Two new additions have given the Eastern Conference a different feel in 2015 and with a third of the season gone we're seeing how it's shaping up.
Chicago Fire – Overall
Position: 16th (Won 3 – Drawn 0 – Lost 5)
Frank Yallop’s men highlight the difference in quality
between the two Conferences better than any other team in MLS after their inconsistent
start.
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| It's not been plain sailing for Shipp |
Their three wins have all come against Eastern Conference
opposition, while all five defeats have been inflicted by teams in the West.
Fire don’t conceded many but only Montreal, who have played
five games fewer, have scored less than Chicago so it’s clear where the
problems lie.
Shining light:
Harry Shipp
The 23-year-old has continued where he left off after an
impressive rookie season in 2014 and has been Fire’s one bright spark going
forward.
He’s scored one and set up another three in eight games this
season and has taken on a lot of attacking responsibility despite his lack of
experience.
Room for
improvement: David Accam
Signed as a relative unknown ahead of the season, many were
surprised when Accam became a designated player for Chicago and were hoping for
good things.
But the Ghanaian has been sent off as many times as he has
scored for his new club and will hope for improved displays when he returns
from suspension.
Rating: 4/10
Columbus Crew –
Overall Position: 7th (4 – 2 – 3)
Columbus covered all bases in their first six matches of the
season, winning two, drawing two and losing two in an unpredictable start to
2015.
Consistency is what manager Gregg Berhalter will now be
calling for and if Crew can put a run together a return to the post-season
should be assured.
All four of Columbus’ wins have come at home and the Eastern
Conference’s top-scorers will hope to replicate that form on the road.
Shining light: Kei
Kamara
The striker has been Crew’s stand-out performer so far and is
MLS’ joint-top scorer with seven goals in nine appearances – 11 is the most
he’s ever managed.
Not only has he been scoring but he’s also been creating
goals and has picked up two assists, meaning he has been directly involved in
60% of Columbus’ goals.
Room for
improvement: Kristinn Steindorsson
The Icelandic midfielder arrived ahead of the season and was
clearly expected to have a similar impact to the one Kamara has made on the
first team.
But unfortunately for the Crew number seven, he has only
managed two starts all season and has played just 278 minutes of soccer – yet to
make his mark.
Rating: 7/10
D.C. United – Overall
Position: 1st (6 – 3 – 1)
Historically one of the stronger MLS outfits, DC are living
up to expectations with a fine start to the season and have lost just once in
10 games.
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| Espindola needs to start scoring again |
That defeat came against early pace setter New York Red
Bulls but United are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run and top the
Supporters’ Shield standings.
After finishing third overall last season, Ben Olsen will be
hoping to secure some silverware this season and DC are certainly among the
front runners.
Shining light: The
Defence
Title winning sides are always built on rock solid defence’s
and MLS’ meanest back four are certainly living up to– conceding just eight
times in ten games.
Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell in particular have impressed
and if their form continues perhaps a first MLS Cup since 2004 will be the
reward.
Room for
improvement: Fabian Espindola
After missing the first six games through suspension, he was
banned after pushing an official in the 2014 play-offs, he needed to hit the
ground running.
But injury has seen him play just twice this season and if
United are to push for silverware they’re going to need their star striker back
to his best.
Rating: 9/10
Montreal Impact – Overall
Position: 20th (0 – 3 – 2)
It’s difficult to judge Montreal’s campaign, the overriding
distraction of their run to the CONCACAF Champions League final has seen them
only play five MLS matches.
The league were keen to give them every possible chance of
becoming the first Canadian champions with domestic fixtures taking a back seat
in the opening weeks.
But Frank Klopas’ men are yet to win a league game and find
themselves at the foot of the conference, so need to start picking up points
fast.
Shining light:
Laurent Ciman
For a team that is yet to win a game, being the shining
light will be scant consolation to Ciman but his defensive displays have been
impressive.
His reading of the game has been vital at the back for
Montreal and there will be plenty more defending to do in what will be a long
season.
Room for
improvement: Scoring Goals
With just three goals this season, two of them coming
against fellow strugglers Orlando City, the Canadian outfit need to find their
attacking rhythm.
Impact have shown their prowess in front of goal in cup
competitions and need to translate that to MLS if they’re to move from the foot
of the table.
Rating: 3/10
New England
Revolution – Overall Position: 4th (5 – 3 – 2)
Last season’s MLS Cup runners-up began the season with a
2014 hangover, suffering back-to-back defeats against Seattle Sounders and New
York City without scoring.
But they’ve worked hard to rectify that and Jay Heaps has
overseen an eight match unbeaten run that has seen his side climb the table.
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| Davies has found his scoring boots in recent weeks |
The only ‘big hitters’ Revolution have played so far are Seattle
and New York Red Bulls and it will be those crunch games that will define their
season.
Shining light:
Charlie Davies
The former Rangers striker has scored four goals in his last
four games and looks to have found his feet in New England after joining two
years ago.
The 28-year-old only managed three goals in 2014 but if his scoring
run continue Revolution will have a good shot at going one better this year.
Room for
improvement: Lee Nguyen
One of MLS’ star attractions has not lived up to the billing
in the early week, scoring just once and creating two more goals for team
mates.
He will be disappointed with his form considering how well
New England are playing but perhaps when his team need him, their big name
player will respond.
