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Can Sporting KC repeat as MLS Cup Champions or will Houston Dynamo regain their place as the best team in the East? As Major League Soccer prepares to lift the curtain on another season, TSN.ca presents the first of our five part season preview, taking a look at the American based teams in the Eastern Conference. Chicago Fire It was a tough 2013 for the Toyota Park faithful, as the Fire followed-up their first playoff season in three years with their lowest-ever finish in 15 MLS seasons. The disappointing finish was due in large part to a disastrous start that saw the Fire go 2-7-1 over their first 10 games. A strong May and an unbeaten home record from late July onward were not enough to salvage the season. A turnaround for the Fire could well depend on their last line of defence. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson, 24, posted a save percentage of 70, which was fifth-best among MLS keepers that started at least 20 games. The American national will need to be stellar again to get the Fire back into the MLS Cup conversation. The Fire are going to California for their 2014 season opener, crossing conferences to meet Chivas USA. They meet up with the Impact on Apr. 12 for their first Canadian visit of the campaign. Whos In?: F Giuseppe Gentile (waiver draft), D Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (trade with Seattle), D Patrick Ianni (trade with Seattle), M Benji Joya (weighted lottery), D/M Lovel Palmer (trade with Real Salt Lake), GK Kyle Reynish (free agent). Whos Out?: D Jalil Anibaba (trade with Seattle), M Corben Bone (option declined), D Shaun Francis (free agent), M Joel Lindpere (option declined), M Daniel Paladini (trade with Columbus), M Arévalo Rios (option declined), F Maicon Santos (option declined), GK Paolo Tornaghi (waived), D Michael Videira (option declined), D Wells Thompson (free agent). SuperDraft: D Marco Franco (1-13). Columbus Crew A year after missing the MLS Cup playoffs by a single point, 2013 was a disappointment in the Ohio capital. The Crew dropped to eighth in the East, missing the playoffs once more. Six losses in seven mid-summer games would be the Crews undoing, despite strong seasons from Argentine striker Federico Higuain and team goal-scoring leader Dominic Oduro. The Crew have shuffled the deck in net, sending Andy Gruenebaum to KC and hoping that one of Matt Lampson or new acquisitions Steve Clark or Brad Stuver can carry the load. Columbus visits the minnows of the 2013 MLS season – D.C. United – to open their 2014 campaign. They get a return date with their Eastern rivals from Toronto in their first Canadian visit on May 31. Whos In?: GK Steve Clark (trade with Seattle), D Waylon Francis (discovery), D Giancarlo Gonzalez (transfer from Valerenga), M Hector Jimenez (trade with LA Galaxy), M Daniel Paladini (trade with Chicago), D Michael Parkhurst (rights acquired from New England), GK Brad Stuver (waiver draft). Whos Out?: D Drew Beckie (option declined), M Eddie Gaven (retired), D Glauber (option declined), GK Andy Gruenebaum (trade with Kansas City), F Aaron Horton (waived), D Kyle Hyland (option declined), D Chad Marshall (trade with Seattle), D/M Danny ORourke (option declined), M Matías Sanchez (waived), M Konrad Warzycha (option declined), GK Daniel Withrow (waived). SuperDraft: D Ben Sweat (1-14). D.C. United Fans in the U.S. capital would probably be best served to forget that 2013 ever happened. A season removed from the third-best record in the League, United dropped to dead last in the table, posting an all-time MLS low of just three wins for a season. The off-season overhaul was of particular note to Canadas MLS clubs as United acquired Montreal Impact captain Davy Arnaud via trade. A week later, though, D.C. sent one of its premier players back home, leaving Dwayne De Rosario unprotected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft, allowing him to be snatched up by Toronto FC. If Arnaud and Portland acquisition Eddie Johnson can reignite the United offence and if Chris Pontius can rediscover his scoring form, 2013 may prove to be an aberration. But a season that poor is a tough one to wipe clean from a fan-bases memory. D.C. opens at home on Mar. 8 against the Columbus Crew. Theyll face a rejuvenated Toronto FC in front of an undoubtedly-raucous BMO Field crowd in the teams home opener on Mar. 22. Whos In?: M Davy Arnaud (trade with Montreal), D Nana Attakora (re-entry stage 2), D Bobby Boswell (Re-entry stage 1), F Conor Doyle (transfer from