Toronto and Kansas City have faired pretty well so far this winter. (Getty Images)

Many clubs are a few weeks into their pre-seasons and now that the international transfer window has shut, it is a good time to look at how each MLS side has done so far this winter. (Note: the MLS window doesn’t close until April, which means players who failed to land new jobs in Europe can still head to MLS.)

Keep in mind, these grades are based on the offseason to this point, not on how good I think the team will be. I know there will and can be a lot more moves between now and April. I’ll go more into how I think each team will be before the start of the season with various rankings and previews then. The transaction page at MLSSoccer.com was where the majority of the info seen on this post came from.

I’ve also thrown in some thought about what I think each club still needs before the start of the season in terms of depth and areas of concern.

(Side note: I’m not including any Supplemental Draft picks in with any of the teams. Some players have already been let go by their clubs while some are still trying to make the teams. Once they have definitely signed we’ll discuss it more)

Chicago Fire

Players in: G Jay Nolly (12/5: trade from Vancouver); F Kheli Dube (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/New England); M Rafael Robayo (1/9: free/Millonarios); F Federico Puppo (1/11: free/Danubio); D Austin Berry (1/12: SuperDraft); F Lucky Mkosana (1/12: SuperDraft); D Hunter Jumper (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players 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); F Diego Chaves,(1/15: free/Palestino)

What is still needed: Defensive help and another striker

Thoughts: For some reason the Transaction page lacks the losses of Yamith Cuesta and Josip Mikulic, Those two losses leave their defense in a bit of a pickle. Only Cory Gibbs and Jahil Anibaba have MLS experience. That being said however I did like their SuperDraft with them landing Berry and Jumper. There will be some growing pains in the back for sure to start out with but I think before long they’ll be okay. I’m very interested to see how Puppo works up top with Dominic Oduro, Patrick Nyarko and Pavel Pardo. If it works out that could be a very nice move for the Fire. Losing Diego Chaves is a tough loss even though his output wasn’t a whole lot last season due to injuries (six goals, one assist). Frank Klopas still has some work to do here, that is for sure.

Grade: C-

Columbus Crew

Players In: D Carlos Mendes (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/New York); G Matt Lampson (12/15: Home Grown); M Milovan Mirosevic (1/4: free/Universidad Católica); F Olman Vargas(1/6: free/Club Herediano); F Ben Speas (1/11: Home Grown); F Ethan Finlay (1/12: SuperDraft); D Aubrey Perry (1/12: SuperDraft); M Kevan George (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players 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); M Robbie Rogers (1/11: free/Leeds United)

What is still needed: Possibly another striker and some defensive depth

Thoughts: Still no word on what Emmanuel Ekpo will be doing this season. Is he still with the club or not? The club hasn’t talked about it too much this winter but from what I can gather he is a free agent (some MLS side should take note and grab him). Outside of that the club did lose a couple big names in Mendoza and Rogers but Gardner could be one of the tougher losses in the back. On the flip side they did bring in Mendes from New York, which I thought was a smart move and they signed two home grown players. Vargas could be a huge addition for them down the road, as will Mirosevic. The Crew went young once again this winter with their moves and I think it will pay off for them.

Grade: B-

DC United

Players In: D Robbie Russell (11/29: trade from RSL); M Nick DeLeon (1/12: SuperDraft);  F Maicon Santos (1/18: free); M Danny Cruz(1/20: trade from Houston); D Emiliano Dudar(1/25: free/BSC Young Boys)

Players Out: M Santino Quaranta (12/7: retired); DMarc Burch (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde 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)

What is still needed: Defensive depth and another striker

Thoughts: It looks like they lost more than they gained but really when it comes down to it Ben Olsen has done a solid job this winter. Getting players like Cruz, Russell, Santos were all smart moves while rookie DeLeon was a nice pick last month. The big question will be if Dudar can make an impact with the side or not. I still believe their defense could use a little more work but these moves should help Perry Kitchen move back into his more natural spot in the defensive side of the midfield.

Grade: B-

Houston Dynamo

Players In: M Nathan Sturgis (12/29: trade from Toronto); F Colin Rolfe (1/12: SuperDraft); MWarren Creavalle (1/12: SuperDraft)

Players Out: F Brian Ching (11/23: expansion draft); MFrancisco Navas Cobo (11/23: waived); GEvan 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 (1/11: retired); M Danny Cruz (1/20: trade to D.C.)

