2003 MLS West Team Capsules

Colorado Rapids

2002 Record: 13-11-4 (43 points), Western Conference third place, playoff semifinals

Coach: Tim Hankinson (third season)

Who's back: F John Spencer, F Chris Carrieri, M Pablo Mastroeni, M Chris Henderson, M Mark Chung, D Robin Fraser, GK Scott Garlick

Who's new: M Gilles Grimandi, F Zizi Roberts, F Casey Schmidt

Who's gone: M Carlos Valderrama, D Ricky Titus

What's ahead: Grimandi is a major addition, coming from England's Arsenal to become MLS' first French player. He replaces Valderrama, whose contract wasn't renewed. Grimandi and U.S. national team player Mastroeni might be the most imposing central midfield duo in the league. Talk about scoring balance: Chung, Carrieri and Henderson each had 11 goals last season. Defense is another matter, though: The Rapids allowed a conference-high 48 goals last season, which means they need quick development from youngsters such as Jeff Stewart and Danny Jackson.

Dallas Burn

2002 Record: 12-9-7 (43 points), Western Conference third place, playoff quarterfinals

Coach: Mike Jeffries (third season)

Who's back: F Jason Kreis, F Edward Johnson, M Oscar Pareja, M Joselito Vaca, M Antonio Martinez, D Steven Morrow, D Tenwya Bonseu, D Chris Gbandi. GK D.J. Countess

Key Addition: D Shavar Thomas

Who's gone: GK Matt Jordan, M Jorge Rodriguez

What's ahead: The Burn are into big-time downsizing: They've moved from the Cotton Bowl to a suburban high school field that seats about 13,000 and has artificial turf. Plans are afoot for a soccer-specific stadium in a couple of years. Meanwhile, the team is long overdue for success. They've been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for three straight years. The big lineup change is in goal, when 21-year-old Countess takes over from Jordan. Gbandi, the much-hyped No. 1 overall pick a year ago, makes his debut after sitting out last year with a torn ACL.

Kansas City Wizards

2002 Record: 9-10-9 (36 points), Western Conference last place, playoff quarterfinals

Coach: Bob Gansler (fifth season)

Who's back: F Igor Simutenkov, F Dario Fabbro, M Stephen Armstrong, M Diego Gutierrez, M Preki, M Eric Quill, M Francisco Gomez, M Chris Klein, D Nick Garcia, D Carey Talley, GK Tony Meola

Who's new: F Josh Wolff, D Jimmy Conrad

Who's gone: M Matt McKeon, D Mike Burns

What's ahead: In one of the bigger trades of the offseason, the Wizards got some needed firepower by sending a draft pick to Chicago for U.S. national team member Wolff. Wolff should help a team that scored just 37 goals last season; only D.C. United was worse. Otherwise, this is another team that kept its key players intact, with a deep and talented defense and midfield. The Wizards have endured back-to-back first-round playoff losses since winning the MLS Cup in 2000.

Los Angeles Galaxy

2002 Record: 16-9-3 (51 points), Western Conference first place, won MLS Cup

Coach: Sigi Schmid (fifth season)

Who's back: F Carlos Ruiz, F Cobi Jones, M Sasha Victorine, M Mauricio Cienfuegos, M Simon Elliott, M Peter Vagenas, D Danny Califf, D Alexi Lalas, D Tyrone Marshall, GK Kevin Hartman

Who's new: D Hong Myung Bo, M Alex Pineda Chacon

Who's gone: F Brian Mullan, GK Matt Reis

What's ahead: Huge favorite to repeat as MLS champion. The Galaxy have made a good team better by adding South Korean World Cup hero Hong and 2001 MVP Chacon. They're moving into a spiffy new stadium. Sellouts are expected. They get to host the title game. What else could a team want? The only drawback is that the new digs won't be ready until June, so L.A. has to open the season with a league-record, eight-game road trip. Still, only the D.C. United teams of the late 1990s can compare to this Galaxy team, which has enough youth to put together a dynasty of many years

San Jose Earthquakes

2002 Record: 14-11-3 (45 points), Western Conference second place, playoff quarterfinals

Coach: Frank Yallop (third season)

Who's back: F Landon Donovan, F Dwayne DeRosario, M Ian Russell, M Manny Lagos, M Richard Mulrooney, M Ronnie Ekelund, D Eddie Robinson, D Jeff Agoos, D Troy Dayak, GK Pat Onstad

Who's new: D Craig Waibel, F Brian Mullen, D Todd Dunivant

Who's gone: GK Joe Cannon, D Jimmy Conrad, F Ariel Graziani, D Wade Barrett

What's ahead: Donovan was worn down at the end of the MLS season after returning from the thrill of scoring two goals at the World Cup for the United States. The Earthquakes need the 21-year-old sensation refocused, especially with Graziani (team-high 14 goals) now playing in Ecuador. Cannon's eight shutouts and Barrett's team-high 2,555 minutes of solid defense will also be hard to replace. At least Donovan decided to stay: He re-signed with MLS for two more seasons rather return to Europe.

 

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