By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 24, 2021) US Soccer Players - The 2021 season arrives for Major League Soccer behind a vanguard of uncertainty as formidable as any in recent memory. 2020 wreaked havoc on preconceived notions and reasonable expectations while laying waste to rosters throughout a stop-start campaign. It’s impossible to know what might have happened in the absence of the . . .
Beckerman, the end of an era and hopes of a brighter tomorrow
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 31, 2020) US Soccer Players - This month an iron man of American soccer called time on a great career. In doing so, Kyle Beckerman brought down the curtain on a momentous era for the game in his country as just about everyone on earth celebrates the end of a brutal 2020. Now 38, Beckerman is the only non-goalkeeper in MLS history to play 20 seasons. He . . .
Freddy Juarez drops the interim title at RSL, Orlando hires Pareja
The soccer news starts with the coaching situation at Real Salt Lake. Interim coach Freddy Juarez is now the new head coach. The club also removed the interim title from general manager Elliot Fall with Real Monarchs GM Dan Egner becoming RSL technical director and former player Tony Beltran hired as assistant GM. “Having gone through everything with the academy and the Monarchs and now being . . .
The 2010s for the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake
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 . . .
