Fortunately i've been able to watch almost every game so far this season... here are some observations for discussion (in no particular order): L.A.: Solid, if unspectacular... they are probably the most professional side in our league in that they know how to play for, and get, a result... i want to see them when they let loose a little once their home season starts... San Jose: Well coached... haven't had the services of Russell or Ekelund and have managed to get points... granted, 6 of their 10 points have come against Colorado and New England... but they will be a tough opponent for anyone come playoff time... everyone on that team seems to know (and accept their role)... Kansas City: Mixed feelings... so much of their offense goes through the feet of a 39 year old midfielder that you wonder what would happen if he wasn't around... i see a lot of hard workers on that team and not a lot of talent... i think Wolff is overrated... Garcia is basically by himself in the back (if Gutierrez continues to push forward)... Klein is a solid player... but not a wealth of talent on this team... will be a difficult opponent for anyone who meets them in the playoffs, but they can be overcome... Chicago: Young and inexperienced... they beat Kansas City on sheer ignorance... they didn't know they had no business coming back in that game... Kelly Gray needs to play more (instead of C.J. Brown)... i want to see how they react as the season wears along... it'll be a lot more soccer than a lot of those kids are used to playing... Dallas: Drab... there's a lot of talent on this team... i can't figure out why Vaca has not been able to assume a more prominent role on that team... it's obvious that Pareja's absence hurts them... Suarez should be moved back to outside back... i think in an effort to give him a more prominent role, they are playing him and Bonseu out of position... i want to see more of Eddie Johnson, but i think his skills may be better suited to another team... New England: Horrid... nothing especially good about this team... Twellman is a worker up front and a fine finisher, but he's not especially talented with the ball at his feet... it's too much to ask him to play alone up top... Joe-Max is more used to coming from behind the forwards... launching balls forward with the guys they have is a pointless exercise with the guys they have, if the midfield can't get close enough to win the sencond ball... neither Hernandez, Ralston, Cullen, nor Kamler are well-suited for that style of play... Llamosa is starting to show his age and Kante is a joke... Nicol may not finish the season there... Colorado: What a mess... it just seems that everyone on that team (with a few exceptions) plays for themselves... there appears to be a complete lack of unity... and there have been numerous questionable decisions by the coaching staff... why bring in a solid outside back (Rizo) only to play him in the center of the midfield in his 2nd game???... why no Beckerman???... what position is Chung supposed to be playing (because he has not played a specific one in any game so far)... Chung seems to disrupt things with his aimless running... Fraser has definitely seen better days... Roberts has not impressed, and yet he continues to get minutes at the expense of Schmidt, Carrieri, and Spencer... oh, and Carrieri candidness only points to a small part of the disfunction that this team appears to be... New York: Watch out for these guys... i think they're starting to figure it out... Guevara is an MVP caliber player and he completely changes that team... Leitch's unfortunate injury may have forced Bradley into finding a good right back (Ziadie)... Lisi seemed to link up really well with Guevara... Rico Clark is a stud... Pope and Jolley are playing well... and Mathis is too talented and will eventually find his form... these guys are going to be extremely dangerous towards the end of the season and into the playoffs... i would not want to be anywhere near these guys at that time... D.C. United: Watch out for these guys II... they have been arguably the most entertaining team to watch so far (along with Columbus)... they've been unlucky in some results... and they can't seem to beat down the lid that is in front of the goal right now... but they play very nicely... Olsen has been superb... Nelsen has been solid... and Quaranta, Convey, Marco, et al are starting to find a rythm together... Stewart has not been up to par yet... but he will get there as well... another team that may hit their stride in the middle of the season and not look back... this is another dangerous team than i want no part of at playoff time... Columbus: Fun and dangerous... love watching Martino play... Mais complements him well playing behind him... McBride is starting to get (re)acclimated to this team and is beginning to find his form... Buddle is another star in the making... Hejduk gives them an added dimension going forward... Cunningham doesn't seem to fit in with their style but he can be handful is they get a lead and want to play counterattack... the central pairing of Clark and Dunseth have been solid thus far... with the exception of L.A. and maybe K.C., they have yet to play against the upper echelon of teams in MLS... for all their good play, columbus' wins are against NY (without Guevara) and New England... i think this team can challenge for a Cup, but they still need to get better... everyone else probably will...