The last post I wrote about featured a Columbus Crew Jeff Cunningham jersey, and it got me searching for old Crew uniforms for a comparison. This BigSoccer thread is the mother load, with plenty from other teams thrown in as well. I've got to say, the Crew have had some pretty nice uniforms in their time.

While the transfer window in Europe opens up in less than 48 hours, Major League Soccer teams have been busy since the season ended, rebuilding and retooling for next season. Here is a team-by-team look at what each side has done so far this offseason. Who has had the best offseason?

Chicago Fire

IN: G Jay Nolly (12/5: trade from Vancouver); F Kheli Dube (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England)

OUT: F Christian Nazarit (12/7: option declined); F Gabriel Ferrari (12/7: option declined); G Alec Dufty (12/12: option declined); M Baggio Husidic(12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); G Jon Conway (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy)

Chivas USA

IN: M Ryan Smith (11/21: trade from Sporting KC); D James Riley (11/23: from Seattle, via trade from Montreal); M Arturo Alvarez (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/RSL); M Oswaldo Minda(12/21: SD Quito)

OUT: F Justin Braun (11/23: trade to Montreal); M Gerson Mayen (11/23: trade to Montreal); D Zarek Valentin (11/23: expansion draft); MPaulo Nagamura (11/29: trade to Sporting KC); D Andrew Boyens (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/LA Galaxy); F Chukwudi Chujindu (12/12: option declined); M Simon Elliott (12/12: out of contract); G Zach Thornton (12/12: option declined); D Mariano Trujillo (12/12: option declined)

Colorado Rapids

IN: M Baggio Husidic (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chicago); D Hunter Freeman (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Houston)

OUT: M Sanna Nyassi (11/23: expansion draft); D Mike Holody (12/12: option declined); MBaggio Husidic (12/23: free/Hammarby)

Columbus Crew

IN: D Carlos Mendes (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/New York); G Matt Lampson (12/15: Home Grown)

OUT: D Josh Gardner (11/23: expansion draft); M Santiago Prim (11/23: waived); D Dejan Rusmir (11/23: waived); F Andrés Mendoza(12/6: option declined); M Kevin Burns (12/12: option declined); F Jeff Cunningham (12/12: option declined)

DC United

IN: D Robbie Russell (11/29: trade from RSL)

OUT: M Santino Quaranta (12/7: retired); DMarc Burch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); MClyde Simms (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Brandon Barklage (12/12: option declined); G Steve Cronin (12/12: option declined); F Joseph Ngwenya (12/12: option declined); D Jed Zayner (12/12: option declined); D Devon McTavish (12/22: retired)

FC Dallas

IN:

OUT: D Edson Edward (11/23: waived); DJeremy Hall (11/29: trade to Toronto); F Maykel Galindo (12/12: option declined); F Maicon Santos (12/12: option declined); M Marvin Chávez (12/16: trade to San Jose)

Houston Dynamo

IN: M Nathan Sturgis (12/29: trade from Toronto)

OUT: F Brian Ching (11/23: expansion draft); MFrancisco Navas Cobo (11/23: waived); G Evan Newton (11/23: waived); F Carlo Costly (11/24: option declined); D Hunter Freeman (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Colorado); F Jason Garey (12/12: option declined); D Eddie Robinson (12/12: option declined)

LA Galaxy

IN: D Andrew Boyens (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chivas USA); D Chris Leitch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/San Jose); F Pat Noonan (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); G Jon Conway (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chicago); M Marcelo Sarvas(12/13: free/Alajuelense); M Jose Villarreal(12/22: Home Grown)

OUT: D Gregg Berhalter (12/9: retired);G Donovan Ricketts (11/28: trade to Montreal Impact)

