US Open Cup 2013 4th Round: Picking the Outcome of Each Match

For those unfamiliar with the 100 year old competition, the US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing soccer competition in the United States. It's similar in format to many of the more well known cup competitions, such as the FA Cup and Copa del Rey. In short, it's a knockout tournament where losing one game means you're out. The third round, which took place two weeks ago, pitted all 16 stateside MLS teams against opponents from lower leagues in the US soccer pyramid. As always, there were some upsets, with LA Galaxy, San Jose, Seattle and Colorado losing to clubs farther down the food chain.Some teams take this competition more seriously than others, but along with it comes $250,000 and a place in next year's CONCACAF Champions League. The fourth round, which will take place on June 12, will feature 8 matches, and I'll be predicting the result of each. Starting now.Begin Slideshow

Week 15 MLS Power Rankings

While it may have been a short weekend in Major League Soccer with just five matches played, fans of the league did have plenty to talk about when the matches ended. In four of the five matches this week, more than three goals were scored and plenty of late-match heroics were shown as well.Read on to find out where your favorite club sits in this week's power rankings. Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from MLS Week 15

Less was more in MLS Week 15. Especially in Seattle. A total of nine teams were idle this weekend. Unfortunately, DC United and the New England Revolution weren't among them. They might as well have been. The two played to a scoreless draw at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. But how did the other active teams fare this week? Was it worthy of being mentioned in the best and worst from MLS Week 15? Read on to find out.Begin Slideshow

MLS Saturday Wrap

With a shortened list of games this weekend due to the lack of international fixtures, fans of Major League Soccer knew that they would have to rely on four Saturday matches for their weekend entertainment.In three of the four matches, fans of the American league got exactly what they asked for. The theme of those three specific matches was late-match heroics as Daniel Palladini, Olmes Garcia and Lamar Neagle all scored late in the second half to hand the home side in each match a point or greater. As for the fourth match of the weekend, which was played in Foxborough, there is not much good to say about how the 90 minutes went down.Read on for recaps of each of the four matches played in MLS on Saturday. Begin Slideshow

MLS: San Jose Part Ways with Manager Frank Yallop

Just hours before the weekend began, the San Jose Earthquakes announced that they were going to part ways with longtime manager Frank Yallop, per sjearthquakes.com. In a statement released by Yallop through the club, it was learned that the decision was made between himself, club president Dave Kaval and general manager John Doyle.  “Dave, John and I met earlier this week and we mutually agreed that it was time for the club and me to move in different directions..... The ownership group has been very supportive during my time here. I would also like to thank Dave and John for all their efforts to help me put the best team on the field, while also building a professional atmosphere for both players and staff."  -Statement from Frank Yallop via sjearthquakes.com (June 7, 2013) Yallop had been with San Jose since 2008 when the club was reborn in Major League Soccer after the previous franchise under the same name moved to Houston in 2006.Last season was the most successful season of Yallop's managerial reign, as he led the Earthquakes to the Supporters' Shield title. The 2012 edition of the club also reached the semifinals of the Western Conference playoffs before they were eliminated by the ...

MLS Week 15: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

World Cup qualifying will dominate the headlines come Friday, but don’t neglect MLS Week 15. Lord knows Seattle won’t. Two teams were in action Wednesday night, but if you look at the scoreboard, it was really only one. The Philadelphia Union defeated the Columbus Crew 3-0 at PPL Park. The victory lifted the Union into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference. Not much action will follow this weekend. Only four matches are scheduled for Saturday, but we still managed to extract the five things that warrant your attention. Read on to find out what they are.Begin Slideshow

Listing the 19 Hip-Hop Songs That Describe Each MLS Team

Hip-hop has managed to incorporate itself into different facets of our daily lives. Now, it's Major League Soccer's turn. This article will feature 19 hip-hop classics that have been specifically matched with an MLS team. Current form, recent history and individual talents have been considered for each selection. The list will allow those currently without a favorite MLS franchise to quickly identify their newest craze. For those already bleeding their team’s colors, you will officially have your anthem for matchday.  So, grab your Lasonic TRC-931 ghetto blaster as we compile the greatest mixtape in MLS history. Note: Due to the explicit nature of some of the selected songs, not all videos have been featured. Hyperlinks have been added in order to identify the selection. All teams have been listed in alphabetical order.Begin Slideshow

Week 14 MLS Power Rankings

Major League Soccer was turned on its head this weekend with plenty of stars missing because of international duty. Not only were some stars missing from certain matches, a few results turned the heads of plenty of fans and were easily labeled as surprises.The biggest surprise of them all came in Foxborough as the Revolution obliterated the Galaxy while Montreal's win at Sporting Park also raised a few eyebrows. Find out where those four clubs, as well as the other 15 in the league, landed in this week's edition of the MLS Power Rankings. Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from MLS Week 14

Unstoppable forces took control in MLS Week 14. Some played well enough to break through a wall. Others tried to headbutt their way. Jack McInerney delivered a bit of déjà vu in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. The young forward scored an equalizer against the Reds in stoppage time...again. An unstoppable penalty from Federico Higuain ensured the Columbus Crew earned the same result against the Houston Dynamo. Mike Magee continued his storybook return to his hometown. His goal in the 85th minute was enough to seal a 2-0 victory over DC United on Sunday. But all three stars didn’t make the list of best and worst from MLS Week 14.  Read on to find out who did.Begin Slideshow

MLS System for Officials Answering Press Questions Is a Joke

As I mentioned on Twitter last weekend, I am the second alternate pool reporter for Sporting KC when it comes to asking officials questions after games at Sporting Park. These reporters have to be designated before the season starts.When reporters want to ask the referee questions after the game, Major League Soccer, like every other league, has a system by which those reporters can ask those questions.In the case of MLS, the pool reporters decide what questions they want answered. They can submit up to three questions (with one follow-up), in writing and signed by the primary pool reporter. The host team then has to post the questions inside the officials' dressing room within five minutes of the final whistle. The referee then has 15 minutes to review them before the pool reporter gets to ask the questions and record the interview.In what seems to be a growing pattern, Sporting KC's match at Sporting Park on Saturday night once again featured at least one controversial call. This marked the third straight Sporting KC match with a questionable decision being made.First, on May 19 against D.C. United at RFK Stadium, a goal from Ike Opara was ruled out ...