18Jul/150
Steven Gerrard Scores Debut Goal for Los Angeles Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Steven Gerrard's first competitive start for Los Angeles Galaxy was capped by a goal as the midfielder struck against San Jose Earthquakes.The former Liverpool man had turned out for the Galaxy in the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament, but he marked his first official game in style when he found space at the far post.Later he set up Robbie Keane for a goal, meaning he had a goal, an assist and won his side a penalty. Gerrard's assist #CaliClasico #LAGalaxy #LFC https://t.co/ILIfg3qUS7— MLS (@TheMLSshow) July 18, 2015 Presumably, David Beckham, watching from the stands, was impressed. [Twitter @MLS, h/t @BPFootball] Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com17Jul/150
MLS Player Salaries Released: Kaka and Sebastian Giovinco Among Highest Earners
The MLS Players Union released individual player salaries on Friday, with Orlando City's Kaka listed as the highest earner at around $7.2 million a year. Toronto FC's Michael Bradley ($6.5 million annually) makes the most money out of any American. The salaries were released less than a day after the MLS Players Union ratified the new collective bargaining agreement, per the official league website. The LA Galaxy's newest signing, Giovani Dos Santos, will earn roughly $4.1 million this year. That's more than $2 million less than his teammate Steven Gerrard, who is on $6.3 million in annual salary. New York City FC's Frank Lampard is the team's highest-paid player this year at $6 million. Striker David Villa is on approximately $5.6 million, with Andrea Pirlo making just $2.3 million in 2015. However, the Italian midfielder is expected to be paid $8 million annually in the future, per Doug McIntyre of ESPN FC. Toronto FC is spending more than $18 million in yearly salary on its three designated players. Jozy Altidore is on close to $4.8 million a year and Sebastian Giovinco makes around $7.1 million on top of Bradley's $6.5 million. Giovinco is the No. 2 earner in MLS. The Seattle Sounders are paying U.S. international ...17Jul/150
Kaka Still Highest-Earning MLS Player After Arrivals of Lampard, Gerrard, Pirlo
Ricardo Kaka is still the biggest earner in Major League Soccer, despite a flurry of new arrivals to the division, including Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo. MLS release salary figures for all of their players—a different approach to, say, the Premier League—and it gives an insight into how much stars are earning. There are a total of 21 players in the league currently earning seven figures or more. For those deciphering the list, Sports Illustrated explain the "Guaranteed Compensation" figure: Guaranteed compensation takes into account base salary and signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player's contract (including option years). Marketing bonuses, performance bonuses and other individual agreements between players and clubs are separate and not listed. For summer arrivals, their deals are pro-rated. Kaka, who earns $7,167,500 with Orlando City, per the figures, beats Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto by a narrow margin into second. Gerrard, now of the L.A. Galaxy, earns $6,332,504, while Frank Lampard's earnings at New York City FC are an even $6,000,000. One surprise, though, is how low Pirlo's figure is relative to the others. His earnings are quoted at $2,315,694. [MLS, h/t Sports Illustrated] Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com17Jul/150
L.A. Galaxy Players Embrace Opportunity to Team with Gerrard, Dos Santos
LOS ANGELES — Steven Gerrard was on hand at an event this week in L.A. to help launch Adidas' new boots. Celebrity status was afforded to the 35-year-old, who will make his MLS bow in the Los Angeles Galaxy's game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday. "It's great to be here. [L.A. is] a fantastic place to live and work," he said as he took photos with excited fans who had had their skills judged by the Liverpool great as part of the festivities. Looking relaxed, Gerrard is fitting in to L.A. life, and his teammates are enjoying having him around. Bleacher Report spoke to the Galaxy's Mika Vayrynen and Oscar Sorto to get their thoughts on their most famous new teammate and the MLS game. As a 20-year-old American from Los Angeles, Sorto is in awe of the former England captain: "I feel like bringing these players to our club is going to help all our players from Galaxy develop and learn. That's what I'm looking forward to, to learn from Gerrard [and new signing Giovani] Dos Santos." "When I first saw him [Gerrard] in training, I was just thinking, this guy is amazing, his touch is so simple," he said. "He's one of the players ...17Jul/150
