Breaking Down New York Red Bulls’ New 2013 Kits

The New York Red Bulls unveiled their 2013 home jersey on Monday in a special VIP Season Ticket Holder event at New York City’s Pier 59, per NewYorkRedBulls.com.The bright red from 2012 appears to be replaced with a maroon color. There is also a distinct maroon cut on the collar, as well as on the sleeves and under the arms.The new jersey can be purchased at the Red Bull Arena's Bullshop between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.The Red Bulls finished third in the Eastern Conference last season with 57 points, going 16-9-9. They reached the quarterfinals in the playoffs, as well as the Round of 16 in the Open Cup.The Red Bulls begin the 2013 campaign on the road, visiting the Portland Timbers on March 3 and the San Jose Earthquakes on March 10. Their first home game will be on March 16 against D.C. United. There are always those who will say, "You have to look good to play good," but changing jerseys has historically been more of a money-grabber for teams, instead of something that single-handedly boosts a club's play.Of course, given the Red Bulls haven't advanced past the quarterfinals in the MLS playoffs since 2008, every ...

MLS Preseason Power Rankings

While the domestic leagues in Europe are reaching the home stretch, the Major League Soccer season is just about to begin. Last season saw David Beckham go out on top as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup Final. This season, Beckham is gone, but the Galaxy are expected to once again challenge for the MLS Cup.The Galaxy are not the only team vying for the MLS Cup crown with Houston, Sporting Kansas City, San Jose and D.C. United all in the mix as favorites in the preseason to go all the way. Here is the first edition of the MLS Power Rankings for 2013. Begin Slideshow

Breaking Down Houston Dynamo’s New 2013 Kits

The Houston Dynamo are set to begin the 2013 MLS season on Saturday night against DC United. First, the club had to unveil the new kits they will wear throughout the campaign, and it did so by posting a series of pictures on Twitter. While the changes to the overall style are limited, Jonathan Kaplan of the club's official site reports the streamlined design was developed to help the club survive the harsh weather conditions in Houston. Team president Chris Canetti was pleased with the result, stating:Introducing a new uniform is always exciting for a team and its fans. We are proud of the new look and how it represents the club. The base concept remains the same, but the new version provides a fresh, new look for the club.Let's take a closer look at the new home and road jerseys, grading them for their wow factor and overall design. Of course, winning in them will make a much bigger difference in the grand scheme of things.  Wow Factor: 5 of 10In today's world, it seems like every professional and collegiate sports team around the country is trying to attract attention with the wildest jersey designs possible—flashing something that will ...

10 Players to Watch in the 2013 MLS Season

The 18th season of Major League Soccer is set to kick off this Saturday with a full slate of weekend action. With an offseason full of transfers, each team’s fanbase is wondering how their team will fare with their new squad. Here are 10 players whose performances will have a great deal to do with their team’s success.Begin Slideshow

Nigel Reo-Coker Reportedly Set for Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS Move

According to Sky Sports, English midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is set to sign for the MLS side, Vancouver Whitecaps.The 28-year-old defensive midfielder is due to fly out imminently to finalise personal terms on a move that appears all but sealed.Reo-Coker, whose wife is American, has expressed excitement over signing for the Caps and can't wait to make his mark when the season kicks off on March 3:"I am delighted, it will be a new experience and I can't wait. I am looking forward to the challenge."The player's agent, Tony Finnigan, admitted there had been talks with both the New York Red Bulls and the Portland Timbers, but the Blue and White have stolen the headlines: It is something new for Nigel, and he is relishing the prospect of going. He just wants to play football, and that chance has arisen in Major League Soccer and he now taking that with both hands. Everything is sorted, and he just has to finalise the details when he arrives there. Reo-Coker started his career at Wimbledon, and after a move to Portsmouth failed to materialise, he ended up at West Ham United. He rose through the ranks and became captain, leading his team to the 2006 FA ...

