The United States will take their first step on the road to the next World Cup this Friday, playing host to St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 7 PM Eastern in St. Louis. The USMNT may be heavy favorites, but the Americans come into the match on the back of a dismal three game losing… Continue reading USMNT World Cup Qualifying Preview

As I walked with the Timbers Army—the “ultras” among Portland Timbers fans—out of Yankee Stadium on the evening of April 19, elated by Dairon Asprilla’s 79th minute match-winner, I was stopped by a stadium security guard. He was not halting me for foul language, or trying to confiscate a flask; rather, he was thanking us… Continue reading The Timbers Army: Exemplary Support

The weekend started with a thrilling comeback from NYC FC and ended with a blowout from Orlando City and a big first win from Philadelphia. As teams start to find their pace, we’re starting to define who the top teams will be this season. Let’s get to the games: Full Time UNDP  New York City… Continue reading Orlando City Run Over the Galaxy: MLS Recap for May 15-17

That the MLS does things differently from its European counterparts is clear. Whereas in most European leagues, teams at the bottom of the table are relegated, making room for the top teams in lower divisions to be promoted, the MLS has no promotion system, and only accepts new teams through ‘expansion,’ similar to the NFL… Continue reading MLS Conferences: A False Dichotomy

New York City FC came out lackluster and paid the price. Despite going down a man, the New York Red Bulls were able to win with a brace from Bradley Wright-Phillips, only giving up one goal on the day. Elsewhere, Vancouver and Dallas both got wins to continue their hot play. Let’s get to the games:… Continue reading Red Bulls Own New York: MLS Recap for May 8-10

With a comfortable 2-0 win over Columbus, D.C. United move into a tie for first place with a game in hand. Elsewhere, Seattle and New England continue moving up the standings, while the Red Bulls fall a week before their big home derby match against New York City FC. Let’s get to the games: Houston… Continue reading D.C. United Making a Run: MLS Recap for May 1-3

February, 2015: Thierry Henry is gone. With Raul and the Cosmos, David Villa and NYCFC now on the scene, the Red Bulls’ monopoly on the New York market is done and dusted. And, to boot, the front office decided, to many fans’ chagrin, to fire long-time coach Mike Petke. So, it would seem, the season… Continue reading New York Red Bulls: Top of the East (!!..!?)

For soccer fans in Vancouver, this year looks to be remarkable. It’s been known for some time that their city will play host to the Women’s World Cup Final this summer, but what we didn’t know, is just how good their resident MLS side, the Vancouver Whitecaps, would be in 2015. The answer, at least… Continue reading Vancouver: Soccer City, BC’s New Talisman

From your daughter playing Little League Baseball, to your alma mater’s football team, no one wants to see a team they support at the bottom of the league—even early on in the season. But for members of the (in)famous Timbers Army, that’s precisely where they find themselves heading into the fifth match of the season,… Continue reading Portland Timbers Lackluster Start, and the Designated Player Rule

Major League Soccer is often criticized for being a lower tier league than its contemporaries across the world. Often those criticisms can feel hyperbolic when coming from the types of viewers who struggle to remain attentive unless Barcelona or Real Madrid are on their television. But, on Saturday, even the most discerning soccer enthusiast would… Continue reading MLS Had Its Worst Game Ever, So Now What?