Rating: 8/10
New York City – Overall
Position: 18th (1 – 3 – 6)
After taking five points from their opening three games it
looked as though New York City would hold their own in their inaugural MLS
campaign.
But a run of six defeats in their last seven matches has
highlighted the difficulties Jason Kreis faces trying to blend an unbalanced
squad together.
Only Montreal, who have only played five games, have scored
fewer goals than the seven NYCFC have manage and this is becoming a growing
concern.
Shining light: Khiry
Shelton
The second overall pick in the 2015 SuperDraft may not have
pulled up any trees with his performances but has settled quickly to MLS.
His pace has often offered an outlet and he looks as though
he has the potential to develop into a leading striker for franchise and
country.
Room for
improvement: David Villa
As DP and marquee signing Villa was supposed to spearhead
the franchise’s first season in MLS but the World Cup winner is yet to find his
feet.
Appointed captain ahead of the season, much of NYCFC’s campaign
hinges on Villa’s match-winning performances and he’s struggled to live up to
expectations so far.
Rating: 3/10
New York Red Bulls
– Overall Position: 6th (4 – 4 – 1)
The Red Bulls started the season with a franchise record-equalling
seven match unbeaten start and were the early pace setters in the Eastern
Conference.
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| Zubar has struggled in New York |
In-form New England brought them down with a bump but last
weekend’s win over New York rivals showed grit and determination to get them
back on track.
After winning the 2013 Supporters’ Shield and making the MLS
Cup semi-finals last year, Jess Marsch will believe he is capable of sustaining
success this year.
Shining light:
Lloyd Sam
With Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill departing at the end of
2014, Sam took advantage of the big-name departures and has made an impressive
start.
Combining well with Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sacha
Kljestan the tricky winger has scored three times and recorded three assists in
nine games already.
Room for
improvement: Ronald Zubar
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender was expected to
command the defence for Red Bulls this season but several injuries have
restricted his playing time.
He went off after 77 minutes of the season opener and despite
returning to full fitness has failed to regain his first team spot – missing out
completely against NYCFC.
Rating: 7/10
Orlando City – Overall
Position: 17th (2 – 3 – 5)
After picking up four points in their opening two games,
Orlando appeared to have made the transition from the United Soccer League with
relative ease.
But since then they have lost five of their next eight matches
and are still to win at the Citrus Bowl, drawing two of five home matches.
The Lions home form must improve and beating the MLS Cup
holders LA Galaxy this Sunday would be quite a way to do it.
Shining light:
Kaka
There has been no real standout player for Orlando so far as
their unspectacular season unfolds but the Brazilian superstar has shown
glimpses of his magic.
Everything City do in an attacking sense understandably goes
through him and his ability to open teams up is something that will certainly
help in the coming weeks.
Room for
improvement: Sean St Ledger
The experienced Republic of Ireland defender has struggled
to hold his place down in the expansion franchise and has become a bit part
player.
The former Leicester City man has the ability to force his
way into Adrian Heath’s plans and will need to ensure his full focus is on his
soccer.
Rating: 4/10
Philadelphia Union
– Overall Position: 19th (1 – 3 – 7)
It has been a very disappointing first third of the season
for Philadelphia, picking up just one win in the opening 11 games of the
season.
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| Curtin needs to stop his side conceding |
Jim Curtin’s only win this season came against expansion
franchise New York City and they’re currently on a five match losing streak.
They need become more organised and difficult to break down
if they are going to get their season back on track and make a late push for
the post-season.
Shining light: Cristian
Maidana
The Argentina midfielder recorded 11 assists for Union last
season and looks to be their spark again with two more this season, as well as
one goal.
He has not commanded a first team place but that is more to
do with Curtin trying to find a way to improve his leaky defence than Maidana’s
ability.
Room for
improvement: The Defence
Union have been shipping goals, conceding 21 in just 11
games so far this season and if they’re to have any post-season aspirations
this needs to change.
Goalkeeping dilemmas haven’t helped, Algerian international
Rais M’Bolhi was dropped for local boy John McCarthy before Brian Sylvestre
replaced him last weekend – they need to pick a number one.
Rating: 1/10
Toronto FC – Overall
Position: 15th (3 – 0 – 5)
A run of seven straight away games arguably handed Toronto
the most difficult start to the season of any MLS side but they have adapted
well.
Having won three games on the road already they are only one
victory away from matching the franchise’s all-time record for away games won
in a campaign.
Their long-awaited return to BMO Field brought with it a disappointing
performance last weekend and home matches will be key to any success.
Shining light: Sebastian
Giovinco
MLS’ highest paid player has settled in his new surroundings
better than most of the league’s other high profile arrivals in 2015.
In eight appearances the diminutive Italian has notched four
goals, as well as three assists, and has shown signings of a budding
relationship with strike partner Jozy Altidore.
Room for
improvement: Michael Bradley
Despite playing behind the front two he has not been
involved in a single goal for TFC and will need to improve his influence in the
final third.
The USA international has been underwhelming with his performances
for Toronto in 2015 and will be vital to any improvement in their fortunes.
Rating: 6/10
Images courtesy of Thearon W. Henderson, Rob Carr, Jim Rogash, Matthew Lewis and Drew Hallowell, with thanks
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