by Gerald Barnhart

At this point, this team is still an unknown for the year. But, by looking at what is going on around the rest of the league in the area of signings, it can be deduced that the Storm will have a tough go of it again in their second A-League season.

Calgary learned from their mistake of using an almost purely-local squad last year and is aiming to bring in more established players, but most of the Canadian veterans in the league have already inked deals to return to their 2002 teams in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver or have moved overseas. The Storm have secured the talents of three Caribbean players for this season, but until they hit the field and show their abilities, this team will continue to be the likely cellar-dweller in this division.

The odd man out, so to speak, last year in the race for the postseason, Portland is looking to finally become the top team of the NASL-esque Northwest trio. The key to that will be the team's goalkeeping.

After two solid seasons, standout Matt Napoleon has retired for a non-soccer business career, leaving the Timbers in limbo at the position. A slew of goalkeepers from across the nation have made the trek to Portland for the chance to fill those shoes, but at this point it is still unknown just who that person will be.

A lot of the other key players from last year are still in place with the exception of McKinley Tennyson, who paired with Fadi Afash in terrorizing the Western Conference. Tennyson has been trying to land a spot in MLS, but could still return to Portland to keep the one-two punch intact if things don't work out with the Chicago Fire, who he has been training with.

Seattle enjoyed the second-best record in league history last year at 23-4-1, but paid the price, losing forward Brian Ching to MLS and may still see Leighton O'Brien head to Sweden.

The door, however, swings both ways for the Sounders, who have recently added midfielder Alex Bengard, defender Danny Jackson and former Sounder midfielder Sean Henderson from MLS.

In addition to the MLS signings, the Sounders brought in Sean Michael Callahan, who saw success with the Atlanta Silverbacks two seasons ago before going to Rochester last year and spending most of the season on loan to the struggling Hampton Roads Mariners.

 

In a similar move to Portland's acquisition of a third division scoring leader last year in Fadi Afash, the Sounders will be announcing the addition of a highly-touted young forward that was unable to earn a permanent spot on an MLS roster this year after a stellar season at the third division level last year.

 

Should Callahan return to form for Seattle and the soon-to-be announced newcomer folllow in Afash's shoes, the club could be explosive with players coming out of the midfield on the attack, especially if O'Brien stays put.

Plagued by injuries and under new ownership last year, no one really knew how good the 'Caps were. Well, the Sounders found out the hard way in the playoffs in a stunning series blowout that finished 8-2 on aggregate score.

With virtually every player re-signed for the 2003 season, it doesn't take a genius to realize Vancouver will be a major contender not only in the Pacific, but in the league title race as well.

It's a three-horse race in the Pacific between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. Vancouver seems to be the strongest at this point, but if O'Brien stays with the Sounders, it will be a very close race between the two, leaving Portland on the outside looking in. The Timbers will continue to be a strong club this year, but will likely be in transition without the veteran goalkeeping of Napoleon.

I see Vancouver taking the top spot with Portland and Seattle battling it out for the second playoff berth. Seattle looks stronger on paper at this point, but it really comes down to three players - O'Brien, Tennyson and the mystery Portland goalkeeper - and what happens with them over the next month. If one of the two star players stay with their club, it will give them the clear edge, but if both either go or stay, the difference will be the play of the new Timbers keeper. A good start will give Portland the confidence to keep it going the whole season while a shaky beginning could leave the club questioning themselves.