By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jul 8, 2020) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer has officially returned with the MLS Is Back Tournament underway this week. There are plenty of reminders that this is far from an ideal return to the playing fields. All games will be in Orlando with teams sequestered and only leaving their hotels to play and train. The matches will feature no supporters and start . . .
The present and future of the Concacaf Champions League
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 24, 2020) US Soccer Players - Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, soccer leagues worldwide are in flux halting operations to try and halt the spread of the potentially deadly virus. In North America, the fallout was as severe as it has been in other places. MLS teams got in two matches apiece before stopping. Only recently, the league announced plans to return. . . .
Is LAFC a tournament team?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 17, 2020) US Soccer Players - Like the rest of the world, Major League Soccer halted in its tracks due to the Covid-19 global pandemic just two weeks into the 2020 season. And like much of the rest of the soccer world at least, MLS announced its return. Next month, the league will hold a unique tournament that will help MLS try and salvage something out of this . . .
The Galaxy’s return to play
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 3, 2020) US Soccer Players - The LA Galaxy has been trying desperately to return to the top echelon of MLS. Since winning its fifth MLS Cup in 2014, the Galaxy has meandered about, sometimes as bottom-feeders and other times as pretenders. The days of the Galaxy as a dominant force in the league have gone by the wayside and, for many reasons, might very well be . . .
Mexico at home
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 27, 2020) US Soccer Players - For years, the Mexican National Team has treated the United States like its second home. El Tricolor, after all, has played on American soil regularly for more than three decades in competitions and friendly matches. Tens of thousands of fans turn out to see El Tri play here every year. Just based on ticket prices and television . . .
California’s decision is potentially good news for MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 20, 2020) US Soccer Players - Inactivity and what might have been scenarios have dominated the MLS landscape since mid-March. With the league shutting down due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, that is all fans and observers have. Leagues are negotiating with players, facilities, and state and local authorities trying to come up with safe ways to resume. MLS got . . .
The importance of the Cali Clasico
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 13, 2020) US Soccer Players - When the 2020 MLS schedule was first released, players and fans alike circled several games on the calendar. Undoubtedly inside those circles were those teams' rivals. Nothing builds the excitement like playing against teams that fans love to hate. MLS scheduling takes into account these feelings and puts these games together in a . . .
Stories wait in the Western Conference
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 6, 2020) US Soccer Players - It wasn't that long ago that MLS fans and pundits were making predictions ahead of the 2020 season. Would Seattle defend its title, or would LAFC get its championship? Would the LA Galaxy return to form? With the 30-goal mark no longer insurmountable, would someone set a new goal-scoring record? What nobody could've predicted was that . . .
The pressure on Chicharito’s version of the Galaxy
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 29, 2020) US Soccer Players - Everyone loves a new toy. What better joy than getting that new gadget, gaming system or television and putting it to immediate use. After countless hours of use, it's difficult to imagine how life was before this new thing became an instant fixture. It's a different emotion to get a new toy and have it kept safely behind lock and . . .
MLS behind closed doors
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 22, 2020) US Soccer Players - Life in a COVID-19 world is constantly changing. The global pandemic has brought the planet to a grinding halt and, with it, sports. Short of war, the sports world has typically been immune to what ails the world faces. This novel coronavirus, though, has forced the world to change its script. Schools and businesses have shut down. . . .
