By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 16, 2018) US Soccer Players - There’s still more than a week to go before the FIFA international break is over and MLS resumes its playoff season with the conference final stage. The anticipation for one matchup, in particular, is already high. The Eastern Conference final, pitting the record-breaking New York Red Bulls team against the club the' beat to the . . .
Growth, but in what direction? Pondering USL’s future
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 16, 2018) US Soccer Players - Last week the USL marked the conclusion of its eighth season of existence. On the field, they got a hard-fought championship final between Louisville City and Phoenix Rising in front of a packed crowd at the University of Louisville's Mark & Cindy Lynn Soccer Stadium. The home team edged Didier Drogba & Co. 1-0 in a . . .
Another Galaxy rebuild needs to focus on designated players
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - During the LA Galaxy’s successful cup-filled run from 2009 through 2014, the club had one constant on the field - a dominant player to build around. The club had a deep and talented roster, but the main building block was Landon Donovan. Forming rosters is always challenging but it made it less so for the Galaxy knowing that Donovan . . .
NYCFC after David Villa
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - How do you know when it’s the right time to say goodbye? That’s the question NYCFC faces as the weather turns cold and the club contemplates preparations for 2019. Sunday’s loss to Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semifinals means the clock is now ticking on difficult decisions for next year. That includes the face of their . . .
Fulham moves on with Claudio Ranieri
The soccer news starts with the first managerial change since the start of the 2018-19 Premier League season. Tim Ream and Luca de la Torre have a new manager at Fulham. The club announced that Claudio Ranieri replaces Slavisa Jokanovic. Fulham is in last place in the Premier League with 5 points from 12 games, two points behind 19th-place Huddersfield and three points and a tiebreaker from . . .
FC Cincinnati’s MLS look
The soccer news starts with FC Cincinnati debuting their logo as they prepare to enter MLS next season. The quick takeaways are a slight hue change for their orange and blue and a logo tweak. Since it seems an MLS tradition that it's never that easy, here's the club's official release letting us know what is and isn't appropriate. “Football Club Cincinnati” – the team’s full written name – will . . .
Waiting on the MLS Conference finals
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 12, 2018) US Soccer Players – The 2018 MLS playoffs have produced some very competitive matches over the past two weeks. As always, the postseason doesn’t fail to disappoint, as Sunday’s triple-header revealed. With the Conference Finals on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to take stock of what’s happened and what it says going forward. One of the . . .
Atlanta, Sporting KC, and the Red Bulls advance
The soccer news starts with the conclusion of the semifinal round of the 2018 MLS playoffs. Sporting KC beat Real Salt Lake 4-2 at home to advance and face the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference finals on November 25 (7:30pm ET - FS1) and 29 (9:30pm ET - ESPN). On the other half of the bracket, Atlanta will play the New York Red Bulls on Nov 25 (5pm ET - ESPN) and 29 (7pm ET - . . .
Aaron Long’s path to MLS Defender of the Year
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 9, 2018) US Soccer Players - MLS announced the New York Red Bulls’ Aaron Long as 2018 Defender of the Year on Wednesday. The 26-year old centerback beat out three-time Defender of the Year Chad Marshall to the award, garnering an impressive 33.33% of the media vote in his second full MLS campaign. The players around him in the Red Bulls defense certainly . . .
Portland advances in the MLS playoffs
We start the soccer news with Portland knocking Seattle out of the 2018 MLS playoffs on penalties. With the second-leg finishing 2-1 Seattle in regulation, 3-3 on aggregate, the series headed to extra time. Raul Ruidaz put Seattle up in regulation in the 68th minute, shifting the series with the Sounders advancing had that score held. Portland responded with a goal from Sebastian Blanco in the . . .
