Wednesday's soccer news starts in the Concacaf Champions League, where Philadelphia advanced 4-0 on the night and by the same score on aggregate over Alianza. Playing a man up from the 40th minute, the Union's Damion Lowe scored a minute into stoppage time at Subaru Park. Daniel Gazdag converted a 62nd minute penalty and Andres Perea added goals in the 81st and 84th minutes. Philadelphia . . .
How Austin FC, Houston, and Sporting Kansas City’s losses in week one suggest more from those clubs
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 1, 2023) US Soccer Players - For 27 of the 29 MLS teams, the opening weekend that extended into Monday was just the first of 34 games that will determine the playoff field, and, ultimately, the 18 clubs that will compete for a championship this season. One of 34, and there’s plenty of room for optimism for some of the clubs that came out on the wrong end of the . . .
Three clubs looking to take another step in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 24, 2023) US Soccer Players - There are two steps to becoming part of the top echelon of Major League Soccer clubs, also known as the perennial contenders. Step one: Make your move into the ranks of the top teams in the league, qualify for the playoffs, and win a playoff game. Step two: Stay there. Step one isn't exactly easy, but with the league's . . .
Major League Soccer’s free agency period is becoming the story
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 14, 2022) US Soccer Players - With a few weeks left in 2022 and the arrival of preseason training camps just around the corner, clubs are working to add proven MLS performers to their rosters from the ranks of the unattached. For a league that long resisted adopting a free agency mechanism and then tightly controlled the number of players granted the right to . . .
Another step for Cherundolo’s LAFC or Wolff’s Austin in the Western Conference final
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 28, 2022) US Soccer Players - When LAFC hosts Austin FC on Sunday in Los Angeles with Major League Soccer's Western Conference title and a berth in the MLS Cup final on the line, there will be plenty of captivating story lines. To start, Austin FC is attempting to do something only one modern MLS club has achieved, winning a championship in just its second year . . .
Considering all of the factors for Coach of the Year in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 5, 2022) US Soccer Players - The choice for the 2022 Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award in Major League Soccer may seem obvious. It's just that the choice is not always the same, depending on who you happen to ask. The 2022 MLS season delivered exceptional campaigns by a handful of teams. Some of those met or slightly exceeded expectations. Some far . . .
After beating Atlanta and Houston, Austin FC moves up
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (July 13, 2022) US Soccer Players - If the refrain seems a little tired, it's for a good reason. The refrain in question goes something like "Is Austin FC good?" and has been part of the rolling MLS debate since the Texas team started the season with 20 points from its first nine games through February, March, and April. With the standard list of exceptions, . . .
What did we learn from midweek MLS?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 20, 2022) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer delivered school night action on Wednesday with ten games spread across the country. Some midweek rounds can slip by without getting the notice they deserve. With games on top of games in a league with 28 teams, it can be difficult to fully appreciate one match night of results. Wednesday's round included a . . .
Austin FC modifies the MLS blueprint
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 19, 2022) US Soccer Players - Expansion into Major League Soccer used to mean years of losses and frustration. Teams like Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake took their fair share of lumps before being consistently competitive. Same with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps. With few exceptions, expansion teams were built to fail early on. That was until . . .
Three points for Austin at DC United
Monday's soccer news starts with one example of the kind of situation we should expect to see in the MLS tables. With games played yet to hit double-digits, a few points can remake the standings. Austin's win at DC United highlighted that, keeping them in 2nd-place in a conference where three points now separate 2nd from 8th. Austin has played well enough through their seven games to no longer . . .
