Opinion

When you mess with the Red Bulls, you get the horns and chaos in the Wild West: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 21

MLS is now past the halfway point in its season, and the summer break for the new Leagues Cup is quickly approaching. Players are missing important games thanks to international play, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but as we saw on Saturday night, some teams’ struggles are other sides’ gains, so let’s see what we learned on MLS Matchday 21.

5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 21

#1. Philly loves a 4+ goal win

What’s the saying about guarantees in life? Death, taxes and the Union scoring 4+ goals against weak opposition? It's not? Well, maybe it should be. 

Magic in Orlando and St. Louis City’s slump: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 20

Tucked between the Nations League final and Gold Cup kicking off, MLS Matchday 20 found a way to keep fans excited. The early games brought the heat while the late-night slate kept the stove warm on a day packed with goals despite stars across the league missing out. 

Magic Mukhtar and ANOTHER goal from behind half-field: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 19

Just six games were contested on Matchday 19 as many teams enjoyed a week off before having to do it all again this coming Wednesday. With 29 teams, the league schedule can easily become discombobulated, especially with rescheduled matches and bye weeks. To accommodate this, MLS Matchday 19 gave these teams a chance to catch up and re-level the playing field. While there may have been fewer games, the quality on display was as high as ever.

Uriel Antuna es la descripción gráfica del catastrófico momento que vive la Selección Mexicana

La Selección Mexicana volvió a entregar una actuación paupérrima ante Estados Unidos.

Lo visto en Las Vegas por las semifinales de la Nations League fue tristísimo y pone el proceso de Diego Cocca en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. 

En el entorno del Tri, la idea era tansformar la selección de cara al Mundial 2026 después del fracaso en Catar 2022. Pero apenas cinco meses después, todo está en ruinas.

Y nada parece describir la crisis que vive El Tri que seguir dependiendo de jugadores como Uriel Antuna.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming a second-rate competition for the U.S. and it’s a shame

For the second time in a row the United States men’s national team will be playing in the Concacaf Nations League final four and the Gold Cup during the same summer. Similar to 2021, the USMNT will send the A-team to the Nations League and the B-team to the Gold Cup.

Just look at the difference in the rosters.

All signs point to Canada winning the Concacaf Nations League

In the grand history of Concacaf, there's never before been a tournament where our gladiators have entered the arena and spectators have murmured amongst each other: "See them there? Them's Canada. They're going to slaughter everyone." 

At least not since Craig Forrest was standing between the sticks. 

Golazos galore and Messi's new team is really bad: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 18

Imagine Lionel Messi, getting ready to play with his national team after another grueling yet fruitful season. He’s just come off a legacy-defining World Cup and a Ligue 1 title before shocking the world as he announced his intentions to leave Paris Saint-Germain to join Major League Soccer. 

Leaks of Arsenal's toxic-looking away kit receive some pretty toxic feedback

After a grueling, emotional season that ended with Arsenal succumbing to Manchester City's relentless pursuit, how do the Gunners pick themselves up, avoid doing what Liverpool did and hit the ground running when the 2023-24 Premier League campaign begins on Aug. 12?

Maybe, like after a bad breakup, it's best to destroy every visual reminder of the past while undergoing some drastic changes in personal appearance (new haircut, clothes, tattoos, etc.). I think that's the route Arsenal's taking based on the latest leaks of their new away kit.

Inter Miami’s tumultuous week and Emanuel Reynoso’s return: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 17

As we approach the halfway point in the season, destinies become clear. Moments become more important as every point carries increased weight in the race for the postseason. Hosting in the playoffs is great, but winning is better, and many teams have set themselves up for both outcomes after Matchday 17. 

Fans engulf the stadium in flames celebrating the worst game-winning penalty ever

A top-of-the-table clash between regional rivals Independiente Rivadavia and Deportivo Maipú in the Primera Nacional (Argentina's second tier) on Saturday night went viral for a number of reasons.

The must-see video is of Independiente supporters celebrating the approaching full-time whistle with an insane display of pyrotechnics. Incredibly, Deportivo Maipú almost scored an equalizer with the final kick of the match while all this was going on, but Independiente held on for a 2-1 win to supplant their rivals at the top of the Zone B table.

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