MLS is reaching its most interesting stage; no margin for error if you want to be in the MLS Cup playoffs and compete for the title.
Now, life in the Western and Eastern Conferences differs largely. Out of the four teams that have already secured a spot in the postseason, three of them come from the East (Atlanta United, NY Red Bulls, and NYCFC). The West, on the contrary, has FC Dallas as its only qualified representative.
It’s been over 40 years since 49,572 curious fans entered the now demolished Metropolitan Stadium (now the site of Mall of America) to watch the ingloriously named Minnesota Kicks take on the San Jose Earthquakes in the NASL Conference Championship. That number has since served as the high water mark for a professional soccer team in Minnesota — until Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s LA Galaxy come to town on Oct. 21.
You hear that?
When the time comes, the 2018 MLS MVP award will almost certainly go to Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez. However, it says everything about the impact Wayne Rooney has had since arriving at D.C. United back in July that he’s even being mentioned in the conversation.
Before Rooney arrived, United had played 14 matches while totaling only 11 points. After United crushed the Montreal Impact 5-0 at Audi Field Saturday, the club has now played 15 matches with Rooney and recorded 27 points.
The Los Angeles Galaxy’s playoff hopes — and perhaps Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future in LA — received a much-needed boost last night in the form of a 3-0 win over the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic LA Galaxy stats improved to a tally of 20 goals and nine assists in 24 MLS matches.
The Houston Dynamo had a dream start in the U.S. Open Cup final thanks to Mauro Manotas. They had a dream finish thanks to the Philadelphia Union's Auston Trusty.
Manotas scored two goals in the first half and Trusty shockingly smashed the ball into the back of his own net as the Dynamo won their first U.S. Open Cup 3-0 on Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
Earnie Stewart’s search for the next USMNT manager hit the news wires this week after the U.S. General Manager was spotted at MAPFRE Stadium to watch Gregg Berhalter’s Columbus Crew defeat Colorado 2-1, and the flames of the fire were further fanned with the rumor that Stewart had held talks with FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja — a rumor that was later quashed by Yahoo! Sports.
The LA Galaxy kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders 3-0 at StubHub Center in California Sunday night, but the true MVP of the game (according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic) was seven-year-old national anthem performer Malea Emma.
Emma belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” in truly memorable style. This’ll give you the chills.
It’s easy to imagine that when Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined the LA Galaxy back in March, he saw the distinct similarities between joining the MLS side and his previous move to Manchester United. Just like United’s malaise following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Galaxy were struggling despite its standing as the most decorated club in the history of the league.
The Campeones Cup was too much to ask of a team that’s completely fallen apart.
Last year, Toronto FC set all sorts of records as arguably the best MLS team ever put together. The Reds added a few parts during the offseason and reached the final of the Concacaf Champions League in April, arguably the best run in the tournament ever by an MLS club.
But that was TFC then.
This is TFC now.