Derby County), F Fabian Espindola (Re-entry stage 2), D Christian Fernandez (free agent), F Christiano Francois (waiver draft), D Sean Franklin (re-entry stage 1), F Eddie Johnson (trade with Seattle), D Jeff Parke (trade with Philadelphia). Whos Out?: M/F Syamsir Alam (option declined), M Dwayne De Rosario (option declined), F Christiano Francois (loaned to Richmond), D Dennis Iapichino (out of contract), D Dejan Jakovic (transfer to Shimizu S-Pulse), M Collin Martin (loaned to Richmond), F Lionard Pajoy (option declined), D James Riley (option declined), F Carlos Ruiz (option declined), M Marcelo Saragosa (option declined), M John Thorrington (option declined), D Ethan White (trade with Philadelphia), GK Joe Willis (loaned to Richmond), D Daniel Woolard (option declined). SuperDraft: D Steve Birnbaum (1-2). Houston Dynamo Houstons run had to come to an end at some point. After two straight trips to the MLS Cup – both defeats at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy – the Dynamos season was once again derailed by the eventual Champs. This time it was Sporting Kansas City who took their aggregate Conference Final 2-1 at Sporting Park. That said, the Dynamo did what they do best once again and saved their best play for when it mattered most. A fourth-place showing helped show that they belonged with the best in the East and their playoff moxie once again came through for them. All-time leading scorer Brian Ching called it a career after the season, meaning Will Bruin can likely take full-time ownership of the “face of the franchise” mantle. With New York City FC on the way in 2015, this season could well be Houstons last in the Eastern Conference. Will they give the Conference one more run for its money? The Dynamo open at home on Mar. 8 against the team that forced them into the 2013 MLS Cup Knockout Round game by virtue of goal-differential, the New England Revolution. Their first Canadian test comes later in March, in Vancouver on the 29th. Whos In?: M Tony Cascio (loan from Colorado), D David Horst (trade with Portland). Whos Out?: D Bobby Boswell (out of contract), F Calen Carr (out of contract), D Mike Chabala (option declined), F Brian Ching (retired), M Alex Dixon (option declined), F Cam Weaver (option declined). SuperDraft: D A.J. Cochran (1-16). Sporting Kansas City Sporting got off to a roaring start in 2013, losing just one of its first six matches and that a surprising upset at the hands of Toronto FC in the latters home opener. They would pick up that pace once more to finish the season by winning six of eight (6-1-1) and coming within one point of the Supporters Shield. While they narrowly missed one piece of hardware, the Leagues most rabid fan-base was rewarded with the franchises second ever MLS Cup after a thrilling penalty-kick victory over Real Salt Lake in the Final. One of the faces of that triumph has left KC, as goalkeeper and captain Jimmy Nielsen has hung up his gloves. Losing arguably the leagues premier keeper hurts, but the addition of Columbus Andy Gruenebaum might salve that loss. The team will also be hoping for even greater leadership out of sophomore striker Dom Dwyer, midfielder and team MVP Graham Zusi and DP Claudio Bieler, who led the team in goals with 10 in 2013. Kansas City opens on the road in Seattle on Mar. 8 and make their first trip to Canada with a May 10 date with the Impact at Stade Saputo. Whos In?: GK Andy Gruenebaum (trade with Columbus), M Sal Zizzo (trade with Portland). Whos Out?: F Teal Bunbury (traded to New England), D Kyle Miller (waived), GK Jimmy Nielsen (retired), D Brendan Ruiz (waived). SuperDraft: F Adnan Gabelic (2-38). New England Revolution Something had to give eventually at Foxborough. After two straight years in the MLS basement, the Revs finally got back to good in 2013, racking up 14 wins (the same total as their prior two seasons, combined) and qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2009. The difference-makers for the Revs were the young, dynamic offensive pairing of Kelyn Rowe, in just his second MLS season, and Diego Fagundez, a then-18-year-old Uruguayan somehow in his third. If those two can click once more, then the upward trend should prove to be more than just a one-year aberration. The permanent addition of Charlie Davies should also help the Revs depth up front. The Revs open up with a visit to the Houston Dynamo on Mar. 8 but dont hit a Canadian pitch until May 3 when they visit Toronto FC. Whos In?: F Teal Bunbury (trade from Sporting KC), F Charlie Davies (transfer from Randers), M