Will roster moves affect MLS East teams?

Five of last year's eight Major League Soccer playoff berths went to Eastern Conference teams, but with a ton of turnover among the East's elite teams, it's tough to tell how things will shake out in 2008.

Not only did D.C. United part ways with MVP midfielder Christian Gomez, but Eddie Johnson left MLS to join Fulham of the English Premiere League, while several other teams made major changes.

With the 2008 MLS season kicking off this weekend, here's a look at predictions for the 2008 season.

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1. D.C. United

2007 record: 16-7-7 (55 points)

Conference finish: First

Coach: Tom Soehn (second season).

Outlook: This franchise is always one step ahead of everyone else, so it's hard not to view the departure of Christian Gomez as anything but a positive. Last year, D.C. United sent Freddy Adu to RSL, a move that freed up salary cap space to sign Luciano Emilio and Fred. As evidenced by their combined 27 goals, and Adu's one goal for Salt Lake before heading to Europe, it was a brilliant move. With the money freed up by Gomez's departure, along with a slew of other guys like Troy Perkins, Bobby Boswell, Joshua Gros and Brian Carroll, D.C. added a bunch of new faces. Most notably is Argentine midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, the team's first designated player. For D.C. United to be successful in not only MLS but the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the SuperLiga and the CONCACAF Champions Cup, he'll need to prove that D.C.'s gamble paid off. The health of Ben Olsen, currently rehabbing offseason ankle surgery, and several other international signings are just as critical.

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2. New England Revolution

2007 record: 14-8-8 (50 points)

Conference finish: Second

Coach: Steve Nicol (seventh season).