By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 12, 2018) US Soccer Players - On his first official day as the LA Galaxy’s general manager, Dennis te Kloese was already making things happen. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to stay on for 2019 as a roster shakeup appears imminent, Caleb Porter is on the brink of becoming the next Galaxy coach all the while revealing the vision for the future. If this is a glimpse of . . .
The next stage of MLS looms
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Dec 7, 2018) US Soccer Players - The 2018 MLS Cup final provided the latest backdrop for a pressing discussion about the future of topflight soccer in the USA and Canada. That discussion and the debate it engenders is a function of the success of Atlanta United and the ambition of the club’s owner, Arthur Blank. The massive crowd that filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium . . .
USMNT players advance in the 2018-19 Champions League
The soccer news starts with USMNT players in the Champions League. Weston McKennie was on the bench for Schalke's 1-0 home shutout of Lokomotiv Moscow in Group D. Alessandro Schopf scored a minute into stoppage time with Ralf Fahrmann making one save to keep the clean sheet. Schalke advances to the knockout round in 2nd-place, five points behind group winners Porto. “We were dominant over the 90 . . .
MLS 2018 season in review
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 10, 2018) US Soccer Players – It was a season of records for Atlanta United. The newly-crowned MLS champions, in just their second year of existence, emerged as a truly unstoppable train. That's thanks in large part to the scoring pace of Josef Martinez. The league’s MVP this season, Martinez easily surpassed the MLS regular-season scoring record 31 goals in 34 . . .
MLS moves on, FIFA task force meets over new competitions
The soccer news starts with the MLS champions Atlanta United and runners-up Portland Timbers. For the technical staffs on both teams, there wasn't a lot of time for either of them to celebrate or wonder what they might've done differently. By Sunday, they were announcing the players they're keeping for the 2019 MLS season. The league moves on, with Sunday a half-day trade window where moves . . .
Atlanta wins the Cup, but what does that mean for MLS?
By J Hutcherson (Dec 8, 2018) US Soccer Players - We’re well into the era of Atlanta United making anything they touch look like it belongs to a different league. Their fans going with an MLS 3.0 tifo shortly before the start of the game was equal parts mission statement as creativity. Atlanta lifted the 2018 MLS Cup after beating Portland 2-0 on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Josef . . .
Are the Portland Timbers MLS Cup underdogs?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Dec 7, 2018) US Soccer Players - There’s no rule that says a championship game must have a favorite and underdog. It’s quite possible that two teams can arrive at a final equally matched, on paper or in reality. That takes away the need for the tried-and-true narrative that one team is the obvious choice to win while the other is fighting an uphill battle. It . . .
Preview: 2018 MLS Cup final
The soccer news starts with the 2018 MLS Cup final on Saturday (8pm ET - Fox) with Atlanta United trying to put the exclamation point on their season at home against Portland. The big talking points haven't changed. Tata Martino's last game draws at least a temporary line between eras for a team about to complete its second season. That's the situation for United, a dynasty in the making that will . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The 2018 MLS season
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 6, 2018) US Soccer Players - Only two teams are left standing in what has been an entertaining and memorable 2018 MLS season. Atlanta United will host the Portland Timbers as one team will lock down immortality while the other will rue the day for years to come. The final will culminate a month-long march that has had moments of drama and surprise. While only a . . .
The Galaxy’s director of soccer
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 5, 2018) US Soccer Players - The LA Galaxy has had some major acquisitions in its history. David Beckham helped transform not only the club but the entire league during his six-year stay. Landon Donovan became the face of the franchise, helping the Galaxy win four MLS Cups from 2005-2014. Bruce Arena built powerful teams during his eight-year stint. The Galaxy’s . . .
