Since many of you are new to the MLS, I decided to give a few cliff notes for each club. I've just listed a coupe of players for each club who I think are key players, and players that could make a difference. MLS clubs have gone through huge changes this past year with the new rule allowing extra foreign player spots on the squad, and allowing clubs to trade for extra foreign and designator (Beckham rule) slots. There has been a huge influx of Latin players being signed (mainly from Argentina), so keep an eye out. Hopefully, this will help you know your particular club (and the club you're playing against each week), and help you on your predictions.

*****I will be adding to this as I see new signings or read an article about a particular player that could make an impact.

Chicago Fire
- Cuauhtemoc Blanco, midfielder/forward – His legs are slowing him down, but he is still as clever and crafty as ever. Single handedly turned Chicago into a playoff team. If he goes down, the Fire are done.
- Chris Rolfe, forward - Continues to suffer from injuries. Vows to play a full season. He'll benefit from Blanco's creativity and experience in the middle.
- Patrick Nyarko, forward (rookie) - Single handedly lead Virginia Tech to the Final Four (for the first time in school history). A quality striker to team up with Rolfe. Could become a great pairing.
- Tomasz Frankowski, forward - Polish international, proven goal-scorer. Should make Blanco happy.

Chivas USA
- Brad Guzan, goalkeeper – Premiership quality, Guzan would have moved to Aston Villa if not for his work permit refusal.
- Sacha Kljestan, midfielder – Emerging into a big talent and should evolve into a U.S. national team regular, could become the next Clint Dempsey.
- Maykel Galindo, forward - 12 goals/5 assists/24 starts, a major key player if Chivas is to enjoy another successful season.
- Alecko Eskandarian, forward - Rocket left foot, suffered a concussion 2 years ago and hasn't been the same. Maybe this will be his comeback season.
- Ante Razov, forward - 11 goals/8 assists/24 starts

Colorado Rapids
- Christian Gomez, midfielder – He will try to breathe some fire into Colorado after being traded from D.C. Organizer and creative genius of the midfield. He'll be in a far more advanced position with Colorado due to their lack of quality in the front lines. He'll probably become the top scorer for the squad.
- Pablo Mastroeni, defensive midfielder - Will allow Gomez to roam free into a more attacking role. Known for his hard tackling and breaking up the opposing teams attack.

Columbus Crew
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto, midfielder – Perhaps the most naturally gifted player in the league despite his advancing years.
- Alejandro Moreno, forward - 7 goals/7 assists/25 starts

DC United
- Luciano Emilio, forward – His speed and clinical finishing are too much for most MLS defenders. Top scorer in the league last year
- Ben Olsen, midfielder – A crucial figure for United, Olsen gets the job done with no fuss. Goes all out from start to finish. Emotional leader on the squad.
- Marcelo Gallardo, midfielder - Newly signed, will become the creative genius in the middle.
- Fred, midfielder - Plays on the wing. Original position was as a CM. He tend to come to the middle of the pitch with the ball, but if he stays wide, he has the quality to put the cross in. Some trickery involved in his play
- Jaime Moreno, forward - All time leading scorer in MLS. He's old and hasn't scored a goal in the run of play for a while, but his intelligence, creativity, experience in the MLS game will free up Emilio. Master of the PK.

FC Dallas
- Juan Toja, midfielder – Has the best mullet in the league. Made an immediate impact last year to hold together the Dallas midfield. He is the orchestrator of Dallas, everything will probably go through him.
- Kenny Cooper, forward - Started his career in the ranks of Manchester United (reserves) from 2003–06. Had two seperate loan spells before signing for FC Dallas in 2006, netting 15 goals in his first season.

Houston Dynamo
- Dwayne De Rosario, midfielder/forward – A match winner who saves his best for the big occasion. His position is as an attacking midfielder; however, with the lack of quality strikers on their squad, Rosario might be moved up to team up with Brian Ching.
- Wade Barrett, defender – No-nonsense, hardened defender and is a great organizer of the back-line. Houston's defense was rock solid last year, and Barrett was the key to it.
Brian Ching, forward - Might have to learn to play as a single striker. Should have help from Rosario if the times get hard.

Kansas City Wizards
- Jimmy Conrad, defender – Experienced, he’s one of the league’s most solid defenders.
- Claudio Lopez, forward - Just signed as the Wizards first designated player. Former Argentine national. Known for his pace and dribbling skills, should cause problems to defenses in the MLS.

