Toronto and Kansas City have faired pretty well so far this winter. (Getty Images)

Many clubs are a few weeks into their pre-seasons and now that the international transfer window has shut, it is a good time to look at how each MLS side has done so far this winter. (Note: the MLS window doesn’t close until April, which means players who failed to land new jobs in Europe can still head to MLS.)

Keep in mind, these grades are based on the offseason to this point, not on how good I think the team will be. I know there will and can be a lot more moves between now and April. I’ll go more into how I think each team will be before the start of the season with various rankings and previews then. The transaction page at MLSSoccer.com was where the majority of the info seen on this post came from.

I’ve also thrown in some thought about what I think each club still needs before the start of the season in terms of depth and areas of concern.

(Side note: I’m not including any Supplemental Draft picks in with any of the teams. Some players have already been let go by their clubs while some are still trying to make the teams. Once they have definitely signed we’ll discuss it more)

Chicago Fire

Players in: G Jay Nolly (12/5: trade from Vancouver); F Kheli Dube (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Rafael Robayo (1/9: free/Millonarios); F Federico Puppo (1/11: free/Danubio); D Austin Berry (1/12: SuperDraft); F Lucky Mkosana (1/12: SuperDraft); D Hunter Jumper (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players out: F Christian Nazarit (12/7: option declined); F Gabriel Ferrari (12/7: option declined); G Alec Dufty (12/12: option declined); M Baggio Husidic (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); G Jon Conway (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); F Diego Chaves,(1/15: free/Palestino)

What is still needed: Defensive help and another striker

Thoughts: For some reason the Transaction page lacks the losses of Yamith Cuesta and Josip Mikulic, Those two losses leave their defense in a bit of a pickle. Only Cory Gibbs and Jahil Anibaba have MLS experience. That being said however I did like their SuperDraft with them landing Berry and Jumper. There will be some growing pains in the back for sure to start out with but I think before long they’ll be okay. I’m very interested to see how Puppo works up top with Dominic Oduro, Patrick Nyarko and Pavel Pardo. If it works out that could be a very nice move for the Fire. Losing Diego Chaves is a tough loss even though his output wasn’t a whole lot last season due to injuries (six goals, one assist). Frank Klopas still has some work to do here, that is for sure.

Grade: C-

Columbus Crew

Players In: D Carlos Mendes (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/New York); G Matt Lampson (12/15: Home Grown); M Milovan Mirosevic (1/4: free/Universidad Católica); F Olman Vargas(1/6: free/Club Herediano); F Ben Speas (1/11: Home Grown); F Ethan Finlay (1/12: SuperDraft); D Aubrey Perry (1/12: SuperDraft); M Kevan George (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players Out: D Josh Gardner (11/23: expansion draft); M Santiago Prim (11/23: waived); D Dejan Rusmir (11/23: waived); F Andrés Mendoza (12/6: option declined); M Kevin Burns (12/12: option declined); F Jeff Cunningham (12/12: option declined); M Robbie Rogers (1/11: free/Leeds United)

What is still needed: Possibly another striker and some defensive depth

Thoughts: Still no word on what Emmanuel Ekpo will be doing this season. Is he still with the club or not? The club hasn’t talked about it too much this winter but from what I can gather he is a free agent (some MLS side should take note and grab him). Outside of that the club did lose a couple big names in Mendoza and Rogers but Gardner could be one of the tougher losses in the back. On the flip side they did bring in Mendes from New York, which I thought was a smart move and they signed two home grown players. Vargas could be a huge addition for them down the road, as will Mirosevic. The Crew went young once again this winter with their moves and I think it will pay off for them.

Grade: B-

DC United

Players In: D Robbie Russell (11/29: trade from RSL); M Nick DeLeon (1/12: SuperDraft);  F Maicon Santos (1/18: free); M Danny Cruz(1/20: trade from Houston); D Emiliano Dudar(1/25: free/BSC Young Boys)

Players Out: M Santino Quaranta (12/7: retired); DMarc Burch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde Simms (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Brandon Barklage (12/12: option declined); G Steve Cronin (12/12: option declined); F Joseph Ngwenya (12/12: option declined); D Jed Zayner (12/12: option declined); D Devon McTavish (12/22: retired)

What is still needed: Defensive depth and another striker

Thoughts: It looks like they lost more than they gained but really when it comes down to it Ben Olsen has done a solid job this winter. Getting players like Cruz, Russell, Santos were all smart moves while rookie DeLeon was a nice pick last month. The big question will be if Dudar can make an impact with the side or not. I still believe their defense could use a little more work but these moves should help Perry Kitchen move back into his more natural spot in the defensive side of the midfield.

