by Roderick MacNeil
Graham Zusi and Sporting Kansas City may have plenty more to celebrate in 2014. (Peter G. Aiken/US Presswire)
It was a busy and exciting offseason around the Eastern Conference. The addition of six new Designated Players to the conference could see a massive power shift from 2013, with all six joining teams that finished near the bottom of the table a year ago. The teams that occupied the top of the standings last fall all return as formidable as we last saw them, and several upstart challengers look to make bigger strides as the new campaign begins. Here’s our look at each Eastern Conference team, in projected order of finish.
1. Sporting Kansas City
The defending MLS Cup champions made very few significant changes to the team that hoisted a trophy last year. They return as favorites in the East with a deep roster a few questions marks. New starting goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, the longest tenured SKC player, will have big gloves to fill for the retired Jimmy Nielsen. Kronberg has played less than 400 MLS minutes in 8 previous seasons. His teammates are familiar with him in training, but it needs to translate to trust when the games count. SKC will miss Graham Zusi and Matt Besler at various times with the USMNT, but this team has plenty of depth to not bat an eye during their absences.
2. New York Red Bulls
New York took a huge step forward in 2013, winning the first trophy in the team’s history. Much like their Eastern rivals SKC, there were few major changes with the Red Bulls. Thierry Henry looks as motivated as ever and Tim Cahill has been unstoppable, as both continue to defy the effects of aging. If New York’s key players can remain injury-free, they’ll be a force at the top of the East again could watch its silverware collection start to multiply.
3. Toronto FC
Expectations have never been higher in Toronto. They broke the bank with the high profile signings of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley, found a way to fit Brazilian national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar under the salary cap, and brought back Canadian national team captain and former MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario. The X-factor for TFC could be the less-prolific DP signing, Gilberto. If he’s able to take pressure away from Defoe and provide a consisting second scoring threat, the Reds could be deadly up top. This team may take some time to gel, but there’s too much talent to fail.
4. Philadelphia Union
The Union team that takes the field in 2014 is unrecognizable from the one we saw last fall. All eyes will be on a completely revamped midfield featuring three major new signings. Former USMNT stalwart Maurice Edu and Argentinian Christian Maidana enter as Designated Players, joined by former Sochaux midfielder Vincent Nogueira. They’ll attempt to reignite Jack McInerney’s lost scoring touch. Opposing defenses seemed to figure out McInerney after his hot 2013 start. The talent on this roster is much improved, but it remains to be seen how it fits together and where the goals will come from. With all the new talent in the midfield, it’s hard to imagine they don’t figure that out before long.
5. D.C. United
You can’t accuse D.C. United of being passive this offseason. There are wholesale changes all over the pitch. Most of the new faces join from elsewhere in MLS. Most notably, the acquisition of USMNT forward Eddie Johnson from Seattle, who is now signed as a Designated Player. EJ will score his share of goals and should be complemented nicely up top by Fabian Espindola. The tale will be told on the all-new back line, where veteran newcomers Sean Franklin, Bobby Boswell and Jeff Parke, along with Spanish import Cristian Fernandez, will attempt to find cohesion in DC. It may take some time for all the new pieces to fit, but there’s nowhere to go but up for a team that had a -37 goal differential a year ago.
6. Houston Dynamo
There are few steadier presences in recent MLS history than the Dynamo. Head coach Dominic Kinnear again quietly led his team into the Eastern Conference finals, to follow up on its two consecutive MLS Cup appearances. Most of the same offensive pieces return, but attention will focus on a rebuilt central defense where Eric Brunner steps in for the departed Bobby Boswell. Depth at midfield remains a concern, as Houston stands to missing Boniek Garcia (Honduras) and Brad Davis (USA) at various times due to national team duty. It’ll be challenging for the Dynamo to return to the playoffs, yet they always seem to find a way.
7. New England Revolution
A promising young collection of talent emerged in Foxboro last year, led by Diego Fagundez and Kelyn Rowe, and that group should continue to mature and improve. The catalyst for New England’s surprising run to the playoffs, however, was short-termer Juan Agudelo, who is now off plying his trade in Holland. Agudelo was a game changer who will prove difficult to replace. The Revs are hopeful that Teal Bunbury thrives in his new surroundings, and optimistic Saer Sene can return to form from his horrific 2013 injury, but it may be striker-by-committee at Gillette. Will it be enough to hold off much improved Eastern foes in Toronto, Philly and DC? I’m skeptical.
8. Chicago Fire
Everything changed for the Fire last season after the acquisition of hometown boy Mike Magee, even if the team’s resurgence fell short of a playoff spot. Magee’s 21 goals – one shy of the Golden Boot – aren’t likely to be repeated in 2014, however. He’ll continue to be a threat, but there are too many questions elsewhere. Jalil Anibaba and the promising Austin Berry (2012 ROY) have departed from the back line, replaced by Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Lovel Palmer. It’s a different look, but is it better? The wildcard for Chicago may be former USA U-20 star, Benji Joya, who arrived via MLS’s lottery system after spending two seasons with Santos Laguna of Liga MX. Joya’s spark in the midfield could be a different maker, as he’s impressed in preseason. However, there are still too many questions to view this as a likely playoff team.
9. Columbus Crew
The hiring of new head coach Greg Berhalter marks the start of a new era in Columbus. The central defense for the Crew, which in 2013 was merely adequate, has been substantially upgraded with the additions of USMNT defender Michael Parkhurst and Costa Rican national team defender Giancarlo Gonzalez. The lingering concern is where the goals will come from. The offense still revolves around the dynamic playmaking of Federico Higuain, but there isn’t consistent help. Teams have drawn their way into the playoffs before, and the Crew might be good enough to pull off the feat. Most likely, we won’t see this team emerge until 2015.
10. Montreal Impact
All is not well in Quebec. The Impact set the league on fire to start 2013, remaining among the favorites for the Supporters Shield during the first half of the season. Then the bottom fell out as Montreal won 1 of its last 8 and was fortunate to back into the playoffs on the final day. Age and a lack of depth were two huge concerns, and they continue to be as 2014 begins. The only notable acquisition was forward Santiago Gonzalez, who will attempt to share the offensive load with Marco DiVaio. But a back line that is both inexperienced and injury-prone hasn’t been addressed. New head coach Frank Klopas will have his hands full sorting this mess out.
We’ll have the Western Conference preview later in the day, as well as some trophy and award projections.
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