4Jul/130
MLS Week 19: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend
The fireworks will extend beyond the Fourth of July in MLS Week 19. Three of the next four days will feature intense MLS action. The league kick-started a congested Week 19 schedule with five mid-week matches.Only the Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire were able to capture victories Wednesday night. Toronto FC allowed the Montreal Impact to equalize after holding a two-goal lead in the second half. Sporting Kansas City failed to hold onto a one-goal lead of their own, and Real Salt Lake valiantly fought back to equalize with a penalty kick in stoppage time. Eleven matches will follow during this all-important, four-day weekend. Three will be decided Thursday night.But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention in Week 19? Read on to find out. Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to the official MLS Press Box Stats and Standings.Begin Slideshow4Jul/130
Breaking Down Landon Donovan’s 2013 MLS Stats
Landon Donovan is back to his old tricks since returning to the L.A. Galaxy after a brief hiatus from soccer. In fact, by many metrics, Donovan can be considered one of the top playmakers in all of MLS so far this season. The most prolific goalscorer in United States men’s national team history has started in 12 MLS matches and appeared in 13 for the two-time defending MLS Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy. He has certainly been aggressive since his voyage back to California, committing the third most fouls of anyone on Los Angeles (1.5 per match, 19 total) and receiving one yellow card. Only Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas have committed more fouls for L.A., having been whistled 1.5 (26 total) and 2.9 (46 total) times per match respectively. Sarvas’ figure is the highest total in all of MLS 2013. Donovan has always been a finisher. He has the most goals in U.S. national team history (49) and the second most caps per goal with 2.8 just a notch behind current U.S. captain, Clint Dempsey (2.9). He also has the third most goals in MLS history, having tallied 127 times and only trails Jeff Cunningham (134) and Jaime Moreno (133). He ...3Jul/130
Score FIFA 13 Goals to Send Henry, Keane, Donovan to MLS All-Star Game
EA Sports is giving FIFA 13 players the opportunity to make history.For the first time ever, goals scored on the virtual pitch will dictate proceedings in the real world, providing football fans with the chance to send players such as Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan to the MLS All-Star Game against Roma on July 31.How can you help your favourite player start the match at Kansas City's Sporting Park? The task couldn't simpler. All you need to do is fire up FIFA 13 and score as many goals as possible with any of the shortlisted forwards. One goal in any game mode equals one vote for the candidate you net with.Successful strikes on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions count only. Handheld and mobile players will need to hunt down the nearest big-screen version if they are to contribute towards this original objective.A total of 26 forwards are eligible for a spot in the starting lineup against Rudi Garcia and his Roma side, as confirmed by EA Sports: Claudio Bieler (SKC) Tristan Bowen (CHV) Deshorn Brown (COL) Will Bruin (HOU) Edson Buddle (COL) Kenny Cooper (DAL) Marco DiVaio (MTL) ...3Jul/130
Why Mike Magee of the Chicago Fire Is the Hottest Player in MLS
The Chicago Fire might be sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, but Mike Magee is trying to change that.Since arriving in the Windy City, Magee has been the focal point of the Fire's offense. Without missing a beat, the forward has scored in four straight MLS appearances, and six straight in all competitions.In fact, Magee has scored in every match he has played for his new club.Some eyebrows were raised when Bruce Arena let him leave Los Angeles in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.I think it is safe to say that Chicago got the better end of the deal.Magee led the league in goals at the time of his departure. One month later, he remains at the top, with 10 goals from from just 14 MLS games.There is nothing too flashy about Magee's play. He is deceptive, makes good runs and is quick off the mark. What makes him special is his ability to find the ball around the penalty area.He is not physically imposing, but his crafty ability to split the defense makes him a constant goal threat.Often deployed out wide for the Galaxy, Magee has always been able to pop up in the right ...1Jul/130
Week 18 MLS Power Rankings
Major League Soccer gave its fans everything they could ask for this weekend with eight league matches.There was a shootout, a late-match comeback for the ages, a controversial goal line decision and much more across North America this weekend.Sitting out the madness this weekend was last week's No. 1 club Portland.Do the Timbers have enough to hold on to the top spot or were they overthrown after two weeks at the top?Find out by further reading this week's edition of the MLS Power Rankings.Begin Slideshow1Jul/130