Grade: B-

Houston Dynamo

Players In: M Nathan Sturgis (12/29: trade from Toronto); F Colin Rolfe (1/12: SuperDraft); MWarren Creavalle (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players Out: F Brian Ching (11/23: expansion draft); MFrancisco Navas Cobo (11/23: waived); GEvan Newton (11/23: waived); F Carlo Costly(11/24: option declined); D Hunter Freeman(12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); F Jason Garey (12/12: option declined); D Eddie Robinson (1/11: retired); M Danny Cruz (1/20: trade to D.C.)

What is still needed: Depth all around but most pressing need is a couple strikers

Thoughts: I’m not exactly sure what the Dynamo are waiting on here this winter. Possibly the Bring Ching situation shook them more than they thought it would. Only three moves this winter and two of them came from the SuperDraft. That isn’t enough at all for a club that will have additional games on their slate this season with the CCL. Even with the new format of that tournament it will still be more games to deal with than what they have had the last couple of seasons. The good news in all of this though is the club has to have plenty of cap space. Nearly all the players they lost this winter took up plenty of caps space, especially Costly, Ching and Freeman. For now this club feels incomplete but I don’t like giving out those kinds of grades.

Grade: D-

Montreal Impact

Players In: D Nelson Rivas (10/3: free/Inter Milan, Italy); G Evan Bush (10/21: NASL Impact); DSinisa Ubiparipovic (11/1: NASL Impact); M Hassoun Camara (11/3: NASL Impact); D Jeb Brovsky (11/23: expansion draft); DBobby Burling (11/23: expansion draft); F Brian Ching (11/23: expansion draft); D Josh Gardner (11/23: expansion draft); M Justin Mapp (11/23: expansion draft); M Sanna Nyassi (11/23: expansion draft); D James Riley (11/23: expansion draft); D Seth Sinovic (11/23: expansion draft); M Collen Warner (11/23: expansion draft); D Zarek Valentin (11/23: expansion draft); F Justin Braun (11/23: trade from Chivas USA); M Gerson Mayen (11/23: trade from Chivas USA); D Tyson Wahl (11/23: trade from Seattle Sounders); M Bryan Arguez (11/25: free/Ft. Lauderdale Strikers);  M Davy Arnaud (11/28: trade from Sporting KC); G Donovan Ricketts(11/28: trade from LA); M Ian Westlake (12/5: NASL Impact); M Miguel Montaño (12/7: free/Seattle); G Greg Sutton (12/9: free/New York); M Patrice Bernier (12/19: free/Lyngby); M Felipe Martins (12/21: free/FC Lugano); D/FAndrew Wenger (1/12: SuperDraft); M Calum Mallace (1/12: SuperDraft); D Geinier García(1/17: trade from Vancouver); D Shavar Thomas (1/20: free)

Players out: D James Riley (11/23: trade to Chivas USA); D Seth Sinovic (11/28: trade to Sporting KC)

What is still needed: That big-named player they’ve been talking about for weeks would be nice.

Thoughts: For an expansion team, this club sort of feels like the Seattle Sounders when they came into the league. Smart moves, a couple risky ones and enough MLS guys that could make this club very watchable in year one. They are young for the most part but talented enough that they could surprise some people. If they can get that big DP signing that they have been claiming to have on the radar before the season starts then this grade could end up being higher. But overall I can’t fault them too much for what they have done thus far.

