MLS Transfers: Why MLS Needs to Bring Back Top American Players Like Tim Howard

MLS transfers create a stir when it surrounds the big-name, international star. But it befits MLS to try to bring back some of those iconic, top American players instead.With Landon Donovan’s possible retirement looming, MLS can ill afford to be without that elite American talent—one who has excelled at both the club and international level.  MLS has benefited from housing international stars. Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane and David Beckham have all helped elevate the standing of the league.  MLS has even been able to develop young American talent like Omar Gonzalez, Dax McCarty and Will Bruin to further increase its reputation. But there’s nothing like a “golden boy.”  Nothing imbues the American population more than an elite American talent dominating in front of an American crowd.That is what MLS had with Donovan. That is what MLS will lack if it fails to replace him (should he retire). Now, no credible journalist would suggest that Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey immediately depart Europe to rejoin MLS. That’s a risible proclamation.  Bradley and Dempsey have each spent part of their careers in MLS. But both are currently in a good run of form at top-flight European clubs. Dempsey currently finds himself in the first year ...

An Open Letter to Sepp Blatter Concerning the MLS and Football in America

Dear Mr. Blatter: It is hoped that you will read this open letter, as the reason for my letter is due to some comments you made on New Year's Eve about the MLS and World Football in America. In an interview with world TV station Al Jazeera, you ended 2012 by criticizing Major League Soccer (MLS) and United States Soccer in general. You said that football has not left an impact on America in spite of the 1994 World Cup. While respecting you and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), criticism of the MLS and football in the USA is unwarranted. The reasons are many, but the following will suffice.  Cascadia Cup Before talking about the Cascadia Cup, the definition of Cascadia is in order. Cascadia is the region which includes British Columbia (Canada), Washington State (USA) and Oregon (USA). The Cascadia Cup includes the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. It has been played every year with the three clubs that belong to the MLS. One of the matches of the Cascadia Cup was between Seattle and Portland on October 7, 2012. The venue was at CenturyLink Field located at Seattle, Washington. The stadium was filled with 66,452 ...

Bold Predictions for the 2013 MLS Season

This is not a bold prediction: The 2013 MLS season will be the finest season yet.But this is: It will be so without the services of America’s greatest player, Landon Donovan.Only 59 days separates MLS fans from the first whistle. Rosters are not fully formed. Coaches have not been hired (bravo, New York). But it is never too early to envisage what will transpire on the pitch come March 2. (It’s not like Chivas USA have done anything this offseason that warrants it a vote of confidence.)In 2012, MLS made history with attendance. In 2013, it must make history on the pitch. And it will.A new year breathes new life for MLS teams. The ball has dropped, so start your new year off right with these bold predictions for the 2013 MLS season.An MLS Team Will Win the CONCACAF Champions LeagueNo MLS team has ever won the CONCACAF Champions League. That will change in 2013.Three MLS teams remain standing headed into the quarterfinals of the CCL. The Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo are all in search of the league's first title in the competition. All are trying to punch a ticket as the first American team to reach the FIFA ...