The 2019 MLS season is behind us. Atlanta United capped off an amazing first two years as an expansion club. But such as things are in sports, the page turns quickly looking ahead to the next season. The MLS free agency period kicked off this week and a number of experienced vets across the league are now available to make moves.
According to Showbuzz Daily, the 2018 MLS Cup Final averaged 1.5 million viewers on FOX, making it the second-most-watched final in league history behind MLS Cup ’97 (which garnered an audience of 2.2 million people thirsting for Marcelo Balboa). Atlanta United beat Portland 2-0 in front of a record crowd for an MLS match on Saturday.
Newcastle United wingback DeAndre Yedlin was sent off for the first time in his 73-match Premier League career on Sunday during Newcastle’s crushing 2-1 defeat to Wolves. With the score level at 1-1 in the 57th minute, a terrible touch from the USMNT defender allowed Wolves’ Diogo Jota to charge through on goal, and Yedlin’s tactical foul outside the box resulted in a straight red card as the last defender.
Take a bow, Atlanta. You earned this.
Atlanta United defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 in the MLS Cup final on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. As much as the Five Stripes earned their victory with thrilling offensive play and some heroic defending when needed, this MLS Cup championship is really all about the fans in Atlanta.
The United States women’s national team is a favorite to win a record fourth Women’s World Cup next summer. After the 2019 Women's World Cup draw on Saturday, that status as favorite only increased, though the path after the group stage won’t be easy.
The USWNT was given a fairly easy group as things go for the tournament next summer in France. The reigning champions were placed in Group F along with Chile, Thailand and Sweden.
America is going to be OK after all.
Forget all the talk of a growing political divide in this country, increasing climate change or an impending cold war with China. Josh Sargent is going to make everything alright.
Sargent, an 18-year-old native of O’Fallon, Missouri, made his Bundesliga debut with Werder Bremen on Friday against Düsseldorf. He scored moments later — on his very first touch as a professional footballer.
The U.S. women’s national team should be prepared for the World Cup when June rolls around — the 2019 USWNT schedule is loaded.
U.S. Soccer released the USWNT’s schedule in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup on Thursday and the reigning world champions will face off against at least six teams ranked in the top 12 of FIFA’s world rankings. The team will play 10 matches in 10 different cities ahead of the World Cup, which begins on June 7.
This is the best. This is just the best. After a year dictated by the scummy musings of Anthony Precourt and the Columbus Crew moving to Austin, we finally saw the fruits of the #SaveTheCrew movement and the long-term vision of soon-to-be owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam (the owners of the Cleveland Browns) today. The Crew buyers are pledging an investment of $645 million in the club, a gobsmacking total which includes the cost of a $230 million stadium in Columbus’ downtown Arena District.