MLS 2012: New England Revolution Season Introduction

The New England Revolution ended its 2011 season in the same forgettable manner that had preceded all year long. A disappointing 2-2 draw against Toronto ended a dismal campaign that saw the Revs finish dead last. Worse still, longtime coach Steve Nicol left the team after being a fixture on the New England sideline for a decade. With the 2012 season now two games in, little seems to have changed. Still, a bottoming-out last season was undoubtedly a sobering experience.The silver lining to such a disaster is the change it caused, and Revs fans are hoping that starts to reflect in the results.Begin Slideshow

Sporting Kansas City Punishes 10-Man New England Revolution with 3-0 Win

KANSAS CITY, KS — Taking advantage of an early red card, Sporting Kansas City dominated the New England Revolution in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 19,777 fans at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.The first truly dangerous chance for Sporting came in the eighth minute when Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis came about 25 yards out from his net to play a ball and appeared to foul C.J. Sapong. Play was allowed to continue and Roger Espinoza put a looping shot off the post.Two minutes later, Sapong was taken down near the top of the box, but the ensuing free kick was deflected wide for a corner.Defender Stephen McCarthy was sent off in the 14th minute. McCarthy was cited for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity as the last man back when Sapong was on a breakaway. McCarthy was pulling on Sapong's shirt for about 10 yards before referee Silviu Petrescu whistled the foul and reached directly for the red card.The dam was broken in the 28th minute. Seth Sinovic sent a cross into the box that was headed away by Shalrie Joseph. The ball came down to Kei Kamara in the penalty area and he tried putting the ball on target. In the ...

MLS: 10 Great Moments in American League History

The MLS has seen some great moments since its inception in 1996—impressive goals and exciting cup victories from fantastic players.The continued growth in the MLS has had a positive impact on US soccer as the reputation of the league and the level of play has gone up throughout the years.Here are some of the best moments in MLS history so far.Begin Slideshow

Caleb Porter Relying on Freddy Adu: Hoping He Can Lead U.S. to Olympics

It can be easy to forget that Freddy Adu is still just 22 years old. The American soccer prodigy broke through to professional soccer at 14 with D.C. United and then fluttered around Major League Soccer before re-emerging as the supreme American talent at the Under-20 World Cup in 2007.After the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, Adu transferred from Real Salt Lake to Portuguese giants Benfica. And that's where his career stalled for a bit.Now, after four separate loan spells, Adu returned to MLS to play for the Philadelphia Union last season. Adu's return was a big deal for MLS and the Union, the league got one of its premier faces and names back and the Union got a supremely talented player to lead its midfield.But now he's being asked to be something he hasn't been for all those years as a prodigy: a leader.Adu is not only being asked to be a leader of a young Union side, but he's also being asked to be the leader of an even younger Under-23 side trying to qualify for this summer's Olympics in London. Adu is the only player returning from the 2008 Olympics for the 2012 Olympics. It's no surprise coach Caleb Porter didn't select anyone ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. D.C. United Live Blog: Play-by-Play Analysis and Reaction

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy return to Major League Soccer action tired, weary and searching for answers as they host D.C. United at the Home Depot Center on Sunday, Mar. 18 at the Home Depot Center.The Galaxy are coming off an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Toronto FC in the CONCACAF Champions League, while D.C. are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at home to Sporting Kansas City.Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET and will be televised locally by KDOC-TV and nationally by Galavision. The live blog will begin at approximately 2:15 p.m. PT/5:15 p.m. ET.Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 MLS season and all things world football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

DC United: Stadium Speculation Continues to Swirl Around Buzzard Point

DC United stadium plans have seen many variations over the last few years. There have been so many rumors regarding location and timing that DC United fans do not know what to believe anymore.Further fueling speculation are the articles in the Washington Post this week concerning potential development plans for Buzzard Point near the Washington Nationals' ballpark. The article references a 20-page concept document containing plans for the stadium.Is the Buzzard Point plan a legitimate option or another path to nowhere? According to the article, the plans were dated July 2010 which could lead fans to believe this is a repeat of previous proposals, but United owner Will Chang did confirm Buzzard Point is a target area for a stadium last weekend.As with any stadium plans, there are several roadblocks to overcome before the dream becomes reality. With Buzzard Point, the main sticking point appears to be the current owners of some of the targeted land in the area. The other roadblock is the all-too-common question of how to finance the stadium. The Sporting News also reported this week on a new lease agreement between RFK Stadium and DC United keeping the team there through the 2013 season. If United ...

LA Galaxy vs. D.C. United: 10 Bold Predictions

After a sorry couple of matches, it's back to the Major League Soccer weekly grind for Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, who host D.C. United on Sunday, Mar. 18 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.The match will be broadcasted locally by KDOC-TV and Galavision. Here are 10 bold predictions for Sunday afternoon's tie.Begin Slideshow

MLS Weekend Preview: 6 Players to Watch

It's another full slate of Major League Soccer matches this weekend. Even though it's very early in the season, some players are starting to make waves around the league with their play.Six players have peaked my curiosity coming into this weekend, either by their performances with their teams last week or by the expectations that have been building since preseason.Begin Slideshow

10 Things Toronto FC Showed Us in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals

After beating MLS champions LA Galaxy in an exciting two game series, Toronto FC has advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, riding a high felt for undoubtedly the first time in the clubs' short history.  In the first game, Toronto tied the Galaxy at a packed Rogers Centre in Toronto. In the second game in Los Angeles, Toronto won to advance to the semifinals. With these two matches under their belt, Toronto looks confident going forward as MLS play starts. This article will discuss 10 things we learned from Toronto FC's play in the CONCACAF Champions League. Begin Slideshow

LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC: Rating David Beckham’s Performance

David Beckham, earlier this week you said that you wanted to remain a champion until you hang up your cleats and retire from the world game. Losing matches left and right is not going to fulfill that promise you made to yourself, now is it? Case in point: Exhibit B, the Los Angeles Galaxy's 2-1 defeat to the champions of Canada—Canada, of all places!—Toronto FC in the second leg of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. (Seriously, the CCL has officially been turned on its head. Now there can be as much as a 75 percent chance of the trophy remaining in Mexico, and a 25 percent chance it could remain in the same city. Yep, some things never change. By the way, Exhibit A was the 3-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake.) Once more, the set piece slot machine that Beckham strategically placed in the corners, the Galaxy's attacking third, and the corners again were cranked, turned...and resulted in a payoff of nil. You know, Beckham can have as many as 30 set-piece opportunities in a match—that's right, a big three-zero—and not a single one will be converted. That's just how futile he ...