Christmas Day is an important date on the European football calendar. By the time the Yule log is in the fireplace, teams have played about half of their league matches. For the most part, the fates of each side have already been determined.

In North America however, Christmas Day has very little importance in soccer. The offseason is only a few weeks old, and kickoff for next season is still over two months away. At this point, there is one thing that is clear about the 2014 MLS season: the gap between the good teams and the bad ones will be much narrower than in 2013.

Who got better?

For starters, the worst team in 2013, D.C. United, is easily the most improved team on paper so far this offseason. United have acquired four guaranteed starters in defenders Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell and forwards Fabian Espindola and Eddie Johnson. All four are very good players with lots of MLS experience.

Johnson and Espindola have both hit double digits in MLS before, a welcome addition to a side that scored a league-low 22 goals in 2013 and had no player score more than three times. I expect that Johnson and Espindola will score at least 22 between them this season. Now that Johnson will be paid Designated Player money and Espindola will play more frequently, their respective career high goal totals of 15 and 10 will very likely be eclipsed.

On the other side of the pitch, Boswell and Franklin are both award-winning players who were overshadowed on their old clubs. They are an instant upgrade for D.C. who conceded 59 goals last season, second-most in the league.

Another side that has dramatically improved on paper is Toronto FC. Yes, the Toronto FC.

In their seven seasons of existence, TFC have only had three players who fans can remember as goalscorers: Danny Dichio, Dwayne De Rosario, and Danny Koevermans. Though DeRo is back in town, the real attention should be on Designated Players Gilberto and, pending his nearly inevitable arrival, Jermain Defoe. Both forwards have track records of hitting the back of the net and will benefit from the service of an improved team behind them.

TFC has also added Jackson and Justin Morrow in the midfield and defence respectively. Both are young, have MLS experience, and will immediately challenge for starting roles. With multiple management personnel saying that Toronto will make the playoffs in 2014, the wheeling-and-dealing seems far from over.

Who got worse?

Many of the teams that were low playoff seeds or were just outside of the playoff picture in 2013 may take a step back in 2014. Vancouver, Chicago, San Jose, and New England have all parted ways with important players without any clear replacements coming in. That being said, Vancouver has a crowded frontline that needs to be thinned, Chicago and San Jose have Mike Magee and Chris Wondolowski respectively, and New England are young and hungry. Not all hope is lost for these sides.

The team that has weakened the most so far is the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls will once again rely on Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill to be the difference makers and pull the strings. Both however are only going to get older, and from time to time they will need help from their teammates.

So far, the Red Bulls have acquired former Toronto FC midfielder Bobby Convey while losing three regular defenders and Espindola up top. Considering the old age of their entire roster, as well as the arrival of New York City FC in MLS in 2015, 2014 appeared to be the year that the Red Bulls would be going all in to win the franchise’s first MLS Cup. Their offseason has at this point been disappointing, but one big signing could change that instantly. Management has shrugged off rumours of a third DP, but it is clear that something must be done to keep the Red Bulls in Cup contention.

What’s next up in the offseason?

The January transfer window for European sides will be opening at the start of the New Year. Most of the big moves won’t involve MLS sides, but I would not be surprised to see one or two players, in addition to Defoe, come to North America as Designated Players.

The MLS SuperDraft takes place on January 16th in Philadelphia. Though more clubs are following the European style of developing Home Grown Players these days, the draft still has an important place in the league. Over the years, the draft has produced special players such as Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, and Omar Gonzalez.

This year, the consensus number one pick is forward Patrick Mullins out of Maryland. Important to note however is that the last three Rookie of the Year Award winners were picked tenth (C.J. Sapong, 2011), ninth (Austin Berry, 2012), and eleventh (Dillon Powers, 2013). Every club will be looking to find the next gem on draft day, and there is sure to be at least one or two to be found.

Happy Holidays to everyone, and all the best to you, your families, and your clubs in 2014.

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