Power Ranking the MLS Fanbases

Fanbases in Major League Soccer run the gamut from sensational to abysmal. Now headed into its 19th season with 19 teams and three more franchises on the horizon, both MLS and its fans have grown considerably from the 10-team league that started back in 1996. Here are the power rankings for the team's fan bases from worst to first. Taken into account is fan attendance (statistics via NBC Sports), percentage of seats filled (statistics via burgundywave.com), passion of the fans and the team’s stadium. Additional rankings from Bleacher Report's own Joe Tansey.Begin Slideshow

Columbus Crew 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

The Columbus Crew are entering a new era, but what additional storylines will complete your 2014 season preview? In part four of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Black and Gold 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

12 African Veterans Who Would Be Great Fits for MLS Teams

The development of Major League Soccer has been due, in no small part, to the successful integration and contributions of designated players who have come to America to be part of a new project or to sample life in a different environment. Ever since Shaun Bartlett’s move to the USA after his impressive showing with South Africa at the 1996 Cup of Nations, African players have been key figures in this migration. Nigerian stars Michael Emenalo and Ben Iroha were other early pioneers, while more recently former-Premier League stars Kei Kamara, Olivier Tebily and Ade Akinbiyi have also spent time across the Atlantic. This article profiles 12 Africans who may well be a perfect fit to bring status and celebrity to a league keen to increase its own profile worldwide. Many of these players would appeal to diasporic African communities within the States, while none are too “past it” that they would struggle to keep up with the intensity and the rigours of Major League Soccer.Begin Slideshow

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

Toronto FC will have a new look in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part three of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Reds 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

Toronto FC Still Have Major Holes Despite Big Offseason

In case you've been stuck under a rock all offseason, Toronto FC made splash after splash to help bolster their squad that had an absolutely terrible 2013 campaign.  Michael Bradley, Jermain Defoe, Dwayne De Rosario and Julio Cesar are among the big names that have been brought in by the club's ownership to resurrect a franchise that clearly needed a facelift.  Despite bringing in two midfield playmakers in Bradley and De Rosario, as well as a proven goalscorer in Defoe and an experienced keeper in Cesar, the Reds still have a few major holes that will prevent them from being a major player in the race for the MLS Cup in 2014.  Whenever a club brings in a ton of talent all at once, one has to worry about the team jelling as one cohesive unit. This is something that should not be expected in the first game of the season, but it is something to be worried about if a team does not begin the campaign well.  Bradley will not have a problem getting used to his teammates, but players like De Rosario and Defoe are older and have not seen as much consistency in their respective games of late. This is something that ...

Chivas USA 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

The punchline jokes surrounding Chivas USA are slowly dissipating, but what additional storylines will complete your 2014 season preview? In part two of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Goats 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

D.C. United 2014 Season Preview: 4 Things to Watch for This Season

D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen will face increased pressure in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part one of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Black and Red 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 Sporting Kansas City Are Still MLS Cup Favorites

All of the news during the Major League Soccer offseason has been about the big spenders, but there is one team who haven't made any headlines this offseason and are favored to win the 2014 MLS Cup. Defending champion Sporting Kansas City have turned into the model of consistency in MLS and are a club that make noise on the pitch, not in the transfer market. The only major move made by Sporting since their conquest of Real Salt Lake at home on December 7 was a goalkeeping swap that was forced due to the retirement of Jimmy Nielsen. To replace Nielsen, who was the starting keeper since 2010, Sporting acquired Andy Gruenebaum in a trade with the Columbus Crew.  The 31-year-old Gruenebaum will be a solid replacement in net for a team that already boast a strong back four.  Speaking of that back four, Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler are back and better than ever, while Chance Myers, Seth Sinovic and Ike Opara are also back and ready to a second consecutive championship. Up front, Sporting possess one of the midfield gems of the United States men's national team in Graham Zusi, who is one of the top playmakers in the league despite not getting ...

MLS: Previewing the Eastern Conference Contenders

With more offseason moves than most fans can keep track of, Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference will be up for grabs in 2014. Not only does the conference already have the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners in the New York Red Bulls and the MLS Cup Champions in Sporting KC, but the bottom dwellers from 2013 have made numerous signings that should put them right in the mix this season. Here’s a breakdown.Begin Slideshow

Badge Designs for David Beckham’s Miami MLS Team

On Wednesday, David Beckham held a press conference in Miami to officially declare his return to MLS—this time, as an owner. The vague public announcement left many questions unanswered, including where the team would play, what their colours would be and what they will be called.  Since fellow future MLS side NYCFC recently put up a competition asking fans to design its new crest, we thought we would get similarly creative with the badge for Beckham's new outfit.Begin Slideshow