Landon Donovan Is a Rightful Selection for Tonight’s All-Star Game

If Landon Donovan's name wasn't Landon Donovan, he wouldn't be an MLS All-Star this season. He has barely appeared in half of his team's matches (13 of 22) and his three goals and six assists are good, but not exactly earth-shattering. And you know what? I couldn't care less.  His name is Landon Donovan. He remains the greatest and most productive soccer player in United States history. He is fresh off a Gold Cup where he proved to the world—well, proved to the CONCACAF world, at least—that he is still very much in elite form. He could have spent the first half of the MLS season on the sideline watching Glee for all I care—he still would have deserved the MLS All-Star Game selection that he got.  (OK, maybe not Glee.)  That's not to say he hasn't been productive on the pitch. According to WhoScored.com, Donovan has completed 40.8 passes (with a 75 percent completion percentage), 2.1 key passes, 1.8 crosses and 2.1 long balls per match. The Los Angeles Galaxy have struggled a bit to find cohesiveness with Donovan in the lineup (seven losses in his 13 appearances), but he has been every bit the dynamic playmaker and conductor we know him to be. Still, that's not why the ...

MLS All Stars vs AS Roma: Keys to Victory for Each Team

The MLS All-Stars take on Italian club AS Roma in the 2013 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday at Sporting Park in Kansas City, hoping to notch their second consecutive victory over international competition. The MLS All-Stars defeated English club Chelsea last year, 3-2, with United States forward Eddie Johnson being the hero. That was after the All-Stars lost back-to-back contests against Manchester United. There will be plenty of talent on the pitch on Wednesday, from Landon Donovan to Francesco Totti. Here's a look at the keys to victory for each team.   MLS All-Stars Be Safe All-Star head coach Peter Vermes said before the clash on Wednesday, via Franco Panizo of Soccer by Ives: The game plan is for us to go and try to be smart, don’t give the ball away in easy areas of the field so that we’re not running all over the place. Then the other [thing] is just stay compact and not give too many things away. You can’t go into this game and have this unbelievable game plan because this is our first training together as a team. The All-Stars have the talent to defeat Roma on Wednesday, but they can't get ahead of themselves on the pitch. All it takes is a ...

MLS All-Star Game 2013: Favorites to Win MVP in Exhibition Against Roma

The MLS All-Star game is more than just a showcase of talent for the league, it is also a chance to prove it can hang with some of the top clubs in the world. After consecutive losses to Manchester United in the annual event, the best in the country were able to defeat Chelsea by a score of 3-2, with Chris Pontius earning the MVP award. The squad will now try to get a winning streak going with the upcoming match against Roma. While the Serie A club is certainly capable of getting a win, there are a number of MLS players looking to stand out with a strong performance in this one. If the host squad is able to pull out a victory, watch for these players to be named MVP of the match.   Graham Zusi Over the past year, Graham Zusi has been a breakout star for the United States national team. The midfielder has becoming a regular at World Cup qualifying matches and has shown a great ability to set up plays for teammates. That skill has been apparent in MLS play for a while, as he led the league in assists during the 2012 season. With the All-Star game taking place in ...

MLS All-Stars ‘Rap’ in Super Bowl Shuffle Parody Video

MLS All-Stars Brad Davis, Omar Gonzalez, Graham Zusi, Kyle Beckerman, Jack McInerney, Mike Magee and Chris Wondolowski drop the beat in this "rap" (and I use that term loosely!) video called "We're Better Than the Best." Wondo even busts out a few break-dancing moves.  Go ahead. Judge for yourself.  Their rap game needs some serious work, but you've got to love the overalls, airbrushed T-shirts and zubaz pants. You've got to give the All-Stars some credit for going along with it, and having some fun. h/t to Funnyordie.comRead more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS All-Stars vs. AS Roma: Players to Watch in Exciting Matchup

Major League Soccer's All-Stars ended a three-year losing skid to European clubs with a 3-2 victory over Chelsea last summer. The group now hopes to start a modest winning streak by taking down a talented Roma side. The Giallorossi finished sixth in Serie A last season. They are led by Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Osvaldo. The squad also features American international Michael Bradley, who's entering a key campaign with the Italian side. Going up against the best players from the MLS should provide a solid preseason test for Roma. With that in mind, let's examine some players worth watching in the clash, which is set for Wednesday night in Kansas City.   Landon Donovan (MLS) Donovan is coming off a tremendous showing at the international level. He was the driving force behind an American attack that led the way as the squad won every match en route to the Gold Cup title. His form was a major statement after some time away from the national team. He must maintain that high level of play moving forward if he wants to get placed in the first-team lineup for the remaining part of qualifying. He gets another chance to shine in the high-profile matchup with ...