Montreal Impact

IN: D Nelson Rivas (10/3: free/Inter Milan, Italy); G Evan Bush (10/21: NASL Impact); D Sinisa Ubiparipovic (11/1: NASL Impact); M Hassoun Camara (11/3: NASL Impact); D Jeb Brovsky (11/23: expansion draft); D Bobby Burling (11/23: expansion draft); F Brian Ching (11/23: expansion draft); D Josh Gardner (11/23: expansion draft); M Justin Mapp (11/23: expansion draft); M Sanna Nyassi (11/23: expansion draft); D James Riley(11/23: expansion draft); D Seth Sinovic (11/23: expansion draft); M Collen Warner (11/23: expansion draft); D Zarek Valentin (11/23: expansion draft); F Justin Braun (11/23: trade from Chivas USA); M Gerson Mayen (11/23: trade from Chivas USA); D Tyson Wahl (11/23: trade from Seattle Sounders); M Bryan Arguez(11/25: free/Ft.

Photo by Kelley L. Cox/ISIphotos.com

With the MLS Eastern Conference as wide open as it was down the stretch last season, a roster tweak in the right direction could be all it takes to separate certain clubs from the pack.

In the opening month of the offseason, no teams did more to augment their rosters than the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City, two clubs that felt they had what it took to win the conference crown last season before ultimately losing out to the Houston Dynamo.

There was a time when I liked a couple players in the MLS Re-Entry Draft for the Seattle Sounders to pick up in Stage Two and talk into less money. First Bobby Boswell renegotiated with the Houston Dynamo and then Bobby Convey went to Sporting Kansas City at a cut rate (rumors say 200K$). Now the list of available players is absent of the really appealing names.

Chivas USA made the biggest move in Monday's short first stage of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft by using its fourth overall selection to pick former Real Salt Lake midfielder Arturo Alvarez.

Two other teams made selections, as the New England Revolution used the second overall pick on former Toronto FC fullback Danleigh Borman, and the Columbus Crew used the ninth overall pick to add former New York Red Bulls defender Carlos Mendes.

Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Andres Mendoza may have scored 13 goals in his first full season in MLS, but that didn't stop him from being let go by the Columbus Crew.

At times the subject of controversy due to his behavior, Mendoza was among the players whose options were declined by Columbus on Tuesday.

Well it's now official. Yesterday was the very last day of the Timbers training for the year. The guys are now officially on vacation until late January when they have to report to training. Just about two months worth of time off... I'm not even sure I would know what to do with that time off.

Anyway, I'm keeping it short this morning as the US-Slovenia game is going on right now.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Nov 15, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Five for Tuesday, where Tony looks ahead to a busy 2012 for the Galaxy, looks back at record goal scorers in MLS, and ponders the 34-game schedule. Which player in MLS history has scored the most goals at home? Surprisingly, not Jeff Cunningham, who leads in away goals and game-winning goals.

If you need any evidence of the uneven season the Rapids have endured so far in 2011, look no further than this season's golden boot winner.

On a team with Conor Casey, Omar Cummings and Caleb Folan, it should have been that one of them would win the title as the team's top scorer.

Surprises: However, it was not to be.

NEW YORK (Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011) – With 16 goals, D.C. United forward Dwayne De Rosario has claimed the 2011 Budweiser Golden Boot, awarded to the League's top goal scorer at the end of the regular season.
De Rosario's career-high goal tally tied him with San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski for the league lead this season.

That is one cup-worthy bloom
COLUMBUS (6th) VS. TORONTO (16th)
　
CREW STADIUM - SATURDAY 7:30PM
TV: GOLTV RADIO: FAN 590
　
THE KICKABOUT:
- With true rival Montreal Impact entering MLS in 2012, is this the last "The New Soft" Derby (opposite of The Old Firm) that holds much meaning for supporters?

Unlabour Day cheezies.... let us pray...
We've always found those strange "almost holiday" days that come right after a very recognized special day to be quite odd. For example, the day after Halloween is known as All Saints' Day, a Christian holy day where every saint, known and unknown, is celebrated.

No Portland Timbers game this weekend on account of the fact that it's a FIFA designated international weekend. This means that nations from all voer the world will be playig in either friendlies (like the USA vs. Costa Rica match) or qualifiers for their various continental division championship tournaments.

