MLS Eastern Conference preview (cont.)

5. D.C. UNITED
2009 Record: 9-8-13

• Prominent comings and goings: New manager Curt Onalfo landed on his feet after last season's dismissal from Kansas City, replacing Tom Soehn at RFK. Three newcomers will be counted on heavily: Salvadoran international midfielder Christian Castillo is moving up in class from most of his previous stops; striker Danny Allsopp has been prolific in Australia and in lower English leagues; and Kurt Morsink will push Clyde Simms for time at defensive midfielder.

• The good, bad and noteworthy: One of the most interesting offseason departures was a guy who barely played last year, Danny Szetela. Can somebody remind us why he was always the next big thing? He still may be, but it won't be at D.C. United, which waived him two weeks before the opener. ... Former first-round draft pick Julius James has been a big bust but remains a candidate to start. ... Questions about the franchise's future will steadily gain weight until the stadium issue is resolved, and a resolution appears nowhere in sight. At some point, it could all affect performance. ... Two of the league's best rookies of 2009, Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace, return.

• The man who matters: Hard to believe, but Santino Quaranta is about to enter his 10th MLS season. Healthy and in a better place in his life, he was lively and productive in 2009. Still just 25 years old and with ability to play up front, along the outside or even at attacking midfielder, he is an essential part of the plan at RFK now.

• Bottom line: If ageless wonder Jaime Moreno can stay healthy and Allsopp can score goals, this team will be OK. If not, it could be a long year.

6. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
2009 Record: 11-10-9

• Prominent comings and goings: The departures read like a starting lineup from just a couple of years back. The list includes defenders Jay Heaps and Chris Albright, midfielders Jeff Larentowicz, Steve Ralston and Wells Thompson and well-regarded backup goalkeeper Brad Knighton. Incoming talent includes young Senegalese midfielder Joseph Niouky and veteran American center back Cory Gibbs.

• The good, bad and noteworthy: As if all the personnel flux wasn't enough, goalkeeper Matt Reis will miss significant time after undergoing offseason surgery, and striker Taylor Twellman remains troubled by concussion-related issues. ... Reis, Twellman and Shalrie Joseph are the only starters still around from the Revs' 2007 MLS runner-up side. ... Kevin Alston and Darrius Barnes give the Revolution two promising young defenders to align with the experienced Gibbs.

• The man who matters: Stop us if you've heard this before: So much will depend on Joseph. The rangy center midfielder -- the best MLS player to never win an MVP -- was Steve Nicol's do-it-all last year. He supplied invaluable minutes (and goals) at forward when the cupboard looked especially bare up front. But how much more can Joseph do at this point?

• Bottom line: Nicol has a proven record in MLS, so it's hard to completely dismiss the Revs' chances. The back line is young but full of promise. Still, can you lose so much talent and leadership without taking a dent in the record? It could be a tough campaign -- especially if Twellman can't get back on the field.

7. KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
2009 Record: 8-13-9

• Prominent comings and goings: Peter Vermes stripped away the "interim" tag and is now officially in the manager's seat. Denmark's Jimmy Nielsen has taken goalkeeper duties from veteran Kevin Hartman. Herculez Gomez has moved his career to Mexico and Roger Espinoza has gone from midfield to left back. Replacing them in midfield will be a trio of newcomer candidates, including English vet Ryan Smith and Moldovan Igor Kostrov.

• The good, bad and noteworthy: Between Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud, the Wizards have two guys who can turn matches with big goals. But talk about streaky. Both define the word. ... Vermes was always a confident player. Now he's a confident manager -- but one who needs to ensure that self-assurance doesn't slide into the realm of blind arrogance. To wit, he insists this isn't a rebuilding year. Well, the Wizards didn't make the playoffs in 2009 and struck for just 33 goals, tied for second worst in MLS. They were 10th in goals allowed. So if he ain't rebuilding after all that, what the heck is he doing?

• The man who matters: Hartman remained one of the league's top shot stoppers last year but paid a high price for ineffective communication and decision-making. Bossing the box with authority is Nielson's calling card; his ability to stanch the stream of bad goals for K.C. is critical.

• Bottom line: Jimmy Conrad has to bounce back, landing closer to his 2008 form. Meanwhile, performance at home (4-6-5 last year) simply must improve.

8. PHILADELPHIA UNION
2009 Record: N/A

• Prominent comings and goings: Because the club is new, let's just move on ...

• The good, bad and noteworthy: A lot of elements came together nicely last year for Seattle. But remember: The Sounders' experience was more exception than rule for MLS expansion groups. Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake and Toronto all struggled out of the gate, as Philly is likely to do. ...What a nice luxury Peter Nowak has in goal, where heralded youngsters Chris Seitz and Brad Knighton (the former backup at New England) have split time in the preseason. Nowak has not said who will be in goal in the franchise's inaugural match, on Thursday against Seattle, which also kicks off the 2010 MLS season.

• The man who matters: Brazilian midfielder Fred always played a support role at D.C. United, stationed out wide (but tending to drift inside). Now he gets a bigger assignment. He's a good midfield passenger to have around, but it's fair to ask if he's up for the job of driving the bus.

• Bottom line: Fringe U.S. internationals Danny Califf and Michael Orozco, plus MLS vet Shavar Thomas, supply reliable building blocks in the back. Seitz and Knighton represent a good situation in goal for an expansion side. Otherwise, count on Nowak's unit to be tough and fit, and it'll be especially motivated to defend its fortress on the Delaware River once PPL Park opens in June. But where will the goals come from? There's nothing wrong with building from youth -- as long as you expect to take some lumps along the way.