Josef Martinez tore up Major League Soccer last season with Atlanta United. The native of Valencia, Venezuela, scored 19 goals in 20 appearances and was a finalist behind teammate Miguel Almiron for 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year. Martinez’s success set the stage for a new wave of Venezuelans in MLS.
It’d been clear for a couple days now, but a formal press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame confirmed Nashville as one of two expansion franchises that could begin play as early as 2020 in Major League Soccer. With Los Angeles FC set to join the league in 2018 as the 23rd club, Nashville is now MLS’s 24th side and the third team in the Southeastern United States (Atlanta and Orlando being the other two).
According to Turkish journalist Sercan Dikme and as reported by Fotospor, 2016-17 Super Lig champions Besiktas (as well as current UEFA Champions League Round of 16 finalists) have signed Canadian international Cyle Larin from Orlando City SC.
Kaka, one of the best attacking footballers ever, the last player not named Messi or Ronaldo to win the Balon d'Or, has announced his retirement from professional soccer.
Father,
It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amem.Pai,
Foi muito mais do que eu pedi ou imaginei!Obrigado! Eis-me aqui para próxima jornada. Em nome de Jesus. Amém. pic.twitter.com/PofZBAV0BE
Atlanta United are officially terrifying. After an impressive first season in Major League Soccer, Tata Martino's team has gotten even better with Wednesday's addition of former Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe.
The USA international is one of the best creative midfielders in MLS, and will make an Atlanta United attack that already features the likes of Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron even more vicious.
U.S. & The A.
Bruce Arena responded to USMNT and Huddersfield Town midfielder Danny Williams’ claims that U.S. Soccer favored domestic-based players throughout qualifying in an effort to “market” MLS by calling the statements “completely false” on Tuesday.
What is the proper amount of celebrating to do after one wins the MLS Cup? I, personally, have never won the MLS Cup and as such cannot be considered much of an expert. Jozy Altidore, though, just won the MLS Cup on Saturday, scoring the first of Toronto FC's two goals against the Seattle Sounders. Jozy is a much more credible expert in terms of celebrating MLS Cup victories.
So, Jozy, how much celebrating should someone do if they win the MLS Cup?
Toronto FC avenged their 2016 final defeat to Seattle by defeating the Sounders in a rematch at MLS Cup 2017, 2-0. Jozy Altidore scored the game-winning goal in the 67th minute off a Sebastian Giovinco through ball, and Toronto’s historic Supporters’ Shield season was given the famous ending it deserved.
In the fourth-minute of second half stoppage time, Victor Vazquez added Toronto’s second, capping a sensational first season for the Spaniard in MLS.
There are good players, there are great players, and then there are legends. Cuauhtémoc Blanco is unquestionably the latter.
Slightly hunch-backed, controversial as can be, with phenomenal field vision and brilliant on the pitch, Blanco is the last legend to play for Club América and he left his mark playing for Chicago Fire in MLS from 2007 to 2009.