The first two weeks of ball work for all MLS teams and a mini-tournament gave coaches a chance to build a fitness base and evaluate players. Rosters had to be down to 21 by Feb. 21, but will reach their final limit of 19 (plus five protected spots) by mid-March. After Florida, most teams headed abroad for continued training and friendlies against foreign clubs. D.C. United won the three-game tourney by downing the MetroStars on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. Here’s some of what coaches gleaned from the first two weeks:

EASTERN DIVISION

Questions abound for Fusion D.C. UNITED. A successful camp for several youngsters, most notably defenders Judah Cooks and Eric Denton and forward Chris Albright. Teenagers Bobby Convey and Sergio Salas showed well in a fervent preseason finale against the MetroStars. Unfortunately, Clint Peay suffered another knee injury in the game, leaving the team thin in central defense when it’s national teamers are on duty. President Kevin Payne says trading Jason Moore, last year’s first overall pick, to Colorado for a first-rounder next year was salary-cap driven. It also indicates, however, the club’s confidence it will sign Butler’s Steven Armstrong and it’s regard for second-year midfielder Antonio Otero. Look for Albright to overtake veteran A.J. Wood for the second forward spot. METROSTARS. A plethora of non-roster invitees crowded the MetroStars’ camp, but few look like they will stick. With four goals in as many games, Brian Kelly raised his stock significantly. Coach Octavio Zambrano used No. 1 pick Steve Shak primarily in midfield, where Thomas Dooley and the anticipated arrival of Lothar Matthaeus made former U.S. national teamer Mike Sorber expendable. Dooley’s fitness level and determination are both high. Tab Ramos did not play because of a lingering thigh injury. Newcomer Alex Comas looks deft in tight spaces, but is not an open field threat. The signing of fellow Colombian Adolfo Valencia seemed imminent at the close of preseason. “We are not done restructuring this team by any means,” Zambrano said. “But for this season, it is starting to come together.” MIAMI. Of all the questions entering camp, this much was answered in the first two weeks: Nothing. Roy Lassiter remained absent, untraded and unhappy. GM Doug Hamilton steadfastly maintained that the Fusion’s surplus of attackers (Henry Gutierrrez, Saul Martinez, Diego Serna, Andy Williams, Eric Wynalda and Welton) is not a problem, but trade rumors flourished. Martin Machon had not yet reported because of Gold Cup duty with Guatemala. Draft pick Nick Rimando appeared to earn a spot over Garth Lagerwey as Jeff Cassar’s backup in goal. Creighton grad David Wright looks capable of providing depth, but is not the answer defensively. Ivo Wortmann still wants to add experience in the back. NEW ENGLAND. Fernando Clavijo was absolutely thrilled with his draft picks. Defenders Adam Eyre and Rusty Pierce, midfielder Shaker Asad and forward Fabio Zuniga all could see time this season. Pierce scored one of camp’s highlight goals when he slashed through the Galaxy defense for a gamewinner. Forward Wolde Harris had a high work rate while an unfit Eduardo Hurtado began to be more active as camp closed. “You have to remember this is a 210-pound machine,” Clavijo said of “El Tanque.” “It’s going to take some time to get him going.” Acquiring a No. 1 goalkeeper remains a possibility, but in the meantime Jeff Causey and Scott Budnick vie for the job. Jamar Beasley missed almost all of camp with an ankle injury.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Crew still needs playmaker CHICAGO. Ghanaian-born forward Junior Agogo, a “discovery” player, ran at defenders mercilessly, but his signing looked like trade bait as the Fire tried to land Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov. DaMarcus Beasley shredded the Colorado defense for a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory. The 17-year-old appeared ready to compete for time as soon as he finishes high school this spring. Defender Carlos Bocanegra held his own throughout camp and lanky forward John Wolyniec could provide depth if Agogo goes. A calf injury to starter Zach Thornton will keep him out until close to the season opener. COLUMBUS. Another team unable to answer much during its first two weeks, the Crew still searches abroad for a playmaker. Slovakian Vladislav Zvara apparently balked on moving to the United States despite meeting Coach Tom Fitzgerald in Chile. Fitzgerald will begin working on two other options. Fitzgerald was pleased with forward Dante Washington, but still must see how he meshes with Brian McBride. Of the team’s injured trio, Todd Yeagley (hernia) is the closest to returning and may be ready by the second week of the season. Juergen Sommer (knee) is perhaps a month behind him and Brian Maisonneuve (ankle) further away. Minor injuries hampered Washington, Matt Chulis, Mario Gori and Jeff Cunningham during camp. DALLAS. Although the starting defense returns, the Burn continues to look abroad for a back who can come forward on occasion. Jorge Rodriguez remained AWOL throughout the team’s stay in Florida. “We’re really looking for a difference-maker back there,” Dallas coach Dave Dir said. “We have cap room, we have an international spot … we’re not in a hurry, we won’t make a move until we find the right guy.” Dir liked the way first-round pick Aleksey Korol began to combine with Jason Kreis as camp progressed. Goalkeeper Mark Dodd’s hand continues to bother him, however, and he left one game because of it. He may need surgery. TAMPA BAY. In its ongoing quest to find a striking partner for Raul Diaz Arce, the Mutiny brought in Mozambique international Manuel Bucuane, also known as Tico Tico, but have not yet signed him to a league contract. Carlos Valderrama came in grossly unfit, so Coach Tim Hankinson played him as much as possible during preseason. The Mutiny offered its remaining allocation to Miami for Roy Lassiter, but to no avail. A three-team deal may still be in the works.

WESTERN DIVISION

Dane fires up the Wizards COLORADO. Until the trade for Henry Zambrano occurred, the Rapids seemed to be the team in greatest disarray. Missing Paul Bravo, Ross Paule and Joey DiGiamarino because of injuries may have accounted for continued offensive anemia, but goalkeepers Adin Brown and David Kramer got harsh welcomes to the club as they were left out to dry on several occasions. Bravo, Paule and DiGiamarino should not be out much longer, however, and Zambrano looks like a fitting complement to Jorge Dely Valdes. KANSAS CITY. An upgrade in training field quality and some goals injected life into new Danish forward Miklos Molnar. After looking ineffective in his first two games, Molnar scored five times in the last two matches. “He’s a goalscorer-that’s like oxygen for him,” Coach Bob Gansler said. The Wizards are tinkering with prospective formations, but first-round pick Nick Garcia “is for real,” Gansler said. “He does not play like a 20-year-old.” Goalkeeper Tony Meola showed up in great shape and along with Peter Vermes is likely to form the team’s leadership backbone. LOS ANGELES. Sasha Victorine shone brightest among the newcomers and his versatility should be enough to earn him some playing time. Although Dan Califf had some difficulties during games, Coach Sigi Schmid said the Maryland grad was more than solid in training. In addition to the incumbents, Califf is up against St. Mary’s college product Ali John Utush, who got a long look. The Galaxy still wants a center forward who would most likely come from outside the league, but while the team has an international slot, it does not have abundant salary cap room. Victorine may be able to patch that hole, but Schmid seems to like him better in midfield. SAN JOSE. As camp closed, all seismic activity centered around the likelihood of MLS signing Iranian playmaker Khohadad Azizi. If signed, San Jose appears to be his destination. Trinidadian draft picks Travis Mulraine and Adrian Narine missed all but the last couple days of training while obtaining their visas back home, but Coach Lothar Osiander is confident both will contribute. One of striker Abdul Thompson Conteh’s most attractive qualities was his green card, and it still might be. Conteh had yet to find his scoring touch. by Soccer America associate editor Will Kuhns