Paolo DelPiccolo (waiver draft), GK Brad Knighton (trade with Vancouver), M Daigo Kobayashi (rights acquired from Vancouver), D Jossimar Sanchez (Supplemental Draft). Whos Out?: F Juan Agudelo (out of contract), F Chad Barrett (option declined), D Bilal Duckett (waived), M Ryan Guy (option declined), F Matt Horth (waived), M Gabe Latigue (waived), D Tyler Polak (option declined), GK Matt Reis (retired), M Clyde Simms (option declined), M Juan Toja (option declined). SuperDraft: F Steve Neumann (1-4), F Patrick Mullins (1-11). New York Red Bulls A nearly-winless March was cause for concern for the Red Bulls in 2013, but things turned out alright in the end. Two huge streaks – seven unbeaten in April and May and eight unbeaten to finish the season – propelled the Red Bulls to their first Supporters Shield in a tight race with Kansas City. Sadly, an Omar Cummings extra-time marker stunned Red Bull Arena and sent the Houston Dynamo on to the Eastern Final instead of the Bulls. The playoff result has to come as a sting, especially since it was Cummings who struck in injury time in the first leg to salvage a draw. The Bulls were clearly concerned about their back end in the off-season, bringing in Spanish full-back Armando Lozano and acquiring Richard Eckersley from Toronto via trade. Will a better D be key to a better finish? The Red Bulls season starts on Canadian soil as they will be forced to begin their campaign in front of a boisterous BC Place crowd in the Vancouver Whitecaps opener on Mar. 8. Whos In?: D Armando (free transfer), M Bobby Convey (trade with Toronto), D Richard Eckersley (trade with Toronto). Whos Out?: D Brandon Barklage (option declined), D David Carney (option declined), F Fabián Espíndola (option declined), GK Kevin Hartman (retired), D Markus Holgersson (contract terminated), D Heath Pearce (out of contract). SuperDraft: D Chris Duvall (2-22). Philadelphia Union The Union finished just three points out of the MLS Cup playoffs and maybe locking down the last 10 minutes of their final three games – all of which saw them concede an equalizer or winner – might have been that difference. Jack McInerney – seventh in league scoring – certainly did his part scoring late ones of his own in two of the three, but time would run out on the Union. McInerney was excellent early in the season and clearly turned it on again at the seasons end. The Union are hoping theyve found him some help, but will a return to the States prove a jump-starter for Maurice Edu? The 27-year-old has seen little of the pitch over two years with Premier League side Stoke City and it has led to fewer appearances with the U.S. national side as a result. The Unions season begins with a tall task, the team being handed the reigning Western table-topping Portland Timbers on the road to start the season. Philly will hit Canada for the first time on Apr. 26 when they visit Montreal. Whos In?: M Corben Bone (re-entry stage 1), M Maurice Edu (loan from Stoke City), GK Brian Holt (free), M Cristian Maidana (free transfer), M Vincent Nogueira (transfer from Sochaux), D Ethan White (trade with Philadelphia). Whos Out?: D Chris Albright (retired), F Don Anding (waived), M Michael Farfan (transfer to Cruz Azul), M Greg Jordan (waived), M Kleberson (waived), GK Oka Nikolov (waived), D Jeff Parke (trade with D.C. United), D Mikaël Silvestre (contract terminated). SuperDraft: GK Andre Blake (1-1), MF Pedro Ribeiro (1-15). Kevin Kiermaier Jersey . The Gatineau Olympiques head coach will lead Canada in its quest to end its gold medal drought at the 2015 world junior hockey championship held in Montreal and Toronto at the end of this year. Joey Wendle Jersey . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No. http://www.officialraysgearshop.com/Rays-Daniel-Robertson-Kids-Jersey/ . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall. Custom Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . LOUIS -- Julius Randle had 19 points and 15 rebounds, Aaron Harrison finished with 18 points and No. Evan Longoria Jersey . Ribery terrorized the Schalke defence throughout and put the home side ahead in the 36th minute when he chipped the goalkeeper before stroking the ball into the empty net. The French winger struck again after the interval, combining with Thomas Mueller on the left before firing a deflected shot beyond the helpless Timo Hildebrand in the 55th, as Bayern bounced back from Wednesdays 1-0 loss at FC Basel in the Champions League. The new Barclays Premier League season gets underway on Saturday and prior to the first kick, TSN.ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Last season, defending champions Manchester United endured a disaster season under David Moyes, finishing seventh and missing European qualification entirely. Can new manager Louis van Gaal reassert the Red Devils dominance once again in his first season in charge? Manager: Louis van Gaal Last Season: 19-7-12 (seventh in Premier League) Notable Additions: Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao) and Luke Shaw (Southampton) Notable Subtractions: Ryan Giggs (Retirement), Alexander Buttner (Dynamo Kiev), Bebe (Benfica), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Nemanja Vidic (Inter), Federico Macheda (Cardiff City) and Rio Ferdinand (QPR) That was Then: Taking over the helm of United from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson would be a great challenge to just about any manager in the game of football, but David Moyes seemed primed and ready for the challenge of succeeding a man who 38 trophies in his 27 years at the club. The long-time Everton gaffer entered into Old Trafford with a massive banner hanging from the rafters proclaiming him "the Chosen One." By the time he left Manchester United in April, fans hoped that the Scotsmans year in charge of the club would be a forgotten one. Moyes reign in the red half of Manchester was an abject disaster and there were signs of impending doom as early as last summers transfer window, when vice-chairman Ed Woodward, taking over the mantle of top executive following the retirement of David Gill after 16 seasons at United, couldnt seem to get any business done. Everton dismissed "derisory" bids for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, while nothing came to fruition with very public courtships of the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Sami Khedira and Ander Herrera. United settled with signing Fellaini for 27.5 million pounds on transfer deadline day of August 31. If the fee seemed astronomical to supporters then, it must be noted that United refused to activate the Belgians release clause of 23.5 million pounds only weeks previous. (The Canadian Press) A Community Shield victory over Wigan on a Robin van Persie double got the year off to a bright start under Moyes, as did an opening day 4-1 thrashing of Swansea City, but the defeats began to mount, starting with a 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on September 1. Against the "Big Four" opponents of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, United could muster only five points in eight matches and were outscored 11-3 in them, including a 4-1 rout by City and an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford. If that werent galling enough, United began to drop points to clubs who would have had no business beating the team with Ferguson in charge. The likes of Everton, West Brom, Newcastle and Sunderland inflicted home defeats on United with the Toffees completing the double with a victory at Goodison Park, as well, the first time it had done so since 1970. Moyes never managed to beat United once while in charge of Everton. Following a 0-0 draw with Chelsea in the seasons second game, United found itself in fourth place in the table. The team would never be in a top-four place again afterwards. Uniteds domestic cup campaigns were disastrous, as well, going out in the third round to Swansea City in the FA Cup and losing to Sunderland in the League Cup semi-finals on an embarrassing gaffe by keeper David De Gea. What was all the more confounding for United players and supporters alike was that this was virtually the same team with which Ferguson had won the league the previous year by 11 points. Yes, there were injury woes with van Persie only making only 21 league appearances and the likes of Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans missing significant time, but the team just wasnt very good under Moyes. Phil Jones and Rafael seemed to regress badly. After a stellar 2012-13, Rio Ferdinand looked his age. Tom Cleverley looked lost at the centre of midfield. Nani and Ashley Young embarrassed themselves more often than they looked competent. The less said about Fellainis year, the better. By the time Moyes left, United finished with their lowest points tally in the BPL ever, its worst home form in over a decade and it missed out on European football for the first time since 1989. This is Now: 2013-14 was humbling for United...well, thats a relative term since clubs like Uniited are never really humbled.dddddddddddd..or