The MLS SuperDraft officially concluded Sunday witrh the third and fourth rounds conducted by conference call. The first two rounds were held Friday at the United Soccer Coaches annual convention inPhiladelphia. Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United FC, and Orlando City SC sat out the process. The other 20 teams picked a total of 35 players […]
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Record deal: Independiente signals Barco's move to MLS's Atlanta United
Argentine club Independiente bid farewell to 18-year-old midfield star Ezequiel Barco, signaling that it had reached an agreement with Atlanta United for his transfer. Llegaste como un chico. Te formaste en la pensión y te vas como un hombre campeón. Todo pasa, la gloria eseterna. ¡Gracias y éxitos, Ezequiel!#TodoRojo pic.twitter.com/37EhUPVfUrJanuary 12, 2018 Barco’s penaltykick gave […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Goalkeepers): Melia's excellent season edges out MLS Cup finalists
As goalscorers are rated by how many they rack up, goalkeepers are also bound to their numbers. Goals allowed and save percentage reveal much about a keeper’s performance, yet thebest keepers are those that can also command the penalty area and deny opponents at crucial stages in the match. Points and places in the standings […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Left Backs/Wingbacks): Morrow's work in dominant Toronto FC season rates top billing
The versatility shown by Justin Morrow, one of two outside backs to leave San Jose and wind up in Toronto, is just one example of why MLS teams are morewilling to use different alignments in the back. The left back in a standard four-man backline could be shuttled forward, a la Morrow, to play the […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Centerbacks, Left): Marshall anchors Seattle's improved defense
Left-sided defenders don’t receive the same notice from fans and observers as left wings and left backs, yet are a vital component of a solid team defense. They are assigned to plugup that channel most teams prefer to attack with right-sided forwards and midfielders, and the best centerbacks can also deliver accurate service up their […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Centerbacks, Right): Opara's strong season earns top spot
No team gets very far without a solid, reliable set of centerbacks, and in many cases the abilities of the individuals are not as important as how well they work together. An increasedpopularity of three-man back lines changes the responsibilities and roles of those in that last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper, […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Holding Midfielders): Embattled Alonso holds his place among defensive anchors
As MLS has evolved, so too has the class of midfielders labeled as “defensive” or “holding.” Typically, they are not tasked with offensive duties, other than toget the ball to a teammate once it has been secured. Yet the player who can destroy opponents’ attacks yet do little else is not nearly as valued as […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Left Midfielders/Wingers): Piatti leads the pack in goals and presence
As more teams playing with wingers in three-forward alignments, the role of a traditional left midfielder has undergone some change. Wingers stay high and if defenders well behind themneed defensive help, a midfielder needs to pick up slack. Teams that play with two blocks of our seldom use wingers, but still the wide midfielders are […]
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Grella and Mears are only two players picked in MLS Re-Entry Draft
Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft typically produces little movement and such was the case again Friday. Only two players changed teams. Still, the players themselves are fairly prominent.New York Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella was selected by Colorado, and Atlanta United right back Tyrone Mears went to Minnesota United. The contract options on […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Attacking midfielders): Valeri's MVP season takes him to the top
The rapid expansion of MLS — it has nearly doubled in size during the past decade — has opened up more slots for attacking midfielders and produced a wider array of styles as well. Someare much like second forwards who rack up more goals than assists. Some produce nearly equal figures in those departments. And […]