Back to work ... MLS previews ahead

The merciful resolution of MLS player-management discord has far-reaching consequences, obviously. One of them is that I suddenly owed a bunch of people some work, as the matches begin in a few days and previews must be written, etc.

So, suddenly, I was busier than a one-legged man in a roach-stomp competition.

Thus, the Daily Soccer Fix posts have been on the slim side lately. Sorry, ya’ll.

I wrote my Eastern and Western conference previews for SI.com over the weekend. They should be up shortly. (Update: East is now posted here.) Here are five things you’ll find … and might even find interesting.

– A year ago, Columbus manager Robert Warzycha was the new kid on the coaching block. Now, he has more time at his club than six other managers in the East. As they say, coaches are hired to be fired.  

– Robbie Rogers. Heard of him? He was even a candidate for the World Cup team until recently. Well somebody explain how that kid has just 10 goals and 9 assists in 59 MLS matches? Time for him to produce.

– I read somewhere that the West was weak this year due to David Beckham’s injury loss and Houston’s pair of high-profile departures (Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark). I just don’t see it. Top to bottom, the East may be a bit stronger. But I see the West as stronger at the top. The Galaxy will be OK (so long as Landon Donovan stays around.) Real Salt Lake returns almost every important piece from its championship team. Seattle looks good once again. Dallas was strong at the end of 2K9. Houston will be tough, despite the loss of talent. And I really like Colorado’s lineup, assuming they can get some midfielders healed up after off-season surgery.

– Yes, I said it. I like what Gary Smith has put together in Denver. I realize the Rapids are never a fancied side … but I’m feeling bold here, so what the heck?

– Most intriguing figure this year? I’m looking at you, Collins John.  The man hit for 11 goals at Fulham in 2005-06, then fell off the soccer map. If he proves to be the real deal, Chicago could rule the East. If not, mediocrity could set in around Toyota Park.

There’s plenty more. Each one is 2,400 words, packed and stacked. Me – I’m just glad that I won’t have to write about labor peace anymore.