As the preseason gets into full swing and rosters begin to stabilize, it’s time to take a look at the men who pull the strings and have the greatest impact on the team itself.  The modern manager is part tactician, part showman, and part PR man.  The best are the ones who can bring a diverse team together and make it into a trophy-winning side.  Rarely can a side win an MLS Cup, Open Cup, or Supporters Shield with a mediocre or poor manager.  However, at times its the team that makes the man and only the perfect marriage of players and manager that can make a championship.  A manager is especially important in MLS, with the salary cap and built-in rules designed to promote parity.

These men are masters of the realm, the best managers in MLS today.  The following ranking is my own top five managers in MLS going into the 2012 season.  Keep in mind this is not an all time list but simply looking ahead to the 2012 season.  Agree or disagree?  Make your opinions known in the comments section.

5.  Piotr Nowak:  Maybe the restructuring going on in Philadelphia is Nowak’s way to challenge himself.  The veteran coach has taken a new franchise and by year two had made the Union into a Eastern Conference championship contender.  Building the team around a stout defense and the timely scoring of his offense, Nowak has made the club in his image and, even with the departures, Philadelphia is now a team to watch every year.  His work with DC United, leading them to their fourth MLS title in 2004, only adds to his coaching resume.  Although he does not have the large number of trophies some of the others on this list have, he is undoubtedly established himself as one of the best head coaches in the league.

4.  Schellas Hyndman:  Although at times his decisions are questionable (Brek Shea as a full back?), Hyndman is a long-time collegiate coach who finally got the right opportunity to prove his worth with FC Dallas in 2008.  His defining win was a 3-0 defeat of Los Angeles in the 2010 Western Conference finals over a team that looked like the best in the league with a healthy David Beckham.  Although Dallas lost the 2010 MLS Cup in overtime, the former SMU head coach has done a good job balancing his roster and replacing departed players, especially in the midfield.  Under his watch David Ferreira blossomed into one of the most dangerous midfielders in the league and with some promising youth coming up through the system this year, Hyndman may soon be able to chase down that elusive MLS Cup.

3.  Sigi Schmid:  For a guy who never played professional soccer, Schmid gets this league.  His uncanny ability to identify talent and his in-game ability to identify mismatches has made the former UCLA Bruin the brain behind the constantly-successful Seattle Sounders.  A team with a rich history and demanding fan base, Schmid gave the league a blueprint for how to compete in MLS from year one, a blueprint that teams as recently as Montreal are looking to emulate.  He is the most successful U.S. Open Cup head coach in the modern era and has guided the careers of many of MLS’s greatest stars.  His LA Galaxy team was also one of two MLS clubs to ever win an intercontinental cup.  He is the winningest head coach in MLS history and has the Sounders poised to challenge for the 2012 MLS Cup.

2.  Dominic Kinnear:  The coach of this year’s Eastern Conference champions narrowly edges Sigi Schmid in my rankings because since 2006, Houston has been one of the league’s most successful teams.  Besides winning back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007, this year may have been his best coaching job, leading an arguably less talented team to the MLS Cup.  All of this is even more impressive considering the fact that the team has worked within a tight budget and a changing ownership situation.

1.  Bruce Arena:  The National Soccer Hall of Famer continues to prove that he is arguable the greatest American soccer coach of all time.  Even though he had three famous designated players, it was his work with the Galaxy’s defense that was most impressive about the 2011 Galaxy.  The keys to the defense were that the two major contributors, A.J. De La Garza and Omar Gonzalez, were Arena draftees.  Arena guided a dominant team through a dominant season, essentially staking claim to the MLS Cup early in the season and never relinquishing it.  His history is unparalleled in the U.S., but even going into the new season he is still in a class by himself and recognized by many as the best head coach out there.

Poor New York Red Bulls.

In a season when it was all supposed to come together (young stars! established DPs! weak conference! newish stadium!) it all fell apart.  New York struggled all season and barely made the playoffs, defeating a floundering Dallas side before falling in the conference semi-finals.  The offseason has not been kind to them either, as player moves and front offices non-changes have left this team in a lurch.

