MLS keeps its field balanced

Major League Soccer is based on competitive balance, which is why there are no New York Yankees or Los Angeles Lakers around to devour all competition. It means that the championship in the 16-team league is considered up for grabs and even an expansion team such as the Union isn't being discounted as a potentially competitive squad.

Eight teams will make the playoffs. The first two teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will earn a postseason berth, along with the four teams with the next-best records.

Last season, eventual champion Real Salt Lake didn't have a winning record in the regular season (11-12-7) and was only fifth in the Western Conference, but then went on a postseason run.

Still, the teams that most experts are naming as potential front-runners are Columbus, Houston and Los Angeles, with the Union's opening opponent, Seattle, also considered to be dangerous.

"I think both conferences are pretty wide open," said J.P. Dellacamera, who will be the Union's play-by-play announcer, in addition to his duties calling games for ESPN2. "In the East, Columbus and Chicago, and in the West, probably L.A. and Houston seem like the front-runners, but really there is no clear favorite."

Columbus had the best record in the league last year but was upset by Real Salt Lake in the playoffs.

The league's most recognizable player, David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy, is expected to miss a minimum of five months after having surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot.

The Galaxy, even with Beckham's status uncertain, are a major threat, with one of the leading reasons being the presence of Landon Donovan, the reigning MVP.

"Landon Donovan is the face of U.S. soccer," said Union assistant coach John Hackworth, who is a keen talent evaluator with a deep grasp of MLS and soccer worldwide.

Other potential impact players include forward Jeff Cunningham of Dallas FC, who led MLS with 17 goals; New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel, whom Hackworth calls "one of the most dangerous strikers in the league"; and Columbus midfielder-forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Dellacamera, who will call tomorrow's Union game at Seattle for ESPN2, goes one step further when describing Angel.

"He is arguably the best striker the league has ever had," he said.

Dellacamera is also impressed with two players the Union will face tomorrow, Seattle midfielder Freddie Ljungberg and forward Fredy Montero.

"Fred Ljungberg is one of the league's most dynamic and internationally known midfielders," Dellacamera said. "And Fredy Montero is one of the league's best young attacking players."

According to Hackworth, one person who is worth the price of admission is veteran forward Brian McBride of the Chicago Fire, who has played in three World Cups for the United States.

McBride, who will be 38 in June, had seven goals and two assists in 22 games last season for the Fire.

"He has been one of the best pro players the U.S. has produced," Hackworth said. "He has retired from international soccer, but he is still going strong for Chicago."

In the MLS, every team plays every other team twice and has 15 home games and 15 road games.

The regular season ends Oct. 24, and the MLS Cup, the league's championship game, is Nov. 21.

It's a long season, and teams will have to show plenty of endurance and skill to be among the eight that earn a spot in the postseason.