Colorado Rapids 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

The enigma that is the Colorado Rapids' coaching situation will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part 12 of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Rapids this season, the number and the player to watch as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Houston Dynamo 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

The Houston Dynamo's dedication to the MLS regular season will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part 11 of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Dynamo this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Montreal Impact 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

Frank Klopas' tenure as the new head coach of the Montreal Impact will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part 10 of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Impact this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Why Relegation Would Be a Terrible Idea for MLS

Any time a discussion about improving soccer in America is taking place, one of the most popular ideas thrown about is implementing a promotion and relegation system into Major League Soccer. However, relegation is not a magic panacea for making America a world powerhouse in soccer and, in fact, would likely do far more harm than good. Here's why. The main argument behind the promotion/relegation system is that it motivates teams to put the best possible product on the field. But even a quick look at numerous examples throughout Europe prove that the rewards and punishments of such a system are not effective motivators. One perfect example is English Premier League club Stoke City. For years, soccer purists bemoaned the style of Stoke, who relied heavily on a "park the bus" strategy under former manager Tony Pulis—a style created primarily because of the team's fear of relegation. This season, under new manager Mark Hughes, the team is attempting to play a much more aesthetically pleasing style of football, but they are not doing it to avoid relegation, which they had done successfully for the past five years under Pulis. They are doing it because they themselves got sick of the exact style that had helped them avoid ...

Ranking the Top 20 Strikers in MLS Heading into the 2014 Season

The Major League Soccer season is a week and a half away from beginning and excitement is starting to grow across North America for the 2014 campaign.  Before the season begins, it is time for all of us to channel that excitement into a debate on who is the best striker in the league entering this season.  MLS contains plenty of star forwards like Thierry Henry, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, but there are also some fresh young faces that must be included in the discussion as well.  Continue reading to see which 20 goalscorers made their way on to this best of list. Begin Slideshow

San Jose Earthquakes 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

A new identity for the San Jose Earthquakes will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part nine of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Fire this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Chicago Fire 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

Frank Yallop's tenure as the new head coach of the Chicago Fire will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part eight of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Fire this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Vancouver Whitecaps 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

Commemorating 40 years of history will be the story to watch for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part seven of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Whitecaps this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Philadelphia Union 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

The Philadelphia Union's faith in goalkeeper Zac MacMath will be the club's story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part six of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Union this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

FC Dallas 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

FC Dallas' newly appointed head coach will be the story to watch in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part five of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Hoops this season. The number and player to watch, as well as the match that should immediately be circled on your calendar, will be delved into with great detail. Read on for your comprehensive guide to 2014.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow