By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 19, 2022) US Soccer Players - Expansion into Major League Soccer used to mean years of losses and frustration. Teams like Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake took their fair share of lumps before being consistently competitive. Same with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps. With few exceptions, expansion teams were built to fail early on. That was until . . .
Defense may no longer be the issue for the Galaxy
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 11, 2022) US Soccer Players - Since the club's inception, the LA Galaxy promised to field a roster of stars. From Cobi Jones and Luis Hernandez to Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and Robbie Keane, the team has traditionally delivered on that promise. This year's roster is no different as it features Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Mexico's all-time leading scorer, . . .
MLS Power Rankings: LAFC steps up and NYCFC looks strong
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 4, 2022) US Soccer Players - LAFC lost a game in April to local rivals the LA Galaxy, but they're still the clear-cut front runner in Major League Soccer. LAFC leads the league with 22 points, has scored the second-most goals, and has the second-best goal-differential in MLS. LAFC and Philadelphia, the 2nd-place team in the rankings, seem set to stick around near . . .
LAFC begins to build in the West
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 27, 2022) US Soccer Players - While the matchdays have yet to hit double digits, there seems to be little debate over the best team in Major League Soccer. At 6-1-1, LAFC sits atop both the Western Conference and the Supporters' Shield standings. The record matches the fast start LAFC had in what became a dominant 2019 regular season. This team, though, is . . .
The Earthquakes have to fix their defense
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 20, 2022) US Soccer Players - Over the last several seasons, the San Jose Earthquakes have been many things. One of those is entertaining. The Quakes' offense has been okay to solid, the defense poor to disastrous. That's made for high-scoring, fun, and often exciting matches. That has not exactly been the formula for success, however. San Jose has been unable . . .
Chicharito Hernandez, the Galaxy, and El Tri
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 13, 2022) US Soccer Players - When the World Cup rolls around, Major League Soccer will have a presence in the tournament. It's not just the United States and Canada highlighting the league. Various national teams from South America, Europe, and beyond should also showcase MLS talent. The league's clubs cast a wide net for players, especially in the new era of . . .
MLS Power Rankings: Union rises, Revs fall
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 6, 2022) US Soccer Players - It's still early in the 2022 season but not early enough where these results don't matter. There's a way of looking at this point in the season as more about trying not to screw up. It doesn't matter how low in the conference table a contender might be since there's plenty of time for the quality to show. For teams that lack that . . .
Underestimating Real Salt Lake is a bad idea
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 23, 2022) US Soccer Players - The American soccer public does not learn. Entering the 2022 MLS season, several clubs were in the conversation as Western Conference contenders. That included the usual suspects: perennial favorites Seattle Sounders, Bounce-back candidates LAFC and the LA Galaxy, MLS Cup runners-up Portland Timbers, and new Western Conference . . .
The LA teams, the Concacaf Champions League, and what dynasty means in MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 16, 2022) US Soccer Players - New York City FC survived its Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal series against Comunicaciones of Guatemala. Only CF Montreal lost their first-leg, with New England and Seattle both carrying three-goal leads into their deciding games. MLS should expect greater representation than just its defending champion in the final four. The . . .
Liga MX after Queretaro
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 9, 2022) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer and Liga MX have had an odd relationship for many years. Sometimes it has been insubstantial. Other times rather symbiotic. The two have competed directly against one another in various tournaments and matches. All of that has kept the debate going over which is the better league. After recent events, it seems that . . .
