It all started with a throwaway line: "If anyone knows what a Xogg is, please get in contact with me," I wrote in an article about the best names of defunct American soccer teams back in April.
I pondered the absurdity of the Columbus Xoggz — a name without meaning that still captures the imagination of a soccer writer who wasn't even alive when the team played.
Cucho Hernández broke a tie in the 83rd minute in his MLS debut and Derrick Etienne Jr. scored twice as the Columbus Crew overcame a two-goal, second-half deficit to defeat the host Chicago Fire 3-2 on Saturday.
Hernández took an outlet from Luis Díaz, who had two assists, and chipped the ball inside the left post over goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina as the Crew (6-5-7, 25 points) extended their unbeaten streak to six (3-0-3).
Mario Götze is among the latest bunch of foreign players to be linked with big-money moves to MLS sides. The former German international is said to have already met with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, per Fabrizio Romano and MLS insider Tom Bogert. Miami, which has an available Designated Player spot, is among the favorites to trigger Götze’s $4.2 million release clause.
We're almost three months into the 2022 MLS season, affording us enough time to showcase some of the most exciting new stadium food options after collecting them from the Bible of arena grub, @FootyScran.
It's the best account around to make you both incredibly hungry and excited for Saturday, although the reaction to MLS food usually justifiably ranges from "that looks delicious" to "why the hell are they paying $25 for chicken over there?"
What is scran?
The Colorado Rapids are set to acquire forward Gyasi Zardes from the Columbus Crew, multiple outlets reported Friday, with the deal awaiting MLS approval.
The Crew are expected to receive $300,000 in general allocation money in the deal, with the possibility that Zardes is available foe the Rapids in their home game Saturday against Charlotte FC. There could be more financial return in the deal if Zardes meets performance incentives.
The 2022 US Open Cup third round goes down Tuesday and Wednesday with things getting serious as 17 MLS sides join the competition (the remaining eight enter in the fourth round). You'll need an ESPN+ subscription to watch, but the good news is that all 24 matches will be broadcast with no local blackouts.
Following the addition of expansion side Charlotte FC, Major League Soccer's opening weekend features all 28 teams in action with nine matches on Saturday, Feb. 26, and five on Sunday, Feb. 27.
MLS opening day 2022 has one match on FOX (Portland vs. New England) and one streamed on Twitter (LAFC vs. Colorado — also on Univision and TUDN), and play also takes center stage across the nation Sunday with one game on FS1 (Atlanta vs. Kansas City) and one on ESPN (LA Galaxy vs. NYCFC).
An incredible Portland Timbers bicycle kick goal from Dairon Asprilla rocked Providence Park on Wednesday night as his side defeated San Jose 2-0.
Asprilla’s goal instantly went viral. A bicycle kick from outside of the penalty box is a rarity in soccer and quickly was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.
El camino fácil sería decir que el Cruz Azul volvió a cruzazulearla y llenar de memes este post. Pero para qué. La realidad es que La Máquina perdió la Campeones Cup ante Columbus Crew, monarca de la MLS, por una mezcla de desafortunados eventos y por no saber cómo convertir su abismal dominio del balón en una victoria.
Si uno mira las estadísticas del partido, quitando el resultado, uno podría fácilmente pensar que los cementeros fueron los ganadores:
Orlando City blew a two-goal lead before Júnior Urso scored the go-ahead goal in the 69th minute for a 3-2 victory against visiting Columbus on Saturday night to extend their point streak to seven games.
Daryl Dike returned to the lineup and had a goal and an assist for Orlando (10-4-8, 38 points), which has three wins and four ties during its run. Columbus (7-10-6, 27 points), the reigning MLS Cup champion, has lost seven of eight and is below the playoff line.