MLS Team of the Week: Kamara, Kljestan, Winter Come Up Big in Week 28

Just like every week before it in the 2015 Major League Soccer season, Week 28 witnessed some expected and unlikely results. But this weekend added one variable to the mix: playoff desperation.  With the fight for the highest seed possible and the struggle to stay alive in the postseason race facing them, a few clubs impressed under pressure. Columbus, Orlando City and Real Salt Lake all earned plenty of praise for their respective victories in Week 28. Columbus was led by star scorer Kei Kamara in Philadelphia, while Orlando City and RSL used standout performances from summer signings to get past Sporting Kansas City and Houston, respectively. Due to their strong matches, the Crew, Orlando City and RSL have more than one player in the latest MLS Team of the Week.  Since there were plenty of solid efforts in midfield in Week 28, we shaped our best 11 from the weekend in a 4-5-1 formation.  Continue reading on to see who was named to our latest MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow

Sebastian Giovinco Nutmegs 2 New England Revolution Players in a Row

Oh behave, Giovinco!  The former Juventus man showed some ridiculous tekkers during Toronto FC's Major League Soccer match against the New England Revolution.  While spinning, he cheekily nutmegged one man with his heel, then nutmegged another defender with his next touch.  Rest in peace, Revolution defenders.  [Twitter]   Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Montreal Impact Reveal ‘Legend’ Banner Sent from Chelsea for Didier Drogba

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has certainly made an impact since his move to Montreal, but the club has revealed some of the inspiration behind his hat-trick against the Chicago Fire at Saputo Stadium.A video released by the Montreal Impact shows that Chelsea shipped the iconic "Drogba Legend" banner all the way across the Atlantic for the new season.Drogba scored over 100 times for the London club, and last weekend, he became the first person to score a hat-trick within their first two MLS games.[YouTube]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Ultimate Guide to the MLS Weekend: Playoff Push Begins in Earnest

Now the international window has closed and those mourning the loss by the United States to Brazil have moved on for the most part, it is time for Major League Soccer to step to the forefront of the conversation for the next two months.  As we expected when the realignment was announced for the 2015 season, things are air tight in the Western Conference for all of the teams not named the Colorado Rapids. In the Eastern Conference, the same congestion is present, but one outlying factor—Montreal's games in hand—has many people thinking they already know who the six playoff teams are.  While we think we know plenty about specific teams, we will find out who really has the might of a contender over the final two months as the playoff push ramps up. As early as this week, we will witness knockout games in the playoff race, but it could take until the final day of the regular season to determine who is seeded where in each conference. Before we take a glance at the teams above the red line in the coming weeks, we need to spend some time discussing the seven clubs with a somewhat realistic shot at making the ...

Sporting KC’s Matt Besler Drops Shooter McGavin Line in Postgame Interview

In this week's latest Shooter McGavin news bulletin, Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler decided to drop one of the legendary golfer's more obscure lines after a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers on Wednesday.Timbers.com (h/t SB Nation's Mark Hinog) logged Besler's postgame words for posterity's sake. In what I assume was pitch-perfect deadpan, the defender worked McGavin's oft-forgotten words about the lovely haven of Portland, Oregon, into his postgame autopsy:This is always a very difficult place to play. It was a hard-fought draw. I tell you the real winner today is the city of Portland. Every time I come here it gets harder to leave. I bet you guys put something in the water.It really is a nice town.If you learned anything this week, let it be that the life and words of the villain from Happy Gilmore are alive and well in 2015.I mean, Shooter was just hanging out with one of his biggest fans at the U.S. Open this week:Oh, Shooter. You old dog, you!Embrace the Shooter renaissance. You can do nothing to stop it.Dan is on Twitter eagerly awaiting Shooter's comeback tour.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand After Week 27?

Only 10 of MLS' 20 teams were in action this week during the international break. However, Week 27 still produced some entertainment. Didier Drogba scored a hat trick in his first MLS start for the Montreal Impact. Elsewhere, Clint Dempsey returned to the Seattle Sounders lineup and scored a goal and assisted Obafemi Martins' strike in a 2-1 win against Toronto FC. Since half of the league wasn't in action, it gave the other teams an opportunity in this week's power rankings. As always, the following criteria determines every side's position: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form Key absences Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Player Rankings: Nguyen, Igboananike Debut After Shortened Week 27

With only 10 teams taking to the fields across Major League Soccer in Week 27, the door was open for a few stars to display their talents on a bigger stage.  Thanks to the absences of plenty of superstars due to international duty and bye weeks, players like Lee Nguyen who have been flying under the radar recently caught a good amount of the headlines.  Nguyen is one of three players who took the most advantage of the unique situation in Week 27 and earned a spot on the list of the league's 20 best players.  Our player rankings take into account form over the last four matches, with the player's most recent performance holding more stock than the other three. Continue reading to see which 20 players landed where in the latest edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow

MLS Team of the Week: Drogba Nets Hat-Trick in First Montreal Start

Week 27 in Major League Soccer may not have had a full slate of games, but the five matches that were played produced plenty of excitement.  Most of the headlines came out of Montreal as Didier Drogba scored a hat-trick in his first start for the Impact. Drogba, whose rights were traded by Chicago to Montreal in order for his transfer to happen, netted his first three MLS goals against the team that coveted him so much but couldn't get a deal done.  On the other side of the continent, another big-name player made his presence known early at CenturyLink Field. In his return from injury, Clint Dempsey combined well with Obafemi Martins in the Sounders' 2-1 win over Toronto.  The three other matches had intriguing results as well, especially Philadelphia's unexpected road win over San Jose on Saturday night.  Our list of the week's best from Week 27 is shaped in a 4-3-3 formation due to the impressive outings from the stars at the forward position. Continue reading to see which 11 players were named to our latest MLS Team of the Week. Begin Slideshow

Didier Drogba Scores Hat-Trick on 1st Start for Montreal Impact

Didier Drogba made a dream start to his Montreal Impact career, scoring a record-breaking hat-trick against Chicago Fire on his first start for his new club. The Chelsea legend looked more than comfortable in the familiar blue of Montreal, exhibiting his trademark strength to give his side a first-half lead before adding two more in the second half to secure a dramatic 4-3 win. The former Ivory Coast international is the first player in the history of MLS to score a hat-trick within his first two appearances in the league. [YouTube: 1 livescore]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Ultimate Guide to MLS Weekend: International Break Wreaking Havoc on Week 27

Every time FIFA international dates pop up on the calendar, the debate around Major League Soccer to observe it and pause the season takes center stage.  Although there is a shortened schedule this weekend, the teams participating in Week 27 will suffer from at least one major loss to international duty.  No game is more affected by international call-ups than Sunday's clash between the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas at Mapfre Stadium (7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1). When both teams are at full strength, they are two of the most watchable teams in the league. But with Columbus down nine players, including the league's top scorer Kei Kamara and FC Dallas without the dynamic Fabian Castillo, the match will be watered down.  While it is great for MLS to have such a wealth of talent now, it does have its downside, especially in a week like this, where Columbus has a chance to earn a vital three points out of conference. But instead of trotting out its starters and using the FC Dallas clash as a nice September litmus test, Columbus will send plenty of reserves to the pitch on Sunday.  FC Dallas will be able to field most of its first-team players, ...