Was there ever really any doubt the most earth-shattering moment of the regular season would win MLS Goal of the Year?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals during his inaugural Major League Soccer campaign. But it’s his first that will forever be memorialized.
The Seattle Sounders 2018 MLS campaign came to a cruel end on Thursday night. Not just because it was via their rivals the Portland Timbers. Not just because it came through penalties after an incredible 4-4 aggregate score across two legs. Not just because they were forced to play most of the two legs without two of their best players, Chad Marshall and Christian Roldan, lost early in leg one to injury.
Eric Wynalda is one of the most iconic figures in U.S. Soccer history — up there with Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas and Mia Hamm. The striker turned broadcaster turned coach was a veteran of three World Cups and was the USMNT’s all-time leading scorer from seven years.
On Friday morning, Wynalda lost decades of memorabilia in a massive wildfire that consumed his home in Westlake Village in Ventura County, California.
Fortunately, Wynalda, his wife and kids were able to escape unharmed.
The Portland vs Seattle conference semifinal second leg clash absolutely lived up to the hype. It was a bonkers game, with five goals scored after the 65th minute, including two in extra time before the Timbers won it on penalty kicks. Hopefully you were able to stay awake for it as it finished early Friday morning in many parts of the country.
The MLS Playoffs are a lot of fun. I watched last Sunday’s nine-hour marathon of Conference Semifinal first legs, so you’ll have to trust me on that point. I say trust me because you did not. Don’t even lie to me. How do I know that? The attendance numbers have been dirt nasty so far (including season-low gate numbers at Toyota Stadium, Yankee Stadium and Rio Tinto . . . and yes, we’re talking about the playoffs vs. the regular season).
The MLS playoffs return tonight, and by Sunday evening, the field will be cut down to just four clubs. This past Sunday saw a marathon of four straight first leg matches in the conference semifinals. As recent history in MLS has shown, clubs hosting the second leg might not actually be getting the advantage they had hoped for. Here's a look at where we stand, how to watch and predictions for who moves on.
The MLS conference semifinals kicked off yesterday with four enthralling matches played out over the course of nine hours.
The much-anticipated Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders Western Conference Semifinal first leg lived up to the hype at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Seattle started brightly and opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Raul Ruidiaz, but a 23-minute period of hell between the 17th and 40th minutes saw an equalizer from Jeremy Ebobisse, the go-ahead goal from Sebastian Blanco and forced injury substitutions to Cristian Roldan (groin) and Chad Marshall (knee).
A quadruple-header of Sunday MLS Conference Semifinal playoff action began with a shock Columbus Crew first leg victory over No. 1 seed New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium, and it was thanks to a beautiful connection between Federico Higuain and the totally rejuvenated Gyasi Zardes in the 61st minute.