MLS: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2015 Season

MLS's 20th season is set to be one of the most competitive and exciting campaigns in league history because almost any team could feasibly contend for a playoff spot in 2015. There are two new teams with a few international stars, plus several clubs bulked up this winter and are ready to qualify for the playoffs. Once the season is underway, there promises to be a lot of surprises because MLS is so unpredictable. Here are five bold predictions for the 2015 season.Begin Slideshow

MLS and Players Agree to New CBA Deal: Latest Details and Reaction

There will be no strike in Major League Soccer. While negotiations went down to the final hours before this weekend's season-opening matches, the MLS and MLS Players Union have struck a deal to get the ball rolling on Friday. Continue for updates. MLSPU Executive Director Bob Foose Talks New CBA Friday, March 6 Brian Straus of Sports Illustrated reported Foose's thoughts on how the new CBA came to be: “That’s the groundbreaking part of this deal for us and that’s what will ultimately lead to really substantial and real positive change for this league. That, despite the fact that what we heard consistently through the process was that [free agency] would never happen." “That’s a very, very good start for us. And we did in 12 years. That’s something I don’t want to be lost on anyone. We’re 12 years into this union and we’ve been able to introduce some free agency… none of the other major leagues has ever done it anywhere near that quickly in North America.” “From the most basic perspective, it’s about player choice. But the impact of this that won’t be seen or reported on is, number one, the deals that are going to get done between the players and their current clubs ...

MLS 2015: Ranking the Top 50 Players in the League

The 2015 Major League Soccer season is scheduled to begin March 6, when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Chicago Fire at the StubHub Center.  The league's 20th season will see a ton of change, as a bevy of new international signings will enter MLS alongside some of the best American talent that has played abroad over the last few years.  Two expansion sides, New York City FC and Orlando City SC, will also enter the 20-team league in 2015. Both clubs have spent a decent chunk of change luring big-name players to their respective cities.  To get you prepared for the start of the new MLS season, we decided to rank the 50 best players the league has to offer in 2015.  Here's a look at the star-studded MLS Top 50.Begin Slideshow

Orlando City’s MLS Debut Is a Confirmed 60,000 Sell-Out a Week in Advance

Who says Americans don't care about "soccer"?Orlando City make their MLS debut on Sunday against fellow new franchise New York City FC at the Florida Citrus Bowl, and all 60,000 tickets for the game have been snapped up. The club also has fewer than 1,000 season tickets remaining after capping the number on sale at 14,000. No doubt interest in the team has been helped by the marquee signing of Brazilian superstar Kaka, who is the highest-paid player in MLS history. Orlando City club president and founder Phil Rawlins said in a statement: Today we demonstrate how Orlando City and the City Beautiful continue to defy expectations. We're humbled by the response of our supporters, partners and community. Today we also kick off an exuberant celebration leading into our historic home opener and inaugural season. The excitement is palpable throughout the city and we're thrilled to see all our hard work come to fruition. Come March 8th, we will turn the broadcast purple and show the nation why we are the 'Soccer Capital of the South.'  [Fox Sports]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

LA Galaxy Win Twitter When an Everton Fan Decides to Try to Troll Them

Not every club goes to the trouble of replying to all the messages they get on social media—and not all of them have a good comeback when someone tries to troll them. So, well done to the LA Galaxy. The MLS Cup holders responded when an Everton fan asked for a birthday shout-out. But when he decided to throw an insult or two, the club were up to speed. It all concluded with him wishing the club gets relegated. Which gave the account the perfect riposte: "That's literally impossible." (Screengrab contains NSFW language.) Steven Gerrard, the current Liverpool captain, will, of course, make the switch to the Galaxy this summer. [Twitter]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

It’s Time for MLS to Walk the Walk After Successful Offseason

Following a season that many around Major League Soccer considered one of, if not the, best in league history, there is growing pressure for the league to thrive in its 20th season.  During the offseason, a slew of high-profile players entered the league, which will begin a landmark television deal with ESPN and Fox Sports in 2015.  Also coming to the league will be the eventual introduction of a new collective bargaining agreement. No deal has been reached less than a week before the season is supposed to begin. But the final product could revamp the league in its own fashion.  As if that wasn't enough to get excited about, a new era of American superstars are about to break into the mainstream. Now that most of the offseason business has concluded, it's time for the league to walk the walk. But will they be able to with all eyes on it?  The biggest headlines earned in regard to player acquisition this offseason came from Toronto, Los Angeles and New York City.  Just like it did last season, Toronto brought in a few stars from Europe in order to improve the quality of play on the field.  Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco are in, while Jermain Defoe ...

