8 Signs the Quality of Play in MLS Could Rival the EPL in 20 Years

Major League Soccer has made significant strides in the overall quality of play over the course of the last 16 years. The natural progression from start-up league—with all of the inherent handicaps that implies—to established competition has done wonders for the level of play. Based on trends, it's very possible MLS play could reach English Premier League levels within the next 20 years.Limitations, mostly the small salary budgets imposed on American and Canadian clubs, keep MLS quality from improving in giant strides. Rules that allow for big spending on a handful of players can only do so much, especially when they do nothing to bring up the quality of player at the bottom of the scale.In order for MLS to reach a better quality of play that could even conceivably rival the Premier League, further movement towards higher spending is a must. More money means attracting better talent. But MLS has a few things going for it that don't necessary have to do with big time spending. The influx of Colombians into the league in recent years shows that simply being stable and open to Latin players looking for jobs will attract a better quality player.Meanwhile, the standard of American players ...

Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, March 22, 2012

Retooling time for Galaxy With a two-week break in between matches, the Los Angeles Galaxy decided to make the most of their break by getting some much-needed rest. "It's tough way to start the year, now we get a little reprieve to catch our breath a little," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. Los Angeles's next match is on Saturday, Mar. 31 against the New England Revolution. "The two-week break that we have now is big for the whole team, to be honest," Galaxy midfielder David Beckham added. "It's been a tough 10 days, two weeks and the last few games that we've had, so it'll be good to be a break."  Game on between Spurs and Galaxy Meanwhile, the Galaxy's first major international club friendly was announced today. Los Angeles will take on Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur on July 24 at the Home Depot Center. Kickoff is scheduled for July 24 at 7:30 p.m. Television coverage is to be announced. Tottenham Hotspur are currently enjoying one of their finest seasons in recent history, sitting in fourth place in the Premier League with a 16-7-6 record for 54 points. If Spurs can hold onto that position through the end ...

MLS Weekend Preview: 6 Players to Watch and Why

You have to love the current state of the sport in the U.S. when there are three consecutive days of Major League Soccer action.There are many matches this weekend worth watching, starting with Houston visiting Seattle Friday evening on NBC Universal Sports, and ending with FC Dallas at Sporting Kansas City on Galavision.However, this isn't about breaking down teams, but rather the players than can be influential in the end result for some of the teams in action.So here are my six guys I will be taking a closer look at this weekend, and why you should too. Begin Slideshow

Toronto FC Should Break the Bank to Try and Land Del Piero

Toronto FC has failed to make the playoffs in its first five seasons in MLS.  While the south end of BMO Field continues to be a loud, boisterous sea of red, the fanbase that is scattered around the rest of the stadium is becoming a bit more fickle.With 47,658 fans packing the Rogers Centre for a Champions League quarterfinal match, you may think that support for TFC is as strong as ever, but looks can be deceiving. A telling tale is that I have been on a waiting list for season seats since the inaugural season, and for the first time ever I had season seats offered to me.You also have to take into account the opponent they faced at Rogers Centre, the Los Angeles Galaxy, whose star power (Beckham, Keane and Donovan) is likely responsible for filling half of the seats that night.  What are the chances they sell 47,658 seats for the semifinal first leg against Santos Laguna? Torsten Frings brings an element of credibility to the team, and his skill and workman-like approach has quickly made him a fan favourite in Toronto.  However, the team still needs a true soccer star for the fans to get behind.While ...

Valencia FC Planning U.S. Tour to Face Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers

Major League Soccer clubs Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers have announced they will be hosting La Liga's side Valencia FC in a pair of friendlies set in May.The historic Spanish club will first travel to the Pacific Northwest to the intimidating confines of JELD-WEN Field to take on the Portland Timbers on May 23. Eight days later, on May 31, Houston will host Valencia in its new BBVA Compass Stadium, which is set to open May 12th.The bout between Houston and Valencia will be part of the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup, which will be entering its fourth edition. “We are honored and privileged to be hosting such a prominent international soccer club in Valencia,” said Dynamo president Chris Canetti in a press release. “Their participation in this match helps bring major credibility to the tradition we are building in this event. We expect that the local soccer community will come out in strong support of this match, the first of its kind in our new stadium."This announcement by Houston and Portland continues the tradition over the last few years of MLS squads welcoming European teams to the U.S. during the later Spring and Summer months for a string of friendly matches.Read more MLS news on ...