Grade: B+

New England Revolution

Players In: D Danleigh Borman (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/Toronto); F Nate Jaqua (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde Simms (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/D.C. United); D John Lozano(1/9: free/América de Cali); M/F Fernando Cárdenas (1/9: free/América de Cali); M Kelyn Rowe (1/12: SuperDraft); D Tyler Polak (1/12: SuperDraft); F Jose Moreno (2/2 loan/Once Caldes)

Players Out: F Alan Koger (11/23: waived); D Otto Loewy (11/23: waived); M Andrew Sousa (11/23: waived); F Milton Caraglio(11/30: option declined); F Monsef Zerka(11/30: option declined); D Ryan Cochrane(12/1: option declined); M Franco Coria (12/1: option declined); M Pat Phelan (12/1: option declined); F Kheli Dube (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chicago); F Rajko Lekic (1/31: free/Lyngby)

What is still needed: A go-to striker with experience (Moreno may be that guy), and some depth on the wings

Thoughts: Jay Heaps has done a decent job so far this winter are building his roster. He cut a lot of fat and made some interesting calls early on. Re-signing Shalrie Joseph to a DP deal was fairly smart and if his three Colombian players can pan out like others have in this league then he could have a competitive team in 2012. I still have a ton of reservations about this club though for this season. I want to like what they have done this winter but I have a feeling it won’t be nearly enough to be a playoff side. They are too young in some places and we still don’t know how well this offense will actually be.

Grade: D+

New York Red Bulls

Players In: D Connor Lade (12/5: Home Grown); D Jonathan Borrajo (1/5: free/Hamarkameratene); D Markus Holgersson (1/12: free/Helsingborg); F Kenny Cooper (1/12: trade from Portland); G Ryan Meara (1/12: SuperDraft);  G Jeremy Vuolo (1/25: free/AC Oulu); D Wilman Conde (1/30: rights from Chicago)

Players Out: G Alex Horwath (11/23: waived); DMychal Jones (11/23: waived); D Tyler Lassiter (11/23: waived); M Marcos Paullo (11/23: waived); M John Rooney (11/23: waived); D Teddy Schneider (11/23: waived); DCarlos Mendes (Re-Entry Stage 1/Columbus); D Chris Albright (12/12: option declined); GBouna Coundoul (12/12: option declined); DTim Ream (1/26: transfer/Bolton Wanderers)

What is still needed: A goalkeeper with plenty of good experience, defensive cover, depth in the midfield

Thoughts: The Conde-Holgersson combo in the back could be good. Keyword there is could. I do think it is a step in the right direction though for this season. You have to imagine it will still be a high expectation season for Hans Backe and these Red Bulls though. The depth is still an issue but is getting better. It still comes down to their goalkeeper situation for me though, it hasn’t gotten any better and don’t think for a moment that Vuolo is the right answer there. He’s decent but not nearly decent enough if the club goes through some growing pains with this new defense.

Grade: B-

Philadelphia Union

Players In: M Nizar Khalfan (11/23: waiver draft/Vancouver); F Josué Martínez (12/7: transfer, Deportivo Saprissa); M Jimmy McLaughlin (12/12: Home Grown); M Gabriel Gómez (12/21: Indios/Mexico); D PorfirioLópez (12/22: Dalian Haichang/China); FChandler Hoffman (1/12: SuperDraft); M Greg Jordan (1/12: SuperDraft); D Raymon Gaddis(1/12: SuperDraft)

Players Out: D Juan Diego González (11/23: waived); G Thorne Holder (11/23: waived); M Justin Mapp (11/23: expansion draft); G Chase Harrison (12/12: option declined); M Stefani Miglioranzi (12/12: option declined); F Levi Houapeu (1/17: option declined); M Morgan Langley (1/17: option declined); M/D Ryan Richter (1/17: option declined); D Joe Tait(1/17: option declined); F Veljko Paunovic (1/18: retired); G Faryd Mondragón (1/30: released); F Sébastien Le Toux (1/30: trade to Vancouver); M Kyle Nakazawa (2/1: trade to LA)

What is still needed: Backup goalkeeper, some depth in the midfield and in defense

Thoughts: What a difference a couple days makes for a club like this. Losing Mondragon and Le Toux in one day was rough. Peter Nowak is committing to the youth movement in a big way and I don’t mind it really. I know fans are attached to players like Le Toux but give it some time and it should all work out. I do like their other moves with Martinez and Gomez coming on board. Lopez should also be an interesting player to watch while Hoffman and Gaddis should be able to contribute in their rookie seasons. Adding some depth behind Zac MacMath has to be done before the start of the season though. That is a huge area of concern.

