MLS Prepares for the Start of the 2001 Season

Many of the MLS teams were making last minute changes to try to get that last edge in order to make 2001 a better year than 2000.

As an example of this wheeling and dealing, Colorado won the lottery for a 19 year old Greek-American player named Gus Kartes on March 27th. Then, on March 30th they traded him to the Tampa Bay Mutiny for a draft pick in 2002, and another in 2003. Kartes is a young player who has a lot of ability and potential, and is a local Florida product.

Dallas has picked up Chris Snitko from the Chicago Fire that gives the Fire a 3rd round draft pick in the 2003 superdraft. Chris will be serving as a backup to Matt Jordan.

It may seem that some of these teams aren't getting much for these trades, but the league requires that a teams roster be down to 18 total players, with some exceptions, by 5pm on April 2nd.

In somewhat related, but exciting news, the US downed Honduras by a score of 2-1, in Honduras. This win puts the US firmly at the top of the standings. The US now have an excellent chance of making the 2002 World Cup. The second goal was scored by Clint Mathis of the New York/New Jersey Metrostars.

In one of the biggest announcements of the late pre-season, San Jose shared that they and MLS have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen and have signed Landon Donovan to a four-year contract. This gives the Quakes a very different team from last year with a different coaching staff as well. They may be a team to watch.

Opening day is scheduled for Saturday, April 7th with all 12 teams playing. San Jose at Los Angeles - 10:00 p.m. ET

New England at MetroStars - 7:00 p.m. ET

Kansas City at D.C. United - 7:30 p.m. ET

Colorado at Miami - 7:30 p.m. ET

Chicago at Columbus - 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Tampa Bay at Dallas - 8:30 p.m. ET

Every team has made strides forward in the off season to either improve or drastically change the make up of their team. It will be interesting to see which teams, if any, become quickly dominant.

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