What is still needed: Depth all around but most pressing need is a couple strikers

Thoughts: I’m not exactly sure what the Dynamo are waiting on here this winter. Possibly the Bring Ching situation shook them more than they thought it would. Only three moves this winter and two of them came from the SuperDraft. That isn’t enough at all for a club that will have additional games on their slate this season with the CCL. Even with the new format of that tournament it will still be more games to deal with than what they have had the last couple of seasons. The good news in all of this though is the club has to have plenty of cap space. Nearly all the players they lost this winter took up plenty of caps space, especially Costly, Ching and Freeman. For now this club feels incomplete but I don’t like giving out those kinds of grades.

Grade: D-

Montreal Impact

Players In: D Nelson Rivas (10/3: free/Inter Milan, Italy); G Evan Bush (10/21: NASL Impact); DSinisa Ubiparipovic (11/1: NASL Impact); M Hassoun Camara (11/3: NASL Impact); D Jeb Brovsky (11/23: expansion draft); DBobby 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. Lauderdale Strikers);  M Davy Arnaud (11/28: trade from Sporting KC); G Donovan Ricketts(11/28: trade from LA); M Ian Westlake (12/5: NASL Impact); M Miguel Montaño (12/7: free/Seattle); G Greg Sutton (12/9: free/New York); M Patrice Bernier (12/19: free/Lyngby); M Felipe Martins (12/21: free/FC Lugano); D/FAndrew Wenger (1/12: SuperDraft); M Calum Mallace (1/12: SuperDraft); D Geinier García(1/17: trade from Vancouver); D Shavar Thomas (1/20: free)

Players out: D James Riley (11/23: trade to Chivas USA); D Seth Sinovic (11/28: trade to Sporting KC)

What is still needed: That big-named player they’ve been talking about for weeks would be nice.

Thoughts: For an expansion team, this club sort of feels like the Seattle Sounders when they came into the league. Smart moves, a couple risky ones and enough MLS guys that could make this club very watchable in year one. They are young for the most part but talented enough that they could surprise some people. If they can get that big DP signing that they have been claiming to have on the radar before the season starts then this grade could end up being higher. But overall I can’t fault them too much for what they have done thus far.

Grade: B+

New England Revolution

Players In: D Danleigh Borman (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/Toronto); F Nate Jaqua (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Seattle); M Clyde Simms (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/D.C. United); D John Lozano(1/9: free/América de Cali); M/F Fernando Cárdenas (1/9: free/América de Cali); M Kelyn Rowe (1/12: SuperDraft); D Tyler Polak (1/12: SuperDraft); F Jose Moreno (2/2 loan/Once Caldes)

Players Out: F Alan Koger (11/23: waived); D Otto Loewy (11/23: waived); M Andrew Sousa (11/23: waived); F Milton Caraglio(11/30: option declined); F Monsef Zerka(11/30: option declined); D Ryan Cochrane(12/1: option declined); M Franco Coria (12/1: option declined); M Pat Phelan (12/1: option declined); F Kheli Dube (12/12: Re-Entry Stage 2/Chicago); F Rajko Lekic (1/31: free/Lyngby)

What is still needed: A go-to striker with experience (Moreno may be that guy), and some depth on the wings

Thoughts: Jay Heaps has done a decent job so far this winter are building his roster. He cut a lot of fat and made some interesting calls early on. Re-signing Shalrie Joseph to a DP deal was fairly smart and if his three Colombian players can pan out like others have in this league then he could have a competitive team in 2012. I still have a ton of reservations about this club though for this season. I want to like what they have done this winter but I have a feeling it won’t be nearly enough to be a playoff side. They are too young in some places and we still don’t know how well this offense will actually be.