Los Angeles Galaxy
- David Beckham, midfielder – Need I say anything? Best player by far in the MLS, the problem will be; will his teammates match his quality, or will they continue to be shell-shocked as they were last year upon his arival.
- Landon Donovan, midfielder/forward – USA's all time leading scorer. He plays on the wing or up front. Has speed.
- Carlos Ruiz, forward - (played for FC Dallas last year). Might be the best signing of the season for the Galaxy. Ruiz could be the finisher the Galaxy and Beckham needed last year.

New England Revolution
- Taylor Twellman, forward - Out to prove his worth, mad that he wasn't allowed to go to Europe. One of the best strikers in the league.
- Shalrie Joseph, midfielder – Strong and intelligent, heartbeat of the Revs.
- Michael Parkhurst, defender – The best defender in MLS.

New York Red Bulls
- Juan Pablo Angel, forward – A proven finisher (last year) who added an edge to the Red Bulls franchise. Definitely a force up front in the MLS.
- Jozy Altidore, forward – Could be the future of U.S. soccer. Only 18 years of age, so mistakes do happen. Plenty of strength, intelligence and maturity for his age. He'll be the benefactor of having Juan Pablo Angel next to him on the front line.

Real Salt Lake
- Kyle Beckerman, midfielder - Super-fit midfielder could spark an RSL revival this season. He goes 100% from the starting whistle till the end.

San Jose Earthquakes
- Ronnie O'Brien, midfielder - Started his career with Middlesbrough before signing with Juventus. Has been named to the MLS All-Stars for 4 consecutive years. Will be the assist man from the middle.
- Joe Cannon, goalkeeper - MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004, very solid between the posts. Spent 8 months with RC Lens in 2003. He was acquired from the Galaxy.

Toronto FC
- Maurice Edu, midfielder - He deserved the MLS Rookie of the Year award last year. He's quickly becoming a household name among U.S. football fans.

Well it's good to know that if one of the better players gets injured me team is done for

Don't worry, it's the same with most teams. One or two players go down and they'll quickly go to the bottom of the table.

At least you's have 1 or 2 players.

San Jose Earthquakes
- Expansion team. Sorry can't help out much here.

I really don't know what to tell you bud. They picked up a bunch of players, some with quality, but I just don't know much about them. I'll see what I can come up with for you though.

It's the season of the RED BULL!!!!

Amazing work Smurfy - you deserve something for it

Twellman is an amazing signing - Youtubed him and he looked good. Hopefully he can bring his form with him

Chivas USA
- Brad Guzan, goalkeeper – Premiership quality, Guzan would have moved to Aston Villa if not for his work permit refusal.
- Sacha Kljestan, midfielder – Emerging into a big talent and should evolve into a U.S. national team regular, could become the next Clint Dempsey.
- Maykel Galindo, forward - 12 goals/5 assists/24 starts, a major key player if Chivas is to enjoy another successful season.
- Alecko Eskandarian, forward - Rocket left foot, suffered a concussion 2 years ago and hasn't been the same. Maybe this will be his comeback season.
- Ante Razov, forward - 11 goals/8 assists/24 starts

Looking good

They recently acquired O'Brien. So you've got someone to keep an eye on.

Fred is a brilliant player, played in the Melbourne Victory team that won the double 2 seasons ago. Lots of assists and brilliant passing and tricks, also scores goals when played just in behind the forwards. Hes DC United's key player i'd say...too bad I got LA Galaxy

I wouldn't say Fred is key to DC United, but I would say he's an important part of DC United. He started off really slow last year, but finished off really strong. 7 goals/8 assists last year in 26 games.

San Jose Earthquakes
- Ronnie O'Brien, midfielder - Started his career with Middlesbrough before signing with Juventus. Has been named to the MLS All-Stars for 4 consecutive years. Will be the assist man from the middle.
- Joe Cannon, goalkeeper - MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004, very solid between the posts. Spent 8 months with RC Lens in 2003. He was acquired from the Galaxy.

Things are looking up. When does the league start??

29th of March.

Real Salt Lake
- Kyle Beckerman, midfielder - Super-fit midfielder could spark an RSL revival this season. He goes 100% from the starting whistle till the end.
he better be good.