Posts written by Luke

MLS

What We’ll Learn in MLS This Weekend

Can Toronto Keep Pace?: Toronto FC raised plenty of eyebrows by defeating the LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League and will head to the semifinals against Mexico’s Santos Laguna early next week. In their 3-1 loss at Seattle last weekend, Toronto looked tired, and with Torsten Frings out for 4-6 weeks it will be a challenge to keep up pace in a busy schedule. Toronto will be at home Saturday, hosting Chris Wondolowski and the San Jose Earthquake.

Panic Button for NY and Philly?: Let’s face it, the Eastern Conference has started out the season poorly, and this largely can be attributed to the problems involving two of the conference’s most popular franchises–Union and Red Bulls. Philadelphia had a controversial offseason, trading away some of their big-name stars, but Sunday’s embarrassing loss at home versus Colorado showed signs of problems on the field and in the locker room. New York, on the other hand, is same old, same old as far as their issues: the inability to start a squad with the right chemistry or find the poise to win a match. Both teams have yet to win a game in 2012. Philadelphia will head to Chicago on Saturday, while New York is at home hosting Colorado.

Sporting KC vs Dallas: Two of the league’s on-the-rise franchises will face off Sunday night in an Eastern Conference vs Western Conference matchup. The winner of this contest will show where each young club is early on in the season, and in Kansas City’s situation, a could provide a lead in the Eastern Conference standings. Both Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas will be lacking some players because of U-23 qualifiers and injuries, but it should still be a exciting match in Kansas City showcasing the best of MLS.

U-23s: With the Olympic Qualifiers taking place in the new few weeks, MLS teams will be without some of their best talent. This will force managers to shift lineups and get creative with their rosters to add depth. Philadelphia is one team that has been influenced negatively by the qualifying call ups. What other teams will be hurt from their roster losses this weekend? Some notable U-23 players that will not make league appearances this weekend are: Bill Hamid (GK DC United), Sean Johnson (GK Chicago Fire), Ike Opara (D San Jose Earthquake), Freddy Adu (M Philadelphia Union), Amobi Okugo (M Philadelphia Union), Juan Agudelo (F NY Red Bulls), Teal Bunbury (F Sporting KC), and Brek Shea (F FC Dallas).

Is David Estrada Fredy Montero’s New Wingman?: David Estrada was brilliant in his MLS regular season debut, scoring three goals on St. Patrick’s Day. Estrads had been bright in 2012, coming out of nowhere to quickly become a hero in Seattle, and his success is a positive for Seattle. But it adds a layer of complexity to Sigi Schmid’s plans for offseason pickup Eddie Johnson. Will Estrada be able to continue his form throughout the season after a hot start? And will he be the complementary wingman to Montero, who is quite a Maverick himself?

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MLS

Saturday Superlatives: St. Paddy’s Day Delights

After an exciting opening weekend in MLS, teams and fans entered their second Saturday of 2012 with hopes and dreams still intact. Thousands of MLS fans chose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the beautiful game and weren’t disappointed Saturday evening.

Best Player: After scoring his first ever professional goal with the Sounders in their first leg of the Champions League; forward David Estrada responded with his first, second, and third goals in MLS Saturday evening. Seattle hosted Toronto FC for their MLS regular season debuts as both teams had Champions League competitions this past week. The 22 year-old Estrada had been a journeyman in the MLS, working hard and buying his time until he could get a true opportunity to shine in the league–and Saturday night he did just that. (more…)

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MLS

Tuesday Tackle: MLS Opening Weekend

–Five takeaways from MLS opening weekend.–

Defense a Problem for Galaxy: Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena admitted that Champions League play hurt LA’s fitness for their league opener, but there was still defensive mishaps in their match versus Toronto and First Kick debut against Real Salt Lake. When the mishaps came, they usually arrived in spurts such as the two early goals in Toronto and three goals from RSL that occurred in the last 17 minutes. Missing the strong presence of Omar Gonzalez seems to be more of a factor than predicted; the Galaxy back four need to communicate proficiently and put more pressure on the ball in counter-attack situations. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake started the 2012 season strong, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat LA at the Home Depot Center where they weren’t beat the entire 2011 season.

