By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 16, 2020) US Soccer Players - The LA Galaxy likes to remind everyone in Southern California that the team has been around since 1996. The club's "Since '96" moniker was a shot at Los Angeles FC, who joined MLS in the 2018 season and has since shaken up the professional soccer landscape in Southern California. That "Since '96" slogan carries more weight than just . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The league goes regional
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 9, 2020) US Soccer Players - MLS is Back was quite a bit of fun, more perhaps than many expected. Still, the tournament might have been just that, a fun one-off event. What happened in Orlando did not necessarily reveal much of what was to follow in late August and into September. The champions have stumbled on their return to league play while some other . . .
Once again without Vela, LAFC looks to recent answers
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 26, 2020) US Soccer Players - Carlos Vela has quite a lot of talents. He is an outstanding finisher, one of the best in league history with an MLS-record 34 goals a season ago. Vela also has excellent vision as he threads passes and creates opportunities for his teammates. For 2020, his vision might save the season, even though he did not intend it that . . .
First and second impressions in MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 19, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a normal MLS season, teams get one chance to make a first impression on how things will go for them that year. First impressions can energize the fan base and make other teams around the league take notice. They can also toss up red flag after red flag of things that will certainly hamper the team the rest of the season. This, of . . .
West Coast MLS stresses rivalries in its new normal
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 12, 2020) US Soccer Players - Now that the MLS Is Back Tournament is over, MLS teams can get back to the business as usual. Except business will continue being unusual. The MLS regular season will resume on Wednesday when FC Dallas plays Nashville. For teams further out West, the season will get underway on August 22. That includes the Los Angeles derby, the . . .
Like other teams, LAFC ends up with questions from MLS is Back
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 5, 2020) US Soccer Players - LAFC had the stage set at the MLS Is Back tournament. Earlier scares were just that, games that startled but ultimately did not harm the club. Four games in and LAFC had established itself as the class of the tournament and the team to beat. Game five, though, did not go according to plan. Midway through an admittedly bizarre year . . .
MLS Power Rankings: California in control
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jul 29, 2020) US Soccer Players - California is the most exciting state for MLS soccer. That much is clear through the completion of the Round of 16. LAFC has the most goals in the MLS is Back tournament with 15 while San Jose is in 2nd-place with 11. Even the LA Galaxy, unceremoniously crashing out in the group stage, is intriguing due to its many problems. The MLS . . .
The Galaxy faces a familiar situation
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jul 22, 2020) US Soccer Players - If you are not sure how many championships the LA Galaxy has, just ask them. The club is quick to boast how it is the only team in league history to win five MLS Cups, that the Galaxy has been a fixture in Los Angeles since 1996, and that the game's top stars have called and continue to call the Galaxy home. The Galaxy certainly has . . .
Do rivalries still matter at MLS is Back?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jul 15, 2020) US Soccer Players - As the MLS Is Back tournament marches on, one of the most-anticipated matches is just days away. The LA Galaxy and LAFC will renew hostilities when the two play their group match on Saturday. The tournament's supposed blind draw set up this matchup. Because of that, we get at least one LA Galaxy vs LAFC meeting in 2020. The last . . .
Does MLS really need to be back?
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 . . .
