Western Conference — and Real Salt Lake — should be improved

Even though Houston won the MLS Cup for a second consecutive year and Chivas USA battled for the league's best record until the final weekend, the Western Conference was pretty disappointing last year.

Dallas and Colorado never reached their potential, Real Salt Lake were a disaster, and the L.A. Galaxy were a mess with perhaps the wackiest schedule in league history combined with David Beckham's various injuries.

In the end, five of the league's eight playoff spots went to teams from the Eastern Conference. Don't expect that trend to continue.

With the Major League Soccer season kicking off this weekend, here's a look at sports writer James Edward's predictions for the 2007 season.

1. Chivas USA

2007 record: 15-7-8 (53 points)

Conference finish: First

Coach: Preki (second season).

Outlook: After the Goats uneventfully bowed out of the playoffs last year, it's easy to forget they finished with the best regular-season record in the Western Conference. A year later, and without any significant losses, Chivas USA should win it again — but there are uncertainties. Injuries to strikers Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo in the playoffs exposed Chivas' lack of depth as Kansas City pulled off the first-round upset. Chivas addressed that depth by trading for a pair of former Real Salt Lake forwards Alecko Eskandarian and Atiba Harris, neither of whom was very good in 2007. Their new club is counting on a change of venue to increase their production. If not, Razov and Galindo will need to duplicate their 23 combined goals last year. The midfield will once again be led by Jesse Marsch and Sacha Kljestan, two of the best at their position in MLS. Chivas' schedule will be particularly busy this summer with the SuperLiga and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

2. Houston Dynamo

2007 record: 15-8-7 (52 points)

Conference finish: Second, MLS Cup Champs

Coach: Dominic Kinnear (fifth season).