By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 30, 2014) US Soccer Players – As we say goodbye to 2014 from a soccer-specific perspective, many of the high points are easy to name. It was a World Cup year, which means that most of us were preoccupied for a good chunk of the summer watching 64 games that led to Germany winning a fourth World Cup. At the same time, the World Cup once again raised its game . . .
New deals for Beckerman, Rimando, Lenhart
Real Salt Lake players Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando received contract extensions, the MLS club announced on Tuesday. Both players were part of the 2014 USMNT World Cup squad. Though financial terms weren't disclosed, both deals are for multiple years. "Both personally and professionally, I'm extremely excited that our club has chosen to reward both Kyle and Nick for not only their incredible . . .
DC United receives stadium approval from city
It was a big day for DC United, getting final approval from the city to build a soccer-specific stadium in the District of Colombia. The Washington, DC council voted in favor of the DC Soccer Stadium Act, clearing the way to build the stadium at Buzzard Point. The stadium is scheduled for a 2017 opening. “We are grateful that D.C. United’s future in our nation’s capital is secure,” DC United . . .
The other MLS awards
By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 17, 2014) US Soccer Players - It already seems like a long time ago that the LA Galaxy celebrated their latest MLS Cup win. Ok, it's only been ten days, but MLS does a good job making the end of the 2014 season seem like a distant memory. It’s tempting to look ahead, moving past the dark, cold winter and to the start of the 2015 MLS season. Next year will be . . .
Do playoffs hurt the quality of MLS?
By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Dec 16, 2014) US Soccer Players - MLS isn’t shy about messing with the playoff system. Over the years, the league has made the postseason a work in progress. Now, MLS is talking about designing the playoffs for the eventual 24-team version of the league. That means designing for 24 but imposing it on a 20-team league. The rationale is to build tradition and . . .
MLS players and the future of the USMNT
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 16, 2014) US Soccer Players – A lot has been said about MLS and the USMNT over the past year. Most of that conversation centered on how the two go or don’t go together. With USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann and MLS commissioner Don Garber trading jabs about American players returning to MLS, it is worth noting that this year was one in which the USMNT could not . . .
New York Red Bulls Sporting Director leaves club
New York Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh is leaving the MLS club. The Red Bulls confirmed the move on Monday. Roxburgh was the club's sporting director for two seasons. The Red Bulls won the Eastern Conference in Roxburgh's first season, exiting the playoffs in the quarterfinal round. In 2014, they finished 4th in the East but advanced past DC United to make the semifinals. "After two . . .
Can MLS be transparent?
By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 11, 2014) US Soccer Players – MLS has made transparency a priority during the second half of 2014. Stemming from how Jermaine Jones ended up playing for the New England Revolution, MLS leadership has focused on making its behind the scenes maneuvering more open. This is new territory for MLS, a league not always known for focusing on public perception when it . . .
2014 MLS Expansion Draft results
MLS conducted the expansion draft for Orlando City and NYCFC on Wednesday, with both clubs selecting ten players each. The existing MLS teams protected 11 players on their 2014 roster with Generation adidas, Homegrown, and Designated Players with a no-trade clause exempted from the expansion draft. “We’re really pleased with the result of today,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “We're . . .
MLS and the LA life
By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 9, 2014) US Soccer Players - We've all heard it before, but on the occasion of the biggest game in MLS it bears repeating. Los Angeles is a universe unto itself. It’s a place where how you look is paramount, getting anywhere on time is uncool, and sports are subject to both phenomenon. The 2014 MLS Cup checked all of the LA boxes. Nowhere else in America do so . . .
