8 Things We Learned from MLS Week 4

Believe it or not, we are already one month into the 2014 Major League soccer season. Before the league turned the calendar over to April, plenty of madness occurred over the nine matches played on the final weekend of March.  The weekend that saw four second-half stoppage-time winners taught us plenty about the 18 teams who took the pitch.  We cut those many lessons down to the eight key takeaways from Week 4. Begin Slideshow

Nick Rimando, Red Cards and the Rest of the Winners and Losers from MLS Week 4

Week 4 of play in Major League Soccer was the most thrilling one to date in 2014 as four matches saw a game-changing goal in stoppage time.  This weekend's action also produced a few unexpected results thanks to the late drama that began in Colorado and ended in New York.  Since the drama altered the results of so many games, there were plenty of winners and losers to choose from after play concluded at Red Bull Arena on Sunday.  Continue reading for the biggest winners and losers from Week 4 in MLS. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Zusi, Goncalves and Nguyen Star in Week 4

In a wild and crazy weekend of play in Major League Soccer, stars from past seasons and new acquisitions that have made a name for themselves featured.  Because the play in the midfield was so strong this week, we opted to set up the Week 4 Team of the Week in a 4-5-1 formation to make room for an extra central midfielder. Continue reading to see which 11 players were good enough to be named to the latest MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

MLS Expansion: Why Raleigh Deserves Consideration as MLS Moves Southeast

The North Carolina Triangle has long been considered a viable candidate for a Major League Soccer franchise.  Yet as Orlando City, New York City FC and David Beckham's Miami franchise kick off the next generation of the United States premier soccer league, Raleigh's prospects seem to be dimmed by the growing soccer fever encompassing all of the nation's biggest cities. However, the Triangle's athletic scene, long dominated by collegiate football and basketball, is diversifying almost as quickly as the metropolitan population is booming. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes draw relatively well in one of hockey's smallest markets; the International League's Durham Bulls are re-establishing their identity as the model franchise of minor league baseball; the North American Soccer League's (NASL) Carolina RailHawks are coming off an undefeated 2013 home schedule and repeatedly proving their ability to contend with upper-level competition. If critics find it easy to describe the riskiness of MLS expansion into the Raleigh area, it may be even easier to explain why such riskiness could very well lead to a success of Portland Timbers-esque caliber. As the league approaches an inevitable explosion of expansion, the Raleigh area's dedication and passion for soccer should not be overshadowed.   The Current State of MLS Expansion Atlanta has jumped suddenly to ...

MLS Week 4: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

The state of D.C. United will be the story to watch in MLS Week 4, but what additional 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 4? Read on to find out.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to Squawka. All data collected is licensed from Opta Sports.Begin Slideshow

Breaking Down the MLS Contingent in USMNT Squad for Mexico Friendly

On Wednesday, United States men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named a 22-man roster for next week's friendly against Mexico with 19 of those players coming from Major League Soccer.Here's a breakdown of the players he selected and those he didn't. The GivensAs one would fully expect, Klinsmann named the bulk of North American regulars to the squad, many of whom are expected to compete for starting spots on the team the Americans will take to Brazil this summer. This group includes Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez and Graham Zusi (DaMarcus Beasley also made the team but plays club in Mexico, not in MLS).Also included on the roster for the Mexico friendly are a number of MLS players who are likely to make the World Cup roster, albeit as role players, including Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, Clarence Goodson and Eddie Johnson. The Fringe PlayersWith limited World Cup roster spots still up for grabs, Klinsmann did call in a number of MLS players expected to be in position battles. At right-back, he called in Brad Evans, Michael Parkhurst and DeAndre Yedlin (Liga MX defender Michael Orozco was also called in and can play any position along the ...

MLS Star Nigel Reo-Coker Injured After Tripping over Bike Rack on Walk

Nigel Reo-Coker of the Vancouver Whitecaps is an injury doubt for his side's next MLS game after what the league described on its website as an "off-field walking accident." Reo-Coker, who had stints in the Premier League with Aston Villa and West Ham United, was apparently walking in Vancouver when disaster struck: This, after the former Aston Villa and West Ham United star suffered a nasty gash to his face while walking the streets of Vancouver on Sunday. The club has stated the Englishman was looking elsewhere while walking when he tripped over a bike rack, cutting his face and hitting his head in the process. Accidents happen. Just not often like this. [h/t Dirty Tackle]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

The MLS Home Guard Returns and Prepares for the World Cup

If any sports writer had written a year ago, "Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley will lead their Major League Soccer teams into the 2014 season," it would not have been long before that poor fool was looking for work after suffering the indignity of a public mocking—for good reason. Yet, here we are, the start of the 2014 season, and not only are Dempsey and Bradley leading their MLS teams onto the field, but they already faced off in a rugged game that saw Dempsey receive a two-game suspension for taking a swipe at an opponent's most sensitive region in a fit of pique.   There is no debate that it was an earth-splitting coup for Major League Soccer. But, there will be no end to the debate about whether or not Dempsey's and Bradley's moves to MLS are "good for Bradley/Dempsey" or "good for the US Men's National Team."  With 12 weeks to go before the FIFA World Cup Final, USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann finds himself with half of his player pool competing in MLS, including 40 percent of his team's "spine." In the first World Cup (1998) after MLS came into existence, 16 of the 22 players on the USMNT roster ...

NYCFC Fan Gets Club Tattoo Before 1st Game, Defects from New York Red Bulls

New York City Football Club may have only just decided upon their club crest and still have at least around a year until they play their first game in the MLS, but that hasn't stopped a New York Red Bulls fan from defecting to the club and getting a tattoo. The club's supporters group posted a picture of the stamp on their Twitter feed: Got ink? Look what one of our supporters got -- pic.twitter.com/FDcZT2T2qD — NYCFC Supporters (@NYCFC_SC) March 23, 2014 Interestingly, though, Empire of Soccer carries quotes from the fan, explaining why he got the ink: Being part of something from Day 1 was also a big pull for me. The Man City angle doesn't bother me. I even support another EPL team. MLS learned its lesson with Chivas and I think that’s evidenced by how distinct the NYCFC badge is from Man City’s. [...] Once the badge came out, I was struck by the interlocking NYC. It felt timeless to me—bigger than just a soccer team. In my opinion, it will become as synonymous with NY soccer as the interlocking NY of the Yankees is to baseball in the city and the US. Getting it inked is not just an homage to the club, but ...

MLS Player Power Rankings: Defoe Climbs to the Top After Home Debut

The third week of the Major League Soccer season saw the most action in 2014 with a full slate of nine games taking place across the United States and Canada.  Plenty of players delivered standout performances in those nine games, but only 20 were able to make the most recent player power rankings. Continue reading to see which 20 players made the cut after Week 3.Begin Slideshow