Another MLS season kicks off tonight (Thursday) with the expansion Seattle Sounders hosting last season's MLS Finalists the New York Red Bulls.

A synopsis of each of the fifteen sides looks at how they performed last season, the changes they have made and then a thought as to where they might finish come season's end.


Chicago Fire

Last year's model
Finished second in the Eastern Conference with 46 points but lost in the Conference final. Recorded the best defensive record in the East (33 goals) and the best defensive record in the league away from home (16).

Jon Busch took the place of Matt Pickens in goal and enjoyed an excellent season behind the impressive Bakary Soumare at centre back. Top scorer was Chris Rolfe with 9 goals although mid-season arrival Brian McBride chipped in with an average of a goal every other start.

Changes
There have been few additions and it has been more of a case of out with some of the old (players that is) with Frankowski, Gutierrez and Herron all gone.  In theory this should provide more opportunity for younger players such as Patrick Nyarko who showed flashes of pace and potential in his infrequent appearances last season.

Crystal Ball
I don't think a thirty game plus season is going to be kind to a veteran laden side.
There are a lot of folks out in in blog land who are forecasting a banner year for the Fire but I'm saying 3rd in the East.


Chivas

Last year's model
Given the injury problems that Chivas endured in 2008, it was a minor miracle that they finished second in the Western Conference.  The "other" Los Angeles team put together an impressive late run with the much travelled Alecko Eskandarian to finish eight points behind Houston Dynamo although the effort seemed too much given that they lost to Real Salt Lake in the first round of the play-offs.

Razov and Galindo had formed an impressive striking partnership in 2007 but the injury limited their time together last season. Goals were hard to come by and midfielder Sasha Kljestan finished as top scorer with five goals.

Changes
It is impossible to say that Swiss international Rapha