By Jeff Rueter – SAINT PAUL, MN (Feb 15, 2018) US Soccer Players - There’s a well-worn assumption that the key to becoming a successful soccer team lies in spending months, even years, training together and forming a core starting lineup. Sometimes, this comes in the form of off-field team building, like Huddersfield Town’s David Wagner leading the then-Championship side to a remote Swedish island . . .
How Sacha Kljestan Would Fit in Orlando
By Jeff Rueter – SAINT PAUL, MN (Dec 28, 2017) US Soccer Players - Few teams have had a busier first month of the MLS offseason than Orlando City. Desperate to make the postseason in their fourth year, the Lions were bound to see a massive change in personal. Original face of the franchise Kaka hung up his boots, regulars like Antonio Nocerino, Giles Barnes, and Dillon Powers were shown the door. . . .
The Galaxy’s goalkeeper issue
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 20, 2017) US Soccer Players - Over the years, the LA Galaxy have had numerous standouts at many positions, from play makers to goal scorers to tough-as-nails defenders. It's been awhile since goalkeeper was in that category. Not surprisingly, it was the goalkeeping that let the team down on many occasions during the tumultuous 2017 season. Perhaps addressing . . .
Toronto tells their story
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Dec 13, 2017) US Soccer Players - When Toronto FC joined Major League Soccer more than a decade ago, the league was only just launching into something that could be called the “modern era". 2007 was the first year of the Designated Player rule, a groundbreaking step by MLS leadership that allowed clubs to sign high-priced players with famous pedigrees. Dick’s . . .
The 2017 MLS season in review
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 11, 2017) US Soccer Players – Are they the best team in MLS history? That’s the question many are asking following Toronto FC shutting out Seattle for the 2017 MLS Cup. Winners of the 2017 MLS Supporters’ Shield and the Canadian Championship, Toronto has the treble. It was a fitting finale played out before their home fans. It's also a season marked by records . . .
Toronto’s trophy and the challenge for the rest of MLS
The soccer news starts with a new MLS Cup champion. Toronto FC took the title and made it about a team coming together to makeup for almost getting there the year before. 2016 loomed large for Toronto throughout 2017. They knew what that felt like, and not revisiting that disappointment became the driving push behind their 2017 success. Unfortunately for the rest of MLS, there's no other team in . . .
2017 MLS Cup: Toronto FC 2 – Seattle Sounders 0
Toronto FC won the 2017 MLS Cup on Saturday, beating the Seattle Sounders 2-0 at BMO Field. Once again, Jozy Altidore made the difference for Toronto, scoring in the 67th minute. Victor Vazquez doubled the lead four minutes into stoppage time. Alex Bono made two saves to keep the clean sheet. Altidore won the MLS Cup MVP award. "Lifting this trophy has been an obsession for the last 364 days, not . . .
Don Garber doubles down on MLS ways in State of the League address
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 8, 2017) US Soccer Players - Do you hate Major League Soccer’s single-entity system? Driven to rage and heartbreak by the Columbus Crew’s investor/operator's flirtation with Austin, Texas? Frustrated and confused by the league’s gratuitously complicated and confusing roster and salary rules? Well, the structures are working, MLS is on course to join . . .
Portland’s coaching search
By Jeff Rueter – SAINT PAUL, MN (Dec 7, 2017) US Soccer Players - The Portland Timbers seem to be a team on the cusp of reaching their potential. Joining MLS in 2011, Portland seemed poised to tap into the success their northern neighbors were already having. Promising early returns showed up in fits and starts through their first two seasons. Then, Caleb Porter signed on as head coach in 2013. . . .
The Galaxy reconsiders player development
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 6, 2017) US Soccer Players - The 2017 MLS season was a disaster for the LA Galaxy on many levels. The Galaxy was the worst team in the league, fired their head coach in July, and won a paltry three home games. Bad loss followed bad loss. In a season centered on player development, the Galaxy ended up horribly exposed. What happened to the club's reputation for . . .
