5Apr/150
FC Dallas Coach Oscar Pareja Offers Caleb Porter a Tissue at Postgame Handshake
In terms of postgame handshake rows, this has to be far and away one of the best ones yet. Oscar Pareja-coached FC Dallas fell to the Portland Timbers 3-1 on Saturday in Major League Soccer, but Pareja won the award for bitter congratulations.At the full-time whistle, Pareja greeted Timbers boss Caleb Porter with a tissue he had just blown his nose with as opposed to his hand. Porter was not amused. He dismissed the tissue and gave Pareja a not-so-subtle "scoreboard" mention. "I walked over to shake his hand and he had a tissue that he put over his nose and tried to hand me a tissue," Porter said afterward, per MLS. "So I thought it was very poor sportsmanship out of (Pareja). "I never said one word to him the whole game and he obviously wasn't happy with the loss." In the aftermath, former United States star and Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas weighed in on the issue and sided with the Timbers boss. [Major League Soccer, h/t Deadspin]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com11Mar/150
Image of Jozy Altidore Being Shown the Middle Finger by Vancouver Fan Goes Viral
Jozy Altidore's making a fast impact in his return to Major League Soccer. He scored two goals in his first match—a 3-1 win for Toronto FC over the Vancouver Whitecaps—but when scoring the final goal (a cheeky Panenka), he found himself on the receiving end of an all-too-common gesture of disapproval. The excellent picture captured by photographer Duncan Nicol quickly went viral. While the middle-figure salute is generally taken as offensive, in this particular case, it was well-received all around. For a league that's still growing, the prevailing theme of the viral photo was that at least they're watching (and obviously care). "I saw it online," Altidore told the Toronto Sun. "Someone asked what I thought. I thought it was cool. It captures what the game means to them, what the rivalry means to them." The fan was later identified as Whitecaps diehard Kirsty Olychick.She admitted that it was just a natural reaction and meant no offense to the American international. Per the same Sun report: I don't think he even noticed I was doing it, nothing was said to me at the time. I am completely surprised at the reaction it is getting and, thankfully, most of it is positive. I heard he was amused by the picture and really that is ...9Mar/150
Kaka Hits Late Free-Kick Equaliser in MLS Debut with Orlando City SC
It wasn't quite a Hollywood ending for Kaka's Major League Soccer debut, but the Brazilian legend showed he's still got the flair for the dramatics on the pitch. Kaka hit a late injury-time equaliser against the David Villa-led NYCFC from a set piece. OK, it wasn't perfect—it smashed off of the NYCFC wall, landing his opposing goalkeeper on his backside going the wrong direction, but the much-ballyhooed Orlando City SC signing made a poignant mark in his first MLS match and sent the sold-out crowd into a frenzy. [Vine]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com24Feb/150
Kaka Named Captain of New MLS Franchise Orlando City
Brazilian legend Kaka will ply his trade in Major League Soccer this season with new franchise Orlando City. The man who's starred and captained AC Milan and laced up for Real Madrid will fittingly lead the new club's inaugural MLS season wearing the captain's armband, the team has announced. Manager Adrian Heath explained the decision to have the seasoned pro lead the side, per Copa America's official website: Kaka has demonstrated great leadership both on the filed and in the locker room since the start, and the other players have naturally looked to his guidance throughout pre-season, so he was the natural pick to skipper the club. Ricky's role will extend off the pitch as well, serving as the team's liaison with the front office and coaching staff on all player-related concerns to ensure we provide the best possible environment for the players to train, develop and succeed personally and professionally. The 32-year-old Kaka has already shown fans several glimpses of what exactly he's capable of in an Orlando shirt: ¡CRACK! @KAKA con Orlando City. Caño tremendo. https://t.co/i18QhSpiL8” — eljugadordelidolo (@eljugadordepes) February 24, 2015 Kaká marcou pelo Orlando City https://t.co/88EOuU1yHa" — Dividida FC (@BlogDivididaFC) February 22, 2015 Kaka still knows where the goal is at Orlando City training https://t.co/NhQYivBe7g — 101 ...22Jan/150