2015 MLS Season Preview: New England Revolution Push for Title

Devastation engulfed the New England Revolution in California last year when the LA Galaxy, formulating a storybook finish for retiring U.S. star Landon Donovan, defeated the Revs in the 2014 MLS Cup.Robbie Keane’s goal in extra time snagged a 2-1 advantage for LA that even Revolution midfielder Teal Bunbury could not draw level with his late-match chip that soared and dipped off the crossbar.New England, having now appeared in the MLS title game five times since the league’s inception, are still searching for their first crown. It will have the opportunity to begin another quest against the Seattle Sounders on Mar. 8—one of many regular-season openers.The roster’s offseason outlook provides good reason to believe the reigning Eastern Conference champs will advance deep into the 2015 playoffs.2014 MLS MVP candidate Lee Nguyen will return after anchoring the best statistical campaign of his entire career. He earned himself national team attention, getting his first call-up in seven years for November 2014 friendlies. He is ready to climb the ranks among the Stars and Stripes' best attacking.The former PSV Eindhoven youngster revealed his yearning to become a key contributor at the international level. “I want to keep pushing for better. I always feel like ...

Sky TV Deal Underlines Growing Stature of MLS in World Football

While major European nations begin to head into the final stretch in their 2014-15 seasons, Stateside things are ramping up toward the beginning of a new season. Sky Sports announced on Wednesday that they would be giving full coverage to Major League Soccer, having won the rights to broadcast the competition in the UK, starting in March for the 2015 season and running for four years. BREAKING: Sky Sports wins rights to show exclusively live @MLS on four-year deal from next month. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/9HLDlaExek — Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) February 25, 2015 It is another clear indication at the intended growth path for MLS by chiefs, a big boost to the sport in the USA and a measure of how much more importance is placed on the league around the world compared to even a decade ago.   Broadcast Growth Sky Sports covering MLS is, of course, very much a secondary achievement for the company after signing a new long-term deal to further cover the Premier League, its home-country competition, but it lends another branch to a growing portfolio, which includes Spanish Liga and Champions League games. On the flip side, for MLS itself, having Sky broadcast the competition opens up the league to a whole new ...

MLS Players Reportedly Threaten Boycott Ahead of 2015 Season

Major League Soccer players could be set to strike just two weeks before the 2015 season gets underway. Continue for updates. Work Stoppage Reportedly Appears Imminent Tuesday, March 3 Steven Goff of the Washington Post reported that the league appears heading for a work stoppage, and detailed the reasons behind the looming strike: Goff also noted a policy that MLS owners did approve: Goff provided an update at 10 P.M ET stating the two sides are "not making much progress", and provided a quote from a union source:  Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reported the sides have made progress on the free agency front:  For the past month, the two sides have staked out their positions on the issue, with the union threatening to strike if the new CBA does not contain at least some form of free agency, with MLS against any kind of free agency. But a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPN FC that the current offer on the table from the league provides players who are 28 years or older, and who have been in the league at least eight years -- and not necessarily with the same team -- will "have the right to choose their next market" when their contract runs out or when ...

Sky Sports Lands MLS Broadcast Rights: Reaction from David Beckham and More

Sky Sports has announced an exclusive four-year deal to show MLS matches in the United Kingdom, starting with the arrival of the new season in March. "Football in the U.S. and Canada has enormous potential for growth and we can't wait to bring this competition to our viewers for the first time," said Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis in the organisation's announcement article. Viewers will be able to witness Premier League legends Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard taking their first steps into the American soccer arena with New York City FC and Los Angeles Galaxy respectively. Currently representing Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, both will make the journey stateside at the conclusion of the current English season. Although it seemed Lampard would represent NYCFC during the last campaign, his decision to join the side's Manchester-based sister club put these plans on hold. He finally signed a two-year deal with the Big Apple team in January after having been reported to have committed in the previous summer, per Jack Lang and Liam Corless of the Mirror. Gerrard will join LA Galaxy when his Liverpool contract expires in the summer, calling an end to a career-long association with the Anfield club. Both stars follow in the ...