Media Roundtable | Spring Season Championship Winner Predictions

With the start of the Spring Season inching closer each day, media members covering the league gave their opinions on which side they believe will win the Spring Season Championship.

Dave Martinez, Empire of Soccer

Not only has Minnesota United held on to their core; they have also added explosive new players. Ibson will be a dynamic addition to the midfield and Jonny Steele adds a workhorse to their stable. With the leadership of Manny Lagos and the return of most of their roster, the Loons will look to right their 2014 blushes en route to a title.

Pedro Heizer, 90MinutesStrong

The strongest team in the NASL is still Minnesota United, with the Cosmos coming in a close second. The issue with the Cosmos is just how much of it is fact and how much of it is just smoke. To me, Minnesota United has all the tools to win the 2015 Spring Season Championship.

Steven Sandor, Plastic Pitch and The11.ca

This is going to come off as a total homer pick but I think, barring any major last-minute roster changes to any of the clubs, that this is FC Edmonton’s Spring Season Championship to lose. During the 2014 Fall Season, this team lost just once at home, and it wasn’t like it was drawing games at home, either. The Eddies have figured out how to make that road trip to the northwest brutal for all of the other comers.

The Eddies have the best back four in the league, and the deepest goalkeeping; they added Matt Van Oekel to be the one-two punch with 2014 Golden Glove winner in John Smits. With the bizarre spring schedule – thanks to the Women’s World Cup, which forces the Eddies out of Edmonton for all of June – the Eddies will play almost their entire spring home schedule all in a row, and could stretch out a big lead over the pack if their home form is as good in the Spring of 2015 as it was in the Fall of 2014.

Jake Nutting, Unused Subsitutes and Empire of Soccer

Comprising only 10 games, the NASL Spring Season is more of a sprint. Considering that it, it is hard to pick anyone other than Minnesota United to claim the Spring Season Championship and clinch the first spot in The Championship. The Loons were by far the best team during the 2014 regular season campaign and have retained the core of both their attack and defense. I fully expect to see Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra to shine. The midfield additions of Ibson, Kalif Alhassan, and Johnny Steele will provide a wealth of playing experience, from both abroad and North America.

Minnesota's coach Manny Lagos is the longest tenured coach with a single team in the NASL and his team greatly benefits from that. Chemistry is the most important factor in a short contained run of games, and the Loons appear to take top prize in that department. Because of so much turnover in the league most teams may still be working out the kinks come  the start of the season on April 4.

Michael Lewis, Big Apple Soccer

Well, I think it will be the Cosmos. If they play up to their abilities and reputation, they can go far this season.

Neil Morris, WRALSportsFan

It sounds cliché to claim the Spring Season Championship will come down to Minnesota United, which had the best combined regular season record in 2014, and the New York Cosmos, which notched the next best overall record behind The Championship Final winner San Antonio Scorpions. But the Loons and Cosmos are two talent-laden teams that also markedly fine-tuned their rosters this offseason.

The additions of Adam Moffat and Walter Restrepo will upgrade the Cosmos’ midfield, while Raúl and Lucky Mkosana should compliment striker Mads Stokkelien in attack. However, Minnesota United preserved their stout backline while adding former MLS midfielders Jonny Steele and Kalif Alhassan, Brazilian standout Ibson, and two-time Rochester Rhinos team MVP J.C. Banks. Moreover, the return of forward Pablo Campos, who missed most of 2014 with a knee injury, adds even more punch to the league’s top goalscoring team last year. Oh, by the way, they still have Golden Boot winner Christian Ramirez and NASL MVP Miguel Ibarra. It’s hard to bet against the Loons.

Ryan Tomlich, SBI Soccer

The funny thing about the Spring Season is that it really is a sprint, so any team that can get hot early can really insert themselves into the race. Although many have written them off, I feel like the Atlanta Silverbacks have a chance to surprise some people in the Spring Season. I like their opening matchups at home against Indy Eleven and Ottawa Fury FC and head coach Gary Smith has brought in some solid pieces this offseason, including a bit of a reclamation project in Hans Denissen that can prove huge. I don’t know if Atlanta can truly contend with the New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions or Minnesota United, but I think they have a chance to pick up a few surprising results early on.

Kevin Collins, Alamo Soccer City

The New York Cosmos will win the Spring Season. The leadership and quality that Raúl brings cannot be underestimated. They've added quality guys around him, like Walter Restrepo, who will make this Cosmos team a title contender all year long.  

Bruce McGuire, du Nord Futbol Show podcast and Northern Pitch

Minnesota United is loaded and has aspirations of being even better than last season.

Doug Starnes, 11thHeaven.com

It would be tough to bet against either Minnesota or San Antonio, but with significant roster turnover and the fact that any team in the NASL is capable of winning against any other team, it's a difficult thing to predict. Put to it however, I would have to go with Minnesota United. The Loons have added quality to their already talented squad – Kalif Alhassan and Ibson. They're a well run and coached side, and their supporters' group is top notch.

Alex Schieferdecker, Northern Pitch

With so little room for error in a ten game season, it's true that anything can happen. But in all probability, it'll be the Loons. The team is repeating its winning preseason formula from last year and this squad is stronger than last year's.