By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 14, 2020) US Soccer Players – It took nearly 300 days, a tournament played in a bubble, and the remainder of the season with no or limited fans in the stands to finally end the 2020 season, the longest and oddest in MLS history. In a year where the league celebrated its 25th year, Major League Soccer marked a most unusual season. How could it not be the case . . .
Seattle does its job in the Western Conference final
Tuesday's soccer news starts with Seattle's comeback to advance to the 2020 MLS Cup final. The Sounders beat Minnesota 3-2 at home, scoring two late goals. United took the lead through Emanuel Reynoso in the 29th minute. Reynoso assisted on Bakaye Dibassy's goal in the 67th. Will Bruin cut the Minnesota lead to one in the 75th with Raul Ruidiaz equalizing in the 89th. Gustav Svensson scored . . .
The 4-2-3-1 worked in the 2020 MLS playoffs
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 7, 2020) US Soccer Players – Teams around the world have spent the past few years embracing the 4-2-3-1 formation. The tactic has been successful in MLS as a majority of teams now use it. Like all tactics, teams often don't remain in such a rigid formation for the entire match. Depending on injuries, the score, and other factors, teams often morph into other . . .
Columbus takes the East
Monday's soccer news starts with Columbus advancing to the 2020 MLS Cup final. The Crew knocked out New England 1-0 at home from an Artur goal in the 59th minute. Andrew Tarbell kept the clean sheet with four saves. "The job is not done," Columbus coach Caleb Porter said. "When we started this tournament, we wanted to make four steps. We have made three of the four. I know the guys in that locker . . .
Minnesota advances in the West
Friday's soccer news starts with Minnesota United advancing to play Seattle in the Western Conference final. In a game available nationally on Fox, Minnesota shutout Sporting Kansas City 3-0 on the road. Kevin Molino opened the scoring in the 27th and doubled the lead in the 35th. Bakaye Dibassy made it 3-0 in the 39th with Emanuel Reynoso assisting on all three goals. Dayne St Clair made four . . .
MLS 1.0 in the Eastern Conference final
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 2, 2020) US Soccer Players - Over its 25 years, Major League Soccer repeatedly turns to what's new. The league itself was a new way of limiting spending on players. It's original team names and uniforms were about what was cutting edge in the mid-1990s. Multiple rounds of expansion have pushed new teams forward. New fans, new stadiums, and new understandings of . . .
Seattle does the expected in the West
Wednesday's soccer news starts with Seattle advancing in the Western Conference playoffs. The Sounders knocked out FC Dallas 1-0 at home from a 49th minute Seattle goalkeeper Shane O'Neill goal. Stefan Frei kept the clean sheet without having to make a save. "Very very pleased for Shane," Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said. "He's worked hard all year long. We actually practiced that set piece and . . .
Revs’ run continues, Nashville’s ends
Monday's soccer news starts with the MLS playoffs, specifically the Eastern Conference. Even more specifically, New England ending Orlando's run with a 3-1 road win. Carles Gil opened the scoring for the Revs from the penalty spot in the 17th minute. Gustavo Bou doubled the lead in the 25th. Junior Urso pulled a goal back for Orlando City, going a man down in the 60th with a red card to Mauricio . . .
The MLS playoffs as entertainment
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 27, 2020) US Soccer Players - The Philadelphia Union's best-ever season had just crashed to a shuddering halt well before it was supposed to, and Alejandro Bedoya was infuriated. "I mean, it's one thing to be performing at an elite level during the regular season, but playoffs are playoffs," said the Union captain and USMNT veteran ruefully after his team's . . .
Is MLS weirdness worth celebrating?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - There's a certain subset of American soccer fans who are more than happy to accept Major League Soccer for what it is. Although there's no arguing that the league has taken notable strides in terms of quality and professionalism over its 25 years of history, MLS retains its reputation for sometimes being uneven with its play and . . .
