MLS PREVIEW: SPREAD THICK MLS CLUBS ADD TALENT FROM FOLDED FRANCHISES.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

Less is more. That is the theme Major League Soccer officials hope fans will recognize when the 2002 season begins Saturday.

In January, the league folded franchises in Miami and Tampa Bay to reduce costs. By doing so, the remaining 10 teams that will compete in MLS' seventh season were strengthened.

In the past two seasons, Kansas City (2000) and San Jose (2001) won MLS championships after missing the playoffs the previous season. This is all part of the league's grand plan under the single-entity concept - to improve the weak in order to maintain parity.

New England and Colorado, two teams that missed the playoffs last year, have improved the most, benefiting from January's dispersal draft of players made available by the folding of the Fusion and Mutiny.

The Revolution added league MVP Alex Pineda Chacon and U.S. national team defender Carlos Llamosa from Miami, in addition to Tampa Bay's Mamadou ``Big Mama'' Diallo - arguably the best striker in the league.

The Rapids added Chris Henderson and defender Pablo Mastroeni from Miami and Mark Chung in a trade, prompting last year's team scoring leader, John Spencer (14 goals), to make some lofty predictions.

``I will say it blatantly,'' Spencer told the Denver Post on Monday. ``I want a championship ring. I don't mean to put pressure on anybody, but if we don't win the championship, then we will have underachieved.''

Even with the improvements in New England and Colorado, defending champion San Jose, Chicago and the Galaxy should compete for the championship again.

``Obviously, New England and Colorado made great strides,'' Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. ``But I think we made big improvements as well. With (Landon) Donovan a year older, San Jose will be good, and Chicago is always there. All the seven other teams made noticeable improvements, but I think the three of us are still going to have to be dealt with.''

With the Fusion and Mutiny folded, the league realigned to two divisions: The Galaxy, San Jose, Colorado, Kansas City and Dallas will compete in the Western Conference. Chicago moves to the Eastern Conference along with Columbus, D.C. United, New York/New Jersey, Chicago and New England.

MLS BREAKDOWN

In predicted order of finish with last seasn's record in parentheses:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Jose Earthquakes (13-7-6)

Key players: Landon Donovan, Manny Lagos, Richard Mulrooney, Jeff Agoos, Troy Dayak.

Outlook: Donovan is the best young forward in America and has made great strides with the national team since scoring a goal to help the Earthquakes beat the Galaxy 2-1 in October's MLS championship game. The addition of Graziani, who scored 11 goals for the Burn last year, gives San Jose the best scoring tandem in the league.

Galaxy (14-7-5)

Key players: Cobi Jones, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Simon Elliott, Peter Vagenas, Sasha Victorine, Ezra Hendrickson, Danny Califf.

Outlook: The core of this team remains in place and is supplemented by the addition of the 22-year-old Ruiz, who scored eight goals for Guatemala in World Cup qualifying. Another key addition is left back Marshall, who replaces the retired Paul Caligiuri. Also, Jones and Victorine return to their natural midfield positions. U.S. veteran Alexi Lalas, who played a reserve role, had a terrific exhibition season and will replace Greg Vanney, who signed a contract in the French First Division.

Colorado Rapids (5-13-18)

Key players: John Spencer, Carlos Valderrama, Robin Fraser.

Outlook: The sky's the limit. Spencer was third in MLS in scoring (14 goals, seven assists). Having Henderson and Chung with Valderrama significantly strengthens what was a weak midfield line.

Dallas Burn (10-11-5)

Key players: Jason Kreis, Ed Johnson, Oscar Pareja, Chad Deering, Richard Farrer.

Outlook: The 6-foot Johnson will turn 18 later this month and could have the kind of breakout season Donovan had in San Jose. The Burn recently completed a tour of Chile, going unbeaten in five games. The addition of Cerritos, along with Kreis and Johnson, forms a dangerous offensive trio.

Kansas City Wizards (11-13-3)

Key players: Roy Lassiter, Peter Vermes, Tony Meola.

Outlook: The ageless Preki helped the Wizards win an MLS championship in 2000, then was dealt to Miami, which finished with the best regular-season record last year. After the Fusion folded, Preki was reacquired by the Wizards in the dispersal draft. The Wizards hope Preki can rekindle that old magic.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New England Revolution (7-14-6)

Key players: Wolde Harris, Jay Heaps, Juergen Sommer, Andy Williams, Joey Franchino.

Outlook: No team has improved itself as much as the Revolution. With two former league MVPs in Diallo and Pineda Chacon, along with sturdy defensive stalwart Llamosa, many have predicted the Revolution will finally break through and win a title.

Chicago Fire (16-6-5)

Key players: Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley, Peter Nowak, Josh Wolff, Ante Razov, Dema Kovalenko, Zach Thornton.

Outlook: No team has made fewer changes than the Fire. That should help coach Bob Bradley's team, which won the Central Division last year despite a string of injuries. Nowak is one of the best midfielders in MLS and Armas is the best defensive midfielder.

New York/New Jersey MetroStars (13-10-3)

Key players: Clint Mathis, Steve Jolley, Tab Ramos, Mike Petke, Ross Paule, Tim Howard.

Outlook: When Mathis went down with a season-ending ACL injury, so did the MetroStars' chances of winning a championship. With Mathis back, along with newcomer Serna (15 goals and 15 assists with Miami), the Metros have scoring options again.

Columbus Crew (13-7-6)

Key players: Brian McBride, Brian Maisonneuve, Jeff Cunningham, John Wilmar Perez.

Outlook: Perez, Maisonneuve and Brian West form a strong midfield triangle, but team officials are more concerned about a defense that gave up 49 goals last season. With the addition of McCarty and Dunseth to go with veteran Mike Clark and Costa Rican Daniel Torres, the Crew should be much improved in this area.

D.C. United (8-16-2)

Key players: Marco Etcheverry, Jaime Moreno, Abdul Thompson Conteh, Bobby Convey, Ben Olsen.

Outlook: Maybe new coach Ray Hudson, who left the broadcast booth to guide Miami to the Eastern Division title, can do similar things with the three-time MLS champion United. Defensive midfielder Williams returns to the team, and Rimando is one of the best young goalkeepers in the league.

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MLS BREAKDOWN (see text)