By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 28, 2019) US Soccer Players – The 2019 MLS season brings to a close a decade where the league not only grew in size, but also in respect. It was also a decade that saw, to date, seven different teams win MLS Cup. It's the result of a league that's not only grown in terms of the number of teams but also one that remains very unpredictable. That's why preseason . . .
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 . . .
Mike Petke no longer coach of Real Salt Lake
The soccer news starts with Real Salt Lake firing head coach mike Petke and naming assistant Freddy Juarez as the interim. Petke was currently serving a two-week suspension from the club announced on July 30 following a three-game suspension by MLS for comments directed at a match official during a Leagues Cup game. Reports had Petke using a Spanish homophobic slur. Petke was suspended from three . . .
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. . . .
Away wins in the MLS knockout round
The soccer news starts with the away teams in the MLS knockout round. Columbus needed penalties to see off DC United at Audi Field. In a back and forth game, Frederic Brillant put DC up in the 21st minute. Federico Higuain equalized in the 30th minute. With the game in extra time, Higuain scored again in the 96th. Nick DeLeon equalized in the 116th to send the game to penalties. Columbus advanced . . .
The referee in the Champions League
Don't worry, We're not starting the soccer news with a hot take on yesterday's late penalty for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. Quick recap, after giving up three goals at home to Juventus, their series was tied until a stoppage time incident. On what we're all going to agree was a 50/50 call for the sake of argument, referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. He then pointed a . . .
MLS lessons for the Concacaf Champions League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 2, 2018) US Soccer Players – The Concacaf Champions League resumes this week with the first-legs of the semifinals. It’s also the resumption of the MLS vs Liga MX story, one that almost always favors Mexico. While the other Champions League will be getting most of the attention this week, it’s in Concacaf where MLS teams will once again try to stop a Liga MX . . .
What will we learn in MLS week 3?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Mar 16, 2018) US Soccer Players - MLS might be a league of parity, but three weeks into the season not all games are even. A few might have more to teach us than others. Injuries, midweek games for Concacaf Champions League participants, and unusual conditions will play a role in the results and how we parse them. Here is a look at four games have the most potential . . .
The immediate future of MLS officiating
Monday's soccer news starts with everybody responding to Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke's show and tell. Petke made an early exit from his team's 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City. The referee showed Petke the door in the 72nd minute for arguing a non-call, and we would later learn how much that non-call meant. For Petke, this was the latest in a run of decisions he believes hampers his team's . . .
Kreis, Movsisyan, and telling the stories in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 7, 2017) US Soccer Players - The churn of the Major League Soccer season sometimes turns the business of a campaign into a fairly staid rinse-and-repeat cycle of quiet off-days and game days. Outside of the occasional injury update and the absences brought on by the international windows, the intrigue coming out of and leading into matches is thin and . . .
