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When the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders open the MLS season on Tuesday at 9:30pm (ET) on ESPN, they will kick off the most anticipated season in the league's history.
From U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies attempting to complete his recovery from a devastating car crash, to the addition of two expansion teams (Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps), there are several intriguing story lines to follow for casual and hardcore soccer fans alike. Throw in other interesting stories such as the progress of budding stars Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo and the second year of Hans Backe's technically-gifted New York Red Bulls, and there's quite an exciting MLS season on tap.
With 18 teams taking to the field this season, MLS will see more teams competing than ever before. So who do I predict will get to the MLS Finals? I'm going with the obvious choice of Los Angeles and New York.
Both teams have improved already-stellar rosters after looking like the favorites to lift the MLS Cup last year. Los Angeles acquired former Red Bull, Juan Pablo Angel, as well as Frankie Hejduk, while New York has added a European midfielder/defender in Teemu Tanio and will have international stars Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez with a full pre-season under their belt.
So who's my pick to win it all? I'm taking the Galaxy. With Landon Donovan and David Beckham (who is entering the final season of his five-year contract) leading the team, and with the addition of Angel, Los Angeles should have enough fire power to make its way back to the MLS Cup Final after losing it in 2009. Head coach Bruce Arena has added more depth to one of the deepest teams in the league, and that should pay dividends during the grueling season - a season I see ending with Beckham leaving with a trophy to his name.
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