Here's my predicted order of finish for the 2008 season. Like always, it's very difficult to judge MLS due to the lack of exposure to foreign signings and draft picks.

For further reading, I recommend goal.com's MLS previews, which are excellent. Martin Rogers at Yahoo Sports is writing some great stuff too (I think he's quickly become the top MLS writer), as is MLSnet which gives great quotes from coaches and players that let you get into their minds a bit.

Western Conference

7) San Jose Earthquakes

The starting lineup looks halfway decent. It would not surprise me to see them finish around .500, actually. What I like about the team is what somebody pointed out on the team's Bigsoccer board: virtually every player they have has plenty of MLS experience. The big problem though is the lack of offensive talent. Kei Kamara and Gavin Glinton have started a combined total of 29 MLS matches in their careers, and there's no one underneath them. The guys they have on trial, like Jamil Walker and Matt Taylor, are no better. In fact, like most expansion teams, there is very little depth overall. A few injuries and they could be in for a world of hurt. It also looks like Ned Grabavoy will be leading the attack, so he needs to have a good season. I think their defense may is around the league's average, but the offense is easily worst.  read more »

As we suspected/expected yesterday, the 5 Cuban players who defected after playing the USA in Olympic qualification in a move reminiscent of Maykel Gallindo's escape have come forward and have stated their desire to play in MLS according to this report on Tampa Bay Online's website. "The five players, four of them starters, headed to South Florida after they ran to a waiting car outside the Doubletree Hotel on West Cypress Street. They are expected to seek asylum in the United States and continue their soccer careers in professional leagues here." The players are team captain Yenier Bermudez, goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda, defender Erlys Garcia Baro, midfielder Yordany Alvarez and defender Loanni Prieto.  read more »

CD Chivas USA have signed Brazilian midfielder, Dejair. According to the official press release: "A product of the Botafogo youth system, attacking midfielder Dejair joins Chivas USA from Brazilian club ABC FC of Natal, which he led to the 2008 Rio Grande do Norte state championship. Born Dejair Jorge Ferreira on Dec. 14, 1977 in Braslia, Dejair joined the youth system of Brazilian giants Botafogo at age 19, playing three years with the Rio de Janeiro club before transferring to Sampaio Corra in 1999.  read more »

It appears that CD Chivas USA is going to replace the outgoing Brad Guzan with one 21 year old Costa Rican goalkeeper from one of Jorge Vegara's triumvirate of clubs, Deportivo Saprissa, according to this article.  read more »

Two sides both with global brand aspirations. Both with a lot to prove.

One is a club playing in the 2nd tier of American footy and soon to be "promoted" to MLS next year backed by one of the richest men on the planet. None other than Microsoft's Paul Allen. A win would be expected. A loss would be the ultimate embarrassment.  read more »

Seeing as how the nation is now at the end of the " Awards Season " and in anticipation of this being a slow news weekend we thought we'd post the following investigation we have done into celebrities (both major and minor) and their MLS sides. If you know of any more and can provide photographic evidence feel free to reply in the comments or email us at the address atop this page and we will add them. We have opened up anonymous comments so be nice.  read more »

The Chicago Fire have in fact traded defender Jim Curtain to CD Chivas USA for future conditional draft picks.

 read more »

And the new MLS advert in case you haven't seen it elsewhere online, you will: It's just hours away from the first kick of the 2008 MLS season . So get a seat on a comfortable couch and get your remote control (and check out Direct Kick, it's free this weekend on all carriers ) kick back and watch history unfold.  read more »

Kansas City has traded Sasha Victorine to CD Chivas USA. You can read more about that over on Soccer By Ives. If you recall, not too long ago we hinted that Victorine was on the trade market due to some information we came across over the winter.