McBreen scored twice in 12 appearances for the Mariners in 2013–14 before signing for Shanghai Dongya permanently on a one-season contract for a fee of $250,000 on 31 January 2014. His second debut came when starting their 1–1 away draw with Liaoning Hongyun on 9 March, before scoring his first goal of the 2014 Chinese Super League with a left-footed volley from outside the penalty area in a 1–1 draw at home to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua on 26 April. He went without scoring in the final three months of the season, which he finished with 5 goals from 28 appearances as Shanghai ranked in fifth place in the 2014 Chinese Super League table. McBreen stated his desire to stay for another season, but admitted he might not be retained after the club was taken over by new owners.