Nashville

5 things we learned from MLS opening day

The 2023 MLS season is finally underway and we've already learned a great deal from the league's opening fixtures. From the on-field play to the coverage and other adjacent news surrounding kick-off, MLS fans will certainly have lots to talk about before the match week has even finished. 

Walker Zimmerman sings Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’ on corner flag after scoring first goal of 2023 season

Nashville SC kicked off the 2023 Major League Soccer season on Saturday in front of a packed GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, with a 2-0 victory vs. NYCFC. One of the biggest topics of discussion was the kits Nashville wore.

For the first time ever, Nashville wore black at home as the team showed off their stunning “The Man in Black Kit” which is a tribute to the great Johnny Cash. The thousands inside the stadium blacked out the stadium.

Part of the nod to Johnny Cash included having his son, John Carter Cash, open the season with some guitar. Epic.

Ranking the 10 best Major League Soccer stadiums

As Major League Soccer enters its 28th season, one example of the league's growing strength is just how difficult it is to determine which 10 stadiums you'd like to visit most. 

Find out which Liga MX side your favorite MLS team will face in the 2023 Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup this summer featuring Liga MX and MLS teams will be a historic tournament and crossover between the two leagues. For the first time every team from both leagues will compete in the same tournament at the same time.

Usually, the only time an MLS and Liga MX team faced off was in the Concacaf Champions League for just a select few. Now every team is involved and guaranteed to play at least one opponent from the rival league.

Wondering who your favorite team will play? Let’s look at the Leagues Cup draw that happened on Friday.

This U.S. map of most-viewed soccer teams by state is wild and defies logic

FBref.com last week published a map of its most-viewed soccer teams by state in 2022 and the results show the incredibly varied interests across the United States.

Across the 50 states there were teams represented from the English Premier League, MLS, La Liga, USL, NWSL, the EFL Championship, the English fifth-tier National League – and the U.S. national team.

“There were definitely some surprises,” Jonah Gardner, product marketing manager for FBref, told The18 in an email.

Five outrageous playoff formats MLS should consider using

The MLS Cup Playoffs have never been set in stone. In the league’s 27 seasons, no fewer than four playoff formats have been used to varying degrees of success. The current system, which features a single elimination format with seven teams from each conference, is easy to understand and follow but could definitely use some improvement, at least according to MLS. 

MLS Cup Playoffs: FC Cincinnati and LA Galaxy advance

The MLS Cup Playoffs are officially underway and the first day of action featured no shortage of drama. FC Cincinnati came from behind to upset the New York Red Bulls 2-1 thanks to a cool finish from Brandon Vazquez while Julián Araujo was the hero for the LA Galaxy as they beat Nashville SC 1-0. 

MLS Decision Day: Everything you need to know

Here we are. Decision Day. A season potentially summed up in one moment. For the seven teams whose campaigns still hang in the balance, defeat is simply not an option. For spectators, the tension has been turned up to the max as six of the seven sides play each other in their final games of the season. After 90 minutes of intensity, stress will give way to both elation and agony. As we go into Decision Day, let’s break down what every team is playing for.

MLS Playoffs — What Every Team Needs To Do To Make The Postseason

The business end of the MLS season is upon us, and with the MLS playoffs kicking off in just under a month, every game matters. Only six sides have officially been eliminated from playoff contention going into the international break and the race for the Supporter’s Shield is very much alive. Following Match Week 32, let’s break down what every team is playing for from here on out.

MLS Playoffs Picture Going into Matchweek 33

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Union: 64 Points

Remaining Opponents: Charlotte FC, Toronto FC

Chicharito Misses Another Penalty (Probably Not The Last Time We Say This)

Chicharito is very bad at penalties.

The Mexican had a horrible attempt of a Panenka against Sporting Kansas City last week that cost the LA Galaxy three crucial points in the MLS playoff race.

A week later, he has missed again.

Chicharito Penalty Miss vs. Nashville SC

Even after his atrocious Panenka attempt in last week’s draw, Chicharito was still trusted for the kick.

Unfortunately for Galaxy, he failed again.

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