By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 14, 2020) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer pulled off a successful single-location tournament in Orlando over the last five weeks and is now looking to roll that momentum into a truncated "regular season" schedule. The plan involves 24 of the league's 26 teams playing 18 games each between August 20 and November 8. Two, FC Dallas and Nashville SC, will . . .
Quantity replaces experience in a summer of soccer
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 12, 2020) US Soccer Players - Remember the "Summer of Soccer"? You probably do, since the phrase has been used many times over to sell Americans on the summer happenings in a sport that sometimes lacks recognition in the United States. We've lived through more than a few summers of soccer. Just last year, MLS joined with Home Depot in something called a . . .
Player development shows the value of MLS is Back
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - What was once a product of necessity is now something of a hot commodity in the world of Major League Soccer. The league's return-to-play model, the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida, is winding down with only Tuesday's final left on the schedule. Fifty-one games in total, played on training fields for the sole benefit of . . .
FC Dallas and Nashville SC face a unique situation
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 5, 2020) US Soccer Players - While the rest of Major League Soccer played its way through an impromptu and unprecedented tournament in Orlando, two clubs watched from home. Now that MLS Is Back is down to the final four teams and will wrap up with a championship game next week, those two clubs, FC Dallas and Nashville SC, can move on from "what if" to what . . .
The favorite and playing the underdog at MLS is Back
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 31, 2020) US Soccer Players - If Major League Soccer was going for "unpredictable" with the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando, they couldn't have planned it any better. The group stage threw up plenty of surprises. The round of 16 delivered its fair share of eyebrow-raising moments. We can't expect anything less from the quarterfinals. This isn't to say you . . .
Seattle, Toronto, and contending in this version of MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 29, 2020) US Soccer Players - Say goodbye to the champions. The Seattle Sounders exited the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando on Monday night, humbled by LAFC. Call it revenge if you like, though the stakes are just a bit different. The Sounders knocked LAFC off of their championship path in the 2019 MLS Cup playoffs. Say goodbye to last season's MLS Cup . . .
The Red Bulls, Atlanta, and MLS clubs in crisis
Editor's Note: Shortly after the publication of this article, Atlanta United announced that Frank de Boer is no longer the coach of the club. “On behalf of Atlanta United, I would like to thank Frank for his leadership and commitment to the club,” club president Darren Eales said. U"Frank’s guidance, the club had a strong 2019 season in both MLS and international competition. After discussing . . .
MLS creates a unique shop window
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 22, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a typical July, Major League Soccer has the world's club soccer stage to itself. That's not saying much, though. Not when much of the soccer interest is focused on the high end of the transfer market or on international tournaments. In a different timeline, MLS is gasping for a bit of oxygen in a room dominated by the European . . .
MLS is Back embraces uncertainty
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 17, 2020) US Soccer Players - MLS is Back is late-night kickoffs, questionable defending, and wild finishes. MLS is Back is dramatic emotional swings, uninhibited celebrations, and unexpected heroes. MLS is Back is last year's also-rans putting on the best show at the tournament so far. MLS is Back is also breakfast-time kickoffs, silly red cards, and . . .
No advantage at MLS is Back
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 15, 2020) US Soccer Players - It only makes sense, really. Team sports typically turn on several factors when it comes to winners and losers. Talent, of course, but also less tangible elements that work into the psychology of the players on the field. We make a big deal about home-field advantage because the numbers tell us it's real. Teams playing in their . . .