MLS Continues to Grow with Sale of Columbus Crew to Precourt

Hunt Sports Group and the Columbus Crew announced today the sale of the Crew to Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV). A new owner for the Crew not only helps the team immensely, it is also good for the growth of Major League Soccer. Hunt Sports Group, headed by Clark Hunt, has a long history with MLS. Clark's father, Lamar Hunt, was considered one of the founding fathers of MLS. He owned three of the league's original 10 teams. These included the Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz and Columbus Crew.  In 2006, the Hunts sold the Kansas City franchise to Ongoal, LLC, currently known as Sporting Club. Now with the acquisition of the Crew by PSV, Dallas is the only remaining team owned by Hunt Sports Group. The Columbus Crew can now have an owner that is fully committed to only them, and the same goes for Dallas. The new money will no doubt benefit the Crew. Perhaps the new owners will reward the team and its fans by signing two more designated players (DP). Columbus currently has just one DP in Federico Higuain. Precourt's new ownership role now puts the league at 19 teams and 18 owners, which is far from where the league was just ...

MLS All-Stars vs. AS Roma: Players to Watch in International Showdown

The 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game kicks off on Wednesday, July 31, 9:00 p.m. ET at Sporting Park in Kansas City, as the MLS All-Stars take on Serie A club AS Roma. Roma finished sixth in Serie A last season, 25 points behind champion Juventus. This is the 10th time the MLS All-Stars have faced an international foe, going 7-2-1 against international competition. Last year, the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea 3-2, with forward Eddie Johnson notching the game-winner. Let's take a look at the players to watch in the annual clash.   Landon Donovan, Midfielder Landon Donovan just guided the United States to a Gold Cup title, posting five goals and seven assists in six games in the tournament. The 31-year-old midfielder has posted three goals and six assists in 13 MLS matches (12 starts) this season. He racked up 11 goals and 16 assists for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 31 games (30 starts) last season. Donovan is the embodiment of American soccer, and you can bet he'll be ready to go in the All-Star Game. The all-time leader in goals (56) and assists (57) for the United States should be fun to watch on Wednesday.    Thierry Henry, Forward Former France and Arsenal forward Thierry Henry is undoubtedly one ...

MLS All-Stars vs. AS Roma: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

A year ago, the MLS All-Stars surprised some folks, defeating Chelsea 3-2 in extra time. Sure, it was just an exhibition and, sure, it wasn't a Chelsea team with all of its stars or one in midseason form.  No matter—that triumph was a pretty big deal against the champions of Europe.  This season, the MLS All-Stars will take on a less prestigious but a nonetheless talented side in Roma. The Serie A side has plenty of talent, with players like Maicon, Michael Bradley, Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Erik Lamela and Francesco Totti littering the roster.  This should be an excellent, even match. Let's break it down.   When: Wednesday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas Watch: ESPN2 Streaming: WatchESPN (in selected markets)   MLS All-Star Roster Goalkeepers: Raul Fernandez (FC Dallas), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake). Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders) Midfielders: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Will Johnson (Portland Timbers), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact) Forwards: Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski ...

MLS Player Scores a Goal, Outshines His Goal with Impressive Shimmy

Steven Lenhart scored the game-winning goal to send the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on a sliding finish in the box in the 58th minute. The only thing more impressive than his goal was his shimmy afterwards, complete with back bend, hip gyration and a face that shows he's really enjoying himself. It's good to see that although Lenhart no longer has some of the best hair in the league, he's still making up for it with the best dance moves.Hat tip to FTW on the find.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Week 22 MLS Power Rankings

The ongoing tug of war at the top of the B/R MLS Power Rankings between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City continues this week with both clubs deserving of the top spot. Both clubs fell in final minutes of their respective matches, but they are still considered to be the class of the league. Which of the conference leaders in MLS found their way to the top this week? Continue reading the B/R MLS Power Rankings to find out.Begin Slideshow