On 8 June 2013, McBreen joined Chinese Super League team Shanghai Dongya on a five-month loan lasting until 31 October, joining his former teammate Bernie Ibini-Isei who completed his transfer four days earlier. His debut came a month later after starting Shanghai's 3–0 home defeat to Beijing Guoan on 7 July, and a week later scored his first goal in the 10th minute of a 3–0 away victory over Guizhou Renhe. He scored 3 goals in 13 appearances for Shanghai before returning for the Mariners when starting their 1–0 home defeat to the Brisbane Roar on 10 November. McBreen's first goal for the Mariners in the 2013–14 A-League came with a close-range backheel with the only goal in a 1–0 victory at home to Sydney FC on 7 December.