Alexi Lalas MLS blog: Why unsung hero Jeff Cunningham is Major League Soccer's answer to Alan Shearer

Welcome to MirrorFootball's new MLS blog, brought to you in conjunction with ESPN. Every week USA legend Alexi Lalas will be on hand to bring you the latest news from the States, and you'll also be able to watch the week's best goals and highlights.

BLOW YOUR SPEAKERS OUT, PLEASE
I give you my first musical mix set - Fri Aug 26 2011 - via Spotify. Enjoy. There will be more.
STARTERS
The day has finally come when Jeff Cunningham is the new MLS all time leading goal scorer. He buried a Penalty Kick on Saturday against Seattle for career goal #134 and finally surpassed Jaime Moreno's record.

Hurricane Irene may have forced three east coast matchups, including New England Revolution at Philadelphia Union and the weekend's marquee matchup between the star-filled Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, to be postponed, but it couldn't prevent the weekend from producing some of the season's most exciting results.

Week 24 saw a goal scoring romp in Seattle, a stoppage time comeback in Kansas City and a 10-man Salt Lake team prove their resilience. Here's your weekly recap.
Seattle Sounders 6, Columbus Crew 2
The Seattle and Columbus match up was supposed to be a battle between the Eastern Conference leading Crew and the Western Conference Supporter Shield contending Sounders.

Hurricanes, goals and a new record holder. It was a pretty solid week in Major League Soccer when the dust all settled. My weekly recap is posted over at SBNation.com. Feel free to give it a look.

Jeff Cunningham is now the all-time goal scoring king in MLS. His PK against Seattle was number 134.

Hurricanes, goals and a new record holder. It was a pretty solid week in Major League Soccer when the dust all settled. My weekly recap is posted over at SBNation.com. Feel free to give it a look.

Jeff Cunningham is now the all-time goal scoring king in MLS. His PK against Seattle was number 134.

Man what a run. The Seattle Sounders demolished the best team in the east 6-2. The Seattle offense looked as deadly as the Columbus Crew's back-line looked shaky. Before the game a friend of mine and I held forth in full professorial mode with some friends who don't follow the league as much. We blathered on about the merits of the Crew's defense and how this was going to be a close grind-it-out kind of game.

All of at the PSP hope that all of you, yours and all of your stuff made it through Hurricane Irene safe and sound.

Union

RSL's Kyle Beckerman will not join the US team for the Costa Rica friendly on Friday but will stay in Salt Lake City for Saturday's match against the Union.

With the rescheduled New England game meaning the Union will play three games in seven days—Real Salt Lake (A), New England (H) and Portland (H)—Chris Vito writes in the Delco Times that it is time for the Union to get some points.

Happy Monday to you! Here are a few talking points for you to start your week off with all that water-cooler MLS talk. Obviously that happens everywhere. Prepare yourself:
Real SaltLake hold on to a win against Chivas USA despite being a man down. Nat Borchers was received a red card in the 24th minute and RealSaltLake was forced to play the majority of the game with ten men.

Seattle 6 - Columbus 2 With Seattle coach Sigi Schmid stressing the importance of the MLS and Open Cup schedule in fielding a weak lineup in Mexico, Columbus proved little problem for the Sounders at CenturyLink Field. Seattle was already up four goals when Jeff Cunningham converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute to become Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer.

Hurricane Irene could delay some MLS games this weekend but could not stop the teams playing from putting out some excellent performances. In fact, there were two sets of winners from yesterday's matches: the Western Conference and the teams that did not play. While the West didn't get a clean sweep due to Chicago's home win over Colorado, the impressive wins by Dallas, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle show that their conference is still the class of the league.

Sometimes statistics lie. Saturday's Seattle Sounders-Columbus Crew match is a perfect example. If you just ignored that little score detail, you'd see that the Crew actually dominated the Sounders, outshooting them 19-13, holding 53 percent of possession and even outpassing the Sounders 79-76. This is one of those matches where watching the highlights gives you a much better picture.

By CALEB SONNELAND

An impressive hat-trick from Lamar Neagle sealed a big result for Seattle coach Sigi Schmid in a wild 6-2 victory over Eastern Conference top dogs Columbus Crew.

