2006 RECORD: 9-11-12 (39 points)

CONFERENCE FINISH: Fourth

COACH: Bruce Arena (first full season)

FIRST-CHOICE STARTING 11: Ronald Waterreus (K), Todd Dunivant (D), Carlos Mendes (D), Jeff Parke (D), Marvell Wynne (D), Dema Kovalenko (M), Dave Van Den Bergh (M), Claudio Reyna (M), Dane Richards (M), Josmer Altidore (F), John Wolyniec (F)

STRENGTHS: Luring Reyna to the MLS from Europe was a major coup for the Red Bulls, who definitely needed him with the departure of midfielders Amado Guevara and Youri Djorkaeff. The veteran of three World Cups with the U.S. National Team will play attacking mid, and Arena is hoping to extract some of the same magic he was so used to seeing as the U.S. boss. Acquiring Van Den Bergh from Kansas City could be one of the steals of the offseason if he continues to play the way he has this preseason.

CONCERNS: The team's biggest concern last year hasn't changed heading into this year: Who's going to score the goals? Even though teenager Altidore played well last year when given a chance later in the year, can he duplicate that production over an entire campaign? After Altidore, the depth dropped off so much for New York it traded for Clint Mathis last week to help provide offensive support. Considering he's scored just five goals in 52 games the last two years, it hardly seems like an upgrade. Defensively, many wonder if the Red Bulls' current collection of defenders is good enough to overcome the inevitable lack of goals at the other end.

5. Columbus Crew

2006 RECORD: 8-15-9 (33 points)

CONFERENCE FINISH: Sixth

COACH: Sigi Schmid (second season)

FIRST-CHOICE STARTING 11: Bill Gaudette (K), Rusty Pierce (D), Ezra Hendrickson (D), Chad Marshall (D), Frankie Hejduk (D), Eddie Gaven (M), Duncan Oughton (M), Danny O'Rourke (M), Jacob Thomas (M), Andy Herron (F), Joseph Ngwenya (F)