Grade: D+

New York Red Bulls

Players In: D Connor Lade (12/5: Home Grown); D Jonathan Borrajo (1/5: free/Hamarkameratene); D Markus Holgersson (1/12: free/Helsingborg); F Kenny Cooper (1/12: trade from Portland); G Ryan Meara (1/12: SuperDraft);  G Jeremy Vuolo (1/25: free/AC Oulu); D Wilman Conde (1/30: rights from Chicago)

Players Out: G Alex Horwath (11/23: waived); DMychal Jones (11/23: waived); D Tyler Lassiter (11/23: waived); M Marcos Paullo (11/23: waived); M John Rooney (11/23: waived); D Teddy Schneider (11/23: waived); DCarlos Mendes (Re-Entry Stage 1/Columbus); D Chris Albright (12/12: option declined); GBouna Coundoul (12/12: option declined); DTim Ream (1/26: transfer/Bolton Wanderers)

What is still needed: A goalkeeper with plenty of good experience, defensive cover, depth in the midfield

Thoughts: The Conde-Holgersson combo in the back could be good. Keyword there is could. I do think it is a step in the right direction though for this season. You have to imagine it will still be a high expectation season for Hans Backe and these Red Bulls though. The depth is still an issue but is getting better. It still comes down to their goalkeeper situation for me though, it hasn’t gotten any better and don’t think for a moment that Vuolo is the right answer there. He’s decent but not nearly decent enough if the club goes through some growing pains with this new defense.

Grade: B-

Philadelphia Union

Players In: M Nizar Khalfan (11/23: waiver draft/Vancouver); F Josué Martínez (12/7: transfer, Deportivo Saprissa); M Jimmy McLaughlin (12/12: Home Grown); M Gabriel Gómez (12/21: Indios/Mexico); D PorfirioLópez (12/22: Dalian Haichang/China); FChandler Hoffman (1/12: SuperDraft); M Greg Jordan (1/12: SuperDraft); D Raymon Gaddis(1/12: SuperDraft)

Players Out: D Juan Diego González (11/23: waived); G Thorne Holder (11/23: waived); M Justin Mapp (11/23: expansion draft); G Chase Harrison (12/12: option declined); M Stefani Miglioranzi (12/12: option declined); F Levi Houapeu (1/17: option declined); M Morgan Langley (1/17: option declined); M/D Ryan Richter (1/17: option declined); D Joe Tait(1/17: option declined); F Veljko Paunovic (1/18: retired); G Faryd Mondragón (1/30: released); F Sébastien Le Toux (1/30: trade to Vancouver); M Kyle Nakazawa (2/1: trade to LA)

What is still needed: Backup goalkeeper, some depth in the midfield and in defense

Thoughts: What a difference a couple days makes for a club like this. Losing Mondragon and Le Toux in one day was rough. Peter Nowak is committing to the youth movement in a big way and I don’t mind it really. I know fans are attached to players like Le Toux but give it some time and it should all work out. I do like their other moves with Martinez and Gomez coming on board. Lopez should also be an interesting player to watch while Hoffman and Gaddis should be able to contribute in their rookie seasons. Adding some depth behind Zac MacMath has to be done before the start of the season though. That is a huge area of concern.

Grade: C

Sporting Kansas City

Players In: D Seth Sinovic (11/28: trade from Montreal); M Paulo Nagamura (11/29: trade from Chivas USA); M/D Bobby Convey (12/2: trade from San Jose); F Dom Dwyer (1/12: SuperDraft); DCyprian Hedrik (1/12: SuperDraft); M Michael Thomas (1/18); F Jacob Peterson (1/19: free/San Jose Earthquakes)

Players Out: M Davy Arnaud (11/28: trade to Montreal); M Jéferson (11/23: waived); D Scott Lorenz (11/23: waived); M Craig Rocastle(11/23: waived); D Seth Sinovic (11/23: expansion draft) M Milos Stojcev (11/23: waived); F Omar Bravo (12/12: Cruz Azul/Mexico); D Shavar Thomas (12/12: option declined)

What is still needed: More defensive depth and cover

Thoughts: I still have to think that the Eastern Conference will go through KC this season. I’ve really enjoyed the moves that Peter Vermes has made this season. Their defense should be better while their offense will be just as tough, if not tougher in 2012. Convey should be a fun addition to watch. I do still have concerns about their defense going into 2012. I think they need at least one or two more moves in that area to ease my mind a bit. Also, this club will have to get mentally tougher in 2012 as they lost a lot of games late due to lack of maturity. Still, overall, not a bad winter.