Grade: C

Sporting Kansas City

Players In: D Seth Sinovic (11/28: trade from Montreal); M Paulo Nagamura (11/29: trade from Chivas USA); M/D Bobby Convey (12/2: trade from San Jose); F Dom Dwyer (1/12: SuperDraft); DCyprian Hedrik (1/12: SuperDraft); M Michael Thomas (1/18); F Jacob Peterson (1/19: free/San Jose Earthquakes)

Players Out: M Davy Arnaud (11/28: trade to Montreal); M Jéferson (11/23: waived); D Scott Lorenz (11/23: waived); M Craig Rocastle(11/23: waived); D Seth Sinovic (11/23: expansion draft) M Milos Stojcev (11/23: waived); F Omar Bravo (12/12: Cruz Azul/Mexico); D Shavar Thomas (12/12: option declined)

What is still needed: More defensive depth and cover

Thoughts: I still have to think that the Eastern Conference will go through KC this season. I’ve really enjoyed the moves that Peter Vermes has made this season. Their defense should be better while their offense will be just as tough, if not tougher in 2012. Convey should be a fun addition to watch. I do still have concerns about their defense going into 2012. I think they need at least one or two more moves in that area to ease my mind a bit. Also, this club will have to get mentally tougher in 2012 as they lost a lot of games late due to lack of maturity. Still, overall, not a bad winter.

Grade: B

Toronto FC

Players In: D Jeremy Hall (11/29: trade from Dallas); M Reggie Lambe (12/7: free/Ipswich Town); M Luis Silva (1/12: SuperDraft); D Aaron Maund(1/12: SuperDraft); D Geovanny Caicedo(1/26: LDU Quito); D Miguel Aceval (1/30: Universidad de Concepción)

Players out: D Kyle Davies (11/23: waived); M Matt Gold (11/23: waived); M Leandre Griffit (11/23: waived); F Javier Martina (11/23: waived); DDemitrius Omphroy (11/23: waived); D Eddy Viator (11/23: waived); M Gianluca Zavarise(11/23: waived); D Danleigh Borman (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/New England); M Nathan Sturgis(12/29: Trade to Houston) F Mikael Yourassowsky (1/18: waived); D Andy Iro(1/20: declined extension); F Peri Marosevic(1/20: declined extension)

What is still needed: Some depth up top behind Koevermans

Thoughts: Is this going to be a playoff team in 2012? Time will tell on that one but one thing is clear, this club is much better than before. Smart moves this winter that followed the smart moves that took place late last year. They seem to have brought in some defenders that they are very high on in Aceval and Caicedo. If those two moves pan out, then expect huge things from this side in 2012. Aron Winter is certainly taking this club places and its nice to see the management there give him the time and freedom to do it.

Grade: B

This place just isn't working out for DC. (Getty Images)

Another bit of news I wanted but couldn’t touch on yesterday.

DC United has been making news this week at a possible move to Baltimore. United’s unhappiness with RFK Stadium is well documented over the last few years and only continues to get worse for the Black-and-Red.

United is laying the groundwork for a possible move though. According to the Washington Post, Baltimore has entered into preliminary talks with the team about moving to a new stadium Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Team president Kevin Payne – who has been involved with United from the very beginning –  made it clear that something has to be done.

“This isn’t a game. This is serious. This isn’t a bluff. Part of it is trying to understand what that means for our business.”

United is now looking down the road to Baltimore and the league has even commissioned a survey to explore that possibility.

A very interesting survey that really ticked some folks off around the league. Odd to see both Columbus and Dallas on the list of clubs that fans may have moved to Baltimore. Same goes to having Philadelphia and New York on there as well. All four of those clubs have stadiums of their own, youth systems that they have invested lots of money (millions even) in, and even if the fan bases aren’t there in Columbus or Dallas, the clubs are still fairly well funded by the Hunts.

I know the Hunts are trying to get more local investors in Columbus to help potentially sell off that club but that is still a ways away. But even that item is another topic for another day.

Time for a change, even if it is a move for United. I know some fans won’t want this to happen but if it gets the team to be healthy again financially, the move is all worth it in the end. Soccer is a business too ya know.

DC United has a very young roster that Ben Olsen will try to save. (Getty Images)

Moving on today in the expansion draft lists, I really wanted to get to this one yesterday but ran out of time.

