By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 9, 2022) US Soccer Players - When the USMNT lines up against Wales in the teams’ opening match on Monday, there won’t be anything new as far as the midfield is concerned. US coach Gregg Berhalter selected seven midfielders who contributed greatly to the team’s World Cup qualifying efforts. While there will likely be just three starting spots filled by . . .
Another MLS contingent is set to make a difference for the USMNT
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 9, 2022) US Soccer Players - When Major League Soccer began, the US National Team benefited. Not only did MLS provide national team-caliber players a chance for meaningful minutes, but it also provided future national teamers a chance to start and develop their respective careers. Since 1996, the league has evolved substantially, and so has the league's role in . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The obvious top two and figuring out the bottom of the tables
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 2, 2022) US Soccer Players - And then there were two. LAFC and Philadelphia will meet on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium in the 2022 MLS Cup. There is finally justice as the two best teams during the regular season will decide the league title in a one-off contest. If the result follows these rankings, the hosts will hoist the trophy before its boisterous . . .
Geography, payroll, and history in the latest LA derby
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 19, 2022) US Soccer Players - For the second time in four years, one Los Angeles-based Major League Soccer club's season will end at the hands of the other. In a nearly identical scenario to 2019, Supporters' Shield holders LAFC will host the LA Galaxy in a Western Conference semifinal Thursday at Banc of California Stadium. Last time, it was LAFC who ousted . . .
The 4th-seed Galaxy knows what’s in front of them
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 12, 2022) US Soccer Players - It used to be that the LA Galaxy hosting in the playoffs was commonplace. It was not an unusual occurrence nor something to necessarily celebrate. Of course, in the league's early days and as it progressed into its second decade, playoff formats changed. At various times, any team making the playoffs got a home game. Back then, . . .
MLS Power Rankings: LAFC’s focus, Philadelphia holding on, and Montreal in position
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 5, 2022) US Soccer Players - It all comes down to this. The final weekend of the MLS season will determine playoff spots, sending teams to the postseason and crushing the hopes of others. A pair of Wednesday night matches will steal the spotlight from Sunday's Decision Day slate, but there is plenty of positioning left to settle. At the top, though, there is . . .
Los Angeles waits for the Galaxy and LAFC at the Rose Bowl
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 28, 2022) US Soccer Players - The 2022 Major League Soccer regular season is coming to what should be a dramatic close, and the playoffs will ramp up the drama afterward. For Los Angeles-area soccer fans, that means twice the amount of meaningful matches as both LAFC and the LA Galaxy appear playoff bound. LAFC is one of three teams that has already booked its . . .
LAFC looks for its best form with three games remaining
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 14, 2022) US Soccer Players - LAFC has been dominant most of the 2022 season. The Western Conference leaders carried a four-match winning streak into August and promptly ripped off three more wins by a combined 10-1. After the club's seventh consecutive win, LAFC sat on 57 points and seemed well on its way to a Supporters' Shield and entering the playoffs as the . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The Supporters’ Shield race, games played, and spoilers
By Luis Bueno - RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 7, 2022) US Soccer Players - This is the home stretch. Since this is a World Cup year, with a late fall World Cup nonetheless, the season will wrap up early. Instead of teams positioning themselves in the late summer to make that push to try and solidify their playoff spots, this is already the late season. Some teams are responding to the challenge, like . . .
MLS Power Rankings: Favorites in position and Chicago moves up
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 3, 2022) US Soccer Players - With just under three months remaining in the regular season, each conference seems to have made things easier for anybody putting together a power ranking. LAFC stays in place and Philadelphia replaces the Red Bulls in 2nd, with no clear conference advantage in our top ten. 1. LAFC (1 in July) Since Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth . . .
