Eastern Conference Preview: D.C. United headlines tough grouping

As if the Eastern Conference wasn't tough enough, now teams in the East have to contend with the Kansas City Wizards as well. With MLS expanding to 12 teams this year, both out West, the league decided to shift Kansas City from the West to the East.

That puts defending MLS Cup champion D.C. United, U.S. Open Cup champion Kansas City and Columbus, the team with the best regular season record last year, all in the same division. Ouch.

Throw a very dangerous Chicago team into the mix, and then a New England team with some of the best forwards and midfielders in the league, and you've got the makings of a very good conference.

Here's a look at the spors writer James Edward's predictions for the upcoming season:

1. D.C. United

2004 RECORD: 11-10-9 (42 points)

CONFERENCE FINISH: Second

COACH: Peter Nowak (second season)

PROJECTED STARTING 11: Alecko Eskandarian (F), Jaime Moreno (F), Joshua Gros (M), Ben Olsen (M), Christian Gomez (M), Brian Carroll (M), Bryan Namoff (D), Matt Petke (D), Steve Guppy (D), Brandon Prideaux (D) Nick Rimando (K).

STRENGTHS: Most people have heard of Freddy Adu, or at least "that 14-year-old." Well, the names many people haven't heard of is the reason D.C. hoisted the MLS Cup last year. MLS Cup MVP Alecko Eskandarian, 22, is quickly emerging into one of the premiere goal scorers in the league. United's midfield is as solid as any in the league thanks to Joshua Gros, Ben Olsen, Christian Gomez and Dema Kovelenko.

CONCERNS: The biggest concern for United is how it plays without Ryan Nelsen. The linchpin to last year's championship-caliber defense is now overseas. For that matter, so is Earnie Stewart, who returned to Holland after one season in MLS. The defense will suffer without the duo, and is keeper Nick Rimando up to the challenge to pick up the slack?

2. Kansas City Wizards

2004 RECORD: 14-9-7 (49 points)

CONFERENCE FINISH: First (West)

COACH: Bob Gansler (sixth season)

PROJECTED STARTING 11: Josh Wolff (F), Davy Arnaud (F), Chris Klein (M), Kerry Zavagnin (M), Diego Gutierrez (M), Sasha Victorine (D), Nick Garcia (D), Jimmy Conrad (D), Jose Burciaga Jr. (D), Alex Zotinca (D), Bo Oshoniyi (K).