DC United just missed out on the playoffs this season. Injuries and poor form down the stretch really hurt them when it mattered most. Ben Olsen’s side had games-in-hand in the final weeks of the season but were never able to cash in on them.

Now they go into the offseason with the youngest roster in the league. Protecting the important players won’t be easy but Olsen should be able to keep the core group, along with several others.

To recap, I’ve already looked at Chivas USA, the New England Revolution, the Portland Timbers, the San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Keep in mind the rules of the expansion draft, to read more about them click here.

Protected List: 

1. Dwayne De Rosario – No explanation needed.

2. Brandon McDonald – Quality defender, one that really improved their back line once he came over from San Jose.

3. Dejan Jakovic – They really missed him down the stretch in the back. He’ll be saved due to that Canadian flag by his name.

4. Branko Boskovic – A lot of folks wonder what the DC attack would have been like all year had he been healthy.

5. Joseph Ngwenya – Due to the amazingly low number of internationals on their roster, he’ll have to be saved.

6. Clyde Simms – Important player in the midfield for them.

7. Chris Pontius – Another guy they missed down the stretch. Too important for them going forward.

8. Santino Quaranta – Another important player to their attack.

9. Josh Wolff – I went back and forth on this one but he’s still got a couple good years left.

10. Marc Burch – Another quality defender.

11. Charlie Davies – It will be interesting to see if they are able to buy his contract from Sochaux or not.

Home Grown/Generation adidas Players:

• Bill Hamid
• Andy Najar
• Perry Kitchen
• Conor Shanosky
• Ethan White

Unprotected:

• Steve Cronin
• Austin de Luz
• Kurt Morsink
• Jed Zayner
• Devon McTavish
• Stephen King
• Daniel Woolard
• Chris Korb
• Brandon Barklage
• Joe Willis
• Blake Brettschneider

Notes:

This could be a tricky team to look at here. I’m not sure what the status of the Home Growns like Hamid and Najar are in terms of if they were to graduate out of that status after this season or not. If one or both did, they would each have to be protected over guys like Wolff, Quaranta and Burch.

If none of their HGP or GAs graduate this season, then for the most part this is likely how it will look for DC. They could possibly save a de Luz, Brettschneider, Korb or King over one of those veterans – which isn’t totally out of the question.

Update: Go ahead and take Kitchen’s name and place him over Ngwenya, forgot that Ngwenya had a green card. Kitchen should graduate from the GA program, he logged a ton of minutes this year which is usually a good indication that he will graduate.

There are plenty of points left on the table for the Eastern Conference clubs. (Getty Images)

I’ll admit, I wanted to get to this post last week but sometimes time just doesn’t play nice. Anyways, I figure with each club getting into their final eight or nine games that it was a perfect time to dive into the schedules and see what each club has left to take care of this season.

As you know I’ve always been a big believer at looking at the schedules and seeing what they mean more than just a game listed on a calendar. Some teams have lots of home games remaining while others will be searching for points on the road.

I’m splitting things up here for a change and will only do the Eastern Conference today. The Western Conference post on this matter will come later in the day, tomorrow or Friday (just whenever time allows me to finish it).

Below is what each club has left and the possible points I think they could achieve in that time.

Chicago Fire – 9 games remaining (5 home, 4 away) + USOC games + one Friendly

Notes: Yes the Fire are a bad team at the moment, 15 draws on a season with nine games remaining should tell you a thing or two about them. They’re good enough not to get hammered each week but not good enough to win.

Of their five home games remaining they host New England, Chivas, Colorado, Dallas and Columbus. Four of those clubs are in the playoff hunt at the moment. Only the Revs are a team that are on the outside looking in and really have no chance at the playoffs in my mind. When they hit the road they won’t have an easy time in Salt Lake, San Jose, D.C. and in Houston.

I’d expect the draws to continue with this club though. Can they reach 20 draws on the year? I certainly hope not but it isn’t out of the question either. The only way they reach the playoffs, or have a pray to reach the playoffs, is if they win at least six games. Not. Gonna. Happen.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 8 points

Columbus Crew – 9 games remaining (4 home, 5 road)

Notes: The Crew are probably just a win or two away from being “in” the playoffs this season. They should get a couple of those wins with Houston and Toronto coming into town. I know the Dynamo are playing better these days but I like the Crew at home for a game like this. Their road games don’t seem that bad either as they do have to go to Seattle (a club heavily involved in the CCL), New England, and Chicago.

