MLS Schedule 2014: Breaking Down Key Dates to Know for Upcoming Season

The English Premier League and other prominent football leagues around the globe may be heading toward a dramatic conclusion, but football in the U.S. is just about to get underway.  Major League Soccer will return in March 2014 as 19 clubs begin the journey to what they hope will be a championship. Sporting Kansas City enter 2014 as the defending MLS champions, but they are set to face a stiff challenge from the rest of the league, starting on opening day in Seattle.  With the recent announcement of an expansion franchise in Miami, things are clearly looking up for the underrated league. But as commissioner Don Garber points out, the MLS hasn't yet reached its destination, per MLSSoccer.com: "I think the league is poised for more teams in time, but we're going to be careful about ensuring that we get them into the league at the right time and when the league can handle it from a player perspective and from a resource perspective." Below, we'll highlight the key dates to remember ahead of the start of the 2014-15 season.    *Click here to view the complete 2014-15 MLS season schedule via MLSSoccer.com.    March 8: Season Kicks Off  After months of anticipation, the 2014-15 MLS season will kick off on ...

David Beckham Announces Miami MLS Franchise

World football legend David Beckham has announced the development of a new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, per MailOnline Sport on Twitter: Beckham, who exercised an option to purchase an expansion franchise, spoke about his latest venture and answered questions during an hour-long press conference held in Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 5. MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez were also on hand for the event.  Both men spoke briefly but praised Beckham and his intentions, per CBS4 Miami on Twitter: There's currently no timetable on when the Miami-based franchise, which will become MLS's 20th club, will officially join the league, per football writer Dan Dickinson: But as Sports Illustrated senior writer Grant Wahl points out, there are still some significant obstacles Beckham will have to overcome before the new club becomes a reality:  When asked about the plans for a new stadium, Beckham confirmed that the franchise would not request public assistance, per Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald: Beckham also hinted at the possibility of constructing the new stadium downtown, per Fox Soccer's Inside MLS on Twitter: ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman addressed one of the major issues Beckham and his partners will have to overcome in regards to getting a new stadium built exactly where ...

MLS SuperDraft 2014: Critical Last-Minute Info for Thursday’s Event

Major League Soccer's marquee offseason event will kick off Thursday, Jan. 16 from Philadelphia as the league's 19 franchises look to rebuild and retool for the 2014 season. There are a handful of stellar prospects available this winter capable of turning teams around, but where they'll wind up remains a mystery. Keep in mind that Thursday's event will feature the first two rounds (38 picks total) of the four-round draft, which will conclude on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Here we'll get you set with everything you need to know ahead of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft.    Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014 Start Time: 12 p.m. ET Location: Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia Watch: ESPNews Live Stream: ESPN3.com   Breaking Down Draft Order   Top Prospects to Know Patrick Mullins, F, Maryland A 21-year-old striker with an incredible nose for goal, Maryland's Patrick Mullins has been one of the most productive and dynamic strikers at the college level in recent years. Mullins has racked up 36 goals and 18 assists over his past two seasons with the Terrapins, catching the attention of professional scouts, per MLSSoccer.com's Matthew Doyle and Simon Borg: The two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner has been scouted so thoroughly that teams have maybe lost sight of how much he does well. He’s always in motion, he’s a ...

Eddie Johnson Traded from Seattle Sounders to D.C. United

Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders have officially traded forward Eddie Johnson to D.C. United, the team announced: OFFICIAL: The #Sounders trade Eddie Johnson to @DCUnited in exchange for allocation money. http://t.co/gM3TP4HRY1 — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 17, 2013 Good luck to @eddie_johnson7 as he continues his career with @dcunited. Thanks for two great seasons! — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 17, 2013 SI.com's Brian Straus initially reported the deal and said Johnson was dealt for exchange for a "large amount of allocation money." Straus adds that Johnson is expected to sign a new contract with United that will pay him more than the estimated $156,333 he earned last season in the Pacific Northwest.  Seattle fans will certainly be sad to see the 29-year-old go, but his surging production and the arrival of Clint Dempsey in August has left the franchise between a rock and hard place. Dempsey's salary demands, "roughly 30 times greater than Johnson's," according to Straus, made the front office's decision that much easier and United are sure to benefit as a result.     Johnson, who spent several years in the Premier League with Fulham, is an elite goal scorer, recording 29 goals in all competitions during two seasons with the Sounders. Former Sounders teammate Steve Zakuani ...

MLS Cup 2013: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview for Finals

After a grueling but successful playoff run, two of Major League Soccer's best in Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake are all set to square off in the winner-take-all 2013 MLS Cup this weekend.  Kansas City will host the event since they finished with more points during the regular season. Both clubs have won the MLS Cup once in the past, with Salt Lake hoisting the crown most recently in 2009. Kansas City is playing for its first title since 2004, but looking to win its first since 2000, back when they were still known as the Wizards.  Eastern Conference champions Kansas City has been made the favorite by the oddsmakers (per Bovada), but a strong case can be made for both squads.  With talent across the board, highlighted by stars like Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, Saturday's championship showdown is sure to feature a number of twists and turns and produce plenty of fireworks. With kickoff right around the corner, let's get you set with everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2013.   Date: Saturday, December 7, 2013 Start Time: 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. local time) Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City Watch: ESPN Live Stream: ESPN3.com   Match Forecast* Sporting Kansas City: 51.0 percent Real Salt Lake: ...