As the title of this article insinuates, there are many, many questions floating around Red Bulls this offseason and for this “Three Questions” post we had to limit and condense what we are asking.  In the past, the prospect of a few new designated player signings (Eto’o! Anelka!) could calm everyone’s fears, but I am afraid even a shiny new toy may not mask some serious uncertainties in this club.

1. What is going to happen to the designated players?

As one of the few teams with a maximum number of designated players, the three New York DPs are a major part of this team already.  Considering where they play, however, their roles are magnified.  The team is already working on a new deal with keeper Frank Rost, who failed to dominate in his half season of play but was still an upgrade between the pipes for NY.  His situation needs to be settled so the team can either move on or check that position off.

Then there’s Thierry Henry, who looks to be going on a two month loan to Arsenal despite a few paperwork snags.  The team obviously does not want Henry to leave even for a short loan for two reasons.  First, he still has an intense love for his former club and Arsenal is one Chamakh/Van Persie extended absence away from needing a cheap, experienced forward for the rest of the season.  Second, Henry was instant offense for the club last season and any additional mileage on him could reduce his effectiveness (remember, his first MLS half-season was marred by injuries).  Even if he only stays for two months, will he still be as effective as 2011?

Then there’s Rafa Marquez, and why they haven’t transferred/released/lost their starting holding midfielder is a mystery to many of us.  He should be gone already due to his negative impact on the locker room, but his absence will leave a gap in the defense.

2. What is going to happen to the youths?

Juan Agudelo received less playing time than you’d expect for a national team starter, due to Hans Backe’s preferences and the solid play of the other New York forwards.  This offseason he has trained with Liverpool and Stuttgart, and the experience was positive for all parties.  One wonders if an exit is in his future as New York continued to put money into older DPs who will compete for playing time.

Then there’s Tim Ream who every week it seems like is being linked to another English side desperate for a cheap fix on defense.  This week it’s Bolton who are very very desperate for some help at, well, any position but especially center back.  Erik Soler has said Ream will not be leaving, but he also said Henry would not be going out on loan, so that is a situation to watch.  Losing one or both of these young players would be a major issue for the team.

3. What’s the plan?

The plan for the Red Bulls every year seems to be to rotate European talent in and out and hope for better results (which some define as insanity).  This year it is bringing in Markus Holgersson and possibly saying goodbye to Joel Lindpere.  Undoubtedly Holgersson will help a shaky backline and whoever the newest big name designated player is will help with the playoff hunt, but can this team continue to churn players and expect results?  Already, New York has used the most players in MLS history, and maybe that is Soler and Backe’s plan: churn through experienced players while using some young ones to find the right combination.

Is it the right one though, and will it work this offseason?  New York has a good youth academy that has contributed to the team, but compare their roster to FC Dallas (who we reviewed yesterday).  Both have young up-and-coming players, but Dallas is looking to theirs to provide key depth.  Time will tell which strategy is correct but it is telling that Dallas is considered a definite MLS Cup contender and New York’s season is up in the air.

FC Dallas was an up-and-down team last season, getting off to a slow start (remember Brek Shea as a fullback) before surging in the summer then falling off a cliff in the fall.  The team ended the season on a whimper with a playoff loss to New York, but it was a particularly traumatic and busy season for a number of reasons:

• The David Ferreira injury that removed him for most of the season
• A dramatic jump in soccer minutes for Brek Shea
• The George John transfer drama

Now as the calendar turns to 2012, Dallas has the look not only of a playoff contender but a possible MLS Cup contender.  Consider Ferriera’s return plus Shea’s maturity as a player, and this is a dangerous team.  However, here are some questions that need to be resolved this offseason before any MLS Cup talk can continue.  Consider these “three questions” for Dallas:

Tonight MLS shifts from the regular season to the postseason as two teams that could have entries in the DSM-IV face off on Fox Soccer Channel at 9 PM ET.  The New York Red Bulls will try to advance to face the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend but standing in their way are the fourth place finishers in the Western Conference, FC Dallas.  Both teams have been incredibly streaky and arguably backed into their playoff spots.  But both also are seen as dark horse MLS Cup contenders, with Bobby McMahon picking Dallas on our MLS Talk podcast and Alexi Lalas picking New York as a contender on ESPN this weekend.  One of these teams will be the first eliminated from an overflowing playoff field; who will it be?  Read my take, then share your own in the comments section.

