15Jun/150
MLS Team of the Week: David Villa Shines for NYCFC in Week 15
Despite featuring only five games over two days, Week 15 of play in Major League Soccer produced plenty of quality on the pitch. The player who displayed the most skill this weekend was David Villa, who is starting to boost New York City FC up the Eastern Conference table. Three other big names featured in prominent roles in their respective matches across North America in Week 15, which forced us into choosing a 3-5-2 formation for our MLS Team of the Week. Continue reading on to see which stars joined Villa in our attack-heavy best 11 from the latest week of play in MLS. Begin Slideshow14Jun/150
Columbus Crew SC Pulls Off Impressive Team Header Drill During Rain Delay
Columbus Crew SC had to wait out a two-plus-hour storm delay before Saturday's match against the LA Galaxy. Instead of just sitting around, the team decided to put its time to good use and attempt the header challenge.Thanks to teamwork and great touches, the Crew pulled it off. Once the ball made it into the bucket, the locker room erupted.The Crew and Galaxy would play to a 1-1 draw once the storm finally passed.[Hector Jimenez]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com14Jun/150
Cyle Larin, Tesho Akindele Give Canada Men’s National Team Hope for the Future
Canada's men's national team head coach Benito Floro was hired to usher in a new generation of Canadian players. Floro has since included the likes of the Vancouver Whitecaps' Russell Teibert, Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio and West Ham's Doneil Henry. The Les Rouges haven't had a talismanic striker for a few years, but those days are over. Orlando City SC forward Cyle Larin and FC Dallas' Tesho Akindele both started against Dominica in the first leg of their second-round World Cup qualifying matchup on Thursday. It was Akindele's senior debut, which officially tied him to Canada. Larin bagged his second goal for Canada in the win, and Teibert converted the winner from the penalty spot to secure the 2-0 victory. Dominica is not a soccer hotbed, but it was significant seeing two youngsters scoring for the Canadians. Akindele didn't get on the scoresheet, but he still impressed on Thursday night. He was involved in the buildup and showed off his tremendous work rate on both sides of the pitch. Seeing Akindele, Larin and Teibert clicking up front was a far cry from a year ago, when Canada was snapping a 14-month scoring drought. With the Gold Cup beginning on July 7, with Larin and Akindele in the ranks, Canada actually has a ...12Jun/150
Why Sporting Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber Deserves a USMNT Call-Up
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber has arguably been the best playmaker in MLS this season, recording a league-high seven assists along with the Columbus Crew's Ethan Finlay. However, it wasn't enough to convince U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to add Feilhaber to his provisional Gold Cup roster. Klinsmann's 35-man squad has plenty of depth in midfield. However, the inclusion of Feilhaber would give the U.S. some creativity it desperately lacked at the World Cup. The Guardian's Kristan Heneage asked Feilhaber about the omission. The Sporting KC midfielder was just as baffled as everyone else by Klinsmann's decision: I don’t expect to get called in, unfortunately. It would be big surprise for me. I would take [a call-up] by the horns and prove it to Jürgen and myself that I belong with that group. I actually wish someone in the media would ask him that question to see if he has an answer. It would help me out. You think about it and you kind of wonder [why you’re not there]. It’s only human. You think what is missing for you to get that opportunity. In the last two, three years, I’ve spoken to Jürgen and he’s told me things I’ve needed to improve on ...12Jun/150
Sounders Reserve Player Gets Red Card for Kicking Opponent in Groin
Although some red cards are questionable or controversial, there's no doubt that the Seattle Sounders FC 2's Sergio Mota deserved this one.During Thursday's game between the Sounders 2 and the LA Galaxy II, Mota received a straight red card for kicking an opponent in the groin with both of his cleated feet.Ouch. Just ouch.Mota clearly deserved a red card for his actions. Now, he must wait to see if there's any further discipline.[Vine, h/t SB Nation]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com9Jun/150
MLS Player Rankings: Giovinco Claims Top Spot, Bruin Makes Big Debut
One player has been head and shoulders above everyone else in Major League Soccer over the last month. Sebastian Giovinco has torn opposing defenses to shreds in the Toronto FC attack with Jozy Altidore out injured. The little Italian, who usually benefits from Michael Bradley's strong play in midfield, starred without Bradley and Altidore in the starting lineup in Week 14. Elsewhere across the league, one in-form forward surged into the top 10 of our MLS Player Rankings after another impressive showing up top for his club. Continue reading on to see which 20 players featured in the Week 14 edition of the MLS Player Rankings. Begin Slideshow8Jun/150
MLS Power Rankings: Is There a New No. 1 After Week 15?
Week 15 in MLS produced some controversial moments and results. The penalty called against Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei gifted Sporting Kansas City three points. Elsewhere, referee Baldomero Toledo brandished three red cards in the San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas match. All of these moments significantly altered the standings as well as this week's power rankings. Was Benny Feilhaber's penalty against the Sounders enough to move SKC into the No. 1 spot? Here are the MLS power rankings after Week 15.Begin Slideshow8Jun/150
MLS Team of the Week: Giovinco, Bruin, Adi Each Score Twice in Week 14
Week 14 in Major League Soccer produced a slew of moments that players would like to forget immediately. From Adailton scoring the first own-goal brace in league history to Dillon Powers' brutal missed penalty to a couple of controversial refereeing decisions in Kansas City and San Jose, play was not easy on the eyes. However, if you look past the rough highlights from the past five days of action, you will be able to pick out a handful of impressive individual performances. Sebastian Giovinco continued his superb form for Toronto FC, while a pair of forwards scored braces in different roles for their respective sides. We also witnessed the skill of some young stars and a great effort in net. Due to the flashy attacking play on display in Week 14, we lined up our MLS Team of the Week in a 4-3-3 formation with three offensive-minded midfielders. Read on to see who landed a spot in the latest MLS Team of the Week.Begin Slideshow6Jun/150
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting KC Live Blog: Instant Reactions and Analysis
Sporting Kansas City defeated Seattle Sounders FC in a wild finish by a score of 1-0 at Sporting Park. The sole goal of the match occurred when Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei got called for a penalty inside the box after a collision with SKC forward Dom Dwyer. SKC midfielder Benny Feilhaber nailed the winning goal on a penalty kick to give his team the victory. The Sounders had their fair share of chances despite the absences of star players Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey. Seattle midfielder Lamar Neagle appeared to score the go-ahead goal to begin the second half before an offsides call negated the score. With the victory, SKC moves up to second place in the MLS Western Conference standings, and just two points behind the conference-leading Sounders. SKC will play its next MLS game on June 21 against Real Salt Lake. The Sounders will play FC Dallas on June 13.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com6Jun/150