Clint Dempsey Will Join MLS’ Seattle Sounders

American soccer star Clint Dempsey is reportedly set to make a return to the United States this summer as his current club, Tottenham Hotspur, is finalizing a deal with Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders, according to ESPNFC's Doug McIntyre. UPDATE: Saturday, August 3, at 12:20 p.m. ET by Sam Westmoreland From Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated:  ---End of Update--- UPDATE: Friday, August 2, at 8:50 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford From Pro Soccer Talk's Richard Farley: Multiple sources within Major League Soccer have informed NBC Sports’ ProSoccerTalk that Tottenham Hotspur will receive a $9 million transfer fee for the U.S. captain’s services – roughly 95 percent of the £6 million Spurs reportedly paid for Dempsey last summer.  To complete the unexpected move, Seattle have guaranteed the 30-year-old attacker $32 million over the next four seasons, making him one of the most expensive players in league history. The $9 million transfer fee will also be the highest paid in league history and the second major purchase made by the Sounders this summer. ---End of update---   UPDATE: Friday, August 2, at 8:22 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford From Ives Galarcep: ---End of update---   Original Text NBC's Pro Soccer Talk also reported that the U.S. international is bound for Seattle and would be formally introduced on ...

MLS, Yankees and Manchester City Announce Partnership to Create New York City FC

Major League Soccer has announced a partnership between English Premier League club Manchester City and Major League Baseball's New York Yankees to create the soccer league's 20th expansion franchise, according to MLSSoccer.com.The club will be named New York City Football Club, according to the league announcement. Manchester City is expected to be the majority owner of the club, but the Yankees will also play a pivotal part in the process, as the team's president, Randy Levine, will have a leadership role with the new club. Both powerhouse sports franchises have worked together in the past, developing international entertainment and marketing organization Legends Hospitality.   New York City FC, which will become an instant crosstown rival to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls, is expected to begin play in 2015.  MLS commissioner Don Garber had the following to say in a statement released by the league (via MLSSoccer.com):We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer. This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club ...

Landon Donovan Will Return to LA Galaxy for 2013 Season

American soccer star Landon Donovan will return to the field for the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS in 2013 according to team insider Adam Serrano (via Twitter) on Monday:  Bruce Arena on @lagalaxy capt. @landondonovan : "He's definitely playing this year...We're just working out the return date." #LAGalaxy #MLS— Adam Serrano (@LAGalaxyInsider) January 21, 2013 The 30-year-old Donovan had openly discussed the possibility of retiring from soccer altogether recently, but it seems he isn't quite finished with the game just yet.This was Donovan on the subject of his goals moving forward back in May 2012 (via Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl):From a career standpoint, ideally, I'd like to play a couple more years and hopefully get to the World Cup, assuming I'm still enjoying it and passionate about it, and then sort of reevaluate from there and see where I want to go.He, along with David Beckham, helped lead the Galaxy to another MLS Cup championship last November, the third during Donovan's time with the club.Donovan scored 11 goals and tallied 16 assists in 31 MLS appearances for L.A. in 2012.A California native, Donovan has been playing at a high level for a decade-plus now, excelling for various clubs as well as the United States ...

David Beckham’s Time Spent in Los Angeles Must Be Seen as a Success

David Beckham concluded his career as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy with a second straight MLS Cup victory, and thus wraps up a successful first act from the iconic Becks. Of course we won't know for a few years if Beckham inspired a generation of youth to pursue soccer instead of football or basketball, but we do know he drew plenty of attention to a league often dwarfed by the NFL, NBA, MLB and even the NHL. This was Beckham following Saturday's 3-1 championship win over the Houston Dynamo (via The Washington Post):I just hope I've brought a bit of interest to the game in America. If that's the single thing I've done, then great.Beckham certainly accomplished what he set out to do nearly six years ago. He's sparked interest in the MLS and has given the league some legitimacy, considering that he was the most recognizable international superstar at the time of his 2007 decision to join the Galaxy.But he's not done yet. According to a report by The Associated Press via ESPN, Beckham "will play elsewhere in the new year before eventually returning to MLS as a team owner."Although it remains to be seen what sort of impact ...

New York Red Bulls vs. DC United: Players to Keep an Eye On in MLS Playoff Clash

DC United and the New York Red Bulls will be battling for their playoff lives on Wednesday inside Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, site of the second leg of the two teams' Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.Saturday's first leg in DC ended in a 1-1 draw, with both sides surrendering own goals in the second half. With both squads looking inseparable after leg No. 1, Wednesday's pivotal clash will require the two teams' top stars to be at their best. Let's take a look at a trio of players that MLS fans should keep an eye out for in this epic playoff showdown. Where: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJWhen: Wednesday, November 7, 2012Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Players to WatchChris Pontius, DC United, ForwardDC United's Chris Pontius is a fan favorite around Washington, and for good reason. The 25-year-old has netted 12 goals this season for the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed. Although he failed to get on the board in the first leg against New York last Saturday, Pontius did fire three shots, two of which tested Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles. Surprisingly, Pontius hasn't scored for United since late September. Perhaps Wednesday will be the night he finally ends his drought.The ...