9Mar/150
Kaka, the Citrus Bowl and the Feel-Good Factor Around Orlando City’s MLS Start
The opening weekend of Major League Soccer's 2015 season was exciting, encouraging and in many ways the spectacle plenty hoped it would be, with talking points, goals and drama aplenty throughout the 10 fixtures. Orlando City vs. New York City typified that to some extent, with the two new MLS franchises playing out a late 1-1 draw at the Citrus Bowl in front of more than 60,000 raucous fans. David Villa and Kaka were the star names on display, but there was plenty more to the match than just those two individuals. Despite not taking the win, the manner of the draw and Orlando's all-around approach will give fans reasons for optimism and excitement for the season ahead. Playmaker Kaka, No. 10, captain of the club. The Brazilian legend was utilized correctly in his renowned role by Orlando, behind a center-forward and in spaces where he could collect possession and look to move toward goal. There was no "fitting in" of Kaka; he has been made the focal point for the team's progression and buildup play and the man to whom it will look to make the magic happen. Even early on in the game when things didn't quite work out for Orlando, it was Kaka's ...25Feb/150
Sky TV Deal Underlines Growing Stature of MLS in World Football
While major European nations begin to head into the final stretch in their 2014-15 seasons, Stateside things are ramping up toward the beginning of a new season. Sky Sports announced on Wednesday that they would be giving full coverage to Major League Soccer, having won the rights to broadcast the competition in the UK, starting in March for the 2015 season and running for four years. BREAKING: Sky Sports wins rights to show exclusively live @MLS on four-year deal from next month. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/9HLDlaExek — Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) February 25, 2015 It is another clear indication at the intended growth path for MLS by chiefs, a big boost to the sport in the USA and a measure of how much more importance is placed on the league around the world compared to even a decade ago. Broadcast Growth Sky Sports covering MLS is, of course, very much a secondary achievement for the company after signing a new long-term deal to further cover the Premier League, its home-country competition, but it lends another branch to a growing portfolio, which includes Spanish Liga and Champions League games. On the flip side, for MLS itself, having Sky broadcast the competition opens up the league to a whole new ...2Jun/140
David Villa Right to Move on from Atletico Madrid, but New York Move Timing Poor
One member of Spain's World Cup squad has already confirmed a summer transfer, but it's David Villa, not Cesc Fabregas, who has arranged a move away from La Liga. The forward will sign for Major League Soccer side New York City, becoming their first-ever registered player and beginning his tenure with them from the 2015 season, as per the club's website. It's a move with many positives for the player, who was lacking in keeping pace with his previous standards during the past season, though it perhaps begs questions of what he'll do for the next seven months or so after the World Cup ends. Villa still managed to score 13 goals in 36 games for Atleti this season, contributing to their title-winning season in La Liga, but it was clear for some time that he is no longer the force of old. Hardly "finished" as a player, though, he travels to Brazil this summer as a member of the Spain World Cup squad looking to defend their title. The all-time record scorer for his nation, Villa could easily have slipped down the league a little, perhaps back to Valencia or to the likes of Villarreal (depending on wages, of course—but more on that shortly) ...16Jan/140