Grade: B

Toronto FC

Players In: D Jeremy Hall (11/29: trade from Dallas); M Reggie Lambe (12/7: free/Ipswich Town); M Luis Silva (1/12: SuperDraft); D Aaron Maund(1/12: SuperDraft); D Geovanny Caicedo(1/26: LDU Quito); D Miguel Aceval (1/30: Universidad de Concepción)

Players out: D Kyle Davies (11/23: waived); M Matt Gold (11/23: waived); M Leandre Griffit (11/23: waived); F Javier Martina (11/23: waived); DDemitrius Omphroy (11/23: waived); D Eddy Viator (11/23: waived); M Gianluca Zavarise(11/23: waived); D Danleigh Borman (12/5: Re-Entry Stage 1/New England); M Nathan Sturgis(12/29: Trade to Houston) F Mikael Yourassowsky (1/18: waived); D Andy Iro(1/20: declined extension); F Peri Marosevic(1/20: declined extension)

What is still needed: Some depth up top behind Koevermans

Thoughts: Is this going to be a playoff team in 2012? Time will tell on that one but one thing is clear, this club is much better than before. Smart moves this winter that followed the smart moves that took place late last year. They seem to have brought in some defenders that they are very high on in Aceval and Caicedo. If those two moves pan out, then expect huge things from this side in 2012. Aron Winter is certainly taking this club places and its nice to see the management there give him the time and freedom to do it.

Grade: B

When the Chicago Fire announced Quaker Oats as their new jersey sponsor earlier this week (I swear that one is growing on me by the day), the news left four clubs without a sponsor.

The Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City all have holes in their jerseys – well metaphorically speaking.

Right now there are no real updates on any of these four clubs in where they stand at getting a kit sponsor. That isn’t the type of post I am writing up for you all today. Locally for me in Dallas, I know the Hoops have been working for a couple seasons at finding the right brand to be on their jersey. They came super close last year only to have the company that they were working with back out at the last minute thanks to a CEO change.

Kit sponsors are big deals for MLS clubs. They help with paying salaries for one. I’ve had a couple teams tell me in the past that the jersey sponsor deals go a long way in keeping costs down for a season. It doesn’t put teams in the green on the financial books but it does help.

We know those four have struggled at finding a sponsor. The brand has to match what the club feels as the right feel for the team. It’s possible that Chicago has hit a home run with Quaker. It’s a local brand that is well known. That’s what clubs like to go for – well known brands – that have strong local ties. Chicago is doing it with Quaker, Philadelphia did it with Bimbo.

Now, not all clubs go for the local brand. VW sponsoring D.C. United isn’t a local company but one that works on a global scale.

But where does Colorado, Columbus, Dallas and KC go? We know they are all losing out on money as we speak. So who could step in and help them out? Below are some companies worth exploring for each club, along with other current sponsors that could step up. More than likely all are long-shots for each side but you never know.

Colorado Rapids: Finding a strong brand for the Rapids isn’t easy. Many folks have been pining over getting someone like Coors as a kit sponsor. Big time brand like Coors would be a big fish to land for the Rapids and MLS. But having Budwiser as a league sponsor has probably always hurt the chances of  Rapids landing them.

Other possible companies for the Rapids: Western Union (located in Eaglewood), DISH Network (Eaglewood), and MapQuest (large offices in Denver)

Columbus Crew: The Crew were one of the first in the league to have a sponsor with Glidden Paint. Ohio is home to many large corporations that would work perfectly for MLS and the Crew. I’d personally love to see someone like Kroger’s (grocery store), Nationwide/Progressive (insurance), or FifthThird Bank. Two of those three are current sponsors for the club as it is while Nationwide or Progressive probably would have problems seeing how Allstate is a big USSF backer.

Other possible companies for the Crew: Goodyear Tire (located in Akron), Sherwin-Williams (Cleveland), or Value City Furniture.

FC Dallas: FCD already has a bunch of sponsors but two that could step up and be huge for the club would be Dr. Pepper or Subaru. I’ve always thought though that if Southwest Airlines could step up and be a bigger partner for the club that it could transition well into a jersey sponsor. But again, its all long-shot talk here. FCD has been extremely picky over which company to put on their jersey and that has probably caused a few of these bigger companies in the DFW area to back out.

