It's early, but there seems to be a shift of power in MLS from the Western to the Eastern conference. If the season ended tonight, nearly all of the East teams would qualify for the playoffs (the only thing that will save DC is a miracle). What could explain this sudden turnaround? Discuss.
1) Nearly all the teams in the East would qualify anyway. 2) It's top 4 in each conference again, no longer the top eight.
Points well taken. It's still an interesting phenomenon, though, with only two Western Conference teams (KC and San Jose) passing double-digits in points. It almost looks like a mirror image of last season, where most of the Eastern Conference teams were struggling.
I get what you are trying to say, but last year the top point team in the eastern conference was nowhere near the top point getter in the west.
Ojsgillt is absolutely right. No one in the East was even close last year (New England, who finished first in the Eastern Conference still finished with a record below .500.) This year, there are two teams who are doing well in the West right now (SJ and KC) and a team that should be doing much better and doubtless will (LA.) Dallas and Colorado are both disappointments as many thought both teams would have at least pretty good seasons. I think that you're exagerrating the disparity though. There are three or four definite challengers in the East while there are three definite challengers in the West. Not the kind of disparity you're making this out to be I think.
Plus just wait until the end of the season and then look at the table, starting good early isn't the best thing (ask SJ last year), and often teams ending up hot is the best thing (NE last year).
Here's my thoughts about it. 1. MLS has extreme parity, both within and between conferences. This discrepancy will dwindle by the end of the season. 2. Metros added Bob Bradley and he was clear to build the team of his choice without the hindrances of injuries, salary escalation clauses hitting the salary cap, or players who may be past their sell by date. Plus he had great draft picks and allocations to rebuild them. 3. In place of Bradley, the Fire added Sarachan, who is also an excellent coach--far better than Zambrano IMHO. 4. DC United had another year to be further rebuilt into Hudson's team, and a lot of allocations and draft picks to bolster it. 5. New England Revolution were hitting their stride at the end of last season. Under Nicol they're better than last season's record. 6. Columbus Crew's young players are really blossoming. McBride has been reinvigorated by his Everton stint and the CONCACAF competition. 7. LA Galaxy, the posterchild for the western conference, have played all those away games in a row. Their results will even out. 8. Dallas Burn seldom win without Oscar Pareja, and he missed many early games, but is back now. 9. KC Wizards, bouyed by the record season ticket sales and Preki's dominance, have become an attacking side, and it's paying dividends. 10. Colorado had built their post-Pibe team around Grimandi, and he left them high and dry. We'll re-evaluate them once Powell settles in at central midfield. I still maintain that there is a similar talent level in both conferences, and I maintain that there probably was by the end of last season as well. -Digital