Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane Face Team of 30 Kids in LA Galaxy Soccer Challenge

Former Premier League stars Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane needed a late winner to see off a team of 30 eight-year-old schoolchildren as part of LA Galaxy's "Ridiculous Soccer Challenge."  Per Sky Sports, the younger team set up in an unorthodox 10-10-9 formation, packing the defence in an attempt to stifle the two 36-year-old Galaxy stars. As can be seen below, Gerrard and Keane opted for a long-ball approach in the main—clearly hoping to make their height advantage count—with the former Liverpool midfielder opening the scoring before their opposition drew level: Keane put his side ahead again at 2-1 after earlier spurning a chipped opportunity, but the team of 30 kids pegged them back and looked to have earned a hard-fought draw. However, in a display of bravado, Keane launched a mazy run from just inside the opposition half late on in proceedings. He skipped past numerous defenders before rounding the goalkeeper and all but walking the ball in for the winner to rob the 30 children of a famous draw.Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Nigel De Jong Makes X-Rated Tackle on Darlington Nagbe During Galaxy vs. Timbers

Nigel de Jong's horror tackle on Darlington Nagbe forced the American midfielder to be stretchered off in the 72nd minute as Los Angeles Galaxy and Portland Timbers drew 1-1 at the StubHub Center on April 10.  The pair both went in for a 50-50 ball, but Dutchman De Jong's lunge was wildly mistimed, and he ended up stamping on Nagbe's ankle—see below video, via sportswriter Eduard Cauich: As shared by Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, Nagbe suffered a sprain and contusion to his ankle during the clash, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to return to the pitch: On Friday, the club announced De Jong has been suspended three matches and fined an undisclosed amount. De Jong said after the match that it was never his intention to hurt Nagbe, per the club's website: It was a ball that came my way. It was 50-50 and normally I always have those balls. But I went over the ball and caught the ball a little bit and caught most of his ankle. It was a pity; it was never my intention to hurt him. He’s a good kid, as well, and I said that after the game, as well, to him. It’s a pity, but that’s football, as well. ...

MLS Cup Playoffs 2015: Dates, Schedule, Odds, Bracket and Live Stream Info

The MLS Cup playoffs schedule was set on Sunday, as New York Red Bulls won the 2015 Supporters' Shield to end the regular season. New York pipped FC Dallas on goal difference to claim the top seeding and home-field advantage for the playoffs. It is New York's second Supporters' Shield triumph in the last three seasons, and they are favourites to take the 2015 MLS Cup as well. Read on for full scheduling information ahead of the playoffs, along with odds and live streaming information. The full bracket is provided by MLS: The knockout round takes place this week, with eight teams aiming to join Dallas, New York, Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew SC in the semi-finals. Here is the full schedule for this week's matches: Live stream available in the UK via Sky Go.   Defending champions LA Galaxy face a tough test on Wednesday against Seattle Sounders, a repeat of last year's Western Conference final. Galaxy are among the favourites to prevail once more in the MLS Cup, but they will have to do it the hard way as Seattle will be a tough team to get past in the preliminary knockout round. Here are the latest odds for the MLS Cup 2015 winner: Montreal Impact and Toronto face each other ...

MLS All-Stars vs. Tottenham: Start Time, Live Stream, Form Guide and Predictions

Overseas teams have had a mixed time of it in the MLS All-Star game over the years. Since 2005, when the format of facing an invited guest became the norm, the All-Star team have won six out of 10 clashes. Most recently, the MLS All-Stars overcame Bayern Munich 2-1 in 2014. The latest challengers to the best MLS can offer are Tottenham Hotspur, who will face off with the All-Stars in Colorado on Wednesday. With Spurs hoping to find some momentum ahead of the new Premier League season, it should be an entertaining and intense occasion. Read on for full details of the matchup, along with a look at the form guide and various predictions.   Date: Wednesday, July 29 Time: 9 p.m. ET, 2 a.m. BST TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (US), Sky Sports 1 (UK) Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, Sky Go   Form Guide As noted above, the MLS All-Stars have a decent record against overseas opponents. However, despite winning the first four clashes from 2005, a loss on penalties to Everton in 2009 kick-started a drop off in success. The following two years saw them thrashed twice by Manchester United before Chelsea were narrowly beaten 3-2 in 2012. The victory over Bayern—a good omen ahead of this year's clash—came following a 3-1 defeat to ...

