10 players with something to prove

Whether you change teams by choice, or you are dealt by a club that just wants to be rid of you, every player in a new uniform feels that desire to prove himself.

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Chivas USA's Amado Guevara hopes to flourish in his new surroundings.

You can be a former league MVP or a teenager, it doesn't matter: The hunger to show your former club that it made a mistake can often lead players to post career years.

The 2007 MLS season will provide possibly more opportunities for redemption than any season before it thanks to a busy offseason that saw an all-star team's worth of players change clubs. Who are the stars with new clubs primed for strong seasons? Here are 10 players to watch:

Freddy Adu -- The boy wonder finally got his wish. Eager to prove he could be the star playmaker in an attack, Adu talked his way out of D.C. and now will be given the keys to Real Salt Lake's already potent attack.

His arrival makes for a crowded RSL midfield, with Andy Williams and Mehdi Ballouchy both players better suited for the attacking midfield role. John Ellinger should find a way to make Adu feel comfortable and will give him every opportunity to flourish. Adu has the skills to excel, but you wonder if RSL will be able to account for his defensive shortcomings in central midfield. They won't care if Adu can deliver a dozen or so assists and put fannies in the seats.

Amado Guevara -- The 2005 MLS MVP had long been rumored with a ticket out of New York and there were few better places he could have landed than with Chivas USA. Guevara's style suits the Goats well and his love of warm weather coupled with Chivas USA's already strong central midfield should set him up for a strong season.

What could go wrong? Well, it doesn't help that Bob Bradley, the man who traded for him, has left. Now Guevara must listen to a coach he spent several years playing against: former K.C. Wizards' star Preki.

If he truly has matured, then Guevara could be the talisman Chivas USA needs to challenge the best in the West. If he hasn't, then Chivas fans will go on the frustrating roller coaster ride that MetroStars/Red Bulls fans went on following Guevara for four years.

Joe Cannon -- Of all the star players who were traded, Cannon's departure from the Rapids had to be the most surprising. Not because we didn't know Colorado was capable of dealing him (the Rapids nearly dealt him to D.C. United prior to the 2006 season), but because the deal to Los Angeles came after Cannon carried the Rapids to the Western Conference final for a second straight season.

Cannon isn't likely to complain much. He is playing for a coach he loves in Frank Yallop, a teammate he adores in Landon Donovan, and on a team that is going to get exposure like no MLS team before thanks to the impending arrival of David Beckham. Cannon will face far fewer shots with the Galaxy and could post career numbers this year.

Kevin Hartman -- You have to feel for goalkeeper Hartman. No player has meant more to the Galaxy's success over the past 10 years than Hartman, who actually posted a solid season essentially carrying the Galaxy through their terrible early season form in 2006.

His reward was seeing his starting job handed to Cannon. Enter Kansas City, which finally put an end to the painful Bo Oshoniyi era. The upgrade to Hartman should be good for a handful of points in the standings. Unfortunately for Hartman, he might spend a second season watching the playoffs unless the Wizards can address its problems in the attack.

Alecko Eskandarian -- How the mighty have fallen. Three years ago Eskandarian had a cigar in his mouth and MLS Cup MVP trophy in his hand. These days he's regarded in some circles as a washed-up striker who has lost a step he couldn't afford to lose. That's a rough prognosis for a player who is still just 24 years old.

Toronto FC still has faith in the Eskandarian, although he will have to battle for playing time with a deep stable of forwards. If he can regain the quickness he lost before last year's knee injury then he is more than capable of delivering those trademark left-footed blasts yet again, but if he can't, then he just won't be able to create the space he needs to operate.

Andy Herron -- Nine goals in 20 games is a rate that most teams in the league would love, but it wasn't enough to make Chicago want to keep Herron. The Costa Rican must start over in Columbus with the lowest-scoring team in the league.

How will Herron handle the move? He never had trouble expressing his unhappiness in Chicago but he is a veteran with a chance for a fresh start on a young team. The Crew does have some talent in attack, with Eddie Gaven, Joseph Ngwenya and Robbie Rogers, but Herron might be the veteran goal scorer the Crew needs to escape the East basement.

Dave Van Den Bergh -- Fans in Kansas City might not have thought of much of the Dutchman's 13 games for the Wizards. but KC might wind up regretting having let Van Den Bergh go so soon.

