The State of the States | April, 2010

Third Time's a Charm

After pushing back deadlines on the contract arbitration dispute a couple of times, MLS and the player's union finally reached a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with less than a week to go before First Kick 2010. Given the deterioration in mood and the torturous, drawn-out nature of the negotiations that had fans and pundits alike fearing the worst, the resolution arrived with somewhat shocking suddenness.

Worst. Website. Ever.

Sadly, all was not sunshine and roses for MLS this month. The league's new website, mlssoccer.com arrived with a resounding thud and was widely lambasted across the US soccer blogosphere. While I could provide any number of design flaws, technical issues, and terrible editorial decisions, the definitive takedown has already been provided in gruesome and lengthy detail.

Donovan Stays

Despite the disaster of the web rebranding, MLS did manage to hold on to its marquee player...for now. Landon Donovan's loan stint at Everton came to an end, and despite predictions that the deal would either be extended or a bid would be made and despite the wavering commitment of the man himself, the best player in MLS is back in a Galaxy shirt, plying his trade on the domestic front. Whether this is good in the long term for Donovan and for the US national team, it is undoubtedly a bonus for the league. How long he stays now that he's proven he can succeed in Europe is another matter.

The Dream is Over

But for another Galactico, an offseason European adventure proved to be less fortunate. David Beckham, the most marketable player in MLS, ruptured his Achilles tendon playing for AC Milan, thus ending his chance to represent England in the World Cup this summer. With a five to six month layoff on the cards, it is still possible that he could return later in the season for the Galaxy. In the long term however, with the prospect of the World Cup off the table, a serious injury to recover from, and age catching up with him (he's 34), chances are probably strong that Beckham's international ambitions and Euro-playdates are at an end. For better or worse, Beckham will probably play out his remaining days in MLS.

Who Will Lead the Line?

The World Cup is only two months away, and Bob Bradley will be mentally filling his 23 spots for South Africa with the biggest questions at the moment swirling around the striker spots. Assuming he stays healthy, Altidore is a lock for one of those positions, but who joins him? Bob's loyalty would probably have seen him take Ching, but the big Hawaiian's hamstring injury might create a gap that could be exploited by some serious early-season form from Conor Casey. Charlie Davies, who would have been a lock opposite Altidore before his injury, is on the verge of completing a miracle recovery that gives him an outside shot at grabbing a spot. But what about Hercules Gomez, who is on a surprising scoring tear in the Mexican top-flight? One thing's for certain, very few forwards in the US pool can do what this guy can...

   
Until next month then, keep your eyes peeled for:

• Returns from injury: Can Gooch, Davies, Holden, Clark, and Feilhaber get back in the fray?
• Hot out of the gate: Early season dominance usually means little in MLS, but we should get a fair idea of who's going to make some noise in 2010 and who's going to fizzle.
• Narrowing the field: Injuries, recoveries, playing time, and form will all help dictate the hard choices that Bradley is going to have to make as he wends his way towards the 23 he names for the World Cup.