Major League Soccer End of Season Review

The 2010 MLS season ends today.  A season of new heights for the league has seen exactly what it needed to.  Here we'll review some of the major story lines for the season.

Major Market Teams Flourish
With LA Galaxy controlling their destiny in tonight's game against FC Dallas (a draw will earn them the MLS Supporters Shield), LA has returned to the top the league.  With Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, and David Beckham leading the way, MLS couldn't be happier with the way LA has dominated for most of the season. 

Meanwhile in the East, the New York Red Bulls sit top of the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs.  For MLS to succeed in the future, it will need a successful NY club.  The Red Bulls are giving them that and then some with the acquired star power from Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez.

Chicago had it's struggles this season, but have acquired Frddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo.  The retirement of Brian McBride hurts, but Chicago is a great club and you can bet they'll be back

Philadelphia went through the growing pains of a first season in MLS, but to come away disappointed with them wouldn't be fair.  They are a young, tough club and they'll contend for the future. 

MLS is still in its infancy, and it needs its major market clubs to lead the way into the next decade.

Pacific Northwest Expansion
Though not involved in the play this season, the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC have only added to the great northwestern love fest, joining the Seattle Sounders FC.  This is going to be a great triplet to watch next season.  It started earlier this season when Portland planted its flag on a billboard just walking distance from Quest Field. 

The Year of the Designated Player
As mentioned earlier, the additions of most notably Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez for New York, along with Nery Castillo (Chicago), Mista (Toronto FC, Blaise N'Kufo (Seattle), Alvaro Fernandez (Seattle), Branko Boskovic (DC United), Geovanni (San Jose), and Omar Bravo (Kansas City) have expanded the leagues reach into the depth of football talent.

Now the league needs to go out and get some good young talent.  MLS should be strong enough to make some headway into the market come next summer.

From the "Where in the hell did he come from" department:
Chris Wondolowski...that is all that needs to be said.  Leads the league with 18 goals this season and unless Edson Buddle scores tonight, he'll finish with the Golden Ball.  What a season he's had and it could culminate with a call up to the January camp with the national team.

Playoff preview coming after tonight's matches.  Have a good one.