11 plot lines to follow for an anticipated MLS season

	The New England Revolution will be dangerous again, as will striker Taylor Twellman. But who will feed him the ball? Allen Kee/WireImage.com
	SI.com's 2007 MLS Season Preview LALAS: 11 plots to follow for anticipated season HUNT: Around the league in our MLS Free Kicks FREEDMAN: Predictions for a star-studded year PÉREZ-FERREIRO: Ruíz, Dallas know chemistry BUENO: Why Blanco signing is iffy move for Fire FREEDMAN: Q&A with New York's Claudio Reyna GALLERY: 13 Players to Watch for the '07 season FREEDMAN: Pressure again on Landon Donovan

Here we go again. Major League Soccer starts up another season this weekend. Somebody get a hold of Hank Williams Jr., play him a clip of a South American goal call, and let's get ready for some fútbol. The real kind.

If you ask anyone, it might be the most exciting MLS season since the league sputtered its way into existence back in 1996. Of course, no one's kicked a single fancy new Adidas ball into play yet, but I have to admit there are some great things, ahem, afoot. Here are 11 plots to follow.

1. David is Goliath

Let's get it out of the way first. The hype surrounding David Beckham's arrival is absurd, overblown, fascinating, comedic and, yes, effective. In short, it's exactly the same hype that's trailed Becks everywhere he's gone. Beckhamania has forced the US Weekly-reading middle Americans -- and the Madison Avenue execs who love them -- to take notice of MLS in a way they never have. The biggest benefit will come when Posh shows up at the Home Depot Center with TomKat in tow. Finally, L.A. will have a "Showtime" team to rival the 1980s-era Lakers. Peter Vagenas = Kurt Rambis?

2. Partners for Life

This offseason, the league went crazy with partnerships. First Real Salt Lake established ties with Real Madrid. The Colorado Rapids signed up with Arsenal. The league, as a whole, got all buddy-buddy with the German Bundesliga. What does it all mean? In the beginning, probably very little. If I lived in Utah, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Robinho to don a red RSL jersey in August. But these agreements do have their upsides. For one, they give the league and its teams some much needed international cachet. Second, you never know when Arsenal or Madrid might want to get a young stud a little seasoning. Next thing you know, the Rapids have a young Raúl starting up top.

3. Oh, Canada

MLS' latest expansion team, Toronto FC, joins the Eastern Conference for '07. Don't expect your usual whimpering expansion team. TFC is primed to succeed. They've already seduced the city, have a fan club, and most importantly a coach, Mo Johnston, who's been around. He has a chip on his shoulder after being dumped in the nuclear fallout from Red Bull's purchase of the MetroStars, and he's built a team with quality from back to front. Look for former New England midfielder José Cancela to have a breakout year.

4. Drawing a Blanco

The debate is raging all around MLS: What gives with Chicago's signing of Cuauhtémoc Blanco? Most people seem to think the Mexican icon is going to be a bust. They call him a high-priced over-the-hill pain in the ass. In other words, he's no Beckham. But, since I think most people are usually wrong, I'm saying Blanco explodes. I'm predicting 10 goals. He is exactly what the Fire need. His big-name star power will show young Turks like Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp how to be VIPs. He just might be the final piece of coach Dave Sarachan's MLS Cup puzzle.

5. Rev It Up Again?

I'd be remiss if I didn't discuss the New England Revolution, the team for whom I do TV commentary. For the past two seasons, the Revs have arguably been MLS' best team, including two MLS Cup finals appearances, which has made broadcasting their games as boring as watching a Merchant Ivory film. What fun is it if you can't criticize? But this offseason, they said goodbye to their two most creative midfielders, Clint Dempsey (to Fulham) and the aforementioned Cancela. Now coach Steve Nicol has to rebuild the team. The focal point is Taylor Twellman. But who's going to get him the ball?