By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 30, 2021) US Soccer Players - On Thursday night in Los Angeles, LAFC played to a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United. Two clubs with MLS Cup ambitions split the points in an entertaining game that featured a goal from Carlos Vela and a stoppage time equalizer from United's Hassani Dotson. Adrian Heath and Minnesota United were the happier of the two teams after . . .
Portland can overcome its problems
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 16, 2021) US Soccer Players - As MLS gets ready to resume play following a three-week international break, some Western Conference teams have taken on roles. Seattle is the front-runner, sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference. The LA Galaxy is the biggest surprise after a surprisingly strong start. City rival LAFC is the biggest disappointment as the . . .
Zack Steffen’s Manchester City takes a Champions League lead
Thursday's soccer news starts with another USMNT player's club advancing in the Champions League. Zack Steffen was on the bench for Manchester City's 2-1 first-leg win at the Parc des Princes. PSG went up in the 15th minute with Kevin De Bruyne equalizing in the 64th. Playing a man up from the 77th, Riyad Mahrez scored for City in the 71st minute. The series concludes in Manchester on May . . .
Chelsea advances in the Champions League, Atlanta and Portland in the CCL
Wednesday's soccer news starts in the Champions League. Christian Pulisic's Chelsea finished off their quarterfinal series with Porto, advancing 2-1 on aggregate after losing the second-leg 1-0 at home. The game's only goal came three minutes into stoppage time. "We accepted what was needed tonight, and I think we deserved to go through," Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said. "It was a tough . . .
Is MLS heading towards another Seattle vs Toronto Cup?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 9, 2020) US Soccer Players - Even in a season beset by a pandemic, with the schedule upended, travel more complicated, and home-field advantage chucked out the window, the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC are intent on repeating history. Seattle and Toronto have faced off in three of the last four MLS Cup finals and look to be on a collision course to meet again . . .
Player development shows the value of MLS is Back
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - What was once a product of necessity is now something of a hot commodity in the world of Major League Soccer. The league's return-to-play model, the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida, is winding down with only Tuesday's final left on the schedule. Fifty-one games in total, played on training fields for the sole benefit of . . .
Seattle and Portland step up
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 15, 2020) US Soccer Players – The coronavirus pandemic that forced Americans to stay home, closed businesses, and forced sports leagues to go on pause lead to a series of community initiatives to help people cope with the health and economic fallout of the last few months. It also made for some strange collaborations. For example, MLS rivals the Seattle . . .
Soul and superstar in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 4, 2020) US Soccer Players - No team ever makes it through a season without some of its players missing significant time due to injury. Injuries are part of the deal across the length of a 34-game season plus playoffs. The best any team can hope is that the injury bug doesn't hit a crucial player. When stars do go down for an extended period of time, it can . . .
Valeri and Bradley stay put
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 18, 2019) US Soccer Players - The Portland Timbers announced late Monday that Argentine playmaker Diego Valeri signed a new multi-year contract to remain with the club for the foreseeable future. The 33-year-old Valeri helped the Timbers lift an MLS Cup back in 2015 and won the league's Most Valuable Player Award in 2017. He remains one of the most dangerous . . .
The Portland Timbers’ Diego Valeri dilemma
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 4, 2019) US Soccer Players - Last week, Real Salt Lake marked the 10-year anniversary of their underdog 2009 MLS Cup win. The club honored the members of that squad during their game against the LA Galaxy. One face was a particularly welcome sight for the home fans. Javier Morales, the Argentinean playmaker whose creativity and class powered the . . .