The 9th Edition of Frank Lampard’s ‘Frankie’s Magic Football’ Is Poorly Timed
Just as New York City's wounds started to heal from the prolonged Frank Lampard contract saga, Lampard's latest children's book has been revealed. Nope, the timing of it is not good. Lampard, of course, signed with MLS' New York City FC (owned by Manchester City), was shipped on loan to Manchester and then extended his loan, delaying the start of his NYCFC career. The whole ordeal is broken down here. NYCFC fans were not fond of the move. So when the ninth edition of Lampard's children's book was revealed, "Frankie's New York Adventure," it's safe to assume it won't sell especially well in New York. It will be released on Feb. 5. At least NYCFC fans will get to see Lampard in book form before they see him in human form. [Who Ate All The Pies]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com7Jan/150
Major League Soccer Welcome Steven Gerrard with Awful ‘Bae’ Tweet
Welcome to Major League Soccer, Steven Gerrard, and also perhaps the teenage slang that goes with it. Gerrard's move to the Los Angeles Galaxy was completed on Wednesday, and Major League Soccer welcomed the Liverpool legend to the league with a tweet that would have old-school linguists up in arms. But the kids will love it! MLS celebrated the reunion of Gerrard with one-time Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane (good) but did so with the use of #bae, slang for "baby" or "boo" (bad). Heck, they're trying to ban the word! [Major League Soccer]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com13Nov/140
New York City FC’s Kit Looks Almost Exactly Like Manchester City’s Kit
New York City FC debuted their "new" kits, and they look unsurprisingly familiar. They look almost exactly like Manchester City's kits. This, of course, makes perfect sense. After all, Manchester City owns New York City's newest Major League Soccer franchise, although few expected NYCFC to practically replicate City's kit. The club hardly hid its aspirations, calling it "city blue," and has "NYCFC" on the inside neck and inaugural season on the lower part of the shirt. "It's a perfect jersey for our first year," David Villa told the team's official website. "We hope it brings a lot of luck and a lot of success." [Twitter]Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com24Oct/140
New York Red Bulls Help Fulfill the Dreams of 5-Year-Old Girl with Rare Disease
MLS' New York Red Bulls made one of their classiest signings yet, and it helped fulfill the dreams of a five-year-old girl. Red Bulls brought on Irelyn Maloney on a one-day contract. Young Irelyn was born with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), which is a rare genetic disease that has prevented her from competing in sports. Irelyn always wanted to become a footballer, so the Red Bulls helped her make good on that with a contract. She even scored in training! She donned the No. 31 shirt of her favourite footballer, Luis Robles, and got her own locker. "If she could play soccer every day, and every minute of every day, she would," he mother, Shannon, told the Red Bulls' official website. "She wears her cleats to school, she wears her cleats to the food store and to the doctor's. She just absolutely adores it." She added that Irelyn's had 40 hospital stays and six surgeries in five years. In spite of this, prior to her visit with Red Bulls, she got to compete in an actual match. Earlier this month her sister's team held a special game that she competed in as part of the Twin County Soccer Association. [New York Red Bulls]Read more MLS news on ...20Oct/140
Toronto FC Goalkeeper Joe Bendik Picks Up ‘Injured’ Time-Wasting Opponent
Toronto FC goalkeeper Joe Bendik may have finally solved the age-old problem of time-wasting due to injury. Well, "injury." On Saturday, Canadian rivals Toronto FC and Montreal played to a 1-1 draw in Major League Soccer. In the waning moments of the match, Montreal's Felipe Martins went down as the Impact looked to hold on for a draw. Bendik, wholly unimpressed with Martins' "injury," simply walked over to the Brazilian midfielder and put matters (and Martins) into his own hands and picked him up. Martins, unpleased, then went after Bendik. What was he so mad about? It appeared as though Bendik healed his mysterious injury! [YouTube, h/t Metro] Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com25Aug/140