How New York Will Win the Game

Dallas has been trying to rotate players the past few weeks to juggle the CONCACAF Champions League and playoff race, but still are 1-3 in their final four MLS games and dropped out of the CCL group stage.  So their current form may be enough to help a Red Bulls team that has gone 4-2-1 in their last seven matches advance.  Tactically, Thierry Henry up front will pose a challenge for a shaky Dallas backline that has underperformed down the stretch.  With Luke Rodgers out of the lineup, it will be up to Dane Richards to partner with Henry and put the pressure on Dallas’ central defense.  Or, if Backe chooses to keep Richards in the midfield, maybe Agudelo/Henry.  Regardless, the starting strikers have to make their presence felt constantly.  On defense, it’s simple: if Rafa Marquez can redeem himself by helping Jan Gunnar Soli try to “contain” Brek Shea, then New York can do what they did the last time these two teams faced off and grab a victory.

How FC Dallas Will Win the Game

It’s simple: Dallas’ injuries are easier to overcome than New York’s.  Dallas has ruled out David Ferreira’s return for this game, and will likely be without Ricardo Villar.  But Rodgers is a major blow for New York, a team lacking depth.  The key for Dallas is how Fabian Castillo and/or Marvin Chavez play.  Both are speedy enough to trouble a slower New York defense, and their ability to play at their own pace could give New York fits all night.  On defense, Kevin Hartman is the type of keeper you want playing for your team in the playoffs and won’t lose the game for Dallas.  The home team will win if they can use their speed to abuse the slower New York defenders while not making any major mistakes on defense.

Prediction

I think this will be an interesting game, but I can’t decide if it will be the best game of the playoffs or a snoozer.  I can see it going either way.  I think New York will struggle with a Dallas team that has a bit more health and didn’t have to travel to play this game.  I expect a Brek Shea goal plus another stoppage time winner from another Dallas player, the name of which I can’t decide upon at this moment.

FC Dallas 2, New York Red Bulls 1 in stoppage time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhsgKRpWKPY

Anyone who watches MLS knows Brek Shea is having a breakout season. And as much as the British media may want to dismiss MLS and its talent, it is now beginning to it pay attention. Sky Sports is reporting that Liverpool and Manchester City both were scouting the U.S. national team’s 1-0 win over Honduras. In addition, Chelsea and Manchester United have also shown interest in Shea, according to the article.

Shea’s agent, Barry McLean, shared that his client would have interest in playing overseas (no surprise there). He told Sky Sports, “He has a contract with the MLS and FC Dallas for another three years so at this point it is premature to talk about a move.”

McLean said also said about a potential overseas move: “It’s on his radar. He is a young player with high aspirations and every player wants to play at the highest level. I think England would be an interesting option for Brek, but we will wait and see what happens.”

I have enjoyed watching Shea grow up professionally this year and at this point in his career he could benefit from playing overseas. In terms of fit, obviously the stability of Manchester United would be a good place for him to ease into European club football. That said, the end of the season may not be the best time for him to make a move. It’s clear that he has tired toward the end of the season with his USMNT and club responsibilities, so moving immediately into a new role and more playing time would be a bad idea. That said, if you get a chance to sign for one of the largest teams in the world, you pretty much have to make that move.

However MLS again would be the big loser. Just as the national team is getting a new star, a new face of American soccer, he moves overseas. FC Dallas would also face a major roster loss, something that MLS teams are increasingly facing as the talent level rises. Such in life in an up-and-coming league.

What do you think? What Premier League club would be a good fit for Brek Shea? Should he leave?