Other possible companies for FCD: AT&T (located in Dallas), Baylor Health Care System (Dallas), or Gamestop (Grapevine – a Dallas suburb)

Sporting KC: This is one club I’m still shocked to not see a brand on their kits. But I do believe they are next in line to do so. Question is who though? Two companies come to mind, Sprint and Pepsi. Both are current club sponsors and both would be big brands that would look good on those SKC unis.

Other possible companies for SKC: AMC Entertainment (located in KC), H&R Block (KC), or Dairy Farmers of America (KC).

(Naturally this post was meant to suggest some companies and is in no way saying any of these companies are great fits for the four clubs. I thought it would be a fun debate, feel free to leave your suggestions for each side below)

Arturo Alvarez was picked up by Chivas USA. (Getty Images)

The first stage of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft has come and gone with a bang. Only three players were selected in the first stage today as 16 clubs passed on their selection.

The terms of the first stage mean the three players selected today, their new teams will have honor their current contracts or offer them a 5 percent raise over what they made last year if they are currently out of contract. Stage 2 of the draft will take place next Monday and is expected to be more active, as teams can renegotiate the players’ contracts.

Danleigh Boreman was selected first by the New England Revolution. The outside back/midfielder spent most of the 2011 season with Toronto FC after being traded to the Reds from the New York Red Bulls. The speedster should add some quality depth to Jay Heaps’ roster. Last year, he made the league minimum ($42,000), one should expect him to get a small bump in pay with the Revs.

Chivas USA selected journeyman Arturo Alvarez next in the draft. This was certainly the most surprising pick of the first stage as Alvarez made close to $200,000 last year with Real Salt Lake.

Lastly, the Columbus Crew selected defender Carlos Mendes. The veteran defender made $100,000 last year with the Red Bulls and should be a nice pickup for the Crew.

Columbus goes into the offseason with some questions for their expansion draft lists. (Getty Images)

The Columbus Crew had many questions going into the 2011 season – mostly due to the amount of veteran players that were let go by head coach Robert Warzycha. But as the season went on the Crew began to find their footing and were actually in contention to win the Eastern Conference.

After their Wild Card exit last week, the Crew now shift focus on the final touches of the 2011 season – the expansion draft.

To recap, I’ve already looked at the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, D.C. United, FC Dallas, the New England Revolution, the Portland Timbers, the San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Keep in mind the rules of the expansion draft, to read more about them click here.

Protected List: 

1.William Hesmer – Quality keeper, enough said.

2. Rich Balchan – Once considered a Rookie of the Year candidate. He’d cheap and would be a big addition if Montreal were to get their hands on him.

3. Andres Mendoza – A DP, a big contract but he showed up this season after questions of his game were brought up earlier in the year.

4. Emmanuel Ekpo – Quality midfielder, cheap, young and an international.

5. Shaun Francis – No not the MLS Insider but a decent defender that had some injury issues this year.

6. Emilio Renteria – A decent strike partner for Mendoza, his international status probably makes him safe.

7. Sebastian Miranda – Probably one of the better outside backs in all of MLS.

8. Chad Marshall – Captain, leader, all around bad-ass in the middle of the defense.

9. Eddie Gavin – Veteran player that is a must to keep.

10. Robbie Rogers – Some question his game, others love it.

11. Julius James – Another guy some love and that most hate. His partnership with Marshall helped his career out in a huge way though this year.

Home Grown/Generation adidas Players:

• Dilly Juka
• Aaron Horton
• Tony Tchani

Unprotected List:

• Josh Williams
• Danny O’Rourke
• Bernardo Anor
• Justin Merman
• Eric Gehrig
• Kevin Burns
• Dejan Rusmir
• Ben Sippola
• Korey Veeder
• Alex Riggs
• Santiago Prim
• Andy Grunebaum
• Josh Gardner
• Jeff Cunningham
• Tom Heiemann

Notes:

For the most part I felt the Crew were a fairly straight forward team to do here. They do have a couple guys on the unprotected side that could be worth saving but with their amount of internationals it makes it tough to hold on to certain guys.

