Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY DARRELL LOVELL

The Columbus Crew are heading into their home opener prepared to be without Eddie Gaven for their home opener this Saturday. The midfield standout injured his ankle in a week two loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. While there is no serious damage, inclusion this weekend is up in the air.

“I came down weird on it, and I’ve messed up my ankle so many times that I have pretty bad ankles,” Gaven said in the report. “When it first happened, it didn’t feel very good. I had trouble basically walking on it, so I wasn’t quite sure what it was.”

According to the report, Ben Speas would be the likely replacement if Gaven is ruled out.

Here are some more news and notes from around the MLS Eastern Conference:

D.C. UNITED

John Thorrington cannot seem to escape the trainer’s room. The 13-year veteran sprained his left MCL trying to stop Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio’s shot in Saturday’s 1-0 win. The play will cost Thorrington 2-3 months, which has the silver lining that he will be back by the summer.

“I know what I am dealing with and it’s not [related to] any past issues,” Thorrington said. “It’s easier to wrap my head around this one than the thoughts of, ‘Oh, not this again.’”

According to the Washington Post, Marcelo Saragosa is slated to take Thorrington’s place come the weekend.

CHICAGO FIRE

While the Fire have gotten off to a dismal start on the field, the club is looking to kick start one of their youngster’s careers sending 18-year-old forward Kellen Gulley to train with the Atlanta Silverbacks. According to the club’s website, the two clubs are working towards a loan agreement to send the young forward to the NASL to fine tune his skill.

HOUSTON DYNAMO

Houston Dynamo forward Calen Carr got some much needed good news recently that his torn ACL will not require a second surgery and that a late 2013 return is becoming more of a possibility. The speedy forward injured his right knee in a collision with Omar Gonzalez in last season’s MLS Cup. At one point, it was possible he could lose his entire 2013 season. In his first interview since the injury, Carr spoke about his rehab, the play and his outlook.

MONTREAL IMPACT

It is just two games, but two wins on the road is enough to get any fan base riled up. While the performances are not perfect, there is a lot to like, and dislike about the start. The Impact have gotten off to the type of start that can spark thoughts of a playoff push and more. The good news is that the defense is leading the charge, playing a stingy brand of soccer in a league that rewards club’s that can grind out results. The downside is the attack will need to show more to balance out the equation.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

Diego Fagundez has pledged his future to the New Revolution. In the final year of his contract, the 18-year-old Uraguayan signed a multi-year deal to stay close to home in the Boston area.

“I am happy,” Fagundez told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday. “Everyone treats me like a professional, not like a kid. When you come to the game, everyone says hi to you. It’s something nice. Once you go to a new place, you need to start all over. Right now, I just want to develop with the team, get better and help the team.”

According to MLSsoccer.com, the Fagundez and the Revs entered talks Monday of this week and the process did not take long with the ink drying on the contract Wednesday afternoon.

PHILADELPHIA UNION

Two Union players have been called into action for their respective national teams. Seldom used center back Bakary Soumare has been called up by Mali for World Cup qualifer against Rwanda March 22nd. Also departing will be Keon Daniel who will join Trinidad and Tobago for a pair of matches against Peru and Belize. The Union play a friendly versus Mexican club PUMAS that weekend.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

With all the changes on the Sporting Kansas City roster this offseason there was little attention paid to the club’s usually sturdy defense. After two weeks that has changed. The Sporting defense had trouble opening weekend giving up several chances during a dismal first half against the Union but were able to come back for the win. In week two the defensive gaffes caught up with them in a 2-1 loss to TFC with the low-light being reigning Defensive Player of the Year Matt Besler’s intercepted pass leading to Robert Earnshaw’s first goal.

Looking for answers, SKC boss Peter Vermes is looking at the psychology of things.

“It’s not technical. It’s not tactical. It’s not physical,” Vermes said. “It’s a psychological thing — and it’s something that has to change.”

TORONTO FC

Robert Earnshaw did not waste time in making a splash. The TFC newcomer scored a first half brace to propel the Reds to their first win since July 2012. The Welshman has been a shot in the arm working with fellow newcomer John Bostock. For his exploits, Earnshaw was named MLS Player of the Week.