The soccer news starts with NYCFC's exit from the 2019 MLS playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion was one and done, losing 2-1 to Toronto at CitiField on October 23. That already seems like a long time ago, but timing was part of the problem for NYCFC. Winning the Eastern Conference meant bypassing the opening round of the playoffs. NYCFC didn't play from Decision Day on October 6 to the . . .
NYCFC and the value of soccer-specificity
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 14, 2019) US Soccer Players – Playoff fever has certainly gripped New York. With the brisk fall weather this month comes another season where baseball fans hope their beloved Yankees can win yet another World Series. At the same time, both NYCFC and the Red Bulls are in the playoffs. While the intersecting of baseball and soccer is rare, it’s not entirely . . .
The top three in the East
The soccer news starts with the top of the table in the Eastern Conference. NYCFC is in 1st-place with 58 points, Atlanta has 54 in 2nd, and Philadelphia is in 3rd with 52. Though the Union is only four points ahead of 4th-place DC United, the top three in the East are on 31 games played to United and the rest of the top six's 32. The three points that extra game represents is enough of a . . .
Blue-Collar MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 6, 2019) US Soccer Players - Before we get started with a discussion of the 2019 Major League Soccer teams most worthy of the blue-collar label, a disclaimer. It's just a coincidence that both of these clubs wear blue as their primary color. Now to frame a discussion about what "blue-collar" means when applied to a professional soccer team. It's a term that . . .
The changing Eastern Conference
The soccer news starts with one game making a difference in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia's 3-1 win over Atlanta United on Saturday reset the table, with the Union in 1st-place on 51 points, NYCFC in 2nd on 50, and Atlanta two points behind in 3rd. There's now a six-point gap between Atlanta and 4th-place DC United, with that now the easy line that separates the contenders in the East. . . .
Atlanta, Philadelphia, and NYCFC in the Eastern Conference
Atlanta took over 1st-place in the Eastern Conference with a week 24 win at Portland, but as almost always in MLS there's a caveat. United is not tied on points with Philadelphia and has a game in hand 26 to 27. That's not the problem for their status as Eastern Conference leaders. It's 3rd-place NYCFC four points behind Atlanta and Philadelphia but on 24 games played. If you're looking for the . . .
The stadium game hasn’t changed in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 2, 2019) US Soccer Players - MLS commissioner Don Garber's talking points around the 2019 MLS All-Star Game mostly gleamed with positivity. Major League Soccer is growing by leaps and bounds, adding two teams in 2020 and another in 2021. An announcement of two new teams appears to be in the works. By the time the next World Cup rolls around, the top division . . .
The MLS rivalries in the I-95 corridor
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 15, 2019) US Soccer Players – For the major East Coast cities linked by Interstate-95 in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the country, every game between them is a rivalry game. That's regardless of the sport. all of them have a rich sports tradition and distinct rivalries. Over the past two decades, rivalries built by those other sports have . . .
MLS contenders already looking for turnarounds in 2019
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 3, 2019) US Soccer Players - Before the 2019 Major League Soccer season began, a list that started with Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls, NYCFC, and Portland Timbers could have been an easy preseason power ranking of the top four teams in the league. Atlanta United entered the campaign as the defending league champion. The Red Bulls won the Supporters' . . .
Has MLS redefined the Designated Player?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 6, 2019) US Soccer Players - While Atlanta United makes headlines across North America thanks to the record-breaking sale of Miguel Almiron and the signing of Pity Martinez, the rest of MLS contemplates a changing league and the future of Designated Player business. Not everyone can be Atlanta United, backed by the wealth and enthusiasm of owner Arthur Blank. . . .
