Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids: Analysis, Reaction and More

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy continue their 2012 Major League Soccer season on April 21 when they travel to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO to take on the Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy are 2-3 (six points) and are near the bottom of the MLS Western Conference, while Oscar Pareja’s Rapids are 3-3 (nine points) and are sixth in the MLS Western Conference standings. Los Angeles got back on the winning trail after a 3-1 victory over the Portland Timbers at the Home Depot Center last weekend, while Colorado lost 1-0 to the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field in Seattle last Saturday. Can the Galaxy go on a tear, or will the Rapids bounce back at home? Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET and will be locally televised by KDOC and KWHY. Keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 Major League Soccer season and all things World Football.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Raul Leaving Schalke: Should MLS Sign Spanish Legend?

Reports out of Germany today say Raul Gonzalez, the UEFA Champions League's all-time leading goalscorer, will leave Schalke 04 at the end of the season.Raul, 34, is also Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer. His contract with Schalke runs out at the end of the season, and he has reportedly told the club he will leave.From Eurosport-Yahoo!: "He will explain his reasons for the move...and his plans for the future in due course," the club said in a statement. German media reported that Raul could continue his career in Qatar. "My future lies outside Europe in a league that is not so strong in playing terms as the Bundesliga," the player told reporters. "It was not an easy decision to make. I have had two wonderful years and will always have a place for Schalke in my heart." Qatar, eh?Admittedly, Qatar would fit Raul's wish for "a league that is not so strong in playing terms as the Bundesliga." But so would Major League Soccer (sorry, MLS fanboys, but it's true).Raul and MLS flirted late in 2009, and some more in early 2010. Back then, several clubs were mentioned as possible destinations, from the Philadelphia Union to the Seattle Sounders to the Los ...

DC United vs. New York Red Bulls: 6 Reasons to Expect an MLS Classic

As Major League Soccer enters yet another full week of action in the 2012 season, it makes way for the Atlantic Cup, whose origins go back all the way to the inaugural 1996 season.The Atlantic Cup is the name given to the D.C. United and New York Red Bulls' bitter rivalry as well as the trophy the winning team receives.This year's edition kicks off this Sunday, when New York travels to the nation's capital for its first of three matches. Due to the proximity of both clubs, and maybe even some jealousy between them, year after year this rivalry has given fans the opportunity to see amazing soccer. If this Sunday's match reaches tradition's expectations and becomes another MLS classic, these will be six reasons why. 1. Winning Team Will Take Advantage of the Opposition's SetbacksComing into this Sunday's match, NYRB will be without the services of center-back Wilman Conde, who will be out for a month due to a groin injury. Without his presence in the back line, the Red Bulls have been very vulnerable.New York has also lost Rafael Marquez after MLS suspended him for three games due to his foul on San Jose's Shea Salinas, who suffered a broken clavicle. On the other hand, D.C. ...

MLS: Can the All-Stars Really Defeat Chelsea This Summer?

In case you missed the announcement, Chelsea will take their talents to Philadelphia on July 25 to compete against the best in MLS at the annual All-Star game.The two sides battled it out back in 2006 in a game that had the American super-squad come out on top one-nil. But a lot of things have changed since that historic summer day at Toyota Park. Nearly all of the players on that All-Star team are out of the league now, and Chelsea has spent millions of dollars in revamping their squad the last six years.Plus, the MLS All-Star team has since struggled in their invented competition, losing the last two games to Chelsea-rival Manchester United by a combined score of 9-2. All signs point to another EPL victory on American soil, resulting in MLS fans across the country groaning at the league’s decision to select such a difficult opponent.But instead of sighing about the future, let’s be optimistic about the contest and imagine the ways the All-Star Team could get back to its winning ways. It might not be as improbable as you think. First off, let us predict the starting XI that will most likely take the field that Wednesday ...

