I stayed on target with my predictions as I only missed the Madrid Derby pick (what is going on with Real Madrid!!?!!). Not to worry, I will miss them all this week as quality matches dot the globe and the MLS returns. Here are the five can’t miss matches of the weekend, including the critical North London derby:
1. Tottenham Hotspur v. Arsenal, Saturday 7:45 a.m. EST, NBCSN
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane has seen enough over his four years of play in North America to declare MLS on par with Liga MX. A bullish Keane declared that Liga MX was stagnating in the face of MLS growth, a bold claim to make prior to Tuesday’s second leg fixture between the Galaxy and Santos Laguna of Liga MX.
On March 25, 2015, Major League Soccer announced that Minnesota United FC would be joining the league as a potential 2017 or 2018 expansion team. On February 24, 2016, the next major step in making that announcement a reality was taken in the form of the unveiling of their new St. Paul-based stadium design.
John Goossens is just like the rest of us. He dreams of someday being awarded a professional soccer contract, of being paid to play the game he loves regardless of where that may be. Sure, Goossens is a product of the renowned Ajax Youth Academy, made 30 appearances for the Eredivisie’s Feyenoord and scored for the Netherlands U-21 team, but, deep down, he’s a dreamer just like the rest of us.
The LA Galaxy have all the pieces in place for a great 2016 season. The offensive star power of Giovani dos Santos, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane has been complimented by the additions of Belgian defensive stalwart Jelle Van Damme, English great Ashley Cole and kung fu master Nigel de Jong.
The MLS regular season doesn’t begin play until March 6, but preseason preparations have begun around the league. Scavenging the social media accounts of all 20 clubs, we’ve compiled the best photos and videos from the 2016 preseason for your viewing pleasure. Smiling faces, southern sunshine and a tangible excitment surrounding the growth of MLS make the 21st season of the league the most anticipated to date.
The Best Photos and Videos from the 2016 MLS Preseason:
Andrea Pirlo doing what only Andrea Pirlo can:
Chelsea's defensive record is in shambles: they've allowed 34 goals in 23 matches this campaign. Last season's title winning defense allowed only 32 goals throughout the entirety of the season. More worringly for the Chelsea heirarchy is that the situation doesn't have any immediate remedies in the form of contracted players. Their backline is comprised of ageing stalwarts John Terry, 35, Branislav Ivanovic, 31, and Gary Cahill, 30.
St. Louis became the NFL’s latest victim in a long and drawn out game of musical chairs when the Rams jumped ship for the sunny weather and In-N-Out burger of Los Angeles. Naturally, not everybody was happy. After all, nobody likes being left behind for “something better.” Especially a city that prides itself in its die hard fan-ism.
If you’re asked to think of the most rabid fan bases and intimidating venues in the footballing world, you’ll most likely imagine the crowds in Europe or South America. In Europe, the leagues in England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France are seen as the benchmark for boisterous crowds and lively game day atmospheres.
Marco Pappa has become embroiled in the weirdest soccer scandal since Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena's little tiff regarding sex tape-blackmail.
Th Rapids midfielder was reportedly stabbed in the abdomen in Seattle in December, and according to reports the culprit is alleged to have been Miss Washington USA, Stormy Keffeler.