Ranking the 20 Best Players in MLS Right Now

There is no easy way to determine who the best 20 players are in Major League Soccer right now. The gravity of the task, though, should not stop the pursuit. Therefore, the following list looks at 20 outfield players currently plying their trade in MLS and ranks them from 20 down to the best player in the league.  It does not include goalkeepers. No quantitative method employed here, just hours upon hours of watching, studying and analyzing the league led to this ranking.There are lots of strikers and midfielders in the mix.  A few backs, although not as many as the other positions.  The outside fullback spot might well be the weakest of all in Major League Soccer.Enjoy!  As always, thoughtful commentary is always helpful in ironing out the finer points of this debate. Begin Slideshow

MLS Week 10: 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

Revenge. Redemption. Red hot. The three Rs will be on display in MLS Week 10. Just not the kind you grew up with.A full slate of MLS matches are scheduled this weekend. Sixteen of the 19 teams will be in action.DC United and the Chicago Fire will be forced to wait another week before attempting to turn their seasons around. FC Dallas will be able to sit back and watch of the rest of the league attempt to catch up. But with so much action this weekend, where should your focus lie? What warrants your attention in Week 10? Read on to find out. Begin Slideshow

Timbers Game Against Green Machine Features Game-Winning Goal by Cancer Patient

Amid a raucous crowd chanting his name, eight-year-old cancer patient Atticus Lane-Dupre became his team's hero, scoring the winning goal against the formidable Portland Timbers.Deadspin spotted the wonderful moment brought to fans by the MLS side and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which gave one little boy his dream of winning the big game in front of thousands of cheering fans.From the 3,000 people who showed up to watch a friendly between a professional team and a group of kids, to the Timbers, who made the game exciting and competitive, so much wonderful is packed into this short video.Oregon Live has more details on the game, which was as lively as any MLS Cup match. It all went down Wednesday, May 1, at Jeld-Wen Field.The game took place at 11:30 a.m., which, as the report hints, was the perfect excuse for locals to take an extended lunch break.It seems like thousands of Portland faithful got the memo, because they not only showed up for a free game but delivered an epic atmosphere. I dare you not to crack a smile once the crowd chants "Atticus" at the 1:23 mark.Speaking of atmosphere, take in every second of this Vine post from the team. The North End is cheering for #GreenMachine #TimbersWish vine.co/v/bQZEiHa9Hvm— Portland Timbers ...

Why MLS Is the Right Place for Manchester City Owners to Invest

Major League Soccer should be doing cartwheels over Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan’s interest in securing an expansion franchise. Sheikh Mansour, who already owns Premier League side Manchester City, was said to be seeking an MLS license last November, and on Sunday the New York Times revealed the 42-year-old was the “odds-on favorite” to win expansion rights for a franchise in New York City. At present, New York Red Bulls represent the tri-state area, but the former New York/New Jersey MetroStars play their home matches in Harrison, New Jersey, and MLS has always been keen to have more of a presence in New York City proper. Earlier this week the Telegraph reported Sheikh Mansour had already targeted a potential site in Queens for constructing a $500 million stadium—money that would be over and above the $100 million Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group would have to dole out in expansion fees.The good news for MLS is that Mansour and his holding company are both flush with cash and adept at running sports organizations. Mansour’s personal wealth is estimated at nearly $5 billion, and his portfolio includes holdings in Virgin Galactic, Daimler AG and the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation. Then there ...