Major Link Soccer: Chivas USA Joins The Mile High Club, USMNT Snubs The Northwest Again

With a new season, brings new kits. It's just the way it is -- but what sets you apart is how you unveil those kits. Take Chivas USA for example, they did theirs at 30,000 feet in the air, somewhere between Guadalajara and Los Angles, during a Volaris commercial flight.

Modeling these new kits in flight were forward Juan Pablo Angel, goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and midfielder Jorge Villafana. It was a ten minute presentation -- the 'models' did there thing on the aisle as the flight bounded towards LA.

"There are a lot of symbols on this flight; the first was that it was a flight from Guadalajara, where our sibling club was founded, to LA, which is our home," said Morales. "Also, keeping Chivas at this altitude at this height is important because if we launch a jersey like this, then we need to have a fantastic season in 2012, and I’m sure that will happen."

-VP Of Marketing Rodrigo Morales

Speaking of new kits, the Columbus Crew have unveiled their kit sponsors for this season -- Barbasol. Their new kits -- home, away and practice -- will have the Barbasol logo.

"On behalf of the entire Crew organization, I am extremely pleased to welcome Barbasol to our family of corporate and community partners," Crew president and general manager Mark McCullers said in a statement. "Barbasol is a well-known, well-respected brand, and we are proud that it will adorn the front of our jerseys for years to come.

Once again, US Soccer has snubbed the Pacific Northwest as they have announced a string of five upcoming matches that include the start of World Cup Qualifying. Here's what Klinsy had to say on the subject.

"Jacksonville has an amazing facility and is the perfect place for us to begin our important summer schedule," said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "We are excited to bring the U.S. National Team back to a part of the country we haven’t visited in many years. It’s fantastic that we can continue to give fans in different parts of the country the chance to share in the journey."

Wait, haven't been in that part of the country in years? I guess 2011 is a very long time ago. Did I miss something?

As it's been chronicled here, the Montreal Impact have been on the hunt for the team's first ever designated player. Team president Joey Saputo headed overseas searching, hoping to bring back the club's first DP in the form of a high scoring forward. Enter defender Matteo Ferrari, who is not a high scoring forward but a centerback with over 200 matches under his belt in Serie A.

"We had an unanticipated meeting with Matteo while in Europe," De Santis said. "He is not currently under contract with us, but he wants to play in MLS and wants to join the Impact. We are excited that he will be joining the club. "We know the level of his game and what he can bring to the team," De Santis added. "The details of a potential deal have to be finalized with the league, but we are confident that it can get done quickly."

The Philadelphia Union signed local boy and 33 year old defender Chris Albright on Monday. Albright started out in 1999 and has made stops in DC, New England and New York. He's been a part of 3 MLS Cup winning squads during his time in MLS. The problem is that he's injury prone; he suffered a season ending injury in 2009. His 2011 season wasn't much better, as it was plagued by injuries which limited his playing time.

While the Vancouver Whitecaps president won't comment, it looks as though Scottish International midfielder Barry Robson will join the Whitecaps on loan at the end of the English season. Robson currently plays for Championship side Middlesbrough. He's a versatile player how can play both in the midfield and in defense.

New York Red Bulls defender/holding mid Rafa Marquez has plans to hang up his boots after the World Cup in 2014, in which he would be age 34.

"I would be delighted to go to this World Cup and perhaps then say goodbye to football," Marquez is quoted by EFE as saying. "After I retire, I would like to be a coach or an adviser to some club."

Though if you ask Goal.com's Frank Isola, Marquez is a grumpy veteran who needs to change his ways if he wants to stick around football in a coaching or advisory role.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and England international David Bentley might be headed to the MLS on a loan move as he recovers from a knee injury that happened in October while on a loan spell to West Ham United as they fought to get back to the top flight after being relegated last season.

"This is something that is really interesting for David, as it will also get him fit through the summer," his rep, Rob Segal, told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. "He would like to go there on loan as soon as possible."

Simon Dawkins, Bentley's teammate at Spurs, is set for another full season MLS loan spell with the San Jose Earthquakes. It was never a guarantee that Dawkins would return to the Quakes, though the San Jose side made it a priority to try to secure his services for the 2012 season.

"It was one of our primary offseason goals to bring Simon back to San Jose, but we had to be patient. In the end, that patience paid off," said San Jose general manager John Doyle. "We liked what we saw out of Simon last year. He’s a versatile player who adds another dimension to our lineup and we’re excited for his return to the club."