MLS All-Stars: Predicting the Starting XI to Take on Chelsea

With the announcement about the MLS All-Star Game opponent having been made, we can finally take a look at some of the potential players who will represent the league.Their opponent, as we now know, will be Chelsea. And given the history that's already there (an MLS 1-0 win in 2006), things look promising.There is a large and very capable pool of talent to choose from, so let's take a look at some of the more promising possibilities.Begin Slideshow

2012 MLS All-Star Game: 10 Reasons for US Fans to Be Excited About Chelsea Visit

The 2012 MLS All-Star Game will feature one of the best clubs in Europe: Chelsea.Six years after being defeated by the MLS All-Stars, the Blues return with hopes of notching a win on U.S. soil. Obviously, Chelsea won't be bringing their first team, but there will still be plenty of stars coming to match up with the best of the MLS.The game will be played at the Philadelphia Union's PPL Park on July 25.For the American fans that don't know about Chelsea, I will save you the time of looking them up. I have compiled a list of why you should be excited for the EPL greats to come play some soccer.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids: 10 Bold Predictions

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy continue their 2011 Major League Soccer season on the road against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 21 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET and will be televised locally by KDOC and KWHY.With every match there are bold predictions to go with it. Here are 10 such predictions for Saturday's tilt between the Galaxy and Rapids.Begin Slideshow

New York Red Bulls: Player Ratings Against San Jose

Better late than never for my player ratings, as the Red Bulls hosted San Jose in one of the most controversial games of the season. The first half had a little bit of everything — except defense — as both teams snatched two goals apiece.Undoubtedly, everyone will be left talking about Rafa Marquez's tackle and kick of Shea Salinas in the 42nd minute that broke Salinas' collarbone. The second half was poorly played, to say the least, as neither team found any continuity in the attack, leaving a 2-2 scoreline a fair reflection of the match.Player RatingsGK Ryan MearaCould do nothing about the two San Jose goals as his defense let him down. Made a terrific save in the 55th minute to deny San Jose the go-ahead goal. He was confident and sure-handed throughout the match.Player Rating: 7 RB Jan Gunnar SolliDid not defend well enough on both San Jose goals, although he will not bear the bulk of the blame. Didn't offer much going forward and his passing was very poor.Player Rating: 4 CB Stephen KeelI've had my doubts about Stephen, but he was outstanding in this game. Defended extremely well with a few blocks and crucial interceptions. Did his part ...

Sporting Kansas City Hits the Road to Take on Vancouver and Portland

Compared to last season's 10-game road trip to begin the year, this will be a piece of cake. After Saturday's victory over Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City is hitting the road for two games this week.On Wednesday, they will take on the Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver. The Whitecaps are playing well, having only allowed three goals in their first five games. All three of those goals came in their first loss of the season against San Jose on April 7th.On the other side of the ball, Vancouver has only scored four goals in 2012. Former Philadelphia Union forward Sebastian LeToux leads the team with two goals. Camilo and Jay DeMerit have the others.The home field advantage will not be the only edge Vancouver has in this match. Their last game was that loss to San Jose, so they will have had 11 days off when they kick off against Sporting KC.Sporting KC, on the other hand, will be playing their second game in five days and will have flown halfway across the continent.The key for this matchup will be Sporting KC's offense versus Vancouver's defense. Kei Kamara and C.J. Sapong each have three goals on the season, ...

Rafa Marquez Has Gone Too Far with Latest Incident, MLS Must Take Action

Rafa Marquez has been nothing but a problem for the New York Red Bulls since coming to the team in the summer of 2010. Last year, he was suspended for one game after ripping his teammates in the media and accusing them of not being on the same level as him and then was suspended for three games after he threw a ball at Landon Donovan and then feigned getting hit in a scuffle he started. His latest incident could and should earn him even more games lost. In Saturday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes, Marquez was matched up against Shea Salinas on a corner kick. As Salinas moved off the goal-line to get open for the ball, Marquez wrapped his arms around Salinas and tackled him from behind. As he toppled over Salinas, Marquez then delivered a kick to Salinas that broke the Earthquake midfielder’s clavicle. The maneuver was not seen by the referees during the game, but it was caught clearly on video. It’s time for the MLS Disciplinary Committee to step up and deal him a proper punishment. This is obviously not Marquez’s first offense, and he even ...