7 MLS Forwards Who Could Replace Andy Carroll

I'm still not sold on Andy Carroll.For me, it's far too little far too late.In the midst of transfer rumors—and even whisperings of Carroll leaving on loan—the tall Liverpool frontman has picked up his work rate, but like I said:Far too little, far too late.Kenny Dalglish has stood behind Carroll from the beginning, but many fans are fed up. Perhaps Dalglish should follow an increasingly popular trend in the Premier League: looking to MLS. Stuart Holden, Eric Lichaj and Tim Ream are the most recent MLS products playing in the Premier League and have enjoyed relatively successful seasons. An MLS striker could well indeed be the answer to the problem that Andy Carroll has become—at the third of the price of someone like Edinson Cavani.And before the commenters and football purists start ripping me apart, I am fully aware that MLS is light years behind the EPL in terms of talent.This is written more for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!Here are seven forwards in MLS that could replace Andy Carroll.Begin Slideshow

Landon Donovan: The Best American Player in the History of Soccer

Landon Donovan is, arguably, the best American player in the history of soccer, not only domestically, but internationally.By way of a disclaimer, I only root for Donovan when he's wearing the red, white and blue. When he's playing for the L.A. Galaxy (and before that with the San Jose Earthquakes), Donovan always finds a way to be a thorn in my team's side.That said, there's no denying the statistics Donovan has managed to pile up. These accomplishments are made all the more impressive by the fact that Donovan is not quite two months past his 30th birthday (March 4, 1982).  Domestic/League Play Since Donovan entered the MLS in 2001, only Brian Mullan has been on more MLS Cup-winning teams (three of Jeff Agoos' titles came prior to 2001). Donovan has won the MLS Cup twice with the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy, winning a title in his first year with both clubs.Donovan is one of only two players to win two MLS Cup MVP awards. The other is current D.C. United midfielder Dwayne DeRosario.On the MLS all-time scoring list, Donovan ranks third, but is first among active players with 117 goals. Donovan also ranks first among active players (sixth overall) ...

Major League Soccer Power Rankings, Week 8: Toronto FC Stays Winless

1. San Jose Earthquakes (6-1-1, 19 pts.) - Depth and defense is what prevails in Major League Soccer. And San Jose has it. Going to Philadelphia isn't easy, but the 'Quakes were up to the task and continue to defy the odds. 2. Sporting Kansas City (7-1-0, 21 pts.) - Sporting needed a week off. They got it. Now, will there be a hangover when Kansas City hosts the Impact? 3. Real Salt Lake (6-3-1, 19 pts.) - Dallas and Toronto proved worthy opponents for Salt Lake, but four points on a short week was expected from one of the league's best sides, and that's what they got.4. Seattle Sounders (4-1-1, 13 pts.) - Seattle is playing under the radar right now, but that doesn't mean the Sounders aren't playing well. Another good road win this week, beating Chicago, 2-1.5. New York Red Bulls (4-3-1, 13 pts.) - The Red Bulls hung on to beat the Revolution on Saturday, but Thierry Henry limped off injured in the first half. Henry was playing at a top level, and borderline unstoppable, until his hamstring went. New York is going to have to find some bodies and sign some players soon with all the injuries they ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: 10 Bold Predictions

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy continue their season on May 2 when they travel to CenturyLink Field in Seattle to take on Sigi Schmid's Seattle Sounders FC.Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and will be televised locally by KDOC and KWHY. Here are 10 bold predictions for Wednesday's midweek encounter.Begin Slideshow

What If the New York Red Bulls Hired Pep Guardiola?

New York, NY - Lately much has been written about the New York Red Bulls marketing strategy and the attendance at Red Bull Arena.While it's easy to question the accuracy of the number of fans in attendance or who the Red Bulls organization is trying to target in terms of fanbase, I believe there is an elephant in the room that's not being addressed. Although the Red Bulls may be considered an energy-drink club to many MLS followers, the one thing that cannot be denied is their financial investment. Along with building possibly the best soccer specific stadium (SSS), the organization has brought in world-class players such as Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere and Rafa Marquez.In doing so, the expectations were that along with the Red Bulls being a competitive MLS club much like their West Coast counterpart, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the players brought in were to attract fans of diverse cultures.However, for all their financial investments, the Red Bulls have been consistent in being a mediocre club. At the end of the day, it's not the marketing, the location of Red Bull Arena, lack of attendance or the players brought in that has failed the Red Bulls organization. ...

