Off Season Wrap Up, part 1.

Last year may have been the year of the Wondo when San Jose's striker tied Roy Lassiter's single season all time goal record at 27, but this year it could be another striker's chance at the mark. Many teams in the league revamped their strike force in what proved to be quite a busy offseason.

Starting in the Western Conference, there are two new sheriff's in town at FC Dallas. Kenny Cooper and Eric Hasseli have bolstered the Hoops attack despite the letting go of Brek Shea this off season. Hassli has scored 13 goals in the past two seasons playing for two of the Canadian teams while Cooper was last years runner up to the Golden Boot while playing for RBNY.

Real Salt Lake have filled holes in their attack by bringing in Joao Plata from Toronto and welcoming back former USMNT forward Robbie Findley. Their Rocky Mountain neighbors in Colorado snatched Edson Buddle from the reining MLS champions. If Buddle can find his form again, he could still be a lethal threat to opposing defenses.

Robbie Keane ended last year on an incredible hot streak, scoring 5 goals in 5 playoff matches on the Galaxy's march to the Cup. His Castrol Player Index number actually put him ahead of Wondolowski last season and above all other players in MLS.

These Western Conference teams were not the only movers and shakers this offseason. In the next installment of Off Season Wrap Up, I'll take a look at the changes made in the Eastern Conference where new coaches will make their debut and familiar faces return to MLS. 

Colorado Rapids: MLS Cup 2010 Champions

The most exuberant of congratulations to the Colorado Rapids for tearing through the MLS playoffs and garnering the honor of holding the MLS Cup high as Champions of the 2010 season! FC Dallas turned many heads this season as they put together an amazing run led by their rock solid goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, and the MLS MVP David Ferriera, but it was the other inaugural season team that hoisted the trophy.

In a season where we saw United States National Team legends like Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, and Chris Klein all retire from the beautiful game, it was only fitting and honoring to see Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey win their first MLS Cup. Two men who have served their club and country during their storied careers smiled like boys tonight. And what a thrilling game it was, having been decided in overtime. Extra big-ups to Conor Casey for symbolizing what a tough, physical match it when he battled for a loose ball around the six yard box to put in Colorado's first goal, granting him the honors of being named MLS Cup MVP.

And props to the entire MLS league for lifting the bar of American soccer. This season was a great one boys, even more excitement and beautiful game than ever before. And that's what it's all about in the end: raising the level of play and rewarding those who have worked to show the true talent that American's have in the world's game.

MLS Cup and Back to South Africa

So the 2010 MLS Cup teams have been decided: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas. It's good to see two original teams back in the Cup, heading up to Toronto to do battle for the titles of Best Underdog. Colorado has a solid, cohesive team anchored by former US international Pablo Mastroeni. Dallas have proved their toughness this season and are coming off of quite an impressive spanking of the Supporter's Shield holding Galaxy. Should be a good game of some tactical, tough soccer.

On the international front, the US Men's National Team head back to South Africa to play a friendly with Bafana Bafana (The Boys, The Boys) in beautiful Cape Town. The team have already landed in the 2010 World Cup host country and are paying back the locals in thanks for their warm embrace over the past summer. It will be a team of youngsters for Bob Bradley getting some much needed caps against the likes of Steven Pienaar and Siphiwe Tshabalala. Bradley is still looking for players that can plug some holes in the US' shaky defense as well as a true scoring threat up top.

Other international exhibition matches for tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 17, 2010) include friendlies between Brazil and Argentina (featuring the Samba return of Ronaldihno), champions Spain against Portugal, and England taking on France.