Columbus hopes to knock off Colorado tonight. (Getty Images)

I hate being quick with playoff previews but this one will have to end up being the case. Time has not been on my side today.

Tonight is the second wild card game of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs. Last night the New York Red Bulls upset FC Dallas on the road and tonight the Columbus Crew hope to do the same against the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids.

It should be a fun one tonight for sure though – snow covered Dicks Sporting Good’s Park yesterday – and we very well could see an appearance by the Orange Jubilani. The weather should play a tricky factor in this one for both sides but each are no stranger to cold weather games.

To me this one is a simple midfield battle. If Colorado can overcome some injuries in their lineup to key guys like Pablo Mastroeni, then I could easily see them advance in this game to take on Sporting Kansas City this weekend. I’d expect the Crew to lean on guys like Dilly Duka, Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gavin to make up for the suspension of Emmanuel Ekpo in the midfield.

The two defenses are fairly even down the board thanks to injuries and form issues. Up front you almost have to go with the Crew right now with Andres Mendoza and Emilio Renteria leading the way. If one of those two can get on the board early it will be hard for the Rapids to play catch-up in this one. Without Conor Casey in the lineup, Colorado needs another big playoff push from Omar Cummings, something that we haven’t seen as much this season.

I think this one will be a little slower than the Dallas-NY game from last night but it should still be fun to watch. I’m taking the home side by a hair. Cummings finds a way to insert himself into this one and uses his speed to beat a slower Crew defense.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, Columbus 0

My pal Daniel over at BigDSoccer.com just posted this photo on his twitter feed. Valencia of La Liga in Spain did this clever jersey sponsor idea of promoting their brand online instead of having a big time sponsor. I’d say for clubs like FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago Fire that this wouldn’t be a bad route for a year while they finalize any deals with a big company.

What do you think of someone like FC Dallas having @FCDallas on the front of their shirt for a year or even a few months while they finalize a deal with some local company? To me it is better than having a blank spot on a kit like some of these clubs have right now. It wouldn’t bring in cash right away like most of the deals do but it may drive up some jersey sales though.

Crew Stadium, full...it can be done folks. (Getty Images)

Boy, folks sure are down on the Columbus Crew these days. Either it is due to their lack of form in the league at the moment, their injury list piling up like a 10-car pileup on the freeway, or it is just due to them being in Columbus.

Today’s article goes straight to the heart of it all, being Columbus. Sporting News’ Brian Straus had this article up earlier today about the Crew’s time in Columbus and questioning how and if Columbus is good enough still to be a “major-league” city.

The buck stops with Crew president and general manager Mark McCullers. He admitted that the club had “a ways to go” to reach its season-ticket goal of 10,000.

“It’s a very attainable number. We just have to focus on it and get some people to really engage,” McCullers told Sporting News. “I think we’ll get this done, but failure is not an option. We haven’t set a deadline, but we just have to do it.

“Those three things (10,000 season tickets, stadium naming rights and a jersey sponsor) will put us at a break-even situation as a club and will provide financial stability. I don’t really want to think about the alternative.”

Just like the article goes on to say, the real issues run deeper in Columbus (and to another extent in Dallas).

Blame the economy, the owners, the location of the stadium, the Ohio State University, whatever. But don’t go on and say this club needs to be relocated, that won’t be the answer. Timing is everything in sports and once a few things fall into place the tide can quickly change. It isn’t just the Crew that are feeling the pinch in Columbus. Pretty much other sports team (except naturally OSU) are hurting.

At the end of the day it will take some clever dealing by the Crew and their management to get back on track. Sell the stadium rights, get a new jersey sponsor and have the guts to go in big next season and get a quality DP again. Make the team attractive and the folks will come back. They’ve been bold in the past and it worked for them.

Thankfully for their upcoming home game with LA, the club has standing-room only tickets left available. Time to get cracking on getting some of those folks back full-time.

Houston and Columbus look to end their current bad spells tonight. (Getty Images)

Boy today sort of got away from me. I wanted to spend more time on the CCL games and a couple other items going on but just never got to it. Thus, my picks for tonight’s MLS game will be kept extremely short.