The skillful winger has been one of the revelations of Red Bulls camp, showing good vision, sharp crossing and a dangerous shot. Van Den Bergh gives the club a presence on the left wing they haven't enjoyed in years and he gives the veteran midfield balance with Austrian Markus Schopp manning the right flank.

Clint Mathis -- If this group has a poster boy for redemption, it is Mathis. He has been a flop since returning to MLS two seasons ago and has admitted that he has only himself to blame for that failure. The former World Cup star insists that he has matured and is ready to regain the form that made him a star his last time in New York.

Why should we believe him this time? Having Bruce Arena as his coach and Reyna as his captain should help, as should a veteran roster where he won't be called on to be the star. If he really is fit and focused, Mathis finally could find the form that Real Salt Lake and Colorado -- the Rapids traded him to New York -- never got to see.

Nate Jaqua -- Another Fire castoff, Jaqua was supposed to be on his way to Europe. That didn't quite work out. He secured the next best thing, a move to the Galaxy, where plenty of eyes will be watching Beckham and plenty of European clubs will take notice if the 6-foot-3 forward can finish off some of Beckham's passes.

Jose Cancela -- After never quite emerging as a go-to player for New England, the Uruguayan player now has a chance to take charge of a potentially dangerous attack. With the forwards and wingers on Toronto's roster, Cancela doesn't really have an excuse for failing to register a dozen more assists. He will have to in order for Toronto to tolerate his laziness defensively.

Game Previews

So you think you know which teams are going to be good in 2007? Good luck. With all of the roster turnover, the presence of an expansion Toronto FC, and the arrival of some new coaches into the mix, MLS will be tougher to handicap than ever before, at least early.

Be careful with the games that seem easy to call this week. D.C. and Houston are the strongest teams in the league but both are coming off midweek Champions Cup losses in Mexico. Fatigue will play a factor in both matches so upsets are a very real possibility. Then you have Toronto FC making its debut against Chivas USA and the Red Bulls traveling to Columbus in what could be a snow game.

Here's the rundown.

D.C. United at Colorado Rapids

Troy Perkins probably still is having nightmares of that ball slipping through his hands in Tuesday's loss to Chivas but D.C. must regroup and play in Colorado's new stadium. The Rapids begin the post-Joe Cannon era and might regret parting ways with him. The revamped defense is supposed to help pick up the slack but Fernando Clavijo's attack doesn't seem all that much better than last year. Look for the Rapids to benefit from the home-field advantage of its new home, as well from a tired D.C. team, but it won't be enough to secure three points. D.C. United 1, Rapids 1.

FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake

The Freddy era begins in Utah and who better to have the boy wonder go against but an FC Dallas team that is in a state of flux. Steve Morrow's team still has Carlos Ruiz and Kenny Cooper at forward but that defense leaves plenty to be desired. Look for John Ellinger's squad to get off on a good note. Real Salt Lake 2, FC Dallas 1.

New York Red Bulls at Columbus Crew

The second year of the Crew's rebuilding process has seen the addition of Andy Herron and Robbie Rogers. Will that be enough to match the Red Bulls' many additions? Don't bet on it. Claudio Reyna's MLS debut will be a successful one, even if a potential snow flurry makes the game a bit sloppy. Red Bulls 2, Crew 0.

New England Revolution at Chicago Fire

The most intense rivalry in the league is back as the Revs begin life without Clint Dempsey. Chicago said farewell to several veteran players and might struggle early on in the season. Give New England the edge. Revs 1, Fire 0.

Toronto FC at Chivas USA

I want to believe in Toronto, particularly with all that offensive talent, but the defense is still a work in progress and will be primed for the taking by a Chivas USA attack that will welcome Amado Guevara to the fold. Chivas USA 3, Toronto 1.

Los Angeles Galaxy at Houston Dynamo

The Dynamo won't have much time to recover from Thursday's devastating Champions Cup loss to Pachuca but it will have to regroup because the Galaxy will be looking to spoil the season-opening party. Fatigue will wind up costing the defending champions as Landon Donovan starts his season off with a bang in the form of a goal and victory. Galaxy 1, Dynamo 0.

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com.