Vancouver Hot N’ Ready: It was a challenging debut for expansion side Montreal as they traveled to a jam-packed BC Place to meet a Vancouver squad on a mission. Within four minutes newcomer Sebastien Le Toux handled a leading header from Eric Hassli to break behind the Impact defense and score his first goal as a Vancouver Whitecap. Montreal was able to obtain chances in the match, but Vancouver dictated much of the pace and sealed the match with a brilliant one, two, three touch that sent a streaking Camilo Sanvezzo towards the second and final goal for the Whitecaps. If Le Toux and 2011 team-leading scorer Sanvezzo can continue to direct the offensive attack, Vancouver will be contenders in the Western Conference. (more…)

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MLS

2012: The Year of MLS

If you search throughout the history of sports, certain leagues have defining seasons, moments, or players to take their respective game to new heights.

Whether it be college basketball’s 1979 championship game with Magic vs Bird, the NBA’s Michael Jordan era, Babe Ruth for baseball, or the 1958 NFL Championship, all these seasons changed sports in America. In the year 2012, one league has the opportunity to grow from struggles of its inception, to the underground movement of its youth, to a league and sport captivating a generation.

This league is Major League Soccer. (more…)

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Announcements, United States

Allen Iverson to Play Pro Indoor Soccer?

“We’re talking about practice…practice?” We’re not talking about any kind of practice for former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, as it was reported that the tattooed and talented basketball legend has been offered to play in an American indoor soccer league. According to rochesterlancers.com, the Rochester Lancers of the Major Indoor Soccer League has offered Iverson $40,000 to play the final two regular season games with a $5,000 bonus for any goals scored. Iverson, who last played for the NBA in 2010, has been overseas in Turkey and now seems to be thinking of a athletic career change at age 36.

(more…)

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MLS

Sounders Sign Johnson, Building Championship Squad

Earlier in the 2012 offseason, Seattle management said that they could possibly make a move for a surprise big player but it would also cost the Sounders a surprise amount for the move. Fast forward a month to Friday February 18th where soundersfc.com reported the signing of Eddie Johnson from Montreal for Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito.  The Sounders did exactly what management had hinted at weeks before as they gave up potential talent to gain immediate talent in a swap with Montreal who picked Johnson number one in the MLS allocation process. Attacking forward Eddie Johnson is a former US World Cup International and MLS star who played for FC Dallas and Kansas City from 2000-2007. Just days ago mlssoccer.com reported that Johnson was making a move back to the league he began his career with as his time with EPL’s Fulham was rather disappointing, which saw him on loan more than with the London club. Johnson is 27 years old, a dynamic attacking player with plenty of international experience and can be compared to American goal scorer Edson Buddle. But what did Seattle have to give up in order to sign the forward who once scored 41 MLS goals? The cost for Johnson was two forwards and local heroes in Lemar Neagle and Mike Fucito. Neagle was a uprising talent in the Sounders organization and community favorite as he was born just outside Seattle in Tacoma, Washington. Fucito was also a rising star and a key figure in goal scoring during the Sounders CONCACAF Champions  League matches and US Open Cup Championships. Both players were adored by fans and the trade of the two forwards will taint the present relationship with the fans–something the Sounders take pride in. The signing of Eddie Johnson is a statement to Sounders fans and the entire league–the Sounders are building a championship team for 2012. It seems Seattle has taken a lesson from the present MLS Champion LA Galaxy; build up goal scoring depth for the now, not necessarily the future. Although Fucito and Neagle were bright talents, Johnson will provide the goal scoring spark and experience immediately; and with Steve Zakuani still fully recovering, scoring goals early in the season will be crucial. Sounders fans may be unhappy with losing their beloved heroes, but I’m sure a MLS Cup would heal any wounds that may have occurred from this move. Seattle is building a championship squad for the 2012 season, and the signing of forward Eddie Johnson will give the Sounders more goal scoring, experience, and added depth. Seattle’s late move for Johnson was surprising, but it may he may be the surprise attack that leads the Sounders to a 2012 MLS Cup title.

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