Can USMNT’s Performance in World Cup Deliver a Verdict on Quality of MLS?

Over the past two years, with so many key components to the United States men’s national team choosing to either stay in Major League Soccer or make a return to the league after stints in Europe, the league’s importance to the national team has never been higher. In addition to Landon Donovan, who has been in the league since he was a teenager, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have returned, while Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez and Graham Zusi have spurned offers in Europe to stay home. Additionally, Clarence Goodson, Maurice Edu and Michael Parkhurst returned this past year and a number of other MLS players—notably Kyle Beckerman, Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans and Chris Wondolowski—are expected to compete for playing time on the United States’ World Cup team headed to Brazil this summer. So with the potential of 13 players (adding in Nick Rimando) on the United States’ World Cup roster coming from MLS, including six players who will most likely start for the red, white and blue, the USA’s performance in Brazil should deliver a clear-cut verdict on the quality, or lack thereof, in MLS. Or, maybe not. If the U.S. offense can manage to score against its considerable group-stage foes Ghana, Portugal and Germany, it ...

MLS Player Power Rankings: Plata, BWP, Martins Surge Up Chart

Major League Soccer's ninth week of play saw a bevy of attacking talent come to the forefront, as 30 goals were scored in nine matches.  Because of that high goal total, plenty of attack-minded players found themselves high up on the latest edition of the MLS player power rankings. Only one defender was able to crack the top 10 in a week that saw Joao Plata, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Obafemi Martins skyrocket up the chart.  Continue reading on for the complete list of 20 players who made the Week 9 edition of the "Bleacher Report MLS Player Power Rankings."Begin Slideshow

MLS: Is Sporting KC’s Dom Dwyer Poised for a Breakout Year?

Sporting KC's Dom Dwyer has come a long way from his days at Tyler Community College in Texas. The skilled striker out of London has had an unconventional road to seeing his dream play out, but is right where he wants to be and playing as well as anyone in MLS today. Dwyer has had more than just his pedigree as a staple of his resume. The Englishman can proudly boast that he is an MLS player, because it's something he's aspired to accomplish. "I had dreams of coming to MLS," Dwyer had told The Kansas City Star following the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. "But I never really thought I would until last week." As a sophomore at Tyler CC, Dwyer scored 37 goals and won the national junior college player of the year award. After a move up the NCAA ladder to attend the University of South Florida, he scored 16 goals in 21 games. It was undoubtedly evidence that he was MLS material. Sporting KC picked Dwyer in the first round of the 2012 draft, No. 16 overall. He did make on-field appearances early in his career with the team, but has now morphed into a much more aggressive, well-rounded player. Dwyer is currently ...

MLS Insider: Graham Zusi’s Rise from Besler’s Basement to Brazil World Cup

It's been quite the journey for Sporting Kansas midfielder Graham Zusi, who will be at the World Cup this summer with Jurgen Klinsmann's Team USA. In this episode of the award-winning MLS Insider series, we hear from those who know Zusi best and learn more about his remarkable rise from Matt Besler's basement to Brazil. [MLS Insider]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Winners and Losers from MLS Week 9: Robles, Magee, Miller, Keane and More

Week 9 in Major League Soccer was thrilling for some and terribly heartbreaking for others.  All but three of the 18 teams that stepped on the pitch this weekend scored a goal, and of course, there were more penalties awarded—eight of them to be exact—during the drama-filled weekend.  Thanks to the drama on the pitch, and a few moments off the pitch, we were able to select the biggest winners and losers from Week 9. Continue reading on to see who was named a winner, a loser or both after Week 9. Begin Slideshow

8 Things We Learned from MLS Week 9: Sporting’s Class, Houston Gains Momentum

Any time one weekend of soccer produces 30 goals, and a few games with late theatrics, you will learn plenty about the teams involved in those games.  That is exactly what happened with the ninth week of play in Major League Soccer, as a few of the league's elite showed their class, and a strong team from last season finally recorded its first win.  There were also a few negative lessons to be learned from Week 9, as teams such as Chicago and Chivas USA continued to struggle.  Continue reading for the eight biggest takeaways from Week 9 in MLS.Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Vancouver Trio Shines Bright at Home

Offense dominated in Week 9 of play in Major League Soccer with 30 goals scored across nine games.  Because of the offensive outbursts by so many teams, this week's edition of the MLS Team of the Week is shaped in a 3-5-2 formation.  Vancouver, Portland and Houston, who combined for 10 goals this weekend, saw a combined six players find their way into the team of the week. Continue reading on to see the entire MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

Portland Timbers Owner Merritt Paulson Bitten by Alligator?

Warning: Article contains an image of an alligator bite you might find unappealing. Why was Merritt Paulson putting his hand near alligators? We don’t know, but it appears one of those scaly mothers bit him good. Earlier this week, the Portland Timbers owner allegedly tweeted out a nasty image of his mangled finger. Twitter user @nomadpdx (h/t Brian Stern of FanSided.com) received the image of said finger in a conversation Thursday. It looks less like a human digit and more like a gently used Vienna sausage. Paulson has since deleted the tweet with the picture, leaving fans in the dark regarding the exact circumstances in which he acquired the wound. Naturally, the denizens of the Internet have taken to drawing their own conclusions. I have my own theories. Whether Paulson’s accident involved a tournament down in Florida and hooking a ball near the water remains to be seen. What we do know is that alligators are ornery and the Timbers are probably going to see a lot of the Gator chomp from D.C. United fans at their next match. Get well, Mr. Paulson, and next time: Run in a zigzag.   They got all them teef...and no toofbrush. Follow @Dr_Carson_Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Ranking Each MLS Team on Their Defensive Strength

One week ago, we took a look at the best teams in Major League Soccer based on their offensive abilities.  Now that the attacks from each of the 19 clubs have been handed the spotlight, it is time to do the same with the defensive unit from each team.  Continue reading for a ranking of the best and worst teams in MLS, based on their defensive prowess. Begin Slideshow