MLS Power Rankings: Vancouver Whitecaps and D.C. United Rise

A dramatic Week 16 in MLS produced more drama than usual. The Vancouver Whitecaps edged the 10-man New York Red Bulls thanks to goalkeeper David Ousted, who saved two penalties. Real Salt Lake, D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids also picked up results thanks to some late heroics. These decisive events have once again altered the MLS power rankings this week. Did Vancouver and D.C. do enough to pass the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, who both lost? Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

Steven Gerrard Appears on Los Angeles Billboard in Galaxy Shirt

Steven Gerrard is set to join Los Angeles Galaxy next month, but in California, the former England captain is already starting to appear on billboards. Gerrard, 35, left Liverpool after spending the entirety of his career to date at Anfield. And some fans reckon he's looking pretty glum about the new kit on the poster: Steven Gerrard doesn't look very happy about being on his first billboard in Los Angeles. #LFC #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/c0DXe2r84T — Bet9ja (@myBet9ja) June 23, 2015 [Twitter, h/t @Gerrard8FanPage]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Player Rankings: Villa Eclipses Giovinco for Top Spot After Week 16

One of the hottest teams in Major League Soccer is being powered by one of the top scorers in the world over the last 10 years.  David Villa has netted four of NYCFC's eight goals in the last four matches in which the expansion side has recorded 10 points.  Because of his exploits on the pitch over the last month, Villa earned the top spot in the latest MLS Player Rankings over the likes of Sebastian Giovinco and Kei Kamara. Continue reading to see who joined Villa on the list of the 20 best players in MLS after Week 16. Begin Slideshow

Real Salt Lake’s Luke Mulholland Jumps into Post During MLS Game

Real Salt Lake's Luke Mulholland might have a sore head after going up for a header and clattering straight into the post during his team's game against Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.Mulholland was so focused on keeping the ball out of his team's goal that he didn't notice how close he was to the woodwork.He carried on—and Salt Lake got a stoppage-time goal in a 2-1 win over Sporting KC.[H/T Dirty Tackle]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Team of the Week: LA Galaxy Trio Shine, Villa’s Scoring Form Continues

While you were busy debating Clint Dempsey's suspension and chasing Andrea Pirlo through the streets of New York City, you might have missed plenty of quality performances on the field in Major League Soccer.  In Week 16, a few of the top franchises delivered arguably their best performances of the year. The LA Galaxy stole most of the on-field headlines with a romp at home over the Philadelphia Union. Thanks to their five-goal output, the Galaxy earned three spots in the latest MLS Team of the Week. Some of the league's most creative midfielders and forwards turned in plenty of brilliant individual performances, and that led us to choose a 4-3-3 formation for our best XI from Week 16. Continue reading to see who joined the Galaxy trio in our latest MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow

Daily Fantasy Soccer 2015: DraftKings Top MLS Player Picks for June 20

Week 18 of the MLS season continues forward into Saturday's six-match slate, which boasts a wealth of opportunities on DraftKings for daily fantasy aficionados to target. The 12 clubs taking to the pitch Saturday will hope to build some momentum over the weekend with a tricky midweek matchday looming for Wednesday of next week. Some key absences on certain squads have opened up opportunities for lesser-valued players to make an impact, which you can find some examples of below mixed in with some can't-miss selections.   F: Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC ($8,400) and Chad Barrett, Seattle Sounders ($6,000) Jozy Altidore looks set to make his triumphant return to the starting lineup as told by Toronto FC's provisional starting 11, and he should pick up right where he left off. With three goals in his last four DK appearances and two braces on the season, Altidore should wreak havoc against a New York City FC side that has conceded 13 in its last eight games. Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have all but opened the door for Chad Barrett, as Dempsey was banned three games for a red card, and Martins is out at least three weeks. The Sounders' second-team striker dazzled in his last outing ...

Clint Dempsey Suspended 3 Matches, Fined for Ripping Up Ref’s Notebook

Three days after tearing up a referee's notebook during a U.S. Open Cup match against the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey was suspended for three matches by MLS on Friday. According to Don Ruiz of the News Tribune, MLS also fined the United States men's national team star an undisclosed amount. ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle provided a statement from MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott on the matter: As seen in this GIF, courtesy of NBC Sports Soccer's Andy Edwards, the 32-year-old star let his emotions get the best of him in the midst of a match that saw the Sounders get four players sent off: The length of the suspension comes as somewhat of a surprise since there was discussion of the American captain potentially being suspended for up to three months, per Joe Prince-Wright of Pro Soccer Talk. Also, according to Andy Glockner of the Cauldron, league rules suggest Dempsey should have been suspended for at least six contests: Per ESPNFC.com's Alex Labidou, Dempsey got off easy considering the severity of his infraction: Dempsey's conduct placed MLS in a difficult position since he is one of its biggest draws. While losing him for a significant amount of time would have adversely impacted MLS, the league also ...

Raul and David Villa Swap Shirts After New York Cosmos vs. New York City Clash

Two legends of the game came face-to-face on Wednesday night as the New York Cosmos took on New York City FC in the U.S. Open Cup. Spanish strikers Raul and David Villa showed their mutual respect at the end of the clash by swapping shirts, despite Raul being a former member of Real Madrid and Villa having starred for their two main rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The Cosmos won the game on penalties after a 1-1 draw. [YouTube: New York Cosmos, h/t 101 Great Goals]  Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Clint Dempsey Sent Off for Seattle Sounders for Tearing Up Referee’s Notebook

Sorry, Clint Dempsey, but you're not allowed to do that. The Seattle Sounders striker was sent off during the club's U.S. Open Cup clash with the Portland Timbers after ripping up the referee's notebook. Dempsey had already been shown a yellow card for arguing, and that was quickly upgraded to a red for the secondary act. The Sounders had three players sent off in total, and they lost 3-1 in extra time. [Twitter, Vine]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

MLS Player Rankings: Villa Rises, Martins, Birnbaum Enter After Week 15

Due to the small slate of games in Major League Soccer in Week 15, a few players were able to shine with the spotlight solely focused on them.  The player who amazed us all this past weekend was David Villa, who helped drive New York City FC to a win at Yankee Stadium.  Thanks to his efforts in front of goal and the absence of some of the top stars from the pitch, Villa surged up our latest MLS Player Rankings. While not much changed near the top, Villa and a few other players climbed in the bottom half in our list of the top 20 players in the league. Continue reading on to see where Villa and 19 other stars of MLS landed in the Week 15 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow