By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Dec 19, 2018) US Soccer Players - In the beginning, there were playoffs. From the very launch of Major League Soccer back in 1996, a postseason playoff tournament decides the league’s champion. At no point in the history of America’s top division was there any real thought given to doing things differently. Sure, European leagues prefer to crown a winner on the . . .
MLS revamps schedule, Mourinho out at Manchester United
The soccer news starts with MLS deciding to shorten the season and revamp the playoffs for 2019. Both of these aren't surprises, with reports that the moves were under consideration as 2018 drew to its lengthy close. Blame the FIFA international breaks, but MLS was asking a lot of clubs and fans waiting out the November window. Now, MLS Cup will happen before the November international break, set . . .
FC Dallas and an MLS youth movement
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Dec 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - FC Dallas is not a team with millions to spend in the pursuit of a championship. It doesn’t have a grand, state-of-the-art stadium in a downtown location. It doesn’t glow with the shiny newness of MLS expansion, being an MLS original with a rebrand in its past. Standing out is difficult if you’re FC Dallas. Keeping up with a . . .
Dennis te Kloese, Zlatan, and the 2019 LA Galaxy
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 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 . . .
2019 Concacaf Champions League set
The soccer news starts with Concacaf announcing the schedule for the 2019 Champions League. With clubs from the region's bigger leagues no longer having to play through a group stage, the tournament starts at the round of 16 for MLS and Liga MX. The home and away knockout rounds begin on February 19 and conclude May 2. Because the Canadian champion and the US Open Cup winner are MLS clubs, Major . . .
NYCFC without David Villa
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 30, 2018) US Soccer Players - How young is MLS? Young enough that more than a few of its teams can count among their player ranks names that have been there since the club launched. In an environment where “expansion” is nearly always relevant and new clubs are popping up seemingly every year, players can be both original members of a roster and still crucial . . .
The next Orlando City rebuild
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 28, 2018) US Soccer Players - Orlando City hasn’t had much success on the field, failing to reach to the playoffs in every one its four top division seasons. Over that period, the club has gone through three different head coaches and several different strategies for breaking out of the also-ran group in Major League Soccer. None of the coaches (with the jury . . .
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 . . .
