By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 26, 2021) US Soccer Players - The last time Major League Soccer played a normal season, it ended with Carlos Vela winning the Most Valuable Player award. And with good reason. Vela had a record-breaking year in 2019 as part of one of the best regular seasons in MLS history. This year, LAFC needs another standout performance from Vela, and the sooner, the . . .
Seattle is already on the brink of dynasty status
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 19, 2021) US Soccer Players - The end of the 2020 season might have been the start of a down era for the Seattle Sounders. The club finished the year as runners-up in the MLS Cup final and went through some changes within its roster. That included the loss of longtime star Jordan Morris. Having appeared in four MLS Cups over a five-year span, some regression . . .
MLS Power Rankings: Eastern dominance
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 12, 2021) US Soccer Players - Eastern Conference teams are dominating the Power Rankings in May. Even though a Western team occupies the top spot this month, five Eastern teams follow. The quality is there from the start in the East. Out West, the situation is a bit different. Teams like LAFC, Minnesota, and Portland have all taken nosedives straight out of the . . .
Is el Trafico turning into el Superclasico?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 5, 2021) US Soccer Players - Not too long ago, the LA Galaxy was the undisputed king of Los Angeles soccer. When Chivas USA joined MLS in 2005, the club had some competition for that abstract title. That was short-lived as the Galaxy dominated its intra-stadium rivals until Chivas USA folded after the 2014 season. Four years later, the Galaxy had another local . . .
Is LAFC evolving in 2021?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 28, 2021) US Soccer Players - In its short history, Los Angeles FC has been an offensive juggernaut. As an expansion team, LAFC finished second in goals scored and has only upped its game since. They've led the league in goals scored in both 2019 and 2020. None of those seasons finished with an MLS Cup, but LAFC has set itself up as a perennial title contender on . . .
Chicharito triggers the Galaxy, but defense remains the issue
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 21, 2021) US Soccer Players - When he got word that he was leaving La Liga for the LA Galaxy, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez cried. In a video released on social media weeks after the move was made official, Hernandez shed some tears after closing the door on his European career. The move to MLS was long in coming, a marquee member of Mexico's national team the . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The 2021 season begins
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 14, 2021) US Soccer Players - Columbus Crew supporters notwithstanding, 2020 is a year that many Major League Soccer onlookers would rather just crumple up and toss into a garbage can. The year was nothing like the league had ever seen before. No fans, months without a game, and a strange but rather entertaining and gripping midseason tournament. This season, . . .
MLS Power Rankings: Regular season ender
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 11, 2020) US Soccer Players - The strangest regular season in league history has come to a close. Nobody could have ever imagined a season that saw a complete shutdown after two games, a midseason tournament, and games with no fans in the stands. Yet, the league persevered with some not-so-minor setbacks, and now the playoffs are looming. In a season like . . .
With te Kloese in place, the Galaxy once again plan a rebuild
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 4, 2020) US Soccer Players - Through it all, the Galaxy had one coach capable of leading them out of the doldrums. That period was not just one of success but also of stability. The reason, in large part, was Bruce Arena. The post-Arena era has been quite the opposite. The Galaxy parted ways with coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto following the Galaxy's 5-1 loss . . .
LA becomes title town
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 28, 2020) US Soccer Players - Los Angeles once again has plenty to celebrate from its sports teams. Turning around a fallow period for titles, the LA Lakers lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy as NBA champions. Yes, it happened in a bubble on the other side of the country. That didn't stop fans from celebrating like things are normal. Last night, the Dodgers won the . . .