humble. What better way for United to wipe the slate clean than to bring in a manager whose arrogance and swagger are only matched by his pedigree? Fresh off of a third-place finish with the Netherlands at the World Cup, Louis van Gaal assumed control of Manchester United in July and installed tnow retired United legend, Ryan Giggs, as his number two. A winner everywhere hes been (Ajax, Bayern Munich and Barcelona), van Gaal represents a 180 shift from Moyes. Prickly, acerbic and unafraid to clash with star players, van Gaal brings with him a rigidity and authoritarian style that gets results, but often at the cost of longevity. He spent only three seasons at Barcelona (briefly returning again in 2002) and three at Bayern, where he famously clashed with stars Rivaldo and Mark van Bommel. (The Canadian Press) Still, van Gaal is a winner and thats exactly what he plans to do at United, but a championship in his maiden season might be a bit too ambitious. While he says that claiming a 21st English championship is his goal for this season, a far more modest (and, perhaps, attainable) aim for the Dutchman is a return to the top four and a Champions League spot. How van Gaal plans to go about his task is a complete shift in tactical make-up. The basic make-up for United will be a 3-4-1-2 similar to the one favoured by van Gaal with the Dutch at the World Cup. In an ideal employment, United can use this going forward and can collapse into a 5-3-2 to defend. The keys here will be the wings where new signing Shaw and Young, whos seemingly found a new lease on life at Old Trafford under van Gaal, are expected to start. Ander Herrera, who some earmark as Xavi Hernandezs natural successor on the Spanish national team, will be the cog at the centre of midfield with countryman Juan Mata in the number-10 role and van Persie and newly named club captain, Wayne Rooney, as a preferred strike pairing with England international Danny Welbeck ready to spell either. As witnessed in Uniteds pre-season fixtures, this system can be both deadly and a treat to watch when firing at all cylinders. Though this is what United will likely look resemble, more or less, in the seasons opening fixtures, its unlikely the finished product, with van Gaal intent to do more on the transfer market, both buying and selling. The likes of Fellaini, Nani, Anderson and Javier Hernandez, surplus to requirements under the Dutchman, could be sold off as van Gaal continues to attempt to put his stamp on the club. One or more defenders could be on the way in (with Sportings Marcos Rojo and Ajaxs Daley Blind linked to the club in recent days), as well as some more depth in the midfield (Serie A trio Arturo Vidal, Juan Cuadrado and Kevin Strootman are among those said to be coveted by van Gaal) where Carrick is on the shelf and vice-captain Darren Fletchers health a seemingly constant tenuous proposition. There is reason for optimism at Old Trafford. A lack of European football means laser-like focus on the league. While City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool prepare for midweek fixtures, United will have the luxury of rest and preparation for their next league match. Sure, the lack of European football stings from the loss of revenue, but the potential domestic advantage gained over its domestic rivals could be priceless. While any new manager can expect some sort of grace period in taking over a club, van Gaal will not expect one and it probably wont be offered from supporters. Though, van Gaal has warned players and supporters alike to expect growing pains, the importance of a strong start for United is obvious considering its schedule. The teams first six fixtures are against three teams who finished in the bottom half of the table last season (Swansea City, Sunderland and West Ham) and the three promoted sides (QPR, Burnley and Leicester City.) Contrast this with Liverpool, who get City and Spurs in its first three matches, or Arsenal, who have Everton, City and a Champions League qualifier with Besiktas in the next month. United must use its weak schedule to its advantage. Returning to the summit of English football could be wishful thinking for United in 2014-15, but theres no reason to doubt that this season will mark Manchester Uniteds reassertion as one of the dominant forces in the English game. Burning Question: With a relatively quiet transfer window, is a new tactical set-up and confidence under van Gaal enough for United to return to the top four? 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