The question I wrestled with in my head last night was this: if there were no playoffs or a playoffs with just four teams instead of 10, would this weekend be as exciting?  Regardless of how you feel about the playoff format or the playoffs in general, the answer I came up with was YES.  Looking at the fixture list, there are some damn good matches this weekend.  Would, for example, the New York and Portland match be as exciting if they were not in a playoff race?  My answer is most definitely, for reasons listed below.

The fact is this weekend’s action is a mixture of generally good matches, critical playoff-push games, and injury drama all around.  Here is part one of a guide to this weekend’s matches (all times ET), with a key to each game and a prediction that undoubtedly will be horribly wrong.  Share your own predictions and keys to the games below.  Part 2 will come out tonight or tomorrow morning.

Sporting Kansas City v. Philadelphia Union (Friday, 8:30 PM, Fox Soccer)

The odd thing about this game is that after this weekend the winner could be in first place in the East while the loser could conceivably be outside the tenth playoff spot.  Philadelphia is one of a couple of MLS teams that broke a long winless streak last weekend, but as NY showed getting that second win in a row can be tough especially against a good opponent.  The Union are thin right now and missing Sheanon Williams is a HUGE loss for a defense that had been struggling recently.  The bench is thin, so the visitors need their offense to be ready to score, while Kansas City as usual needs to hold off late comebacks and play some defense.

Prediction: Sporting KC 3, Philadelphia Union 2.  I like there to be some goals in this game, with the magic of LIVESTRONG winning out

FC Dallas v. Houston Dynamo (Saturday, 4:00 PM, Telefutura)

Is Brek Shea tiring at the wrong time after a much increased work load?  This is the type of game where Dallas will need their A-game from their stars.  A key to this game is who wants it more, and the answer may be the visitors.  Fourth in the West may be an ideal playoff position, while Houston is in a battle just to qualify.  With a Champions League trip to Tauro FC on Wednesday, maybe Dallas pumps the breaks just a little.

Prediction: FC Dallas 1, Houston Dynamo 1.  A spirited game that drags at the end.

DC United v. Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 7:30 PM)

The Chivas draw on Wednesday makes this an almost must-win for DC, and they face the hottest team in MLS right now who will be getting local boy Kyle Beckerman back.  Ben Olsen called out his team in public on Wednesday, so who knows what was said in the locker room or the effect it will have.  The key to this match will be if RSL can shut down Andy Najar and Santino Quaranta on the wings; DC’s offense stagnates without being able to spread the field.

Prediction: DC United 1, Real Salt Lake 1.  DC takes an early lead and loses it in the second half.  I’ve seen this movie before

Columbus Crew v. Los Angeles Galaxy (Saturday, 7:30 PM)

This game seems like the lock of the weekend – the Galaxy can basically seal the Supporters Shield against an injured and struggling Columbus Crew squad.  But here are a few reasons Columbus could pull the surprise: Chad Marshall and Emilio Renteria could both be starting for this game, although Renteria is more likely to come off the bench.  The Galaxy, while not taking this game lightly, have a must-win CCL match on Wednesday.  And with their depth not being superb and some starters having nagging injuries, the starting XI for the Galaxy might not be their ideal XI.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 3, Columbus Crew 1.  Remember what happened last time the Galaxy lost a midweek CCL game?

New York Red Bulls v. Portland Timbers (Saturday, 7:30 PM)

Wouldn’t it be great if MLS could flex schedule games? Who wouldn’t want to watch this soap opera?  Let’s go out on a limb and assume Rafa Marquez doesn’t play.  Does that mean a return to the solid defense NY showed against FC Dallas last week?  Normally you would assume a team besieged by controversy and full of talent would rally at home against a team with a miserable away record.  But nothing has been normal about this season for New York.

Prediction: New York 2, Portland 1.  For one day, NY settles some controversy and slides into a wild card slot.

The talking point since First Kick has been the same: the Western Conference is vastly superior to the Eastern Conference.  For the past six months or so, we’ve heard about the top teams in the West and their chances of winning the MLS Cup.  Recently, with the playoffs looming, the talk has focused on how either FC Dallas or Real Salt Lake will enter the playoffs as the favorites to win the Eastern Conference due to MLS’s weird playoff system.  Yet for all the focus the Western Conference has received in the playoff talk, we are witnessing an incredibly exciting Eastern Conference playoff race, where the stakes could be incredibly high.

