St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 26

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SPORTS SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2002 Two teams lighter, MLS starts 7th season D6 I MLS hopes to build its ratings this year with a regular "Soccer Saturday" time slot for nationally televised games on ESPN emulating the BBC's long-successful "Match of the Day" in Britain. With a five-year contract, the league figures it has time to build ratings points so that the next TV deal will a bigger commodity. The league also desperately needs new investors. With contraction, the league no longer is operating any of the teams directly, but it still relies on the soccer passion of three deep-pocketed investors Philip Anschutz, Lamar Hunt and Bob Kraft to keep the league afloat Anschutz is now an investor in six teams of the 10 teams, with San Jose his latest acquisition.

For MLS' sake, he had better not lose his passion for soccer anytime soon. "If he wakes up tomorrow and pulls out, if over," Williams said. dosavhevic, who helped the Wizards win the 2000 MLS Cup before going to Miami. Dallas also got significantly stronger, and Chicago and Los Angeles remain formidable. To keep up, reigning champion San Jose pulled a surprise trade by swapping forwards with the Burn: Ronald Cerritos went to Dallas for Ariel Gra-ziani.

You can't leave it status quo and think you're going to be OK," Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos said. Many top stars will be missing for at least a month when they join national teams for the World Cup, which starts May 31 and runs through June 30. But talk about tactics, trades and titles has taken a back seat to discussions about the league's viability. "One of our owners just put $100 million into bricks and mortar," commissioner Don Garber said. "We have a five- By Joseph White The Associated Press Major League Soccer players, coaches and officials have spent the last two months trying to convince themselves that subtraction is positive.

They'll start to learn if that's true on Saturday, when the leaner league starts its seventh season. There will be only 10 teams instead of 12 following the elimination of teams in Tampa Bay and Miami "They say that was going to make the league stronger," D.C. United midfielder Richie Williams said. "And the purpose of that was to not lose as much money and then add more teams in the future that have a better situation. "We hope that that the truth behind it all, and that's what they're trying to do.

The next two years are crucial." From a competitive standpoint, at least, 10 is indeed better than 12. The players from the Mutiny and Fusion were dispersed throughout the league, making every team stronger. As many as six of the 10 teams could be considered picks to win the title. "We've never had a team this deep at every position," said goalkeeper Tim Howard of the New York-New Jersey MetroStars, who added Miami forward Diego Serna. The New England Revolution really did have a revolution in the dispersal draft They selected league MVP Alex Pineda Chacon, All-Stars Mamadou Dial-lo and Carlos Llamosa, and also Steve Ralston, the league's career leader in minutes played.

In Chacon and Diallo, they have the league's leading goal-scorers each of the last two seasons. Kansas City welcomes back Preki Ra- year commitment to the league on TV. It is inconceivable to think that we aren't here for the long hauL At times we will go through difficult times, but we are here for the long haul." The league is putting its longterm faith into two fronts: soccer-specific stadiums and television ratings. It's no coincidence that Columbus, the only franchise with its own stadium, was also the only team to turn a profit last year. The Los Angeles Galaxy broke ground last month for a new stadium, but no one else is much beyond the drawing board.

A plan to build a stadium for the Burn in a Dallas suburb fell through last week. Chicago is playing in a small suburban football stadium this year because Soldier Field is being renovated. But the really big money in American sports comes from television, and the league gets relatively little Here's the best and worst for this 2002 Major League Soccer season By Steve Davis The Dallas Morning News 4 sis- ft r- i "7 "'i i rtv Jc a perennial contender since its MLS entrance in 1998. New kid on the block MQton Reyes D.C. United D.C.

United's recently acquired Milton Reyes helped make Honduras a contender in regional World Cup qualifying last year. He's composed in the back and eager to come forward. Move for a local kid Daniel Hernandez NYNJ MetroStars The MetroStars love former SMU All-American Daniel Hernandez, but he has suffered because of his versatility. Last year, he played in the defense, at attacking midfielder and at defensive midfielder at various times. This year, the MetroStars want him at defensive mid-field, where his toughness and tidiness on the ball are best utilized.

But that's assuming the defense, led by aging Marcelo Balboa, remains healthy. Aging player Chicago Fire No one can influence a match like Chicago's Hristo Stoitchkov when he's healthy. His left foot is the best in the league; only Richardson native Jeff Agoos comes close. His vision and range of service make him dangerous from anywhere inside the attacking half. MLS Stadium Cohmbui No surprise, it's still Columbus, with its gem.

