By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 5, 2022) US Soccer Players - For a while there, it was easy to judge Major League Soccer teams against one another. With an even number of clubs this season thanks to the addition of Charlotte, the league's weekend schedules had balance. Twenty-eight teams playing fourteen games in a given week means the season creeps along at an equitable clip. When everyone . . .
James Sands and Sean Johnson play key roles in an MLS Cup win
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 15, 2021) US Soccer Players - Make no mistake, the 2021 MLS Cup final was about Portland. The city that prides itself on embracing soccer did just that in front of a national television audience. Portland is an American soccer city. Maybe THE American soccer city. After the show that Timbers fans put on at Providence Park in cold, wet, and windy conditions, no . . .
Soccer City USA hosts a title game
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 8, 2021) US Soccer Players - The city of Portland has several nicknames. The Rose City, Rip City, Stumptown, and PDX pay homage to some portion of the city's history and culture. None of those nicknames are going anywhere. For instance, the Rose City nickname is not contingent upon the number of roses that bloom in and around Portland at any one time. But there . . .
Portland’s playoff pattern
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 1, 2021) US Soccer Players - The human mind is programmed to look for patterns. We see them everywhere, in nature, in numbers, in our daily lives. Sometimes the patterns are real and meaningful and can tell us something about the future. Other times, they're merely a product of chance and provide no insight at all. Then there's the matter of sample size. If . . .
Will Saturday help us figure out the Western Conference?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 22, 2021) US Soccer Players - When the MLS schedule delivers, it really delivers. Following a 1-1 draw at 3rd-place Colorado, the 1st-place Seattle Sounders host 2nd-place Sporting Kansas City on Saturday (Univision - 3:30pm ET). Later that night, 4th-place Portland is at the Rapids (ESPN+ - 9pm ET). What sets the stage for the weekend happened on . . .
Portland’s non-dynasty dynasty
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 14, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Portland Timbers have not become an MLS dynasty like their Cascadia rivals to the north, but the club's recent history has impressed. Portland, Columbus, Seattle, and Toronto FC have each made multiple MLS Cup appearances since 2015. In fact, Atlanta United is the only other club to participate in this four-team MLS Cup game of . . .
LAFC, Minnesota, and Portland measure ambition in the West
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 . . .