The big games come down to their two in Philadelphia and in Kansas City. Wins or draws in those matches will easily clinch the Eastern Conference crown for them in my mind.

With no friendlies on the horizon and the USOC done for this club, the Crew have a chance to really do some damage late in the year if they continue on their current form.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 13 points

D.C. United – 10 games remaining (5 home, 5 away)

Notes: Alright, United is a fringe playoff team at the moment but a team that could very well sneak into the post season should all the chips fall into the right place. Last week would have been a huge statement week for them had they scored two wins on the road in Chicago and in KC. Instead they only got a point out of that trip.

DC has to take advantage of those five home games, something they’ve struggled with a bit this season. With Portland, Chivas, KC, RSL and Chicago coming into town, United have to get at least 12 of those 15 points. At least. From there they have to get some on the road when they head to Seattle, Chivas, Philly, Columbus and Vancouver. Out of those five road games you have to figure they can get somewhere in the neighborhood of five to six points. Getting 47-48 points has to put DC into the playoffs.

Possible points remaining: 30 points

Likely remaining points: 15 points

Houston Dynamo – 8 games remaining (3 home, five away) + one Friendly

Note: At some point the Dynamo have to win a road game. That much we know. With only three home games remaining on the schedule (against San Jose, Chicago and LA), the Dynamo absolutely have to come up with a way to get more than a draw on the road.

Just looking at where the Dynamo have to go it should come sooner rather than later. A trip to Vancouver is up next, a very winnable game. After that the Dynamo go off to KC, Dallas, Columbus, and Portland. Hard to find any easy road games left in that mix. Their best hope is in Dallas with their North Texas rivals who are in the middle of a tough CCL run.

Houston sits in the mix right now but it all comes down to those road games. They need at least 10 points to feel good about their chances I would think.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 9 points

New England Revolution  - 8 games remaining (4 home, 4 away)

Notes: The Revs are one of the harder teams to figure out here but the one thing we know at this point is they have to really go on a ridiculous run to reach the playoffs. For now, they look like a true spoiler of a club for those actually in contention.

Their schedule is fairly tough down the stretch too but they do have three home games in a row at one point in October. If they can finish strong with those games and pick up points in September, people may feel better about their 2012 chances.

They host Dallas, Seattle, San Jose and Columbus. There has to be some points there with Seattle and Dallas traveling so much with the CCL.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 7 points

New York Red Bulls – 8 games remaining (5 home, 3 away)

Notes: In a way, the Red Bulls really have no excuse with their remaining schedule. Five home games should help get them out of this funk right? Who knows. The Red Bulls need at least 13 points to get to 45 on the season to feel comfortable here.

So how easy will it be to get those 13 points? Well they host LA, not an easy out at all. After that they host Vancouver, Salt Lake, Portland and Philadelphia. Somewhere in that mix has to be at least six points, if not nine.

The road won’t be too horrible for them either. Trips to Dallas, Toronto and KC are all that is left for them this season. Again, no excuse.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 11 points

Philadelphia Union – 10 games remaining (5 home, 5 away)

Notes: The Union still have a lot to prove with their remaining schedule. Five home, five away, very balanced and doable as far as getting the points they need to reach the post season. Ten point should get them in but they really need to get at least 14 to feel really safe.

September is a big month for them, out of the five games in that month, three are at PPL Park. They host Portland, Columbus, and DC in that span. Their other two home games are definitely winnable as they bring in New England and Toronto. Somewhere in that five games has to be at least nine points, if not 12 or 15. Those five home games are all winnable in my book.

Getting points on the road is a plus really and should they want to get the Eastern Conference crown, they’ll need them. It won’t be easy with games at Chivas, RSL, KC, NY and Seattle. In other words they have to take care of business at home.

Possible points remaining: 30 points

Likely remaining points: 18 points

Sporting Kansas City – 9 games remaining (6 home, 3 away) + one friendly

Notes: The Eastern Conference crown is really their’s for the taking. Six home games in their final ten really set them up nicely for a strong run into the post season. In this time they host Dallas, LA, Houston, Philly, Columbus, and New York. Not exactly an easy task but very doable as far as getting the points they need to reach the post season.