10 Hottest Players in the MLS Right Now

After this weekend's slate of games and now six weeks into this season's schedule, Major League Soccer's cream is beginning to rise to the top.With most teams now a quarter of the way into their respective seasons, let's take a look at who makes the list for the ten hottest players in the league right now.Begin Slideshow

MLS: Chicago Fire Nullified Goal Paves Way for Seattle Sounders Victory

Chicago Fire’s 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC was a game marred by several moments of rough play, including a near brawl at the end of injury time in the second half. Seattle’s physicality was allowed by the referees from the very beginning—physicality that continued throughout the match. It was dirty and at times unnecessary, yet it was effective. What has been somewhat lost in the discussion of the Fire’s defeat was a disallowed goal in the 61st minute.If given, it would have cancelled out a Sounders lead established six minutes before the break when David Estrada's effort was deflected off Arne Friedrich for an own goal.However, striker Dominic Oduro was adjudged to have interfered with Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning before Fire midfielder Marco Pappa netted from 18 yards. Although Oduro did not appear to make contact with Gspurning, the officials felt otherwise. As a result, the call placed much of the Fire’s momentum on hold.Dominic Oduro said after the game: “Apparently I was in front of the goalie destructing the play. Again it’s the referee’s call. I’m just here to play.”The Sounders did not waste much time by responding with a goal six minutes later by Eddie Johnson ...

Thierry Henry Injured in Red Bulls Victory

Harrison, NJ - After last Sunday's disastrous 4-1 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium, the New York Bulls returned to Red Bull Arena and rebounded with a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution. The victory improved New York’s record to 4-3-1. As a result, New York is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference. Former Fordham University standout rookie goal keeper Ryan Meara played an excellent game and made some tremendous saves on Saturday. His performance was enough to earn himself Red Bulls Player of the Match.While this was a much needed victory for the Red Bulls, who have gone 4-1-1 over their past six matches, it may have come at cost. Already playing without defenders Wilman Conde, Roy Miller, Jan Gunnar Solli, midfielder Teemu Tainio and forwards Juan Agudelo and Jose Angulo, the injury ridden Red Bulls will now have to add Thierry Henry to the list because. He suffered a hamstring injury in the first half. In addition to their injury woes, Rafa Marquez was serving the second game of a three-match suspension for his violent hit on San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas, which resulted in Salinas fracturing his clavicle in four places. Unlike Marquez who has been ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. FC Dallas: Rating David Beckham’s Performance

Scenario time. Let's say I am Team Great Britain boss Stuart Pearce. I am looking through the list of 80 players that could potentially make up the Olympic roster for London. One of those players is David Beckham. I look at Beckham's performance for the Los Angeles Galaxy against FC Dallas, expecting the type of play that will be worthy of the three slots allotted to experienced players. And I look at this, knowing that I have a flight to Seattle to watch Becks play ball against the Seattle Sounders. I am canceling that flight, and cutting him immediately. And I'll tell you why. David Beckham is not Olympic material. Team Great Britain will not have all the media attention it could have gotten with Becks on the roster, but if I am Pearce and I judge players based on merit, I don't give Beckham a chance. David Beckham's set-piece deliveries and play were subpar against Dallas, and Team GB is actually going to be better off without Beckham on this team. It's actually a win-win situation for Beckham because he remains with the Galaxy for the rest of the year, while the spot that could have gone to Beckham likely goes ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. FC Dallas: Rating the Galaxy Players

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy didn't play well enough to get any points whatsoever Saturday night. So their 1-1 draw with FC Dallas proved to be quite flattering, given that the equalizer came from the unlikeliest of people in Pat Noonan. The Galaxy can't defend right, they gave up a would-be game-winning penalty, the counter-attack held them at bay, but most importantly, Los Angeles simply couldn't finish their chances, period. Now, I cover the Los Angeles Blues on USL PRO here on Bleacher Report, and I can tell you that the Blues would have scored more goals on FC Dallas—and that is saying something, given that the Blues have yet to win a match in their own league as of yet. But that's a different story. Here are my player ratings for the Galaxy in their 1-1 draw with FC Dallas.  Bill Gaudette 6.5 For the most part, it was a great debut for Bill Gaudette. He made four saves, did routing collections, and held FC Dallas's offense at bay. The only game missing from Gaudette is knowing how to stop penalties. Otherwise, this was an admirable debut.  Sean Franklin 5.5 Had some pace and did try to get some ...