MLS

College football game takes parking and tailgating away from MLS Cup fans

There's no one really to blame here. LAFC didn't know it'd be hosting MLS Cup this Saturday until defeating Austin in the Western Conference finals last Sunday, and I will entertain no talk of the game being shifted back to a predetermined neutral location — I'm old enough to remember the Colorado Rapids taking on FC Dallas in Canada. 

But Saturday's MLS Cup final at Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles — kick off at 1:05 p.m. on the West Coast — has run directly into a scheduling conflict with the behemoth USC Trojans football program.

Gareth Bale has no role to play in MLS Cup — can he even be a factor against the USA?

Toward the end of September, it looked like LAFC was about to unlock the best of Gareth Bale. He hadn't scored in his last seven appearances (totaling 245 minutes) after finding the net twice in his first four (96 minutes), but more importantly, the 33-year-old Welshman had just recorded his second start.

MLS Cup predictions for Saturday's clash of the titans

For the first time in far too long, MLS Cup is a meeting between the premier teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences. If it feels like we've been waiting a while for this sort of heavyweight clash, the anticipation is only heightened by two sides that make creating a 2022 MLS Cup prediction feel like a fool's errand.

Both teams and their respective squads have been steadily building towards this moment for years, and the pain of falling agonizingly short time after time has been eased with a first-ever MLS Cup appearance for both clubs.

USMNT goalkeeper power rankings: Steffen's mistakes continue to compound

In three weeks, the USMNT begins its World Cup campaign in Qatar. Much is still to be decided for the final roster — especially at the goalkeeper position.

During the September international break (with Zack Steffen omitted as a precautionary measure as he recovered from injury), Matt Turner started against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Turner had a strong showing against Japan, and was arguably the top American performer that day, before having little to do in a dull match versus the Saudis in Spain.

MLS playoffs confirm undervalued USMNT truth: Kellyn Acosta is a big-game player

From a USMNT perspective, the MLS Cup Playoffs have only served to reinforce the poorly trending narrative around the team. 

Philadelphia is MLS Cup bound after thrilling comeback to eliminate NYCFC

The Philadelphia Union are playing in their first MLS Cup after taking out defending champions NYCFC 3-1 at Subaru Park on Sunday night. 

NYCFC — previously unbeaten in six straight postseason matches — sucked the life out of the ground in the 57th minute when Maxi Moralez orchestrated a quick break and finished it himself with a driven finish from 22 yards out. 

It seemed like Philly was forever destined to choke and the 35-year-old Moralez forever destined to dance all over them.

La zurda mágica de Carlos Vela lleva al LAFC a su primera final en la MLS

LAFC buscará su primer título de la MLS luego de vencer por 3-0 a Austin FC, en la final de la Conferencia Oeste de la liga estadounidense. Y gran parte del mérito angelino estuvo en los pies del mexicano Carlos Vela, quien participó de manera directa en dos de los tres goles.

Desde que renovó su contrato con el club a comienzos de 2022, Vela ha repetido una y otra vez que su objetivo es ser campeón de la MLS. Y horas antes del partido ante Austin FC volvió a decirlo. 

Inspirational Carlos Vela guides LAFC to first MLS Cup

LAFC reached its first MLS Cup thanks to two well-taken Carlos Vela corners — the first met by Chicho Arango, the second an unfortunate Maxi Urruti own goal — and a late Kwadwo Opoku strike to defeat Austin FC 3-0 in the Western Conference final. 

Thanks to its status as Supporters' Shield winner, LAFC will host MLS Cup at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5 against the winner of the Eastern Conference final between the Philadelphia Union and NYCFC.   

Five outrageous playoff formats MLS should consider using

The MLS Cup Playoffs have never been set in stone. In the league’s 27 seasons, no fewer than four playoff formats have been used to varying degrees of success. The current system, which features a single elimination format with seven teams from each conference, is easy to understand and follow but could definitely use some improvement, at least according to MLS. 

USMNT last-chance training camp squad reveals Berhalter's thoughts on MLS players

The United States men's national team will host one last camp on native soil in an effort to give roster hopefuls a final chance at making the squad for next month's World Cup at Qatar.

The camp has been labeled "fitness workouts" by U.S. Soccer and will take place at Frisco, Texas. It was set to begin Tuesday and run until Nov. 5, which is just 16 days before the USMNT takes the field for its World Cup opener against Wales.

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