[MLS 2013 COUNTDOWN] In the old days, most MLS clubs headed abroad for spring training. Guadalajara in Mexico and the La Manga sports club in Spain were popular destinations. This year, FC Dallas, which headed to Cancun, Mexico, on Tuesday, will be the only MLS club that will travel abroad. For more on the trip, plus preseason news from New York, Portland and Vancouver ...

FC Dallas will play three games during its seven days in Cancun -- including games against Merida and the Atlante reserves Wednesday and Thursday. It will wrap up play with a game on Monday against Inter Playa del Carmen and then head home on Tuesday.

The proliferation of preseason training camps and preseason tournaments no longer makes it necessary for teams to consider options abroad. The condensed preseason -- the 2013 season will begin March 2, MLS's earliest start ever -- also is a factor in the decision of clubs to stick closer to home.

MLS PRESEASON RESULTS:
Tuesday, Feb. 5
Chivas USA 1 (Bolanos) Chicago 1 (Atouba).
Los Angeles 3 (own goal, Keane, Villarreal) Los Angeles Blues 0.
Portland 1 (Silvestre) Seattle 0.

NEW YORK. The Red Bulls signed 25-year-old midfielder Dax McCarty to a new contact. He is coming off a strong 2012 season during which he featured mainly as a central midfielder and started in 33 of 34 regular-season games. He also started in New York’s two playoff games. “We are delighted to sign Dax to an extended contract, as he is a very important player for this club,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh in a statement. “As a talented, American player, Dax is part of the heart and soul of this team and we are looking forward to once again having him contribute to the Red Bulls and our campaign.”

PORTLAND. Second-year forward Brent Richards will be out approximately six months after undergoing a successful arthroscopy of his left knee late Monday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a lateral meniscus tear. The homegrown signing out of the University of Washington sustained the injury during training Jan. 26 in Portland.

VANCOUVER. Homegrown players Bryce Alderson and Caleb Clarke were among the players called up for the Canada team that will take part in Concacaf qualifying for the 2013 Under-20 World Cup. The 23-man squad also includes Toronto FC’s Doneil Henry and Samuel Piette from Fortuna Duesseldorf, both capped at the senior level, and five other players from the Vancouver and Montreal Impact academy programs.

MLS PRESEASON SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Feb. 6
Houston vs. Houston Baptist Univ. at Sorrels Field in Houston
Merida vs. FC Dallas in Cancun
Thursday, Feb. 7
Atlante "B" vs. FC Dallas in Cancun
New York vs. Malmo FF at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.