (sans their stellar and USMNT centerback, Jay DeMerit).  However, Portland has honestly done a pretty nice job of mixing youth and experience.  As much as it pains me to say it, Portland should be the better of the two clubs overall.  Regardless, I would not expect either club to compete seriously for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Sounders have kept their core unit intact from consecutive postseason berths and look to push for more in year 3.

- BECKHAM'S LAST HURRAH? This is the last year on David Beckham's current MLS contract. There is little reason to think he'll stay stateside after this year and the Galaxy know that.  That is why they have loaded up more than ever this season.  Newly minted designated player, Juan Pablo Angel, leads their stellar frontline (along with USMNT hero Landon Donovan and Beckham) and their backline may be the best in the league.  On paper they appear more talented than the team that won the Supporter's Shield last season.  Time will tell if they can go beyond that success and actually go the distance in the MLS Cup playoffs.

- NEW STADIUMS: Two new soccer-specific stadiums will open this season in MLS: Livestrong Sporting Park (Sporting Kansas City) and PGE Park (Portland).  These two beautiful grounds add to the growing list of soccer-specific stadiums and signal that soccer and MLS continues to grow in this country.

- PLAYOFF FORMAT CHANGE: MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, recently announced that the 2011 MLS playoffs would include 10 clubs.  This would include the top 3 from both the Eastern and Western Conferences along with the next four regardless of conference affiliation as Wild Card teams.  In one way, this dilutes playoffs with having more than half of the available teams qualify for the postseason (much like the NBA or NHL).  However, this should keep more teams "in the hunt" longer and make the regular season stretch run more competitive. 

Now, that you are all caught up...here is my attempt to throw my hat in the MLS season prediction "ring"... (Sounders' fan disclaimer- I have kept these as neutral as possible)

2011 MLS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(*- denotes playoff team; **- denotes Supporter's Shield)

Eastern Conference
1. New York Red Bulls*
2. Sporting Kansas City*
3. Houston Dynamo*
4. D.C. United*
5. Philadelphia Union
6. Chicago Fire
7. New England Revolution
8. Toronto FC
9. Columbus Crew

Western Conference
1. Real Salt Lake**
2. Los Angeles Galaxy*
3. Seattle Sounders FC*
4. FC Dallas*
5. Colorado Rapids*
6. San Jose Earthquakes*

7. Portland Timbers
8. Chivas USA
9. Vancouver Whitecaps

Regular Season MVP: Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
Rookie of the Year: Darlington Nagbe, Portland
Comback Player of the Year: Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Seattle
Newcomer of the Year: Jan Gunnar Solli, New York Red Bulls
Defender of the Year: Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
Goalkeeper of the Year: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

Eastern Conference Champion: New York Red Bulls
Western Conference Champion: Real Salt Lake

MLS Cup winner: Real Salt Lake

On a personal note, I am still a few months away from keeping this space up on the regular basis that I desire.  However, I am going to do my best to post as much as possible until then....