What an atmosphere at BMO Field! This time it really seemed like there was a sell-out crowd (unlike Colorado). There was a lot of optimism in the Toronto support, although the pin drop silence when Eddie Johnson scored was a bit amusing.
Don Garber must be pleased with his decision to bring MLS to Canada. Toronto's new signing Danny Dichio was impressive, as was Greg Sutton (who was awarded Man of the Match).

Here are my predictions for this week's games:
Toronto FC @ Kansas City - 2-0 KC; Toronto continues its search for its first MLS goal, whilst Eddie Johnson and KC bounce back after losing to Chicago
New York @ FC Dallas - 1-0 NY; Dallas' defence isn't good enough to cope with New York, and with Claudio Reyna pulling the strings from midfield, anything is possible
Kansas City @ Toronto - 1-1; Toronto gets a goal in front of its home crowd.

1. New York - This team has got it all, from a good and experienced goalkeeper to a 17-year old scoring goals
2. Houston - Can anyone tell De Rosario to get back to playing soccer again?
3. Chicago Fire - Solid outing from the Fire
4. Chivas USA - Razov has finally got his goal, but they'll need Amado Guevara to play his best to have any chance of winning MLS Cup
5.

Frank Simek has been rumored for a move to a premiership team. It says it could possibly be either Charlton, Aston Villa or Portsmouth.
Also, BBC says that Scottish Club Rangers wants a link with the LA Galaxy.
Also in LA, Chivas USA won't deny rumors that they want to sign Zinedine Zidane. Although they will have competition from the LA Galaxy.

Here are some recent transactions in MLS' world
Juan Pablo Angel
Joining from EPL side Aston Villa. He had a terrible game againt Tottenham Hotspur when he missed a penalty (the best I could find), and then he scored an own goal. He was fazed out at Villa Park and New York hopes he can bang in the goals at Red Bull Park (and Giant's Stadium)
New York Press Release
Soccernet Release
Also, though not official, other big news is that New York have traded .

To be more interactive with users, there will be a periodic poll on American Soccer. This week's question:
Which MLS has impressed you the most?

Soccer By Ives says that Aston Villa's Juan Pablo Angel is on his way to the New York Red Bulls. This will easoly make New York contenders for MLS Cup, should Clint Mathis and Josmer Altidore keep playing this strong, and Angel scoring goals as well.
The Midfield is equally strong, granted that Reyna doesn't consistently get injured.
There should be a press conference regarding this tommorow.

1. Houston Dynamo (-) Win at home keeps them the team to beat
2. Colorado (+3) Manage a draw, despite being down to 10 men
3. Chicago (-1) A draw in Denver wouldn't have been a bad result, but it still seems like 2 points lost
4. New England (+3) Teaching Toronto how to play in MLS
5. Chivas USA (-1) A loss to Houston as Razov's hunt for goal number 100 goes on
6.

Well, now that week 1 of MLS is complete, here are the latest MLS Power Rankings:
1. Houston Dynamo - Defending Champs opened the season with a tie
2. Chicago Fire - Holding onto their early lead for a narrow win
3. D.C. United - Another team that looked tired from their CCC match
4. Chivas USA - Razov is closing in on goal number 100
5.

Here are my predictions for the first weekend of MLS:
Colorado 1-2 DC United - DC come back after going out in the CCC. Emilio gets them both.
Real Salt Lake 3-2 FC Dallas - Awful defending leads to a wide open game.
Columbus Crew 1-2 Red Bull New York - Van den berg shines.
Chicago Fire 0-0 New England Revolution - After excellent defending, it ends a bore draw
Chivas USA 2-1 Toronto FC - Razov scores his 99th and 100th goals
Houston Dynamo 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy - Houston fail to fully recover from their CCC exit.

*Blanco to Fire:
He will join at the END of the Mexican Season
He will sign the contract tommorow, LIVE on MLSnet.com
*Marcelo Salas is headed to New York.
*Kansas City will form a partnership with Mexican Club Atlas.
Preview for the CCC game tommorow
DC United needs all it has to get past Chivas.

Today, MLS announced that they are taking some initiatives to improve the league. However, there is one problem, I need clarification if there will be 6 play-off spots or are they sticking with 8?
Anyway, here are the main points:
*MLS clubs have more resources than ever to acquire players. This off season has already witnessed a significant influx talent.

Breaking News: Cuautemoc Blanco has joined the Chicago Fire.

Based on predictions, CCC, Lamar Hunt Cup, etc. Very few changes though:
en
1. Houston Dynamo (-) haven't hurt their hold on first place
2. D.C. United (+1) Strong in CCC, and new signings (Fred, Emilio), have made them second to the Dynamo
3. New England (-1)
4. Chicago Fire (+2) haven't done much, just that other team's previously above them don't seem deserving of a higher spot.

In news that was somewhat expected, D.C. United have acquired Fred from Melbourne.
In news that wasn't expected,
Clint Mathis has been traded to New York.
Also, U.S. tied Guatemala 0-0 yesterday.
Stars of the game:
*Bradley and Feilhaber - they are starting to show they can fill in for Reyna, but again it was against Guatemala.