Houston Dynamo at Columbus Crew: Both team are on terrible form these days but the Dynamo have it rough considering they are still searching for that first road win of the year. This one certainly favors the Crew in that sense but they have to put a plug on their defense, which has given up 10 goals in the last two games. Ouch. I want to go with the Crew but this one feels like a draw. Basically I have no confidence in either club right now.

WVH Prediction: Columbus 1, Houston 1

There are plenty of points left on the table for the Eastern Conference clubs. (Getty Images)

I’ll admit, I wanted to get to this post last week but sometimes time just doesn’t play nice. Anyways, I figure with each club getting into their final eight or nine games that it was a perfect time to dive into the schedules and see what each club has left to take care of this season.

As you know I’ve always been a big believer at looking at the schedules and seeing what they mean more than just a game listed on a calendar. Some teams have lots of home games remaining while others will be searching for points on the road.

I’m splitting things up here for a change and will only do the Eastern Conference today. The Western Conference post on this matter will come later in the day, tomorrow or Friday (just whenever time allows me to finish it).

Below is what each club has left and the possible points I think they could achieve in that time.

Chicago Fire – 9 games remaining (5 home, 4 away) + USOC games + one Friendly

Notes: Yes the Fire are a bad team at the moment, 15 draws on a season with nine games remaining should tell you a thing or two about them. They’re good enough not to get hammered each week but not good enough to win.

Of their five home games remaining they host New England, Chivas, Colorado, Dallas and Columbus. Four of those clubs are in the playoff hunt at the moment. Only the Revs are a team that are on the outside looking in and really have no chance at the playoffs in my mind. When they hit the road they won’t have an easy time in Salt Lake, San Jose, D.C. and in Houston.

I’d expect the draws to continue with this club though. Can they reach 20 draws on the year? I certainly hope not but it isn’t out of the question either. The only way they reach the playoffs, or have a pray to reach the playoffs, is if they win at least six games. Not. Gonna. Happen.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 8 points

Columbus Crew – 9 games remaining (4 home, 5 road)

Notes: The Crew are probably just a win or two away from being “in” the playoffs this season. They should get a couple of those wins with Houston and Toronto coming into town. I know the Dynamo are playing better these days but I like the Crew at home for a game like this. Their road games don’t seem that bad either as they do have to go to Seattle (a club heavily involved in the CCL), New England, and Chicago.

The big games come down to their two in Philadelphia and in Kansas City. Wins or draws in those matches will easily clinch the Eastern Conference crown for them in my mind.

With no friendlies on the horizon and the USOC done for this club, the Crew have a chance to really do some damage late in the year if they continue on their current form.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 13 points

D.C. United – 10 games remaining (5 home, 5 away)

Notes: Alright, United is a fringe playoff team at the moment but a team that could very well sneak into the post season should all the chips fall into the right place. Last week would have been a huge statement week for them had they scored two wins on the road in Chicago and in KC. Instead they only got a point out of that trip.

DC has to take advantage of those five home games, something they’ve struggled with a bit this season. With Portland, Chivas, KC, RSL and Chicago coming into town, United have to get at least 12 of those 15 points. At least. From there they have to get some on the road when they head to Seattle, Chivas, Philly, Columbus and Vancouver. Out of those five road games you have to figure they can get somewhere in the neighborhood of five to six points. Getting 47-48 points has to put DC into the playoffs.

Possible points remaining: 30 points

Likely remaining points: 15 points

Houston Dynamo – 8 games remaining (3 home, five away) + one Friendly

Note: At some point the Dynamo have to win a road game. That much we know. With only three home games remaining on the schedule (against San Jose, Chicago and LA), the Dynamo absolutely have to come up with a way to get more than a draw on the road.

Just looking at where the Dynamo have to go it should come sooner rather than later. A trip to Vancouver is up next, a very winnable game. After that the Dynamo go off to KC, Dallas, Columbus, and Portland. Hard to find any easy road games left in that mix. Their best hope is in Dallas with their North Texas rivals who are in the middle of a tough CCL run.

Houston sits in the mix right now but it all comes down to those road games. They need at least 10 points to feel good about their chances I would think.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 9 points

New England Revolution  - 8 games remaining (4 home, 4 away)

Notes: The Revs are one of the harder teams to figure out here but the one thing we know at this point is they have to really go on a ridiculous run to reach the playoffs. For now, they look like a true spoiler of a club for those actually in contention.

