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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Kekuta Manneh headed to Pachuca in Mexico
After five seasons in MLS, 22-year-old Kekuta Manneh is leaving on a free transfer to join Mexican powerhouse Pachuca, where he will join fellow American Omar Gonzalez. ¡Welcome @kekuta16! Eldelantero Kekuta Manneh es nuestro refuerzo de cara al Clausura 2018 proveniente de la MLS.#TeJuroQueTeAmo pic.twitter.com/ObVwGvo96K
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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 (Right Backs/Wingbacks): Zusi holds firm against younger foes
A few more MLS teams than in past seasons are deviating from the standard four-man back line, yet for the most part the right back is same as he ever was. The big money spent by manyteams on TAM attackers, however, has made life tougher for the wide defenders. To get more of them on […]
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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 (Right Midfielders/Wingers): Houston rewards Elis for productive debut season
If this category seems a bit sparse, one reason is a few players who drive their teams’ attack primarily from the right flank have been listed as attacking midfielders (RomainAlessandrini, Nicolas Lodeiro) or forwards (Hector Villalba). There also a couple of players very productive in past seasons – such as Dominic Oduro –as right mids […]
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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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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 […]
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MLS offseason process continues with Waiver Draft
Nearly five dozen players will be available to MLS teams when the league conducts its offseason Waiver Draft Wednesday. The players are those not eligible for Free Agencyor the Re-Entry Drafts and are either out of contract or their 2018 contract options were not picked up. Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft will be held […]
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Kei Kamara moves again, this time to the Whitecaps
One of the most prolific strikers among current MLS players, Kei Kamara, has been acquired by Vancouver. New England traded a 2019 first-round SuperDraft pick and conditional 2020second-round SuperDraft for the rights to Kamara, 33, who has scored 103 goals and logged 39 assists in 298 appearances over 11 MLS seasons, including playoffs. He is 10th on […]