Prediction: Western Conference Playoff Spots

Fifth Place: Seattle Sounder

Okay, I know what you are thinking. “What is this guy thinking? Has he gone crazy.” Yeah, probably, but I’ve been crazy for a long time. Now hear me out on this one. Seattle has had a disaster of a year since Obafemi Martins packed up and decided to go to China days before Seattle’s first competitive match. A system that was built for Martins to succeed suddenly didn’t have a Martins to make it work. But now, with the purchase of Lodeiro from Boca Juniors and the resigning of Flaco Fernandez, Seattle looks good. They went up against a strong LA side and completely dominated the game. If it wasn’t for a poor defensive error and some spotty finishing, Seattle would have easily taken all three points out of that meeting. Seattle also completely destroyed a semi-decent Orlando side.

Yes that is two games into the post-Sigi era of the Sounders and we probably shouldn’t read too much into it, but we have to realize how good Lodeiro is. He slotted into his first game with the Sounders, 3 days after arriving and played phenomenally. Given more time, his partnership Dempsey and Morris and the other players around him will grow and grow, making Seattle more of a force to be reckoned with. You still might think that I am crazy but just wait until the post season comes to judge me.

Next: Sixth Place