Kicking Off 2014: Predictions for the Upcoming Year of American Soccer
By Aaron Rench
A souvenir soccer ball sits before being autographed by public officials before a rally for a Major League Soccer official announcement for a expansion franchise agreement with Orlando City Soccer at Cheyenne Saloon. (David Manning, USA TODAY Sports)
The 2013 season of soccer in America was one to remember. The U.S. completed an epic World Cup qualification campaign, while the MLS produced surprise, intrigue, and drama from the beginning all the way to the end of the MLS Cup. But now the year changes — out with the old, in with the new. So what do we have to look forward to in the coming season? Plenty. The upcoming year in American soccer looks to be outstanding.
The biggest move of the offseason has yet to be made
The MLS is always looking for another player who can add to the quality and caliber of the league, and it hasn’t happened yet this offseason. I don’t predict a move of equal impact as David Beckham or Clint Dempsey, but someone will be joining an MLS team soon who will make the media boil with excitement.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has been the focus of several rumors as word continues to connect him with the Toronto FC. It would certainly be a big signing, but I think there’s one even bigger that no one has heard of yet.
Two of the bottom three MLS teams of 2013 will clinch a playoff berth
In 2013, the D.C. United, Chivas USA, and Toronto FC finished at the bottom of the league. When I look at these teams, I see two with a lot of upside and one that won’t be leaving the basement for another year. My prediction holds the bold honor of seeing the D.C. United and the Toronto FC making the jump.
The United have already made waves by adding the tremondous talents of forward Eddie Johnson among other good moves. It will be a trendy preseason prediction for them to make the playoffs, but where I make the bold proclamation is the improvement of Toronto. The club already designated 2013 as a rebuilding year, but they also make additions to the roster which will make the biggest improvement.
Attendance will rise once again, and so will the TV numbers
The MLS experienced a massive growth spurt over the past five years. 2011 saw the highest average attendance in league history, and 2012 was only dragged down by the faltering attendance of Chivas USA. The league will see another record year in attendance, and it won’t just happen after the World Cup. The MLS attendance will be up during the course of the entire season.
Could this be a potential playoff match in 2014? (Nick Turchiaro, USA TODAY Sports)
But the MLS isn’t really having problems filling their stadiums, the trouble comes in getting fans to watch who aren’t at the game. I foresee a climb in TV viewer numbers during the 2014 season, but unlike the attendance, the TV viewers won’t really begin to grow until after the World Cup. Not only will the world’s greatest sporting event draw create more soccer fans, but the MLS has also partially fixed the crazy scheduling flaws of the past few seasons. It has always been a problem that the MLS has no set time to watch each week, but it will be fixed this season, giving fans a designated time to watch MLS soccer.
Real Salt Lake will remain in the playoffs
The departure of Jason Kreis from RSL is a huge whole to fill, but honestly, I think they have all the pieces remaining for new head coach Jeff Cassar. If you didn’t know, Cassar was an assistant under Kreis since 2007. It makes the new head coach a perfect continuation of the work that previously got them to the MLS Cup.
Let me clarify that I don’t think RSL will once again make it to the championship, but they will contend for a playoff position, and even challenge the other postseason teams.
The USMNT will make it out of Group G and win in the Knockout Round
The U.S. face a very tough draw in facing Ghana, Portugal, and Germany when they get to the World Cup in June. It won’t be easy, but I seriously see the Yanks pulling off the big wins, or draws, that they need to do to get out of the “Group of Death”. The USMNT teams made great improvements in 2013 and no one’s seen what they can do outside of friendlies and CONCACAF play, which they dominated.
Once out of Group G, the U.S. will face the winner of Group H (Belgium, Russia, Algeria, and Korea). Want another prediction? I predict Belgium will win the group, therefore making them the Knockout Round opponent. The U.S. and Belgium played in a friendly in 2013, one that saw Belgium win quite soundly, but the USMNT matured and improved since then. This isn’t the same team as it was last Spring.
The new USMNT jerseys will be mediocre, and one new MLS jersey will be fantastic
I really wanted to get the new USMNT shirt for Christmas this year, but Nike failed to produce the new jersey, with news of the new release coming in February. I really hope I’m wrong about this prediction, but the new shirt will be good, but not great. Personally, the red-and-white-striped jersey of last year was the best in team history; it gave identity and personality to a jersey that has generally underwhelmed.
Jersey Week in the MLS is a recent invention to promote the league. One week devoted to the newest jersey reveals for each team that is getting new kits. I’m not sure who is set for a new set of threads, but a teams like the San Jose Earthquakes could use a refresh. One new jersey will find its way to the top of the best MLS kits list.