That may change soon, now that Los Angeles has broken ground on its soccer-specific stadium in suburban Carson. It promises more bells and whistles than Columbus' functional field. Player no longer available GregVanney French club Bastia has exercised an option to purchase the contract of Los Angeles defender Greg Vanney, an emerging U.S. international who was on loan to the French side. Pitch Cotton Bowl The Cotton Bowl field never looks great early in the season before the dormant Bermuda thrives.

But the field is always smooth, flat (i.e. no crown) and generally regarded as league's bell cow. Early bust Daniel Wnokachi Colorado Rapids The Rapids pinned lots of scoring hopes on former Nigerian international Daniel Amokachi. But he's struggling to recover from past ankle and knee injuries, and Colorado already appears to be looking for a Plan B. Mathis matters for MetroStars DALLAS As Clint Mathis goes, so go the New YorkNew Jersey MetroStars.

Mathis was an absolute terror through the early part of 2001, recording 10 goals and seven assists in 10 games, putting his team among the league's elite. But the team crumbled following Mathis' season-ending June 5 knee injury. Rookie Rodrigo Far-ia emerged toward season's end, but the club still had insufficient firepower to escape the first round of the playoffs. Now Mathis is regaining his fitness, boosting hopes that the MetroStars can pick up where they left off. Four players still active from the U.S.

old guard Four members of the breakthrough 1990 U.S. World Cup team, which surprisingly qualified for Italia '90 and blazed a path for the next generation of Americans, are still earning a living in MLS. MetroStars midfielder Tab Ramos, who retired from international soccer in 1998, has announced that 2002 will be his final season of professional soccer. Make no mistake, he's still a valuable part of the MetroStars. Ramos' crafty dribbling, his bursts of speed with the ball and his creativity can still influence a game when he's healthy.

His 1990 teammate Marcelo Balboa is now with the MetroStars, hoping to provide direction in the back. In Kansas City, Tony Meola remains among the top MLS goalkeepers. Meola is a far better goalkeeper now than in his younger days. In Columbus, John Harkes just re-signed with the Crew, although his salary and his role have been reduced. MLS race: It's anybody's guess Former Dallas Burn coach Dave Dir discovered a new career niche last year as a knowledgeable, high-energy broadcaster, working MLS games and co-hosting ESPN2's Extra Time (at least until his next coaching job.) Dir is being careful this year about making predictions.

Why? Miami and Tampa Bay folded, with their players dispersed throughout the league. "If the toughest year to pick so far," Dir said. "Everybody has so many new pieces. You just don't have enough info to make a legitimate opinioa "I talk to a lot of coaches for what I'm doing now," Dir said. "Everybody is really happy with the way things have gone in preseason.

But that can't last all season." Young Player 7fr 1 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Clint Mathis' return could signal a turnaround for the MetroStars. If if it 1 A defender who thinks like a winger MF John Spencer Colorado A great 2001 obscured by a weak team MF Chris Armas Chicago The league's best blend of work and skill MF Simon Elliott Los Angeles Has become the engine of LA's talented club MF Peter Nowak Chicago He's 37 with the legs of a 27-year-old FW Clint Mathis NYNJ Thinks like a scorer: confident and brave FW Landon Donovan San Jose Young legs, with creativity of a veteran learning daily how to use his remarkable speed. Richard Mulrooney at San Jose has gotten national team attention lately. And Jim Rooney had a breakthrough year at Miami last year, although his productive central midfield partner, Ian Bishop, had a lot to do with his success. (Or was it vice versa?) World Cup rough on Chicago, San Jose Chicago and San Jose are likely to be the most affected by this summer's World Cup.

Although the 23-man U.S. roster isnt set, certain assumptions are safe. For instance, Chris Armas will man the U.S. defensive midfield spot, leaving that role vacant in Chicago from early May through mid-June at the earliest Plus, Chicago forwards Josh Wolff and DaMarcus Beasley may join the World Cup roster. In San Jose, Jeff Agoos, Land-on Donovan and possibly Richard Mulrooney will travel to Asia.

