3May/120
Seattle Sounders: Freddy Montero Scores Absolute Stunner Against LA Galaxy
The Seattle Sounders had plenty of chances in the first half to bury the Los Angeles Galaxy yesterday, but they squandered many of them.Eddie Johnson finished off an excellent move and ball from Mauro Rosales in the 40th minute to score his second goal in as many games to fire his ahead. However, the real clincher came in the second half. Fredy Montero lined up an ambitious shot from 35-yards out and sent a dipping blast into the upper-90 to beat Galaxy goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, who was filling in for Los Angeles' usual starting keeper Josh Saunders (Saunders recently entered Major League Soccer's substance abuse treatment program).The goal was Montero's first of the season, and probably his most ambitious and impressive goal in his short but already impressive career. "When you have the opportunity to shoot from that distance you just try," he said after the game, per ESPN. "Thank God that ball went into the net."Montero's newest strike partner Johnson tried his hand in Europe after a successful career in MLS. It didn't turn out so well for the former Fulham man. He bounced around Europe on loan, but didn't find any success.Johnson returned to MLS this season and ended up partnering Sounders. Injuries ...3May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: Rating the Galaxy Players
The Los Angeles Galaxy were dancing with wolves on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, and the patchwork lineup sent by Bruce Arena was easy prey for a Seattle Sounders team in need of a league result against LA. Seattle shutout the Galaxy 2-0 in a match that proved to be one-sided, despite the stat sheets suggesting an equal contest. No star power leads to a bad result. And a bad result leads to poor ratings. Bill Gaudette 5 Gaudette was beaten twice in the match by the scoring tandem of Eddie Johnson and Fredy Montero. He didn't make enough saves to acquit himself and has to be wondering just exactly what happened to the now fallen star known as Josh Saunders. It was not one of his best nights, and he can only hope that an improved performance against New York is in the books. He can only hope. David Junior Lopes 4 Another off night for Lopes in the back line. Played out of position at times and couldn't stop Montero and Johnson from dealing irreversible damage. Sean Franklin 4 Turned the ball over one too many times, and when you can't beat the Sisters of ...3May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders: 6 Things We Learned
Bruce Arena is, for what it's worth, a very compulsive gambler. He hoped for a miracle by fielding a virtual B-team of starters and benchwarmers for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Seattle Sounders...and lost, 2-0, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.As the Galaxy slink back to the Home Depot Center for Saturday's contest with the New York Red Bulls, here are six things we learned from the midweek tilt in Seattle.Begin Slideshow3May/120
20 Best MLS Goals of All Time
There have been hundreds of goals throughout the 17 seasons of Major League Soccer's existence.Among all those goals, there are many memorable ones. Goals that will never be forgotten for reasons of importance, caliber or just dumb luck.To narrow them down to the best 20 in history is difficult. I'm sure some were overlooked for the simple reason there is no video archive that's easily accessible.With that said, this list, I believe, does do justice to the best goals we've seen in MLS. We may not agree on the ranking order, but there's no denying that these 20 goals are among the best.And if there are some I missed, there is always the comment box below for you to share. Enjoy.Begin Slideshow2May/120
MLS Weekly Roundup: Rosario’s First Goal, Henry’s Injury, Dynamo’s New Home
There's no one even close to Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference and the San Jose Earthquakes are leading the pack in the West.And yes, Toronto is still the worst MLS team you've ever seen. Stop piling on.But what else is going on in Major League Soccer?Glad you asked.Here's the weekly recap of what you might have missed.Begin Slideshow2May/120
Del Piero and Raul: Who’d Be Better for MLS and Why
As has become a pattern in the MLS, famous European players eventually decide that instead of trying to sit on a bench one more season with their current team, they'd rather finish their careers in America.And now the headlines are slowly linking two more stalwarts of Champions League soccer to teams in the burgeoning American league.They are Alessandro Del Piero of Italy and Spain's Raul.Both are synonymous with success.Del Piero has had a lifetime relationship with Juventus, experiencing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.Raul was thought to be forever clad in the famous white of Real Madrid, only to be unceremoniously dumped when the second round of the Galaticos arrived.In each case, MLS would be still be getting a very serviceable player, capable of scoring many goals and creating general mayhem for opposing defenses.But which one would make the better addition for MLS? Let's try to figure this out.Begin Slideshow2May/120
MLS: Rating the Designated Players’ Performances so Far This Year
As MLS continues to grow in the world of football, plenty of its teams are looking for foreign talent to help bolster their squad. Ever since the DP rule was introduced in 2007, more and more clubs are taking the Designated Player path and signing big names in order to enhance their chances at claiming MLS glory.There are currently twenty one players with this DP label in MLS, and I have grouped each one of these players into a specific category based on their 2012 performances so far. From those who are more than earning their paycheck (Thierry Henry) to those who aren't quite the fan favorites (Rafa Marquez), I have placed each DP into one of four groups that explains their current play this season.Enjoy!Begin Slideshow1May/120
2012 Olympics: Pros and Cons of Picking David Beckham for Team GB
David Beckham is sporting royalty in Great Britain, but while the public clamors for his inclusion in Team GB's historic soccer squad to compete at the 2012 London Olympics should not be underestimated, his place is not guaranteed.As reported by the Daily Mail, Great Britain coach Stuart Pearce has been told by Olympics chairman Lord Coe to pick his squad purely on merit—and not be swayed by anything else.Pearce is currently weighing whether to make Beckham one of his three overage players in the 16-team tournament this summer. To educate his decision, he will be in the stadium to watch Beckham play for L.A. Galaxy in Seattle on Wednesday night, on the same day the former England international turns 37.This summer will mark the first time since 1971 that a men's football team representing Great Britain has taken to the field. Pearce will be their manager and it's his job to select a squad of 18 players, of which no more than three can have been born after January 1, 1989.Here are the pros and cons of selecting Beckham in Team GB's squad as they seek to win a home gold medal.Begin Slideshow1May/120
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC: Analysis, Reaction and More
Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy continue their 2012 Major League Soccer campaign on Wednesday, May 2 when they travel to the Pacific Northwest, and Seattle, Wash. to face Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders. The Galaxy are currently 3-3-1 (10 points) and sit near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. As for the Sounders, they are 4-1-1 (13 points) and have a game in hand over the Galaxy. However, they have struggled to get positive results against Los Angeles in league play and will aim to bounce back and right the ship. Can Los Angeles get back on the winning track, or will Seattle finally get a huge monkey off their back? Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by KDOC and KWHY. As always, keep it right here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of the 2012 Major League Soccer season and all things World Football. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com1May/120