Landon Donovan Has Frustrated as Much as He Has Elated American Soccer Fans

For many, he is among the most recognizable faces in United States soccer history, if not the most recognizable. But for all the thrills Landon Donovan has provided fans of his club sides and the men’s national team over the years, there have been a comparable number of irritations. His self-imposed exile from the sport, over which he was supposedly brooding long before the MLS Cup final against Houston last December, can be chalked up in the latter category. For several months Donovan left both Los Angeles Galaxy and the national setup in the dark regarding his plans while taking a Brett Favre-style sabbatical, and while Galaxy provided a hint as to his return in statements made Sunday, the 30-year-old’s timetable is a convenience to no one but himself. Galaxy general manager and head coach Bruce Arena told the Major League Soccer side’s official website: After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon, his representatives and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the first week of March. He added, “We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it ...

David Beckham Reportedly Lined Up as Miami MLS Franchise Owner

Soccer superstar David Beckham is being lined up as a prospective owner of a new MLS franchise, according to reports in the Daily Mail.Sportsmail suggests the MLS are planning to introduce two new franchises in Miami and New York, and Beckham is seen as the ideal ambassador for both clubs.Beckham has recently called time on his playing career in the States, but part of the deal that took him to the L.A. Galaxy in 2007 included an agreement to become the owner of an MLS club.The 37-year-old has recently signed a short-term playing contract with French Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain, but his future beyond the summer remains unclear.The former England international may decide to continue his playing career once his spell in Paris has been completed, but with his days drawing to a close, the global icon could also opt to move "upstairs."MLS commissioner Don Garber recently said a Miami franchise would "make sense," and certainly there would are few people that come with Beckham's profile to launch a new brand.There has been no Florida-based MLS franchise since the Miami Fusion were taken out of the league in 2001, and the large Hispanic population around the area make it ...

3 DPs Who Could Step Up for David Beckham to Grow MLS Internationally

David Beckham came to MLS in hopes of aiding its international growth. It’s time designated players like Thierry Henry and Oscar Boniek Garcia step up and follow suit. MLS has grown substantially since its inception in 1996.  The league expanded from 10 to 19 teams. There are now 13 soccer-specific stadiums, and MLS signed its most lucrative television contract to date in 2011.  The three-year deal with NBC Sports was for a reported $10 million a year. All this progression has not changed the perception of MLS internationally. It's still considered by many to be a “sub-par” league “struggling to survive.” Not even Sepp Blatter could abstain from his habitual blathering when asked about MLS in an interview with Al Jazeera TV last year. "It is a question of time, I thought -- we had the World Cup in 1994. But it is now 18 years in so it should have been done now. But they are still struggling." In order for MLS to alter this warped perception it must rely on its biggest stars and unknown commodities. Current MLS DPs must carry out the protracted mission Beckham set out to finish when he signed in 2007. With Beckham embarking on ...

Landon Donovan Will Return to LA Galaxy in Late March

Landon Donovan will return to play in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy in late March, according to a statement made by Galaxy coach Bruce Arena via the L.A. Galaxy on Twitter:The 30-year-old's playing future was thought to be unclear after the Galaxy gave him some time off at the start of the year—especially when he started talking about retirement as well—but he will return to his former club for the 2013 season in L.A.  Arena said in a statement on the club's official website: After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon [Donovan], his representative and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March. We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season. The statement comes as great news for Galaxy fans, who will no doubt welcome the American international star back into their midst for the upcoming season.The midfielder and forward holds the record for the most team goals (92) during his eight seasons at ...

MLS: Javier Saviola to Swap the Champions League and Malaga for Seattle?

With the start of the MLS regular season now under two weeks away, could Seattle be about to pull off what might be the biggest move of the offseason?France Football and the Seattle Times report that the Sounders are very interested in the Argentinean striker Javier Saviola, whose contract with La Liga side Malaga is set to expire in June.Given that this is less than six months away, Seattle are able to enter into pre-contract talks with the player, and they could be about to potentially seal a move which would make him a Designated Player for the Sounders upon his arrival in the summer.Saviola once ranked among Europe's hottest prospects, but although he featured 123 times for Barcelona and scored 49 goals during a six-year period between 2001 and 2007 after his arrival from River Plate, he never really fulfilled all of his potential.Relatively quiet loan spells with Monaco and Sevilla followed before he made a shock move from Barcelona to archrivals Real Madrid, but he made even less of an impact in the Spanish capital, featuring only 17 times during the two years he spent there.A move to Benfica in 2009 brought Saviola a little more success—he was part ...