MLS will play a slightly reduced schedule during the World Cup (May 31-June 30 in South Korea and Japan). Preseason All-MLS team GK Tin Howard NYNJ Just 23; his best days are still to come DF Jeff Agoos San Jose Has played on 4 of 6 MLS championship teams DF Pablo Mastroeni Colorado Best young American defender DF Carlos Uamosa New England A tad slow, relies on smarts and instincts DF Ezra Hendrickson Los Angeles and experience 2. Los Angeles 14-7-5 (47 pts.) Best attacking back in MLS: Ezra Hendrickson 3. Dallas 10-11-5 (35 pts.) Enough talent to make noise. Sound familiar? 4.

Kansas City 11-13-3 (33 pts.) Missing: proven scorer, creative midfielder 5. Colorado 5-13-8 (23 pts.) Gave up too much chasing Pablo Mastroeni EAST 1. New York 13-10-3 (42 pts.) Young Rodrigo Faria adds scoring dept 2. Chicago 16-6-5 (53 pts.) Aging Hristo Stoitchkov, Peter No-wak still capable 3. New England 7-14-6 (27 pts.) The league's most loyal fans deserve a winner 4.

D.C. United 8-16-2 (26 pts.) Is Marco Etcheverry healthy (and interested)? 5. Columbus 14-7-6 (45 pts.) Good on the flanks, suspect up the middle Underrated The league's most underrated player may be Salvadoran international Jorge Rodriguez. He has never been named to the MLS Best 11 team, yet has been perhaps the Burn's most valuable and versatile player since 1997. Other ndeiTated MLS players.

Kansas City acquired midfielder Diego Gutierrez from Chicago, and the Fire may well miss the man who proved capable at left-sided midfielder, left-sided defender and central defender. At New YorkNew Jersey, Steve Jofley had a better year in 2001 than more heralded defensive teammate Mike Petke. Jeff Cunningham in Columbus is reinvented almost annually. And why not? The club has never won a playoff series. This year's makeover includes notable acquisitions Carlos Llamosa (who brings defensive composure), Alex Pineda Chacon (scoring) and Jim Rooney (intensity, tackling) from Miami, and Mamadou Diallo (scoring) from Tampa Bay.

Pineda Chacon and Diallo are MLS' top scorers from 2001 and 2000, respectively. The heat is on coach Fernando Clavjjo to put it all together, but chemistry has been an issue on his teams. Midfielder's retirement could take toll on Burn The failed Josh Keller move may well cause headaches for Dallas all year. Though relatively unheralded, Keller stood to provide an important missing defensive midfield piece for the Burn until he retired suddenly, weeks after his arrival. Dallas took Keller when more experienced players were available in a special dispersal draft for players from Miami and Tampa Bay.

Keller was a ball hawk at Tampa Bay, menacing the defensive midfield, winning balls, then dishing them off. In other words, he was the hard runner and tackier missing on the Burn roster. Jorge Rodriguez or Chad Deer-ing will play that role this year. Both are more tidy with the ball than Keller but dont cover as much ground and cant add an element of toughness. Predicted order of finish WEST 1.

Sm Jose 13-7-6 (45 pts.) League's best blend of youth Key dates March23 7th MLS season opens. May 11 First event at new CMGI Field in Foxboro, Mass. (Burn vs. New England) Aug. 3 MLS All-Star game at RFK Stadium.

Sept 22 Regular season ends. Sept 25 Playoffs begin. Oct 20 MLS Cup final at CMGI Field, Foxboro, Mass. Oct 26 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

Playoff format The top finisher from each conference, plus the next six teams, according to points (three points for a win, one for a tie) qualify for the playoffs. For the first- and second-round series, the first team to reach five points advances. MLS Cup is a one-game final. Young team Unfed D.C. United's peach-fuzzed group includes Santino Quaran-ta (17), Justin Mapp (17), Bobby Convey (18), Nick Rimando (22), Ali Curtis (23), Mark Lisi (24) and Ben Olsen (24), any of whom could help form the backbone of U.S.

national teams to come. In New England, yet another Revolution New England's team is Sm lose Earthquakes If San Jose forward Landon Donovan isn't quite yet the best of MLS, he's certainly the most evocative. Just 20 years old, Donovan led San Jose to an MLS title last year, scoring in five of the Earthquakes' six postseason games. Coach Be Bradley Chicago Fre Year in, year out, Chicago's Bob Bradley weaves young talent into a lineup alongside savvy veterans. The Fire has been i.