Rafael Marquez May Be a Villain to U.S. Fans But To New York He’s a Hero

Recently on its website, Sports Illustrated published a list of the most hated teams in sports history. It was all the teams you loved to hate. Whether it be lots of money, dirty play, or just lots of attitude, the team was despised. One more thing that especially got most of the teams vilified was that they won championships. To American soccer fans, Rafael Marquez is a villain. To the New York Red Bulls, he may just be the bad guy that gives them a winning edge. Think back to the NBA in the late 1980s and throughout the '90s. Dennis Rodman was mean. He was pierced all over, had tattoos all over, and dyed his hair crazy colors. He wore wedding dresses. He kicked cameramen. He also, however, led the league in rebounding seven consecutive seasons and was named defensive player of the year twice. Most importantly, he played a key role in three championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and two with the Detroit Pistons (a team infamous for its "Bad Boys" moniker). Marquez has an awful reputation with soccer fans in the United States. He is the captain ...

Thierry Henry Makes Debut in Regular Season and With Juan Pablo Angel

On Wednesday, the city of Houston played host to the Major League Soccer All-Stars. Tonight, the Houston Dynamo will host the biggest star in the MLS today, who was ineligible for the “showcase” against Manchester United days earlier. Thierry Henry, the French International, will make his New York Red Bulls and MLS regular season debut. On the heels of a World Cup that received a lot of attention, Henry has attracted a lot of focus to the Red Bulls and the league. Much like David Beckham in 2007, the high-profile star Henry will bring in a lot of money from jersey sales and extra fans to the games. He’ll also make a big difference on the field. Henry played in two Red Bulls exhibition matches last week against English Premier League sides Tottenham and Manchester City and he impressed. He scored in the 25th minute of his debut against Tottenham and in both matches, showed creativity and a great vision with dangerous passes that sprung forth a strong attack. In both those games, Henry only played the first 45 minutes. Against Houston, however, he will see increased time. But what makes his MLS debut more special is that it will be the first pairing of ...

New York Red Bulls Starters Struggle While Reserves Flourish

After a disastrous 2009 season and another offseason of whole-sale roster and staff changes, the New York Red Bulls finally seemed liked a franchise ready to turn things around. The team opened a brand new stadium and opened the season with a 5-1 record, sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings. However the past may have caught up on the Red Bulls. They have lost their last three league games and have been outscored 8-1. There has been a lack of goal scoring, strong defending, and overall enthusiasm and heart. The reserves meanwhile have watched their collective stock skyrocket. Because of a schedule loaded with league games, U.S. Open Cup games, and friendlies with international clubs, head coach Hans Backe decided to use his bench in the Open Cup and friendlies. So far he has seen incredible results. In non-league games since the start of the season the Red Bulls have four wins and zero losses and have outscored the competition 11-2. The “Baby Bulls”, as they are being called, have been impressive winning three games to qualify for the Open Cup and beating Italian giants Juventus. Opposing teams have also used mostly starters against them, making the performances even more impressive. Finally given significant ...

Seattle Sounders Beat New York Red Bulls 1-0, Keep Hope Alive

To say the Seattle Sounders have not met expectations is an understatement. Seven games into the 2010 season, the team that many liked to make it to the MLS Cup final is in last place in the competitive Western Conference. The team’s leading scorer in 2009, Fredy Montero, was benched. The defense that allowed the fewest goals in the league last season had allowed multiple goals against in three of the past four games and a horrid four goals against in their previous matchup against MLS points leader Los Angeles Galaxy. And one of the few teams currently making a profit gave its season ticket holders a refund after the L.A. drubbing. Still, Saturday night saved some light in what has been a mostly dark season. The Sounders beat the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena—where New York had yet to lose, including preseason and U.S. Open Cup games—1-0 on a 85th minute goal from Montero. The victory not only stopped a four-game winless streak but gives the team a new sense of optimism. Firstly, the benching of Montero might have finally woke him up. He has been ineffective this season. He had become complacent in the starting 11 and many have said ...

Seattle Sounders-Columbus Crew: Sounders at Critical Stage

The Sounders are only six games into a 30-game schedule but they have come to an absolutely critical situation this season. After opening the 2010 campaign with a 2-0 home victory over the expansion Philadelphia Union, the Sounders—MLS’ darlings of 2009—have made things difficult for themselves. They won only once in the next five games, coming out with a record of 2-2-2 to date. They sit five points behind undefeated Los Angeles Galaxy for first place in the Western Conference with one extra game played. Seattle was given a chance to pick up some ground the previous weekend with two games against winless FC Dallas and the defensively deficient Toronto FC. Instead of taking advantage of supposedly weaker opponents, Seattle drew Dallas and was then subsequently shutout in a loss against Toronto. Now the Sounders will return home for a crucial match against undefeated Columbus Crew, with a game against the Galaxy looming next weekend. The Sounders surprisingly are experiencing weaknesses all over the field. The usually strong defensive unit has allowed two goals in three of the past four games, giving the team a 1-1-2 record in that stretch. The defense cannot afford to give up that many goals because the offense has had an ...

