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

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

MLS Rumors Roundup: Tomas Rosicky to MLS, Obafemi Martins to Turkey and More

Rafael Baca and Michael Farfan finally made their permanent move from MLS to Cruz Azul, but what about the other MLS rumors that are yet to come to fruition? Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is in search of a new deal with the North London club, but hinted a move to MLS would be a desirable one if it's not offered. The Philadelphia Union have pinpointed their target in Argentina. Then, there's Obafemi Martins.  The Seattle Sounders forward set off rampant speculation with a simple visit to Turkey this week. Read on for all the details.Begin Slideshow

MLS Rumors Round-Up: Dom Dwyer at Sparrows Lane, Camilo to Liga MX and More

Eddie Johnson finally made his move from the Seattle Sounders to D.C. United, but what about the other MLS rumors that are yet to come to fruition? MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo appears to be nearing a move to Liga Bancomer MX. Sporting Kansas City striker Dom Dwyer has finally been spotted training overseas. Is an impending loan with an option to buy in the cards for Charlton Athletic?  Then, there's Chivas USA.  The club is still in search of a manager for 2014. Especially with Curt Onalfo removing himself as a candidate. Read on for all the details.Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from the 2013 MLS Cup Final

The best action of the 2013 MLS Cup final was highlighted by Jimmy Nielsen and Kyle Beckerman, but what about the worst? Plenty of candidates met the criteria in Sporting Kansas City's shootout victory over Real Salt Lake. Mother Nature intervened. Referee Hilario Grajeda continued the farcical trend of poor officiating in MLS. Both clubs failed to deliver the quality of play worthy of a cup final.  Read on for all the beautiful and painful details. Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from the 2nd Leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Final

The best action from the second leg of the MLS Cup playoffs conference final was highlighted by Real Salt Lake's defense, but what about the worst? Plenty of candidates met the criteria this weekend, but the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City took inept turns in the final third of the pitch on Saturday. All that transpired at JELD-WEN Field the next day paled in comparison. Here is a look at why that turned out to be the case.   Best: Real Salt Lake's defense The Portland Timbers entered the second leg of the conference final needing at least two goals to send the tie into extra time. Instead, they scored none. There's a reason for that. Even with 54.9 percent possession and 18 attempts, the Timbers finished the evening with as many goals as they have trophies—zero. A club that finished the season having completed 79.2 percent of its passes only found a 72 percent accuracy in the biggest match of the season. Even worse, 17.5 percent of Portland's 40 crosses successfully connected. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando was forced to make just two saves all night. According to the RSL's website, the 34-year-old Rimando credits the central pairing of Chris Schuler and Nat Borchers for the club's defensive efforts: Fantastic. ...

Best and Worst from the 1st Leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Final

The best action from the first leg of the MLS Cup playoffs conference final was highlighted by Real Salt Lake, but what about the worst? Plenty of candidates met the criteria this weekend. Futty Danso had a mental lapse. The Portland Timbers suffered a deja vu result at Rio Tinto Stadium Sunday night. But all that pales in comparison to one forgettable Saturday afternoon.  Read below to find out why.   Best: Real Salt Lake Cruise to Victory Mission accomplished. Real Salt Lake defeated the Portland Timbers 4-2 Sunday night. For the third time this season, the Claret and Cobalt stood victorious after an aesthetic battle with their Northwest rivals. The club is now just 90 minutes from returning to the MLS Cup final. According to the club's official website, head coach Jason Kreis attributes the victory to 75 minutes of consistent play: Bookends, right? The beginning wasn’t good, the end wasn’t good, but the 75 minutes in-between were really good. I credit [Will Johnson] for that fantastic goal. We don’t get goals scored on us like that too often. Our response to that first goal was terrific. Our guys just got better and better as the game wore on and we got back to the things that we ...

MLS Cup Playoffs: Conference Final Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Round

Fatigue and rest will be the story to watch in the conference finals of the MLS Cup playoffs. But an additional four storylines will complete your preview. Only two matchups remain. Both ties scheduled for this round will be dissected from a unique angle to intensify your viewing pleasure. So, what exactly warrants your attention in the coming days? Read on to find out.   Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, credit all statistics to the official MLS Press Box Stats and Standings.Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from 1st Leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal

The best action from the first leg of the MLS Cup playoffs conference semifinal was highlighted by the Portland Timbers and Sean Franklin, but what about the worst? Plenty of candidates met the criteria this weekend. Referees improperly officiated. Defenders took the football lines a bit too literal when making their challenges. MLS' perception took a hit. Each of the four scheduled matches from the weekend will be featured in this playoff edition of MLS' best and worst. Read on to find out why.Begin Slideshow