MLS Western Conference capsules for the 2009 season

Chivas USA

LAST YEAR: 12-11-7 (second place), lost to Real Salt Lake in first round of playoffs.

Who's back: Coach Preki Radosavljevic, D/M Jonathan Bornstein, M Sacha Kljestan, F Ante Razov, M Jesse Marsch, F Justin Braun, D Bobby Burling, D Jim Curtin, F Alecko Eskandarian, M Jorge Flores, F Maykel Galindo, F Atiba Harris, G Dan Kennedy, M Paulo Nagamura, D Shavar Thomas, G Zach Thornton, D Lawson Vaughn, M Sasha Victorine.

Who's gone: D Claudio Suarez, M Francisco Mendoza, F Roberto Nurse, M Dan Paladini, M Raphael Wicky, D Alex Zotinca.

Who's new: D Ante Jazic, M/F Eduardo Lillingston, M Michael Lahoud, F Kyle Christensen, M Jamie Franks.

What's next: After overcoming a barrage of injuries in 2008, Chivas USA begins the season with eight key players either injured or recovering from offseason surgery. Chivas USA also faces an unsettled situation in goal and a major hole on the back line with Suarez's retirement. But Kljestan's playmaking directs a potentially strong offense, while Marsch and Nagamura form a potent defensive duo in the midfield. Jazic, a Canadian international acquired from Los Angeles, enables Bornstein to move from left back to the midfield.

Colorado Rapids

LAST YEAR: 11-14-5 (fourth place).

WHO'S BACK: M Pablo Mastroeni, D Jordan Harvey, D Ugo Ihemelu, D Cory Gibbs, M Mehdi Ballouchy, F Conor Casey, M Terry Cooke, F Omar Cummings, F Jacob Peterson, M Nick LaBrocca, M Colin Clark, D Kosuke Kimura, M John DiRaimondo, GK Preston Burpo, M Greg Dalby, M Nico Colaluca, M Ciaran O'Brien.

WHO'S GONE: M Christian Gomez, GK Bouna Coundoul, D Facundo Erpen, F Tom McManus, D Jose Luis Burciaga Jr.

WHO'S NEW: Coach Gary Smith, M/F Ivan Guerrero, D Ty Harden, GK Matt Pickens.