MLS First Kick 2011: Prediction Time

Little late on this one, but here are NP's season predictions for the 2011 Major League Soccer season.

MLS Cup: Real Salt Lake
Jason Kreis is a rising star in the coaching world, and has his club on the brink of a birth in the CONCACAF Champions League final.  RSL are my pick to win it all back from their Rocky Mountain neighbors.  Strong in defense, fluid in midfield, and deadly in attack.

Supporters Shield: New York Red Bulls
Hans Backe has stated, rather controversially, that he is aiming on winning the MLS Supporters Shield, rather than the MLS Cup.  The Henry-Agudelo attack pairing will prove deadly, and they'll run away from the Eastern Conference.

U.S. Open Cup: DC United
Could there be a better story out there this season than the return of Charlie Davies to action?  I can't think of any.  DC United are much improved from the horrors of last season, and they'll enjoy a rapid rise back to prominence.

Most Valuable Player: Javier Morales
Javier Morales is the admiral that leads RSL on the pitch, with timely goals and slicing assists, he'll lead RSL to the title.

Golden Boot: Alvaro Saborio
Sweep for RSL? Why not.  Saborio is one of the most elite forwards in MLS, with Javier Morales to feed him.

Comeback Player: Charlie Davies
Doesn't need explaining.

Golden Glove: Kevin Hartmann
Should've won it last season, and will need to stand on his head to shore up a revamped FC Dallas squad.  Fortunately for FCD, he can do just that.

Rookie of the Year: Perry Kitchen
DC United got a future US National Team-er in this kid, to play along side one just isn't fair.

Newcomer of the Year: Jay DeMerit
In what could be a longgg year for the Canadian newcomers, Jay DeMerit will prove a valuable cog in defense. 

Yanks dropping like flies...

Stuart Holden and Carlos Bocanegra were both removed from their respective games due to injuries.  They likely are out of contention for the upcoming friendlies.  &$%#!!!!!!

UPDATE:Zak Whitbread, Steve Cherundolo, and Stuart Holden have all withdrawn from the roster due to injuries picked up in this past weekend's action.  Really disappointing for all of them, but especially Holden, who is easily the most improved yank abroad, and Whitbread, who'd have likely have picked up his first cap.  Carlos Bocanegra's injury has not been mentioned in the USSF press release, so I'm going to assume that he'll be fit for camp. 

Eric Lichaj has been called into camp as the sole replacement.

USA vs. Spain in the works, and other scheduling rumors...

A USA vs. Spain match is reportedly being negotiated, for June 4th in Boston, Massachusetts.  This would be an epic match to finalize the preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.  Well to whoever is doing the scheduling at the USSF. 

Also some rumors a couple weeks ago about a USA-Mexico game set for August.  Keep posted for more.

Paraguay head coach Gerardo Martino named his squad that will face the United States on March 29 in Nashville.  Here it is:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Justo Villar (Valladolid), Diego Barreto (Guarini)

DEFENDERS (7): Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic), Marcos Cáceres, Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza), Víctor Hugo Mareco (Brescia), Miguel Samudio (Libertad), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Darío Verón (UNAM Pumas)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Edgar Barreto (Atalanta), Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell's Old Boys), Osvaldo Martínez (Monterrey), Osmar Molinas (Olimpia), Néstor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland), Marcos Riveros (Nacional), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito)

FORWARDS (3): Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Edgar Benítez (Pachuca)

What does everyone think?  The US stands a chance of erasing the result from the last time these teams met, a 3-1 win for Paraguay at the 2007 Copa America. 

Argentina Squad

Argentina head coach Sergio Batista named a strong roster for the match on March 26 vs. the USA.  Here it is:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Mariano Andujar (Catania), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar).

DEFENDERS (8): Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Javier Mascherano (Barcelona),  Ever Banega (Valencia), Fernando Belluschi (Porto), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Mario Bolatti (Internacional), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

FORWARDS (6): Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica),  Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Jose Sosa (Napoli)

It's gonna be a dog fight, can Tim Howard be the hero he was last team these teams met?