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. . . .
The MLS regression rankings
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Jan 30, 2019) US Soccer Players - MLS fans across the country are already checking their calendars. Teams are in training, running through their paces ahead of the 26th season of Major League Soccer. For some, the games start earlier than for others. Five sides will compete in the CONCACAF Champions League kicking off the third week of February. The rest of MLS gets . . .
Henry, Gerrard, and Lampard on the sidelines in Europe
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 3, 2018) US Soccer Players – It isn’t so unusual to see former players now coaching some of the best teams in the world. Zinedine Zidane went from World Cup-winning attacking midfielder for France to helping Real Madrid capture three consecutive Champions League titles as their coach. He isn’t alone in making the transition from elite player to elite . . .
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 . . .
NYCFC after David Villa
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - How do you know when it’s the right time to say goodbye? That’s the question NYCFC faces as the weather turns cold and the club contemplates preparations for 2019. Sunday’s loss to Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semifinals means the clock is now ticking on difficult decisions for next year. That includes the face of their . . .
Reggie Cannon and Ben Sweat take different routes to a USMNT call
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Oct 3, 2018) US Soccer Players - Among the collection of fresh faces in the USMNT roster is a pair of MLS fullbacks getting their first looks with the senior squad. One is a homegrown product of one of Major League Soccer’s more renowned academy setups barely into his 20s. The other is former college soccer player who built his career over several stops in American . . .
