By Ridge Mahoney I have to give some credit to MLS: it has taken a breakthrough element and tweaked it before seeing it implemented for the first time. It’s not been used,much less broken, but MLS has decided to change it anyway. The ballyhooed Decision Day – modeled after the final day of English Premier […]
montreal
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Slog of frustration weighs on Toronto and Montreal and march to MLS playoffs
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) While rival Vancouver rides along atop the Western Conference as clearlythe class of Canada, the Eastern representatives, Toronto FC and Montreal, are mired in a slog of frustration. Both are embroiled in the playoff race from which six Eastern Conference teams willemerge, and neither is close to clinching. Both teams are […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Mbolhi makes his inevitable exit from Philadelphia
The strange saga of Algerian goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi and MLS has finally ended with his departure from the Union by mutual agreement. His departure, announced by the team Monday,brought to an end a 13-month tale that started a few weeks after the 2014 World Cup with his puzzling addition to a team already set in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Drogba debut is a sellout in Montreal
The drawing power of Didier Drogba is unquestioned. A large crowd greeted him upon arrival at Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport three weeks ago and apacked house will be on hand Saturday when the Impact plays Philadelphia Saturday night at Stade Saputo (capacity 20,081). The team announced Wednesday morning that the game is sold out.Montreal […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Expanded MLS playoff field hasn't diminished intensity of regular-season games
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) This weekend is a vivid example of how radically things can change in MLS, andhow changing playoff formats are affected by the fluctuating fortunes of teams. EAST MEETS WEST. Houston and New England, combatants in the MLS Cup 2006and 2007 finals, square off for the first time since they were split […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Drogba and Gilberto: A tale of two DPs
For the second time in a year, the Fire missed out on a major signing, but this time it was able to parlay its resources into an alternative. Montreal traded regular and targeted allocationmoney to Chicago for the MLS rights to Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, who has negotiated a deal reported to be worth $3 […]
Posted inOff The Post, Story
The Problem with Drogba-to-MLS
If you’ve been following the news, it looks as though Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is about to move to MLS. The only question seems to be whether the Ivorian striker willhead to the Chicago Fire or the Montreal Impact. According to Canadian radio stationTSN, the Fire has the priority to sign the 37-year-old, but Drogba has also been […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
ICYMI | MLS: Akindele accepts Canada call, D.C. still looking
The resignation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter dominated soccer coverage around the world,with many of the top European leagues having concluded their seasons, yet MLS pushes on. The U.S.-based contingent has already gathered for friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany, and playersfrom several other countries — especially Canada — will depart after this weekend’s games. […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Pro-defense bias rears its ugly head on NBC telecast
By Paul Gardner Goal line technology, GLT, received a well-deserved rebuff last week from MLS — which has decided that it can do without GLT, at least for the moment.Much too expensive for a system that maybe gets used once a year. So MLS, which has succumbed to the technological twaddle of the adidas miCoach […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Newcomer Montreal packs them in
[MLS ATTENDANCE] The Montreal Impact’s first MLS home game drew 58,912 to the Olympic Stadium, setting an attendance record for pro soccer in the Canadiancity. * The Impact crowd for a 1-1 tie with Chicago on Saturday broke the record of 58,542 set by the Manic for a North American Soccer League playoff game in […]