Six MLS personalities with something to prove

[AreliusII]

Sean Wheelock / Fox Soccer Channel
Posted: 1 day ago

A new season is of course a time of optimism, when at least for a while, everyone can dream of being crowned champion.

But it's also a time when everyone, from rookie to superstar, substitute to head coach, must prove themselves all over again. No matter how good the year before, the only thing that truly matters is right now. All of the past championships, awards and accolades cease to matter if the current performance is not yielding the desired results.

Entering Year 10 of Major League Soccer, there are some however who have just a little more to prove then everyone else. I've selected five players and one coach who need to perform especially well in 2005.

Preki, Kansas City Wizards

At 41, and coming off a season in which he made just two appearances in league play due to injury, Preki has to prove that it is not yet time to retire. Even if last year's fractured fibula, dislocated ankle, and subsequent ankle surgery hadn't occurred, Preki's status would still be in doubt because of his age. Yet the league's all-time leading scorer and it's only two time MVP still has the fitness of a 20 year-old, as well as the best left footed shot in MLS. Preki no longer has to show that he can be a factor for 90 minutes, only that he can influence it for a half-hour.

Youri Djorkaeff, MetroStars

With the tepid memories of Lothar Matthäus still lingering, Youri Djorkaeff has to prove that unlike the former German international, he has not moved to New York simply for the paycheck. It's perhaps not a good sign when the press conference to announce Djorkaeff's move to MLS was speculated in the French media to be instead one about his retirement. And it's also not a good sign that he will be starting the new season with a strained hamstring. Still, if Djorkaeff can capture even a glimmer of his mid to late 1990's form, and find a real understanding in the midfield with Amado Guevara, this will be money well spent.


Freddy Adu, D.C. United

Most 15 year-old soccer players in America are concerned with having to prove that they belong on their high school's varsity. But then of course, Freddy Adu is not most 15 year-old soccer players in America. Not only does Adu have the pressure that comes with having been labeled for greatness since age 11, awarded the most lucrative contract in MLS history, and celebrated as the biggest star in the league, but he must now make the full transition from striker to midfielder. I'm stressed for him just writing about this. But Adu didn't disappoint last year, and I don't think he will in 2005.

Clint Mathis, Real Salt Lake

Undeniably gifted, and without question one of the best pure finishers in MLS history, Clint Mathis has to prove that he can still be an elite goal scorer in the league. He also has to prove that his move to the Bundesliga was not a mistake, that he can still be a factor for the United States, and that there is no shame in coming back to the league so quickly after his high profile transfer to Hannover 96 didn't work out as he had hoped. When he's on form, Mathis is one of the most exciting players in MLS, as well as one of the biggest personalities. Clint Mathis needs MLS, and MLS needs Clint Mathis to be at his best.


Eddie Johnson

Having shared the MLS golden boot last year with Brian Ching, and having opened his international career in spectacular fashion, Eddie Johnson has to prove that the last 12 months have not been a fluke. During his first three seasons in the league, Johnson was labeled as a 'can't miss' prospect who was nevertheless slow to emerge, starting just 16 league matches and scoring seven goals during that time. 2004 of course changed everything, and caused Johnson to be thrust into the role of the next great scorer for both club and country. He's only 21, and truly seems to have his best soccer ahead of him.

Steve Sampson, Los Angeles Galaxy

Having replaced the popular Sigi Schmid as the Galaxy's head coach last season when the club possessed the best record in the league, Steve Sampson has to prove that his hiring was not a mistake. To Sampson's full credit, he is going to either succeed or fail in Los Angeles using his players and his system, as the off-season squad renovation can attest. There are some that will always link Sampson to the disappointment of France 1998, regardless of what he accomplishes. For others however, Sampson will be judged on what he now does with Los Angeles, and whether he can get them back to the MLS Championship.

[Remus]

Yet the league's all-time leading scorer

Isn't Jason Kreis the all-time leading scorer?

[Czar Jake]

Originally Posted by Remus

Isn't Jason Kreis the all-time leading scorer?

I hiccupped on that one too, but then I remembered:

All-time leading GOAL-scorer = Kreis

All-time leading scorer (goals+assists) = Preki