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MLS is hoping to announce San Diego or Las Vegas as a new expansion team in 2023

Fri, 4 Nov 2022 - 13:31

Major League Soccer wants to add a 30th team early next year, with San Diego and Las Vegas the top candidates.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber confirmed the expansion plans during his annual State of the League address on Thursday in Los Angeles, where LAFC and the Philadelphia Union are preparing for the MLS Cup Final on Saturday.

Garber said the league is in "active discussions" with both cities and hopes to finalize an agreement "sometime in the first half" of 2023.

Entertainment

LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta was perplexed after reporter asks him if Philadelphia was excited for MLS Cup

Fri, 4 Nov 2022 - 11:10

Video from a Kellyn Acosta press conference ahead of the MLS Cup clash between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union has been spreading on social media after a reporter asked a bizarre question.

Acosta has plenty on his mind. The 27-year-old midfielder is in his 11th season playing in Major League Soccer and has the chance to win his first MLS Cup on Saturday. Acosta is a lock for the United States’ World Cup roster and could make his World Cup debut 16 days after playing in MLS Cup.

News

College football game takes parking and tailgating away from MLS Cup fans

Wed, 2 Nov 2022 - 15:28

There's no one really to blame here. LAFC didn't know it'd be hosting MLS Cup this Saturday until defeating Austin in the Western Conference finals last Sunday, and I will entertain no talk of the game being shifted back to a predetermined neutral location — I'm old enough to remember the Colorado Rapids taking on FC Dallas in Canada.

Entertainment

Gareth Bale has no role to play in MLS Cup — can he even be a factor against the USA?

Wed, 2 Nov 2022 - 12:20

Toward the end of September, it looked like LAFC was about to unlock the best of Gareth Bale. He hadn't scored in his last seven appearances (totaling 245 minutes) after finding the net twice in his first four (96 minutes), but more importantly, the 33-year-old Welshman had just recorded his second start.

Entertainment

MLS Cup predictions for Saturday's clash of the titans

Tue, 1 Nov 2022 - 14:09

For the first time in far too long, MLS Cup is a meeting between the premier teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences. If it feels like we've been waiting a while for this sort of heavyweight clash, the anticipation is only heightened by two sides that make creating a 2022 MLS Cup prediction feel like a fool's errand.

Both teams and their respective squads have been steadily building towards this moment for years, and the pain of falling agonizingly short time after time has been eased with a first-ever MLS Cup appearance for both clubs.

Entertainment

USMNT goalkeeper power rankings: Steffen's mistakes continue to compound

Tue, 1 Nov 2022 - 13:03

In three weeks, the USMNT begins its World Cup campaign in Qatar. Much is still to be decided for the final roster — especially at the goalkeeper position.

During the September international break (with Zack Steffen omitted as a precautionary measure as he recovered from injury), Matt Turner started against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Turner had a strong showing against Japan, and was arguably the top American performer that day, before having little to do in a dull match versus the Saudis in Spain.

Entertainment

MLS playoffs confirm undervalued USMNT truth: Kellyn Acosta is a big-game player

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 - 15:35

From a USMNT perspective, the MLS Cup Playoffs have only served to reinforce the poorly trending narrative around the team.

News

Philadelphia is MLS Cup bound after thrilling comeback to eliminate NYCFC

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 - 20:47

The Philadelphia Union are playing in their first MLS Cup after taking out defending champions NYCFC 3-1 at Subaru Park on Sunday night.

NYCFC — previously unbeaten in six straight postseason matches — sucked the life out of the ground in the 57th minute when Maxi Moralez orchestrated a quick break and finished it himself with a driven finish from 22 yards out.

It seemed like Philly was forever destined to choke and the 35-year-old Moralez forever destined to dance all over them.

News

La zurda mágica de Carlos Vela lleva al LAFC a su primera final en la MLS

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 - 16:04

LAFC buscará su primer título de la MLS luego de vencer por 3-0 a Austin FC, en la final de la Conferencia Oeste de la liga estadounidense. Y gran parte del mérito angelino estuvo en los pies del mexicano Carlos Vela, quien participó de manera directa en dos de los tres goles.

Desde que renovó su contrato con el club a comienzos de 2022, Vela ha repetido una y otra vez que su objetivo es ser campeón de la MLS. Y horas antes del partido ante Austin FC volvió a decirlo.

News

Inspirational Carlos Vela guides LAFC to first MLS Cup

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 - 15:25

LAFC reached its first MLS Cup thanks to two well-taken Carlos Vela corners — the first met by Chicho Arango, the second an unfortunate Maxi Urruti own goal — and a late Kwadwo Opoku strike to defeat Austin FC 3-0 in the Western Conference final.

Thanks to its status as Supporters' Shield winner, LAFC will host MLS Cup at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5 against the winner of the Eastern Conference final between the Philadelphia Union and NYCFC.

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