This past weekend’s results threw the door to the Eastern Conference open and, instead of beginning to clarify the top three teams, kept eight teams in contention for the three guaranteed spots.  One of those eight (Toronto) is realistically eliminated, and another (Chicago) would have to go on a tough but possible run of games, but that still leaves six teams within seven points of first place with roughly five matches to go (or more if you’re DC United with games in hand).  Teams that had seemingly locked up spots now have to battle to hold on, while teams that faltered earlier in the season now see a path to late season redemption.

The key component to increasing the logjam was the Columbus/Philadelphia match.  With the Union able to get back on the winning track and denying the Crew three points, the first place team in the East was kept close to the rest of the pack.  If they had found a way to scratch out a win, they would have been four points clear of second place Sporting Kansas City, not an insurmountable lead but certainly a bit of breathing room.  As it was, they could not find a way to take advantage of a close Sporting KC loss to Real Salt Lake.  Instead of a battle for second, this Friday’s SKC v. Philadelphia match could be for first place.

The teams currently looking up at the top three also shuffled themselves this weekend into a muddle that may go down to the last match to settle.  The Houston Dynamo, who looked like a solid bet for a top three spot before suffering a small swoon, are now level on points with Philadelphia after this Saturday being the most recent team to beat San Jose.  Their victory kept them ahead of the New York Red Bulls who were involved in the most intense match of the weekend.  Despite a late push from FC Dallas, the Red Bulls defense held on to a 1-0 win for their first victory since July 6.  The win also moved them two points clear of DC United who lost for the first time ever in Seattle.  In fact, DCU was lapped 3-0 by a Seattle team that looked to be firing on all cylinders.  However, with their games in hand, DC is still well positioned to make a late move into the top three, especially with road games against Columbus and Philadelphia, as well as a home tilt with Kansas City to close the season.

But as things stand, the East could still sneak two teams into the four wild card places.  So why the stress over the top three?  Imagine, if the season ended today, the plight of the New York Red Bulls.  As the #10 seed, they would have to travel to Pizza Hut Park to face FC Dallas in a single elimination game.  If they won, they would then play a home-and-home with the Galaxy which, if they survived, would see them facing the winner of RSL/Seattle.  Now consider if they jumped two spots in the East and grabbed the #3 seed.  Not only would they now get to sit out the wild card round (huge for an older team) but they would get an Eastern Conference foe in a home-and-home before the conference final.  This week will go a long way to determining the favorites for the top three, as not only do we have the Philly/SKC match but RSL makes an East Coast swing to face New York and DC.  So while the West may have the better teams, the East has a better playoff race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-tJZZLys8I

Former FC Dallas forward Bobby Rhine died Monday of an apparent heart attack.

Rhine, aged 35, made 212 league appearances for FC Dallas, where he later became a club ambassador for the MLS side after retiring from his playing career. Rhine was also a commentator for the team’s television broadcasts.

As you can see from the above video tribute, Rhine’s skills and determination will never be forgotten. RIP Bobby Rhine.

Going into the MLS regular season and CONCACAF Champions League games last night, American soccer fans knew it was going to be an interesting night.  The CCL matches would determine who would advance to the group stage while the three MLS games had major playoff implications.  However, even I was unprepared for the intense level of play and implications that came out of the games last night.  For those otherwise occupied or who may have missed some of the action, here is a quick recap of the games from yesterday:

FC Dallas 1, Alianza 0: Congratulations to FC Dallas for their first trip ever to the CCL group stage, although Mother Nature was the twelfth (wo)man on the pitch for them last night.  The game-time temperature stood at 107 degrees and the Salvadoran side did not handle the temperatures well.  Their task was made even harder by the fact that they needed to overcome a 1-0 deficit and the Dallas away goal lead.  Ugo Ihemelu scored the game’s only goal on a 36th minute header off a corner kick.  The outstanding statistic is that Dallas had almost 75% possession in the match.

