By J Hutcherson (Aug 31, 2021) US Soccer Players - We're at the point of the 2021 Major League Soccer season where it should be easier to separate the top clubs from the rest. Going into round 23 of the schedule, New England has a 14-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table. It's Orlando City and Nashville tied on points behind them, both on 35 points and with Orlando holding the . . .
San Jose’s loss at Orlando highlights the MLS schedule
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the compacted schedule already catching up with Major League Soccer. After drawing 0-0 at Austin on Saturday, San Jose continued on a road swing to Orlando last night that turned into a 5-0 loss. As much as that scoreline flatters the home team, it also speaks to the travel demands and potential fatigue on teams even after most of them had a two-week . . .
New investor / operators in Orlando and Houston
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2021) US Soccer Players - On the list of differences between Major League Soccer and pretty much all other leagues is how they define club ownership. Though the term has fallen out of casual use, MLS has investor/operators rather than traditional owners. That's one of the hallmarks of a single-entity league put in place to limit financial competition for . . .
Daryl Dike goes on a run in the Championship while Orlando City waits
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 23, 2021) US Soccer Players - It's getting silly now. What started as a 20-year-old American striker with just a partial year of professional experience getting an opportunity is now something else. Daryl Dike's move to Barnsley just a few months ago is now a phenomenon. It could change the fortunes of the player and the club he joined on what seemed like a . . .
Kessler, Dike, and the continued importance of the college model
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 20, 2021) US Soccer Players - Gregg Berhalter's first USMNT camp of the new year now has a match to close it out. A mixed American squad will face off against Trinidad & Tobago on January 31 in Orlando. The game is the finale of an annual process that's about talent identification and opportunity. This year’s camp is also serving as a chance for U-23 . . .
Orlando in the driver’s seat in another meeting with Atlanta
Wednesday's soccer news starts with a packed schedule of Major League Soccer games. In a season where every matchday feels like it's a restart, Orlando City travels to Atlanta as the better team. After 15 games, Orlando is in 3rd-place on 29 points, two points back of Columbus and Toronto. Atlanta is in 9th-place, holding onto one of the playoff qualifier spots. For those needing the reminder, . . .
The problems at the top of the Eastern Conference
Wednesday's soccer news starts with MLS taking the work week off, a rarity since the season resumed. Many are correctly asking if it's possible to determine much of anything about this league week-to-week. Pick a team, and there's probably a lack of coherency and results that are cause for concern. The playoff safety net still looms, but it's going to be a questionable reward for the teams that . . .
Orlando City joins Portland in MLS is Back final
The soccer news starts with Orlando City joining Portland in Tuesday's MLS is Back final after knocking out Minnesota United 3-1. Nani put Orlando up in the 36th minute, doubling the lead in the 42nd. Mason Toye pulled a goal back for Minnesota in the 83rd minute. Benji Michel finished off the Orlando goals six minutes into stoppage time. "We're very happy to be in the final," Orlando City coach . . .
MLS is Back but do the Florida teams have an advantage?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 19, 2020) US Soccer Players - Barring a last-minute change of plans, Orlando will be the nexus of men's professional soccer in the United States next month. For six weeks from July 8 until August 11 when Major League Soccer holds its "MLS Is Back" tournament at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The league's compromise solution for . . .
Cincinnati vs Columbus and Orlando vs Atlanta
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