9Oct/130
Home Guard: MLS Playoffs Run into USMNT October Qualifiers (Updated)
In the very first edition of the Home Guard your intrepid USMNT analyst predicted that the October World Cup qualifiers would inevitably raise the ugly specter of the nefarious club versus country tug-of-war. The first tugs on the rope are pulling the principles into the mud. The only questions remaining are whether the war will go hot or stay cold, and which players could benefit from the battle. A Dilemma Wrapped Inside a Paradox According to FIFA (emphasis added): a) Qualifying matches for an international competition played on fixed/set dates These matches take priority over matches in a national championship. In other words, matches in the national championship or cup competition should not be arranged on one of the fixed/set dates. A club holding the registration of a player called up to play in the national team must release him to the national association on the fixed/set dates for international matches in each calendar year. The player shall also be released for the period of preparation. If the player is called up to play in a qualifying match for an international competition, this period shall be 4 days (including the day of the match). The period of release shall be prolonged to ...8Oct/130
Thierry Henry Plays Backheel Pass Down the Line for New York Red Bulls
Thierry Henry takes a break from #Henrying and does something else awesome instead. The Frenchman was spotted playing a brilliant backheel pass down the line for the New York Red Bulls to a teammate as his side hosted New England Revolution. It was a good game with a thrilling finish—the Revolution went up 2-1 in the 91st minute, only for former Everton star Tim Cahill to bag a 97th-minute equaliser and salvage a draw.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com7Oct/130
Week 32 MLS Power Rankings
What a wild and wacky weekend it was in Major League Soccer. From two five-goal outbursts to Camilo's stunning golazo, fans of the league were left with endless water-cooler discussion topics on Monday morning. How did the results over the weekend affect the B/R MLS Power Rankings? Continue reading to find out. Begin Slideshow7Oct/130
Best and Worst from MLS Week 32: Landon Donovan, Fotis Bazakos and More
The best action in MLS Week 32 was highlighted by the Colorado Rapids, Landon Donovan and Darlington Nagbe, but what about the worst? D.C. United failed to meet the criteria after a 3-0 loss at RFK Stadium Friday night. The club's 22nd loss of the season is considered old news at this point. Toronto FC also failed to capture a victory this past weekend. The Reds fell 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union. They won't be featured, either. Some tough competition also kept Sporting Kansas City from making the list of best and worst from MLS Week 32. Read on to find out why.Begin Slideshow7Oct/130
Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo Scores Scissors Kick for Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps were heading toward a pretty tame defeat to the Portland Timbers in the MLS on Sunday night when Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo turned the match on its head. With 76 minutes gone, his strike cut the deficit back to 2-1. Two minutes later, he blasted in an outrageous scissors kick to complete the comeback in style. You can see the raptures it sends the players and crowd into in the clip above. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com3Oct/130
MLS Week 32: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch For This Weekend
Playoff-clinching scenarios will be the story to watch in MLS Week 32, but an additional four storylines will complete your weekend preview. In the coming slides, a majority of the nine matches scheduled for this week will be covered in great detail. Each match selected will be dissected from a unique angle to intensify your viewing pleasure. So, what exactly warrants your attention in Week 32? Read on to find out. Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to the official MLS Press Box Stats and Standings.Begin Slideshow2Oct/130
Will US Open Cup Loss Affect Real Salt Lake’s Postseason Aspirations?
On Tuesday night in front of their home crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Salt Lake laid an egg and fell to D.C. United in the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, 1-0. Heading into the match, the Claret and Cobalt were the overwhelming favorites to win the 100th edition of the premier cup competition in America. However, things did not go according to plan, as RSL fell to a D.C. side that clearly wanted to lift the trophy more than they did. After the failure to bring home their second trophy in franchise history, RSL are now forced to recover quickly and march forward in their quest for the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup. Currently, Jason Kreis' side sit atop the Western Conference standings, just slightly ahead of Seattle on goal differential and one point off of the Supporters' Shield title, which, if the season ended today, would be handed to New York. Although they only have three matches left on their regular-season docket, one has to ask the question of Real Salt Lake, and if they are mentally prepared for the playoffs after suffering such a disheartening blow on Tuesday night. The latest cup final defeat by the club will certainly lay ...2Oct/130
The Fastest Players in the MLS
While Major League Soccer is still fighting for respect as a league in terms of tactical and technical refinement, there is one area where American soccer players have always been able to dominate on the world stage—athleticism. American players, whatever they may traditionally lack in technique or understanding, are some of the most dominate athletes in the world. Speed is something distinctly not lacking in MLS. Here are seven of the fastest players in MLS today. Begin Slideshow1Oct/130