Watched by a dismal crowd of 8,992 at MAPFRE Stadium, Crew SC squandered an early lead and by losing to Vancouver, 2-1, dropped out of first place in Soccer America’s MLS Power Rankings. New York City FC jumped into the top spot by rallying for a 2-1 victory at San Jose. Atlanta United captured a […]
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MLS Power Rankings: Crew SC and New York City stay on top
In a week of just six matches, no teams changed places in the top tier of Soccer America’s MLS Power Rankings. Columbus and New York City FC maintained their spots — at No. 1 and No. 2,respectively — as did the idle teams right behind them. So did Sporting Kansas City at No. 6 and […]
MLS Power Rankings: Road point just enough to keep Crew SC on top
Five teams remain unbeaten at this early stage in the MLS season and though the Crew failed to win it stayed atop Soccer America’s MLS Power Rankings by tying 0-0 at Philadelphia. New York City FC held second with an efficient 2-0 defeat of Orlando City in a match that exemplified the different directions taken by […]
MLS Power Rankings: Crew SC stays on top
Road teams did well in the second week of MLS play but by holding serve at home – in front of a small crowd – Columbus held first place in Soccer America’s MLS Power Rankings. Both New York teams won at home to take the next two spots and a spectacular road victory by Los […]
MLS Power Rankings: Crew SC's Berhalter Brigade goes top
The top three teams in Soccer America’s Preseason Power Rankings all lost, so teams jumped up and dropped down the ladder in the first weekend of MLS play. Previous No. 1 Toronto FC and Seattle (No. 3) both lost at home, and ex-No. 2 Atlanta was pummeled, 4-0, at Houston. Debuting head coaches Brad Friedel […]
MLS 2018: Friedel is preaching fitness as a key to Revs' revival
Just about every head coach or manager who takes over a struggling team plays the fitness card sooner or later, and new Revs’ boss Brad Friedel has already tossed it onto the table. When a team can’t get results, focus and determination drop, and so do energy and intensity. When a manager or head coach […]
Cubo Torres returns to Mexico after three seasons at Houston
Mexico forward Erick Torres has leftthe Houston Dynamo after three seasons to join Liga MX’s UNAM. Torres played five seasons in all in MLS, the first two with Chivas USA, where he scored 22 goals in 44 games. The Dynamopurchased his contract from Guadalajara after Chivas USA folded, but he failed to score in 2015 […]
Tim Hanley, MLS's longest-serving coach, on MLS then and now and his specialty, American goalkeepers
No one has spent more time coaching in MLS than goalkeeper coach Tim Hanley, who left the San Jose Earthquakes after the 2017 season, his 19th season of coaching in the 22-year-oldleague, and is currently with the Philadelphia Union coaching staff at the MLS Combine in Florida. Hanley served as assistant coach to Frank Yallop […]
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 […]
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 […]