Columbus, missing Julius James through suspension, elected to replace the defender with Rich Balchan.

In a league where over half the teams make the playoffs, it's not often a team finds itself in a must-win situation with 11 games remaining. The New England Revolution has reached that point.

Sure, the Revs could lose to the Columbus Crew on Saturday and still make the playoffs, but the margin of error is becoming frighteningly small.

Although there have been many wide open games in the previous 15 MLS All-Star gatherings, Colorado Rapids players have rarely stolen the spotlight.

With Omar Cummings picked at the lone representative for this year's showdown against Manchester United at the New York Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.

We're starting to get to that point in the season where the movement in the Power Rankings goes down. Not a whole lot of changes from top to bottom this week. The good teams are still good while the bad teams are still bad. I know that is a terrible and yet a general statement to make but its pretty damn true here.

Last night Jeff Cunningham scored to move into a tie for the career MLS scoring record and move ahead of Brian McBride to become the Columbus Crew's all time leading goal scorer. The former is a record which will, in all likelihood, one day belong to Landon Donovan, but Cunningham would be a fine player to overtake Jaime Moreno and make the record his own.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

After a two-month slump caused by a combination of injuries, international absences and inconsistent play, a nearly 100 percent New York Red Bulls squad reminded MLS just how lethal it can be Wednesday, dismantling Toronto FC for a 5-0 win.

It wasn't a sexy goal, or anything to marvel at but for Jeff Cunningham it was a long time coming for this goal. He's now tied with Jamie Moreno for the league's all-time mark in goals scored.

Congrats Jeff!

It wasn't a sexy goal, or anything to marvel at but for Jeff Cunningham it was a long time coming for this goal. He's now tied with Jamie Moreno for the league's all-time mark in goals scored.

Congrats Jeff!

The second half of the season is shaping up here as we move into the weekend portion of week 17. Last night's four games gave us plenty to go off of as New York finally woke up offensively, Colorado looked decent early but surrendered points late to KC, Chivas found a way to get by San Jose and then there was Jeff Cunningham tying the all-time scoring mark with his last minute goal against the Whitecaps.

MLS fans were treated to four games last night instead of the usual one or two, as the schedule makers begin to crowd in a few more league games in anticipation of international friendlies and late-season CONCACAF Champions League matches. In a cool twist, all four had some playoff implications as the results had a definite impact on positioning for the playoffs and may prove critical down the stretch (although with ten teams making the playoffs that is an easy statement to make).

MLS fans were treated to four games last night instead of the usual one or two, as the schedule makers begin to crowd in a few more league games in anticipation of international friendlies and late-season CONCACAF Champions League matches. In a cool twist, all four had some playoff implications as the results had a definite impact on positioning for the playoffs and may prove critical down the stretch (although with ten teams making the playoffs that is an easy statement to make).

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Jeff Cunningham couldn't have chosen a better time to make MLS history.

The Columbus Crew striker scored in the final minute of Wednesday's clash with Vancouver to give the Crew a 1-0 victory. Cunningham is now tied with Jaime Moreno as the all-time MLS goals leader with 133.

Will David Beckham be on hand to play Seattle this weekend? (Getty Images)

It's a holiday weekend and before I go off an enjoy fireworks, beer and not worrying about my day job I'm going to hopefully have a nice round of posts today starting with the weekend picks. I mentioned yesterday how packed this weekend is and that games actually spill over into Monday due to the holiday.

Sorry for the sudden dearth of news and links yesterday. I'm not sure if everybody took the day off or what, but there was a serious dearth of anything at all relating to the Portland Timbers and very few articles regarding other MLS teams. All in all it was just kind of weird. Today has been a little better, especially since I was able to scrap together two days worth of links, but it's still a little light considering.

The MLS and Red Bull New York announced today that individual tickets to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena featuring the MLS All-Stars against Manchester United are sold out to the general public.

The match will be telecast live on ESPN2, Galavision, and TSN at 6:30 p.