1.  Akron - The Zips impressed everyone last year.  Expect more of the same in 2010.   Don’t fret about personnel losses.  The backline of Kofi Sarkodie, Chris Korb, Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson is the best in the country.  David Meves is stellar in goal.  Forward Darlington Nagbe and midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong can run and gun with anyone.  

2.  North Carolina - This team has more talent overall than the 2008 and 2009 squads that advanced to the Final Four.  Juniors Billy Schuler (9g, 6a) and Alex Dixon (8g, 1a) and sophomore Enzo Martinez (3g, 4a) are a dynamic trio up-top.  Senior midfielder Michael Farfan (5g, 4a) is the real deal. Transfer Jalil Anibaba is a huge addition to the Tar Heel defense.

4.  Virginia - The 2009 National Champions will be without four starters including All-American midfielder Tony Tchani (8g, 4a).  They boast an excellent defense led by All-American keeper Diego Restrepo and juniors Greg Monaco, Hunter Jumper, and Shawn Berry and sophomore Mike Volk.  Sophomore Will Bates is a franchise player up-top.

5. Tulsa - Eight starters return from the 2009 Elite Eight team that was

15-5-2 overall.  Senior midfielder Ashley McInnes (9g, 8a), the 2009 CUSA Player of the Year, and junior forward Austin Neil (13g, 3a) will trigger what will once again be a prolific Golden Hurricane attack.  Juniors Justin Chaves and Chris Taylor will anchor the defense.

6.  UC Santa Barbara - There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Gauchos heading into 2010.  Nine starters are back.  Sophomore transfer Sam Garza should help fill the shoes of David Walker up-top.  Sam Hayden returns in goal.  Juniors Danny Barrera and Luis Silva highlight a very talented and deep midfield.

7.  Wake Forest -  No point in beating around the bush.  The Decs  have some reloading to do due to graduation and the loss of All-Americans Ike Opara and Corben Bone.  On the other hand this is a program that has been to four straight Final Fours and they have as much athleticism as anyone.  Don’t count the Deacons out of it.

8.  UCLA - It goes without saying that when five of your players are selected in the MLS SuperDraft you have lost a lot of talent.  That’s not to say though that the talent pipeline into Westwood has closed.  The Bruins have added a recruiting class that is one of the best in the country.  If the newcomers live up to the hype, the Bruins could move upward quickly.

9.  Monmouth - The Hawks are a talented, deep, and experienced squad that lost only one starter from the 2009 team that was 18-2-2 overall and topped Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA Tourney.  Forwards Ryan Kinne (10g, 7a) and Chase Barbieri (6g, 1a) are explosive finishers.  Sophomore midfielder Ryan Clark (6g, 5a) is also a prime timer.

10.  Ohio State - The Buckeyes are looking good.  Eight starters are back from a young team that won the Big Ten  regular season and tourney titles.  Senior midfielders Matt Gold, Konrad Warzycha, and Sam Scales are back.  Sophomores Chris Hegngi and Austin McAnena return up-top.  Sophomore Matt Lampson returns in goal with a year’s experience.

11.  Boston College - The young guys at Boston College played wise beyond their years in 2009.  The Eagles steadily improved as the season progressed.  They should be ready for more responsibility in 2010.  If so, the sky is the limit for Boston College in 2010.  Senior midfielder Karl Reddick will likely set the pace.   Sophomore Justin Luthy is solid in goal.

3.  Maryland -  Fear the turtle.  The Terps were young last year but still secured fifteen wins and made it  to the Elite Eight.  Eight starters return including five of the top six goal scorers.  Keeper  Zac MacMath is among the best at his trade in the country.  Senior Jason Herrick (9g, 1a) and junior Casey Townsend (6g, 1a) will be a force up-top.