EASTERN CONFERENCE
CHICAGO FIRE
* Coach -- Dave Sarachan (second year).
* Titles -- MLS champion 1998; U.S. Open Cup winner 1998, 2000, 2003.
* Stadium -- Soldier Field.
* 2003 record -- 15-7-8 (Home: 10-1-4, Away: 5-6-4).
* Goals -- 53 (2nd).
* Goals against -- 43 (5th).
* Top scorer -- Ante Razov (14).
* Left town -- Carlos Bocanegra (to Fulham); Zach Thornton (to Benfica).
* Just arrived -- D.J. Countess (from Dallas); Scott Buete (top draft pick).
* Outlook -- The Fire almost swept the board last season, winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield for having the best regular-season record and the U.S. Open Cup, before losing the MLS Cup final to San Jose when Razov’s shooting touch deserted him. Sarachan has lost U.S. internationals Bocanegra and Thornton, severely weakening his defense, but his offense is still daunting with Razov, Damani Ralph, DaMarcus Beasley, Dipsy Selolwane and Andy Williams. Chris Armas will run the midfield. Rookie Leonard Griffin, from UCLA, could break into the lineup.
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COLUMBUS CREW
* Coach -- Greg Andrulis (fourth year).
* Titles -- U.S. Open Cup winner 2002.
* Stadium -- Crew Stadium.
* 2003 record -- 10-12-8 (Home, 6-3-6; Away: 4-9-2).
* Goals -- 44 (5th).
* Goals against -- 44 (tied for 6th).
* Top scorer -- Brian McBride (12).
* Left town -- Brian McBride (to Fulham); Alex Pineda Chacon (released); Brian West (to Norway); Mike Clark (retired).
* Just arrived -- Erick Scott (from Alajuelense); Robin Fraser (from Colorado); Simon Elliott (from Galaxy); Manny Lagos (from San Jose); Matt Jordan (from Odense Boldklub); Chad Marshall (top draft pick).
* Outlook -- Despite the loss of McBride, Chacon and Clark, the Crew appears stronger on paper, especially on defense. Costa Rica international Scott is a huge addition, although the striker will be absent during the Olympics and World Cup qualifying. Marshall, from Stanford, was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft behind Freddy Adu and could start in the defense. Andrulis was lucky to survive after missing the playoffs and will be under pressure to improve.*
D.C. UNITED
* Coach -- Peter Nowak (first year).
* Titles -- MLS champion 1996, 1997, 1999; U.S. Open Cup winner 1996; CONCACAF Champions Cup winner 1998; InterAmerican Cup winner 1998.
* Stadium -- RFK Stadium.
* 2003 record -- 10-11-9 (Home: 6-3-6; Away: 4-8-3).
* Goals -- 38 (8th).
* Goals against -- 36 (3rd).
* Top scorer -- Marco Etcheverry and Dema Kovalenko (tied 6)
* Left town -- Marco Etcheverry (to Bolivar); Hristo Stoitchkov (retired); Milton Reyes (to Dallas).
* Just arrived -- Freddy Adu (top draft pick); Jaime Moreno (from New York/New Jersey).
* Outlook -- Nowak, a former standout for Poland, takes over a young but talented team whose most accomplished player is not the as-yet-unproven Adu but rather U.S. international Bobby Convey, who will assume the playmaker role that belonged to Etcheverry for eight seasons. The return of Bolivia’s Moreno will add offensive experience, and the attack will likewise be helped because talented U.S. winger Ben Olsen is back after a succession of injuries.
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METROSTARS
* Coach -- Bob Bradley (second year).
* Titles -- none.
* Stadium -- Giants Stadium.
* 2003 record -- 11-10-9 (Home: 5-6-4, Away: 6-4-5).
* Goals -- 40 (tied for 6th).
* Goals against -- 40 (4th).
* Top scorer -- Clint Mathis (9).
* Left town -- Clint Mathis (to Hannover 96); Steve Jolley (to Dallas).
* Just arrived -- Joselito Vaca (from Dallas); Tenywa Bonseu (from Dallas); Gilberto Flores (from Ginasio Pinhalense); Cornell Glen (from CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh); Sergio Galvan Rey (Once Caldas); Fabian Taylor (from Harbour View FC); Seth Stammler (top draft pick)
* Outlook -- Bradley has been revamping his team. Bonseu improves the defense. Flores, 20, from Brazil, will add flair to a midfield already featuring Honduras’ Amado Guevara, rising U.S. stars Ricardo Clark and Eddie Gaven and Bolivia’s Vaca. Up front, Bradley also has landed Trinidad and Tobago national team forward Cornell Glen, 22, and Jamaican striker Taylor. The MetroStars will be the youngest team in the league, and potentially the most entertaining.
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NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
* Coach -- Steve Nicol (second year).
* Titles -- none.
* Stadium -- Gillette Stadium.
* 2003 record -- 12-9-9 (Home: 7-4-4, Away: 5-5-5).
* Goals -- 55 (1st).
* Goals against -- 47 (9th).
* Top scorer -- Taylor Twellman (15).
* Left town -- Leo Cullen (released).
* Just arrived -- Clint Dempsey (top draft pick).
* Outlook -- Former Liverpool and Scotland national team star Nicol has pretty much stuck with the team that led the league in scoring in 2003 and came close to beating the Fire and earning a place in the final. Striker Taylor Twellman has battled the Galaxy’s Ruiz goal for goal the last two seasons and will again be the main strike threat. The Revolution’s two most accomplished players, however, are defensive midfielder Shalrie Joseph, of Grenada’s national team that will play the U.S. in World Cup qualifying, and offensive midfielder Jose Carlos Cancela of Uruguay. New England’s defense might again be its downfall, putting pressure on goalkeeper Adin Brown.