I’d say ten points is really all they need here but 12 wouldn’t hurt. They get two clubs in Dallas and LA up next at home. Both are in the middle of a big CCL run, both could be gassed for this match with Sporting. Houston struggled on the road and who knows where this Red Bull club will be by October.

They do have three road games left which seems weird considering how many they had at the beginning of the year. Trips to RSL, San Jose and DC are left. Two of those are definitely winnable.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 17 points

Toronto FC – 7 games remaining (4 home, 3 away) + 5 CCL matches

Notes: Lots of soccer left for the Reds. For me, this club is a spoiler club at this point in the year. They’ll need to basically get all 21 possible remaining points (go 7-0-0) to have a shot at the playoffs. And that isn’t even a sure bet these days.

With five (or four after tonight) CCL games left, I’d look for this Toronto team to focus more on the CCL than on the regular season. Good reasons to really.

But here is what they do have left in the league. Home matches with San Jose, Colorado, New York and New England. Road matches at Columbus, Chivas and Philadelphia.

Possible points remaining: 21 points

Likely remaining points: 8 points

Dax McCarty is on the move yet again. (Getty Images)

Yes, this is indeed real. Dwayne De Rosario has been traded from the New York Red Bulls to D.C. United in exchange for Dax McCarty.

Let that one sink in for a moment. DeRo for Dax. Straight up.

De Rosario began the 2011 MLS season with Toronto FC, registering one goal and one assist in two matches before being dealt to the New York Red Bulls on April 1. Since then he has scored two goals and bagged four assists.

McCarty went to United on November 24, 2010 following the MLS Expansion Draft, in which the Portland Timbers acquired the midfielder with the first overall pick. McCarty had two assists on the season with D.C.

Man, talk about a trade that will certainly mix things up in the Eastern Conference. In a way I want to think that New York is getting the better end of this deal as McCarty will certainly be a solid addition to their midfield for Hans Backe. McCarty should thrive in New York’s possessional attack, he never really got a chance to shine in D.C. this season in my book.

As for the other side of the ball, DeRo going to his third team this season is baffling. I like the move for D.C. as it gives them an element in their attacking midfield that they’ve lacked this season. Its a gamble for sure as DeRo is always a tough guy to deal with in the locker room but if he shows up and leads, this club will certainly be pushed up into the playoff discussion here.

I also think that this could be a deal that DeRo wanted as New York was probably unlikely to give him the kind of money that he truly wants at the end of this season. My gut also tells me that New York could be opening up some cap space to sign a new keeper too. Just a hunch.

What do you make of this trade? Who got the better end of the deal?

Ethan White showed a lot of promise in this first game with DC. (Getty Images)

I’ve been meaning to talk about the wave of the future in Major League Soccer since the first week of the season. Of course I am talking about the Home Grown players that are currently in MLS. So far 10 HGP have played in league games this season, with plenty more seeing quality time in the new reserve division.

D.C. United made a little milestone this past week by being the first club to field three HGP at the same time. With the return of Bill Hamid in goal and Ethan White getting his first start, United proved that three HGP (they also fielded Andy Najar) can get the job done in big games.

White was particularly impressive in his debut for the club as he looked little like a rookie against the bigs of the LA Galaxy. His confidence had to made head coach Ben Olsen smile a good bit on a night that really didn’t go all that well for his club despite the Black-and-Red coming away with a point.

Aside from D.C.’s three, Vancouver and Toronto have each had their fair share of HGPs playing this season. I’ve been impressed so far with the Whitecap’s Russell Teibert, he’s looked miles ahead of a lot of the HGPs out there.

Below are a list of HGPs that have played so far this season in MLS games. Listed are the number of games they’ve played and goals scored. So far only one HGP has found the back of the net, Juan Agudelo for New York against Seattle back in the first week of the season.

2011 HOMEGROWN PLAYERS
GP-G PLAYER TEAM
5-0 Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver)
4-0 Ruben Luna (FC Dallas)
4-0 Andy Najar (D.C. United)
3-1 Juan Agudelo (New York)
3-0 Russell Teibert (Vancouver)
1-0 Tristan Bowen (Chivas USA)
1-0 Keith Makubuya (Toronto FC)
1-0 Ashtone Morgan (Toronto FC)
1-0 Alex Dixon (Houston)
1-0 Ethan White (D.C. United)
1-0 Bill Hamid (D.C. United)

Ruben Luna continues to impress in preseason play. (photo via FC Dallas)

As Major League Soccer grows, so does it’s academies. We’ve seen some solid early returns out of the various academies so far with the likes of D.C. United’s Andy Najar, New York’s Juan Agudelo, and even guys like FC Dallas’s Ruben Luna.