Seattle Sounders Lacking a Scoring Punch

Pegged by some to win the 2010 MLS Cup in only its second season of existence, the Seattle Sounders currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference in the early goings of the season with a 2-1-1 record. Their defense has stood strong, allowing only three goals in four games. However their offense has been just that—offensive—scoring only five goals in the four games. Finishing was a problem last year, dooming them in the playoffs as they failed to score a goal in the first round against Houston, and it has continued into this season. Standing out is the shutout in the team’s second game when they were held scoreless by the New York Red Bulls—the worst team in the league last year—and narrowly escaping with three points in their latest match against Kansas City, not scoring until the 92nd minute of the contest. Against the Red Bulls, the Sounders set a club record with 12 corner kicks and outshot New York 17-10. They put the pressure on New York’s defense and made goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul make saves, but when it was all said and done zero balls found the back of the net. It can’t help the team’s morale ...

MLS Teams Negotiating High-Profile Friendlies is a Win for the League

Major League Soccer has revised the Designated Player rule, allowing teams to sign up to three players for more than the maximum salary in hopes to bring in more of the game’s most popular/talented players. However, teams are doing other things to bring more of the world’s best stateside. MLS franchises will host a number of European clubs this summer in friendly matches. D.C. United announced they will square off against Italian giants AC Milan on May 26th. The Chicago Fire will take on Paris Saint-Germain and either Legia Warsaw or Red Star Belgrade in a friendly tournament. The Philadelphia Union has an agreement to play Spanish La Liga’s Valencia. D.C. United is also rumored to be pushing for a match with Scotland’s Glasgow Celtic. The idea of these international club friendlies isn’t new. The Seattle Sounders and New York Red Bulls have both previously hosted Barcelona, and the Los Angeles Galaxy have taken on AC Milan before, not to mention the MLS All-Star team facing Fulham, Chelsea, Celtic, West Ham, and Everton in its annual competition. Still, the continuation of these friendlies, and with big-name clubs, is fantastic for the league. Having these games means packed houses for the MLS club, making the ...

New Look Kansas City Wizards Hope Changes Mean Return to Playoffs

In 2009, the Kansas City Wizards went from a playoff team to a bottom-three team in MLS. The team was plagued by a poor attack, scoring the second-least number of goals (33). The team spent the 2010 offseason making major changes to the roster in hopes of rectifying their offensive woes and getting back into the playoffs. Head Coach Curt Onalfo was axed and Peter Vermes was brought in to replace him. While Vermes and the front office indulged in quite a bit of player movement, there are three returning MLS veterans the team will lean on heavily: forward Josh Wolff, midfielder-forward Davy Arnaud, and defender Jimmy Conrad. Wolff was one of the top goal scorers last season (11) and is one of the active leaders in career goals (73). His 11 goals last year were a career high in his 11-year MLS career. The Wizards will need him to continue to stay hot and put the ball in the back of the net to be successful. He’s also made 52 appearances for the United States National Team and was a member of two World Cup squads. His experience will be invaluable to the team as everyone tries to gel. Arnaud has been with the ...

Real Salt Lake Attempting To Repeat As Champions

Last year many people scorned Real Salt Lake. The club finished the regular season with a losing record of 11-12-7, yet still made the playoffs and went on to win the MLS Cup. Many outsiders felt that this was an aberration and an embarrassment to professional sports. They chastised the MLS playoff format for allowing too many teams in. Head coach Jason Kreis believed in his team the whole way and got the job done, regardless of how they finished the regular season. In 2010 Salt Lake returns the majority off their championship-winning core and will be out to prove that they are a talented team, not a fluke. Real Salt Lake is a balanced team, efficient on both offense and defense. The defense is led by goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Rimando enjoyed what was arguably his best season in his 10-year MLS career. He posted a 1.14 goals against average, his lowest total since 2005. Rimando shined in the playoffs being the star in the team’s two penalty shootout wins, including in the MLS Cup championship that earned him MVP honors. His entire starting defense—Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave, and Robbie Russell—returns and the group's chemistry should be a huge advantage. U.S. international Kyle Beckerman ...

New England Revolution Consecutive Playoff Appearance Streak on the Line

The New England Revolution have the longest active streak for consecutive playoff appearance, going to the postseason eight straight times. A number of other teams look more attractive than New England, but Head Coach Steve Nicol continues to get the best out of his squad. The team is still looking for its first MLS Cup championship, even though they’ve reached the finals four times. The one constant in the lineup since 2003 has been MVP candidate Shalrie Joseph. He started ever since his rookie season and is an absolute force. He is (in)famous for his strong, physical, and tenacious defense. He is also equally as valuable in the offense. In 2009 he tied for the team lead in goals (eight) and led the team in assists (eight). Both tallies were also career highs. Joseph is good in the air, challenges hard, and is a sharp passer. He’s a great two-way midfielder and is one of the best players in the league. His presence is what keeps the Revolution going. The Revolution also have a strong defense. Last season saw the emergence of rookie defenders Darrius Barnes and Kevin Alston. Barnes, a center back, started and played every minute of every league game. Alston, a right fullback, is a ...