Tactical Review of LA Galaxy’s 1-1 Draw with New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls entered Sunday's clash with the Los Angeles Galaxy as Major League Soccer's lone unbeaten side.  Sunday's contest at Red Bull Arena was seen as the first major test of the new high-tempo system manager Jesse Marsch installed during preseason.  The Red Bulls dominated the possession battle but left the field wanting more after playing to a 1-1 draw with the defending champions.  Let's take a look at some of the key tactical decisions that shaped the match.   Red Bulls' Press and Tempo Set the Tone The Red Bulls began the match by putting a ton of pressure on the ball. Whenever a Galaxy player received the ball, a slew of white shirts attacked him and forced the player into a quick decision.  “They didn’t allow us to get comfortable in the back," Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez said. "When I looked up, I saw four or five white shirts sprinting toward me. The only thing that I saw fit to do was play it back to Jamie (Penedo) or up to Gordon and (Jamieson). They did well with that."  When they were in possession of the ball, the two Red Bulls center-backs pinched up toward the halfway line, while the full-backs were looking ...

MLS Team of the Week: Altidore, Barnes Score Twice in Wild Week 8

Most of the odd qualities that make Major League Soccer its own unique brand of the beautiful game were on display in Week 8.  Each of the nine matches played across North America this weekend witnessed at least one goal. Four teams hit the back of the net on four occasions during a wild Saturday night.  The scoring outbreak across the league started on Saturday night, and it extended into Sunday thanks to Jozy Altidore, who scored a pair of strikes for a Toronto FC side in need of a victory.  Two other players found the back of the net two times in Week 8, which kept our stress levels at a minimum during the selection process for our MLS Team of the Week. Continue reading to see which players found their way into our list of the league's best 11 from Week 8. Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Giovinco, Kamara Surge Toward Top

Major League Soccer returned to its attacking ways in Week 7, with plenty of star performances in the final third.  The league, which is still experiencing a drop off in goals from 2014, witnessed impressive outings from some of its stars and a few underrated players over the four days of action this week.  Two players who caught our eye were Sebastian Giovinco and Kei Kamara, both of whom are near the top of this week's MLS Player Rankings.  Continue reading on for a look at who ranks where in the latest list of the top 20 players in MLS. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Giovinco, Martins and Castillo Shine in Week 7

After a slow first six weeks of the season, Major League Soccer found its attacking pulse in Week 7.  Stars such as Sebastian Giovinco and Obafemi Martins delivered world-class strikes in a week that saw 26 goals fly into the back of the net. Because of the terrific offensive output, we molded our MLS Team of the Week into a 4-1-3-2 with two attacking midfielders on the flanks. Continue reading to see which 11 players earned a spot in our best 11 from Week 7.Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Golden Boot Leader Rivero Takes Back Top Spot

If the current trend continues, the race for the Golden Boot and the top spot in our weekly Major League Soccer Player Rankings may be over before it started.  Vancouver Whitecaps forward Octavio Rivero extended the impressive start to his MLS career in Week 6 by scoring his fifth strike of the young season.  Behind the Uruguayan on the list of the top 20 players in MLS are a few new entrants who have impressed week after week for their respective clubs and are finally receiving some well-deserved recognition.  Continue reading on to see which players earned spots in the Week 6 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Penedo, Powers & Sarvas Star in Week 6

When we first looked at the schedule for Week 6 in Major League Soccer, we expected the big names to shine in marquee matches.  After the dust settled on the weekend, we were left talking about some surprising individual performances.  LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo turned in a gem in net against the Seattle Sounders, while the Colorado Rapids shocked everyone around the league with a big win over FC Dallas on Friday night.  There were also a plentiful amount of standout showings in midfield, which led us to choose a 3-5-2 formation for the best 11 of the weekend.  Continue reading on to see who made the Week 6 version of the MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: Winners and Losers from MLS Game

The LA Galaxy pulled out a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at the StubHub Center on Sunday night in the first of three clashes between the two sides this season.  Bruce Arena's side jumped into the lead in the 23rd minute, when Alan Gordon scored on an open header following a free-kick.  The defending MLS Cup champions held on to their lead, thanks to a stunning performance in goal by Jaime Penedo, who made 10 saves in the club's second victory of the season.  Here's a look at the winners and losers from LA's home triumph over Seattle.Begin Slideshow

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: Live Score, Highlights from MLS Game

Major League Soccer--StubHub Center, Carson, Calif. LA Galaxy 1-0 Seattle Sounders  Goal: Alan Gordon (LA) 23'  LA Galaxy: Penedo, Gargan (Meyer 85'), Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Rogers, Ishizaki, Garcia, Husidic (Villarreal 84'), Juninho, Zardes, Gordon  Seattle Sounders: Frei, Mears, Evans, Marshall, Remick, Roldan (Kovar 82'), Rose, Alonso, Pappa (Mansaray 89'), Neagle (Barrett 74'), Martins    Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Mix Diskerud Talks NYCFC, Adjusting to MLS and Status as a USMNT Fan Favorite

Over the last two years, Mix Diskerud has become one of the top United States men's national team players. And as many will note, he is quite the hit with the fans of the USMNT as well.  The midfielder joined New York City FC during the Major League Soccer offseason and has gotten off to a strong start in manager Jason Kreis' system.  One of the things the 24-year-old enjoys about his new club is the former Real Salt Lake boss' style of play.  “I definitely like his style of playing," Diskerud told Bleacher Report after Friday's training session. "He wants to go through the ground, fast-paced on the ball and one-two touch. That’s the way I think soccer should be played."  Diskerud received some tips about Kreis from two of his USMNT teammates before he moved to the Big Apple from Rosenborg BK in Norway.  "I had Kyle (Beckerman) and Nick (Rimando) say nothing but good things about him before I got here, so I was very confident that he was a great coach," the midfielder said.  Beckerman and Rimando, who are still at RSL, thrived under the tutelage of Kreis, who was in charge from 2007-2013 before joining NYCFC a year before it took ...

MLS Player Rankings: Shipp Edges Trio of Players for Top Spot

For the first time this season, four players made a legitimate argument to be named the top player in our weekly MLS Player Rankings.  Few things separated the quartet of Harry Shipp, Sebastian Giovinco, Javier Morales and Octavio Rivero from each other, but only one could be named to the No. 1 position.  Because this is a cumulative ranking of the top 20 players in MLS, Shipp earned the small edge over the three stars of the league.  Continue reading on to see who finished behind Shipp in this week's edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow