Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday that Minnesota United will become the league’s 23rd franchise three years from now, beginning play in the 2018 season. The already vibrant community of Twin Cities soccer fans will be thrilled by this news, especially those within the city limits; Minnesota United, who currently play out at a sports… Continue reading Predictions for Minnesota United FC in MLS
Author: Elliott Niblock
Theo Walcott’s New Contract: Out of Form But In The Fold
Theo Walcott turned 26 last week, and Arsenal honored the pacy winger’s birthday by opening new contract negotiations. While Arsene Wenger enjoys a party as much as the next bloke (um, well, actually, he’s a bit more morose than most), the club isn’t offering Walcott this deal as a birthday present; obviously much more is… Continue reading Theo Walcott’s New Contract: Out of Form But In The Fold
FC Dallas Continue To Impress: MLS Review March 21 – 22
If last week’s action saw new boys Orland and NYC light up the highlight reel, this weekend saw their stars fade, while two of the league’s veteran teams continued to excel. One, the Vancouver Whitecaps, excelled at the expense of Orland City, as their new signing Octavio Rivero continued his blistering, goal-per-game start to the… Continue reading FC Dallas Continue To Impress: MLS Review March 21 – 22
Octavio Rivero: The Uruguayan in Cascadia You Need to Know
Sample size is important. Whether you’re evaluating a young sporting talent, or interviewing strangers about their favorite cupcake and beer pairings, the more data you have on the table, the better. For this reason, some might be quick to call buzz surrounding Vancouver Whitecaps new striker Octavio Rivero mere hype, seeing that he’s only played two… Continue reading Octavio Rivero: The Uruguayan in Cascadia You Need to Know
Villa Thrills, Seattle Stumbles, and Dallas/Perez are Top: MLS Review for March 13-15
In the second week of MLS action, both league debutantes, Orlando City and NYC FC, secured their maiden victories, with the latter recording a convincing win over last year’s Eastern Conference Champions, NE Revolution. In the West, the San Jose Earthquakes stymied Seattle’s momentum in a thrilling 3-2 victory, while the LA Galaxy stole a… Continue reading Villa Thrills, Seattle Stumbles, and Dallas/Perez are Top: MLS Review for March 13-15
Manchester United 1 – 2 Arsenal FC: The FA Cup’s BPL Implications
Although it might be said that neither side played completely up to their potential, Manchester United’s 1-2 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday was certainly a thrilling affair. A Wayne Rooney goal (seemingly inevitable against the Gunners) from an inch-perfect Angel di Maria cross, a controversial sending off, some remarkably heroics in goal… Continue reading Manchester United 1 – 2 Arsenal FC: The FA Cup’s BPL Implications
The MLS CBA: Baby Steps for a Growing League
The first weekend of MLS is behind us, thanks to the Collective Bargaining Agreement jointly agreed upon by the league and its players’ union, the MLSPU. The negotiations, ongoing since December, had much ground to cover, and appeared at the outset to be doomed. The union demanded the league institute a form of free agency,… Continue reading The MLS CBA: Baby Steps for a Growing League
LA, Seattle Look Strong In Opening Weekend: MLS Review for March 6 – 9
With the Collective Bargaining Agreement behind them, the MLS players took the field this weekend, kicking off a season some thought might not even take place. Thankfully, the MLSPU and MLS came to an agreement, and we have nine months of domestic soccer ahead of us. What’s more, the league welcomes two new franchises to its… Continue reading LA, Seattle Look Strong In Opening Weekend: MLS Review for March 6 – 9
Do You (Anti-)Trust Me?: MLS Free Agency Negotiations
Regardless of off-season transfers, upcoming fixtures, and starting XI speculation, the question on every MLS supporter’s lips this week has been much more fundamental: will the season start this week, or not? The MLS Players’ Union has been threatening a strike, and with the league seemingly immobile for months, a work stoppage has, until the… Continue reading Do You (Anti-)Trust Me?: MLS Free Agency Negotiations
NYCFC: Manchester City B
For soccer fans in the United States, domestic league kick off is nigh (well, barring a potential work stoppage; more on that later this week). The squads have gathered, trained, and with the February friendlies done and dusted, each team’s full complement has had time to gel, the old stalwarts getting to know their clubs’… Continue reading NYCFC: Manchester City B