MLS Week 21: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

Righting the ship will be the narrative surrounding MLS Week 21. A pair of Western Conference powers can no longer afford to sink with it. The mid-week action picked up late Wednesday night. The Colorado Rapids rallied back from an early 1-0 deficit to capture a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. Down a man, Chivas USA captured a one-goal victory of their own. Erick Torres—with an assist by a Toronto FC deflection—netted a game-winner in his MLS debut to snap Chivas' 14-game winless streak. Eight matches will follow this weekend. But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention in Week 21? 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 MLS Week 20: Thierry Henry, Portland’s Game-Winner and More

After MLS Week 20, never say never again. The Portland Timbers and Peguy Luyindula can attest to that. Tiki-taka football and long-range blasts propelled Sporting Kansas City to a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday. With the win, the team now sits atop the Eastern Conference with 33 points. The Vancouver Whitecaps followed suit with a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire, with Camilo Sanvezzo stealing the show at BC Place. MLS' hottest striker netted a brace and has scored a league-best nine goals since June 1. But some tough competition kept Sanvezzo and Kansas City from making the list of best and worst from MLS Week 20. Read on to find out why.Begin Slideshow

MLS Week 20: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

The MLS action heats up in Week 20. Unfortunately, that might be too much for some to handle. After a five-day layoff, the time has come to rededicate your focus to some important MLS fixtures. A total of eight matches are scheduled for this weekend. But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention? 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 MLS Week 19: LA Galaxy Surge, a Botched Penalty and More

The usual suspects returned to form in MLS Week 19. Well, everyone except Federico Higuain. The Colorado Rapids followed an impressive 2-0 victory on the Fourth of July with a scoreless draw against DC United. The Montreal Impact also failed to impress on Sunday, earning just a 1-1 draw at home against Chivas USA. With the draws, neither team made the list of best and worst from MLS Week 19. Read on to find out who did.Begin Slideshow

MLS Week 19: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

The fireworks will extend beyond the Fourth of July in MLS Week 19. Three of the next four days will feature intense MLS action. The league kick-started a congested Week 19 schedule with five mid-week matches.Only the Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire were able to capture victories Wednesday night. Toronto FC allowed the Montreal Impact to equalize after holding a two-goal lead in the second half. Sporting Kansas City failed to hold onto a one-goal lead of their own, and Real Salt Lake valiantly fought back to equalize with a penalty kick in stoppage time. Eleven matches will follow during this all-important, four-day weekend. Three will be decided Thursday night.But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention in Week 19? 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 MLS Week 18: CaliClasico, a Botched National Anthem and More

Only one word could describe the MLS Week 18 action: “Epic.” Epic finishes. Epic fights. Epic breakdowns. Anything else was barely noteworthy in this weekend’s MLS action. Chivas USA and the New England Revolution played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. The Goats extended their 11-game winless streak. The New York Red Bulls had no problems in that department. A 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo ended New York’s three-game losing streak across all competitions. But neither team was able to make the list of best and worst from MLS Week 18. Read on to find out who did.Begin Slideshow

MLS Week 18: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

It isn’t the Fourth of July yet, but get ready for some fireworks in MLS Week 18. Of course, we’re speaking in literal terms for the Ultras in San Jose. The quarterfinal of the U.S. Open Cup highlighted the mid-week action in MLS. The Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers, DC United and Real Salt Lake all advanced to the semifinal with impressive victories. The rest of the league will look to join the momentous festivities this weekend. A total of eight matches are scheduled. But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention in Week 18? Read on to find out.Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from MLS Week 17: Will Johnson, the SuperClasico and More

The summer heat intensified in MLS Week 17. Cooler heads did not prevail.  Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo played to another draw Saturday night. Unfortunately, there were no late dramatics. Both teams were unable to impact the scoreboard.Real Salt Lake had no issues in that department. Goals from Kyle Beckerman and Robbie Findley secured a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. The Claret and Cobalt are now tied atop the Supporters’ Shield standings with 30 points. But neither team was able to make the list of best and worst from MLS Week 17. Read on to find out who did.Begin Slideshow

MLS Week 17: Complete Schedule and 5 Things to Watch for This Weekend

School’s out. The youth of America is on vacation, but a majority of MLS teams will return from theirs in Week 17. International duty severely hampered the MLS June schedule. With World Cup qualifiers out of the way, the action is ready to heat up. Twelve matches are scheduled for Week 17. Four were played on Wednesday. The Montreal Impact, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps all returned to the win column, while the Los Angeles Galaxy and Portland Timbers played to a scoreless draw. Eight matches remain for this weekend. But with so much action on tap, what warrants your attention in Week 17? Read on to find out.Begin Slideshow

Best and Worst from MLS Week 16

The MLS action in Week 16 was as awe-inspiring as it was disgraceful...and that’s just Kenny Miller.FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez put forth a Herculean effort in a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers on Saturday. The Peruvian international exhibited his world-class ability in each of his seven saves. Steven Lenhart returned to his 2012 form for the San Jose Earthquakes. The 26-year-old forward scored his first goal of the season in emphatic fashion.But neither player was able to make the list of best and worst from MLS Week 16.Read on to find out who did.Begin Slideshow