David Beckham Ownership Group, City of Miami Agree to Build MLS Stadium
Major League Soccer is moving one step closer to becoming a reality in South Beach thanks to some help from David Beckham. According to ABC 10, a group that includes Beckham and the city of Miami has agreed to build a soccer-specific stadium: This is the next step in getting an MLS franchise in Miami. In February 2014, Beckham announced his plans to be an owner of a new MLS team in South Beach, but getting a stadium built was one of the biggest obstacles to making it a reality. Beckham's group released a statement on the decision, according to Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald: “Today's meeting with Mayor Regalado was another positive step toward bringing a world class soccer club to Miami. We're still in the early planning stages and several viable options still exist, but our preferred stadium location is the former Orange Bowl site,” the statement read. “David, Marcelo and Simon are thrilled by the initial outpouring of support we've received from our fans and we're excited about sharing our plans with the City, County and community soon.” When Beckham first announced his venture, his business partner, Marcelo Claure, told Franco Panizo of SBISoccer.com the launch target for the Miami MLS franchise ...16Jul/150
LA Galaxy Release Epic Behind-the-Scenes Footage of Steven Gerrard’s Debut
Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night against Club America. The Galaxy released behind-the-scenes footage of Gerrard's big night in Los Angeles. Cinematically speaking, it's a very good watch and well worth the six minutes. [LA Galaxy, h/t 101 Great Goals] Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com16Jul/150
MLS: Get Ready for the LA Galaxy-New York City FC Comparisons
The L.A. Galaxy signed Mexico international Giovani dos Santos on Wednesday, as announced on the team’s official website. This is the latest move in a crazy summer for both the Galaxy and New York City FC. It's also going to lead to several comparisons between these two clubs. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will be monitored closely to see which ex-England international outdoes the other. The former will also be likened to David Beckham, which has already happened. Of course, whichever team makes it further in the playoffs will have bragging rights. The club who bows out early will be subject to ridicule, given the money that was spent. NYCFC is spending around $20 million on their three designated players’ annual wages. Andrea Pirlo is earning $8 million annually, according to Doug McIntyre of ESPN FC. Lampard is on $6 million a year, as is Spanish striker David Villa. Playoffs will be the minimum requirement given this investment. The Galaxy will be paying Dos Santos around $6 million a year, as noted by Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. It's also believed to be around the same amount Gerrard will make. The Galaxy will be under immense pressure if they don’t win MLS Cup. Jack Randall of ...16Jul/150
Kaka Runs from Halfway Line to Score Solo Golazo for Orlando City vs. West Brom
Kaka—still got it!The Brazil legend showed his class on Wednesday night by scoring a superb solo goal for Orlando City against Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in a friendly. Orlando, who are in the middle of their MLS campaign, won the match 3-1. [Twitter: @OrlandoCitySC]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com15Jul/150
Giovani Dos Santos to LA Galaxy: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
Giovani dos Santos has joined LA Galaxy after the MLS club initially reported it had agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the former Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal attacker. The news was confirmed by Galaxy's official Twitter feed: Dos Santos is currently representing Mexico at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and will join his new teammates after the tournament's conclusion. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena had confirmed the signing a little before it was officially ratified, per a report from Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times (h/t Goal's Thomas Floyd). Arena had spoken about the need for a mature approach from a player who hasn't delivered on his immense potential and talent: "It’s going to be a challenge for him. He's not been at a club yet where he's had those kind of responsibilities. And he's in a community where he's going to be sought after. He's going to have to be mature about it." Arena's words ring true. Dos Santos can light up the MLS if he fully applies himself. This is a player blessed with a natural flair and technical quality that makes him stand out in attack. His guile in the final third will be a major boost for Los Angeles. In fact, Arena is ...15Jul/150