I felt it was important to take a look at potential Home Grown players that could do well in 2011, similar to how Najar did last season for United. Some will be names you’ll expect while there could be a couple surprises considering clubs like Dallas, New York, Houston and D.C. all are using at Home Grown talent more than others.

Clubs continues to sign Home Grown talent left and right, just last week two more were signed as Dallas picked up their record 6th Home Grown Player and Kansas City signed their second. Only a few clubs have yet to sign any HGPs, and a couple of those are recent expansion clubs.

It is possible that one or more of these guys listed below will have little to no impact on their club’s overall season, however the potential is definitely there for another Home Grown player to win Rookie of the Year.

1. Ruben Luna (FC Dallas) – I mentioned him above but there is little doubt in my mind that this could be a big season for Luna. He missed the cut on my shortlist for Breakout Players of the upcoming season. From what I’ve seen, heard, and been told this preseason, Luna looks like the real deal for Dallas. He won’t be a Golden Boot winner right away but the kid has every tool possible to do just that down the road.

2. Ethan White (D.C. United) – There were a few Maryland games that I was able to catch last season and while the Terps had plenty of weapons I routinely found myself watching White. Will he have the same impact as Najar on this club in 2011? Its certainly possible. His defensive abilities alone are a nice upgrade for the Black-and-Red. D.C. will improve this season and White will be one of the many reasons as to why they improve.

3. Moises Hernandez (FC Dallas) – When one club has more Home Grown players than any other club, you are bound to see more than one name on a list like this. Hernandez has made some serious strides this winter in becoming a very good player for Dallas off the bench. With a loaded defense, Hernandez is in a perfect position to learn from quality veterans and potentially fill in when players are hurt or are resting. There is a real hunger in this kid to prove himself and do well too, which is always good to see out of a young budding star.

4. Josue Soto (Houston Dynamo) – Houston rapidly became a young team over night this winter and one of their more recent signees could be a good one for them. I saw plenty of Soto over the last couple years while he was at SMU. The tools are there for this kid to do well in this league and under someone like Dominic Kinnear we could see it before long.

5. Philippe Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps) – The Whitecaps had a nice advantage coming into MLS this year, they already had a strong youth system in place. Davies is the first of their academy system to get through to MLS and so far this preseason he’s already showing how good of an addition he’ll be to the Caps this season. In a recently friendly he assisted on two goals in a 2-2 draw for the Caps.

Others to watch: Conor Shanosky (D.C. United); Sacir Hot (New York Red Bulls); Zach Pfeffer (Philadelphia Union); and Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution)

The Washington Post put this little thing together and honestly I couldn’t stop laughing all the way through.

Question is do you have what it takes? (click to enlarge)

Charlie Davies is now a member of D.C. United. (Photo via Hugo Ivan Muñoz/dcunited.com)

The long road to recovery has an official stop for striker Charlie Davies. Today, D.C. United announced the 12-month loan deal for the striker from French side FC Sochaux.

“We are really pleased to have concluded a deal that will bring Charlie to United,” D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper said in a release.

“Charlie spent 10 days with us in our first preseason camp and underwent a full battery of physical and medical testing. He simply looks terrific. Coming in, we weren’t sure where he would be, but he’s great physically, has impressed with his mental approach and we’re excited to see him on the field with us this season.”

Davies hasn’t played in a competitive first-team match since the October 2009 car accident on the George Washington Parkway, that killed one passenger and threatened his life.

He will wear the No. 9 jersey for the Black-and-Red. A pretty cool thing considering all the No. 9 tributes to him shortly after the accident.

I’ve mentioned to some folks that this is a great move for both sides. D.C. still needs that home run scorer and if Davies can return to his old self, this will be an amazing deal for both sides. It is good to see Davies in MLS too. I had a gut feeling last summer that his recovery would take place here and I can’t wait to see him play in person when he comes to Dallas later this year with United.