MLS All-Stars vs. Tottenham: Key Players, Live Stream and TV Info

New York City midfielder Frank Lampard will miss the MLS All-Stars game against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday because of the calf injury that has kept him out of action for his new club. However, the likes of Steven Gerrard and David Villa will be involved, as will former Spurs star Robbie Keane. The match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado, marks the official start to Spurs' pre-season campaign as they look ahead to the upcoming Premier League season. Read on for a full preview of what is sure to be an intriguing clash, along with a look at the key players, live streaming and television information.    Date: Wednesday, July 29 Time: 9 p.m. ET, 2 a.m. BST TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (UK) Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, Sky Go   Preview Lampard has been replaced in the All-Stars roster by New York Red Bulls skipper Dax McCarty, who admitted to being "humbled" by the inclusion, per his club: The full 22-man squad can be found at the MLS website and includes numerous stars who have lit up the league so far this season. Toronto FC's Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco is included, and he will be a significant threat to the Spurs goal, having netted five times in his last three MLS outings, per WhoScored.com. U.S. men's ...

New York City FC vs. Toronto: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

After all the anticipation, Frank Lampard will not be making his MLS debut for New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday against Toronto. The Chelsea legend has been ruled out after picking up an injury, per Bleacher Report UK: However, Jason Kreis' side—who currently sit just outside of the play-off places in the Eastern Conference—can still be confident of claiming all three points, having won four of their last five matches after a terrible start to the season.  Toronto, though, lie two places and three points ahead of City, and they will provide a stiff challenge. Read on for a full preview of an intriguing clash, along with scheduling and television details.    Date: Sunday, July 12 Time: 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. BST TV Info: Live on ESPN (US) and Sky Sports 1 (UK) Live Stream: WatchESPN, Sky Go   Preview Kreis' side made a shocking start to the MLS season, as they won just one of their first 13 matches. However, they have had a pick-up in form of late, with one of their four recent victories a 2-0 win against Toronto in Canada in June. On that occasion, David Villa scored both goals, and the Spaniard will be vital again in attack on Sunday. Villa is in great form, having scored five in four matches, ...

MLS 2015: Fixtures, Live Stream and TV Schedule, Designated Players and Preview

Defending champions LA Galaxy kick off the 2015 Major League Soccer season on Friday at the StubHub Center against Chicago Fire, the start of a new term which sees two new clubs enter the division. Newcomers Orlando City and New York City FC face off against each other on Sunday for the start of their maiden MLS campaigns, with each side looking to make an early impact. With 20 teams competing in 2015, MLS is bigger than ever, and there will be some appropriately world-class talent on show, with the likes of Kaka and David Villa set to participate from the word go. Here is the full schedule for Matchday 1 of action in MLS 2015: A full season fixture list can be found at MLSsoccer.com, with live streaming available via ESPN Player, Fox Sports Go, Univision Deportes and Sky Go.   A key absentee will be Landon Donovan, MLS' most successful ever player, and a US soccer legend per ESPN's Paul Carr, the 33-year-old having retired after his final Galaxy triumph last season: Not only will he be missed by his LA teammates and coach Bruce Arena, but by the entire league in which he starred for so long. However, Galaxy still have star forward Robbie Keane on their books—the Irishman netted ...

Sebastian Giovinco to Toronto FC: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Toronto FC have completed the signing of Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco, with the Italian set to join the MLS outfit in the summer after the completion of the 2014-15 Serie A season.    The Canadian club announced the move via Twitter on Monday but did not disclose any information about the financial terms of the deal: Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun reports that Giovinco could be set to earn $7 million (£4.6 million) a year across a five-year contract. This would potentially make the Italy international one of the highest-paid players in MLS with top-earner Kaka of Orlando City currently demanding a similar figure. Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko hailed the signing of the 27-year-old Giovinco, per the club's website, which is something of a surprise move despite him being out of favour at Juve. He has started just twice in the league this season: Today marks a very special day for Toronto FC with the addition of Sebastian Giovinco. Seba is in the prime of his career and he has chosen to join Toronto FC and MLS at a time when many of the top clubs in the world were pursuing him. We are very pleased to bring a fantastic player to Toronto FC for our club and for our fans, especially ...