My Crystal Ball Is Broken

I honestly have no idea what to expect from the Chicago Fire and the overall MLS season this year. Too many unknowns, in terms of new players coming in from abroad that I don't know anything about. The consensus opinion that DC United will be very strong seems pretty solid, especially seeing how the dismantled Harbour View in the CONCACAF tournament.

One thing I will say about the Fire is that I think conventional wisdom about Juan Carlos Osorio and Wilman Conde will be proven wrong. As an example, here's what Jeff Carlisle says about the "legacy" of the blip in Chicago's coaching history:

Last season ended with a renewed sense of optimism for the Fire. A campaign that looked to be going off the rails was salvaged by new coach Juan Carlos Osorio, whose savvy player acquisitions and revamping of the team's defense resulted in a deep playoff run.

"Savvy player acquisitions"? Blanco doesn't count, Wanchope was a disaster, John Thorrington sat on the bench after putting the team into the playoffs, and to the other main point, I think Conde's impact on the team's resurgence is greatly overrated.

If nothing else, I expect the Fire to outperform the Red Bulls. Even good coaches fail in the Meadowlands, and Osorio hasn't actually proven he's a good coach. And Conde's arrival in Chicago dovetailed with the addition of Blanco and the return to health of Chris Rolfe. Keep in mind that the rest of the Chicago defense was strong enough for Conde to move into the defensive midfield. If they can stay healthy -- C.J. Brown and Dasan Robinson were a bit banged-up in the preseason -- I think the Fire backline will do just fine leaving the unhappy Conde languishing on the bench where he belongs.

Finally, the one new addition to the team I want to keep an eye on is Supplemental Draftee Austin Washington. His college career makes me think he might end up being one of the reasons the Fire may be able to afford to punish Conde for his insolence.