Sporting Kansas City 2, Real Salt Lake 0: With their glut of home games remaining, it is time to talk about SKC as a playoff contender.  The home team took it to RSL early and were rewarded with two first half goals from Roger Espinoza (29th) and Teal Bunbury (34th).  Even more amazing than the early lead was the fact that Sporting KC held it with ten men for almost forty minutes in the second half.  Espinoza was sent off in the 57th minute for a tackle on Beckerman, but RSL couldn’t mount much of a challenge.  The unbeaten streak now stands at 14 games.

Chicago Fire 1, Philadelphia Union 1: The Chicago Fire started both of their new midfielders tonight and the move paid off as the team got a point off playoff contender Philadelphia.  Sebastian Grazzini was a threat in the first half and almost scored in the 10th minute.  However it would be the Union’s Veljko Paunovic who struck first in the 35th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  The Fire’s other newcomer, Pavel Pardo, equalized in the 54th minute by intercepting a Union clearance in the box.

Seattle Sounders 2, San Francisco 0: The man of this match statistically was los Monjes keeper Miguel Torres who made 12 saves and saw 35 total shots from Seattle.  But the true man of the match was Nate Jaqua who scored in the 98th minute to give the Sounders a 2-1 win.  Alvaro Fernandez scored the critical first goal in the 41st minute and the Panamanian visitors seemed content to play defense and try to hit on the counter in the second half.  Five MLS teams have now advanced to the CCL group stage.

Portland Timbers 3, Los Angeles Galaxy 0: While the Sporting KC streak continued, the Galaxy’s ended with a thump.  Even without Jack Jewsbury, the Timbers looked in control early.  Mike Chabala got the scoring started in the 26th minute on a little back-and-forth with Darlington Nagbe.  Jorge Plaza added a second goal on a sliding shot 33rd minute while Eric Brunner slammed the door shut in the 68th minute.  The Timbers successfully negated the Galaxy midfield and limited the Galaxy’s attack for most of the match.

Photo by FIFA Habbo

It was an incredibly busy week in American soccer.  Between the US national team, MLS midweek matches, and all sorts of FIFA controversies, there was a wealth of story lines for fans of the beautiful game.  Below are some of the ones we were following this week that we did not have time to post on the site:

• In midweek MLS action, New York and Colorado played to a 2-2 draw, Dallas got three points on the road with a 1-0 win over Seattle, and the Galaxy grabbed an early goal to edge Houston 1-0.
• The Canadian Championship was rescheduled for July 2 after it was abandoned in the 63rd minute due to horrendous rainstorms.
• The FIFA mess is an important thing to know for American soccer fans.  FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hamman and CONCACAF rep Jack Warner were summoned before an investigatory committee this week on charges of bribery during a Caribbean campaign visit.  The charges were made by the U.S. rep Chuck Blazer.  Now Sepp Blatter, the current FIFA president and candidate for reelection, has had an ethics charge filed against him by bin Hamman for not reporting possible corruption violations.  The election between these two, in polite terms, undesirable candidates was supposed to be Wednesday but now with ethics charges hanging over both of them, that timeline is in doubt.  What does this mean for U.S. soccer?  Stay tuned.
• MLS commissioner Don Garber did an interview with the Sports Business Journal where he discussed Sporting Kansas City’s stadium, the Cosmos’ price tag, and MLS ratings, among other things.
• Real Salt Lake’s depth is hurting with injuries and Gold Cup call-ups, but Randy Davis sees an opportunity for one player.
• Congratulations to American Clint Dempsey, whose Fulham team won England’s “Fair Play” spot in the Europa League.  Like Maurice Edu this season, Dempsey will again have a chance to show off his skills on the European stage.
• Finally, the UEFA Champions League Final is Saturday and will be shown on Fox.  Last year’s final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich had a 1.1 share; with two more “popular” teams playing keep an eye out for the rating.  It will be a good indicator or support for the sport of soccer in the U.S.