Their schedule is fairly tough down the stretch too but they do have three home games in a row at one point in October. If they can finish strong with those games and pick up points in September, people may feel better about their 2012 chances.

They host Dallas, Seattle, San Jose and Columbus. There has to be some points there with Seattle and Dallas traveling so much with the CCL.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 7 points

New York Red Bulls – 8 games remaining (5 home, 3 away)

Notes: In a way, the Red Bulls really have no excuse with their remaining schedule. Five home games should help get them out of this funk right? Who knows. The Red Bulls need at least 13 points to get to 45 on the season to feel comfortable here.

So how easy will it be to get those 13 points? Well they host LA, not an easy out at all. After that they host Vancouver, Salt Lake, Portland and Philadelphia. Somewhere in that mix has to be at least six points, if not nine.

The road won’t be too horrible for them either. Trips to Dallas, Toronto and KC are all that is left for them this season. Again, no excuse.

Possible points remaining: 24 points

Likely remaining points: 11 points

Philadelphia Union – 10 games remaining (5 home, 5 away)

Notes: The Union still have a lot to prove with their remaining schedule. Five home, five away, very balanced and doable as far as getting the points they need to reach the post season. Ten point should get them in but they really need to get at least 14 to feel really safe.

September is a big month for them, out of the five games in that month, three are at PPL Park. They host Portland, Columbus, and DC in that span. Their other two home games are definitely winnable as they bring in New England and Toronto. Somewhere in that five games has to be at least nine points, if not 12 or 15. Those five home games are all winnable in my book.

Getting points on the road is a plus really and should they want to get the Eastern Conference crown, they’ll need them. It won’t be easy with games at Chivas, RSL, KC, NY and Seattle. In other words they have to take care of business at home.

Possible points remaining: 30 points

Likely remaining points: 18 points

Sporting Kansas City – 9 games remaining (6 home, 3 away) + one friendly

Notes: The Eastern Conference crown is really their’s for the taking. Six home games in their final ten really set them up nicely for a strong run into the post season. In this time they host Dallas, LA, Houston, Philly, Columbus, and New York. Not exactly an easy task but very doable as far as getting the points they need to reach the post season.

I’d say ten points is really all they need here but 12 wouldn’t hurt. They get two clubs in Dallas and LA up next at home. Both are in the middle of a big CCL run, both could be gassed for this match with Sporting. Houston struggled on the road and who knows where this Red Bull club will be by October.

They do have three road games left which seems weird considering how many they had at the beginning of the year. Trips to RSL, San Jose and DC are left. Two of those are definitely winnable.

Possible points remaining: 27 points

Likely remaining points: 17 points

Toronto FC – 7 games remaining (4 home, 3 away) + 5 CCL matches

Notes: Lots of soccer left for the Reds. For me, this club is a spoiler club at this point in the year. They’ll need to basically get all 21 possible remaining points (go 7-0-0) to have a shot at the playoffs. And that isn’t even a sure bet these days.

With five (or four after tonight) CCL games left, I’d look for this Toronto team to focus more on the CCL than on the regular season. Good reasons to really.

But here is what they do have left in the league. Home matches with San Jose, Colorado, New York and New England. Road matches at Columbus, Chivas and Philadelphia.

Possible points remaining: 21 points

Likely remaining points: 8 points

Very, very interesting move for the two sides. The two main players involved Iro and Tchani get new homes, and possible some new life to both of their young careers. I’ve felt that Tchani was a good fit for Toronto since going there from New York back in the first Dwayne De Rosario trade but now that he’s going to Columbus here I really believe this will end up being his home for years to come. It is an offensive-minded deal for the Crew too as it gives them more stability in their midfield on the defensive side of the ball and helps add some offense. Tchani is great at holding possession and isn’t too bad at helping create chances as well.

Columbus also gets a guy that won’t count towards the cap as Tchani is a Generation adidas player. That’s good news for them should they continue to make deals here this summer.

As for Iro and Grittit, I really believe the move for Iro was coming sooner rather than later. He lost his starting spot this season and had really been unhappy about it. The kid still is a talented player and should help improve this dreadful Toronto defense right away.

What do you make of this second day of trades for Toronto?