Toronto FC: 5 Signings to Consider

Toronto FC, heading into it's sixth season this year, are looking to finally make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Considering the state of the team management over the past five years it's not surprising the team has yet to make the playoffs. In five full seasons, the team has hired six different coaches. With this revolving door at the coaching spot, the team has been subject to constant roster overhauls in order to fit the incoming coaches' preferred style of play.  With some stability finally in place in the team's management, as well as a set system and a core of good young players, things are starting to look up for Toronto FC. The team has solid goaltending with Stefan Frei and Milos Kocic who fills in nicely as his understudy. Defence has been a constant concern for quite some time, however. The midfield showed promise with de Guzman, Silva, and (until his injury) club captain Torsten Frings. The team also had some quality options up front in Plata, Koevermans, as well as Johnson who got off to a great start.However, the team still has a long way to go if they ever want to become ...

Michael Ballack: Is MLS the Final Destination for the German Star?

MLS may have a new aging superstar join its ranks this summer if circulating reports are true. According to Goal.com, various media outlets and his own agent; Michael Ballack is looking to spend the last two years of his career in MLS. This should come as no surprise considering Ballack’s age and his coming to the end of his Bayer Leverkusen contract. It has also been reported that Adidas was pushing Ballack towards the move to help carry their brand in MLS. There are many factors working towards this move, but his landing spot is still very much the question.According to Goal.com, the New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact, and Chicago Fire have all been rumored to have interest in the former captain of the German National Team. According to reports, the German midfielder wants to move to a team which can compete for the MLS Cup right now. He is also seeking a contract in the neighborhood of Thierry Henry and David Beckham in regards to monetary value. With this in mind, the chances of some interested parties become very slim.The New York Red Bulls seem to be the most logical destination for Ballack. With ...

Major League Soccer Notes, Rants and Raves: Week 2

Major League Soccer's second week is now in the books, and after two weeks, a picture is starting to emerge of how the regular season will pan out, though a lot of soccer is still to be played. I have come up with my MLS notes, rants and raves of the week after combing through a mess of match footage, scribbled notes and highlights.What comes next is the good, the bad and the ugly of Week 2.Begin Slideshow

MLS: Grading Each Team’s Designated-Player Rule Signings

The Designated Player Rule was put in place by MLS for the 2007 season. Since the implementation of this rule, the landscape of Major League Soccer has changed. Part of the change is due to the implementation of the rule, which allowed for the signing of a player at a higher salary. Only part of the salary counts against the cap, while the remaining portion is picked up by the team's ownership. Currently, teams are allowed to have two Designated Players, but can pay a fee of $250,000 to the league for a third DP spot. The fee is spread amongst the other teams in the league.The following is a look at each team’s endeavors into the world of Designated Players and how they fared. The years listed by the player are years the player was a DP not necessarily the years the DP was a member of the team. My opinion is based mostly on what I personally have seen, and I welcome all feedback and arguments.Begin Slideshow

Ryan Johnson Emerging as a Star in His Second Season with Toronto FC

Ryan Johnson has been on fire as of late.After a sub-par 2011 season, the striker/winger has recently been finding the net with some beautiful goals.Johnson has scored three goals in three games thus far this season with Toronto—one in each of the CONCACAF quarterfinal legs with LA Galaxy, and again this past Saturday against Seattle Sounders.Johnson was a spark plug in the CONCACAF matches in the past few weeks.  His speed has exploited opposition defense and his deadly accuracy in finishing and crossing lifted Toronto to glory. Jamaican native Ryan Johnson arrived in Toronto in the middle of last season from San Jose Earthquakes, July of 2011.  Now an MLS veteran of six seasons, Johnson is finding the form that he lacked throughout his early career. He was drafted in 2006 by Real Salt Lake and after just seven games, he was traded to Chicago Fire where he appeared in just three more games that season.  Johnson found his ways overseas with Swedish club Osters in 2007, when he failed to earn another contract in Chicago.  In 2008, Johnson headed back to the MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes, finally finding a permanent home. In 99 games, he registered just 17 goals.Johnson's trade to Toronto may ...