Three weeks to go in the MLS season and only four teams have clinched playoff spots. The New York Red Bulls, the first team to confirm a postseason place, solidified their spot atop Soccer America’sMLS Power Rankings by beating Columbus. FC Dallas moved into third by belting Texas rival Houston, Toronto won its third straight […]
real salt lake
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Western Conference race merits attention from all MLS fans, regardless of loyalties
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) Okay, Portland or Real Salt Lake or San Jose or Houston to make the playoffs:Who do you like? This is a question that should be front and center amongst MLS fans as the league enters its final month of play, but aside from the followers of those teams in those cities,how […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS clubs on verge of unprecedented exploit in CCL
The Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and D.C. United have clinched berths in the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, while Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 comeback win over Santa Tecla from ElSalvador leaves RSL needing only a tie against Municipal of Guatemala Oct. 20 at home to join them in the knockout stage. If RSL […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Galaxy expects dos Santos to return Saturday at RSL
A full day of training for Galaxy attacker Giovani Dos Santos on Thursday has Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena confident he’ll be in the lineup this weekend against Real SaltLake. “He’s doing fine,” Arena said after the team’s last training session prior to its Friday departure for Utah. “We plan on playing him.” Arena removedDos […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
CCL: D.C. United quickly wraps up group title
If anything, D.C. United has been consistent in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. It needed only three games to clinch the group title in 2014. And it did the same thing this year,beating Panama’s Arabe Unido, 2-0, on Tuesday to become the first team to wrap up a berth in the quarterfinals. And in the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
CCL: D.C. United can make quick work of group stage
Struggling in MLS, where it is winless in its last four games, D.C. United can become the first team to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League with a win ortie against Arabe Unido on Tuesday. CCL Week 4, Schedule: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 8 pm ET D.C. United vs. Arabe […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
The 'evolution' of RSL continues with Waibel's promotion
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) Some would call it transition. Thenew general manager of Real Salt Lake prefers to call it “evolution.” The transformation, to use yet another word, of RSL has moved Craig Waibel from the position oftechnical director to general manager, a post left vacant since Garth Lagerwey departed in December to join the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
RSL promotes Waibel, moves Zarkos into soccer operations
With the exit of general manager Garth Lagerwey to Seattle at the end of the 2014 season and more recently of club presidentBill Manning, there has been a void on the Real Salt Lake soccer operations side that will be filled by Craig Waibel, who has been promoted to generalmanager, and Real Monarchs president Rob […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Executive of the Year Manning departs RSL
First, head coach Jason Kreis left to become head coach at expansion New York City FC. Then, general manager GarthLagerwey left to take a similar position at the Seattle Sounders. Now, president Bill Manning — the MLS Executive of the Year in 2012 and 2014 — hasleft Real Salt Lake at the end of his […]
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 […]