The soccer news starts with bad news for MLS in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals. Both the New York Red Bulls and the Houston Dynamo lost their home legs 2-0 to Liga MX clubs. That means the unlikeliest of comebacks in the second-legs in Mexico. It's a disappointment for MLS, with reason to believe that they'd finally turned the corner against Liga MX in the CCL. New York lost 2-0 . . .
The MLS scenario in the Champions League
The soccer news starts with a reminder about the bracket for the knockout round of the 2019 Concacaf Champions League. MLS is the only league that can potentially take all of the semifinal slots. Given the history of the CCL, that might be an unlikely scenario but it's possible and worth considering. Sporting Kansas City showed in the last round that it's certainly possible for an MLS team to . . .
Moving on from week 1 in MLS
The soccer news starts with expectations in MLS. For FC Cincinnati, a quick start in their opening game led to an unnecessary reminder of the degree of difficulty. Expansion is tough. So is defending a title, something Atlanta went through at DC United. Neither of these extremes is news, necessarily. MLS isn't the type of league that regularly rewards the safe assumption. Maybe you'd like to . . .
Atlanta and Sporting KC advance in the Champions League
The soccer news starts with the conclusion of the 2019 Concacaf Champions League round of 16. Atlanta United pulled off a multi-goal comeback in their series with Herediano, winning 4-0 at home and 5-3 on aggregate. Josef Martinez scored in the 1st minute with Julian Gressel scoring in the 9th. Martinez scored again in the 63rd with Leandro finishing off the goals in the 83rd. Brad Guzan made . . .
Red Bulls advance in the Concacaf Champions League
The soccer news starts in the Concacaf Champions League with the New York Red Bulls seeing off Atletico Pantoja 3-0 at home, 5-0 on aggregate. Sean Davis opened the scoring in the 27th minute with Daniel Royer converting a penalty in the 32nd. Andreas Ivan finished off the goals in the 75th with Luis Robles making one save to keep the clean sheet. The Red Bulls advance to play Santos Laguna in the . . .
Houston advances, Toronto out of CCL
The soccer news starts with Houston becoming the first MLS team to advance and Toronto FC the first MLS team to exit the 2019 Concacaf Champions League. The Dynamo came back at home in the second-leg against Guastotoya to win 2-1, 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 16. Guastatoya scored in the 72nd minute to level the series. Mauro Manotas responded with goals in the 77th and 85th to send Houston to . . .
Toronto and Atlanta need CCL goals at home
The soccer news starts with mission improbable for at least a couple of the MLS teams trying to get to the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals. With the usual caveats that anything can happen with at least 90 minutes left to play, there are some obvious problems for Toronto FC and Atlanta United. Losing 4-0 at Independiente, Toronto faces a home leg later tonight where the scenario seems . . .
Chelsea’s goalkeepers
The soccer news starts with the League Cup final and a substitution issue for Chelsea. With the clock heading to the end of extra time, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri tried to sub his goalkeepers. The reason was an apparent injury to Kepa Arrizabalaga, except Kepa didn't seem to agree with Sarri's decision. Instead of coming off, he gestured at the bench and refused to leave the field. Sarri's . . .
Red Bulls win in CCL
The soccer news starts with another night of the Concacaf Champions League round of 16 first-legs. The New York Red Bulls shutout Atletico Pantoja 2-0 in the Dominican Republic. An own-goal opened the scoring in the 39th minute with Daniel Royer doubling the lead in the 67th. Luis Robles didn't have to make a save to keep the clean sheet. The series concludes on February 27 at Red Bull . . .
Houston wins, Toronto loses in Champions League
The 2019 Concacaf Champions League round of 16 first-legs opened with mixed results for MLS teams. Houston shutout Guastatoya on the road, but Toronto FC's 4-0 loss at Independiente took some of the shine off of the Dynamo's result. Houston went to Guatemala to open their round of 16 series, coming up with a late goal from a familiar face. DaMarcus Beasley scored in the 84th minute to give . . .
