As Major League Soccer launched a milestone 25th season on Saturday, the mood was not one of reflection and cautious optimism but bold even outrageous predictions of a future empire.
Not content to eventually become one of the most successful leagues in North America, MLS has set its sights on supplanting the UK's Premier League and Spain's LaLiga as the world's top soccer product by the time it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Being able to wear the U.S. crest and represent your country playing the sport you love is an honor and the opportunity of a lifetime. The U.S. U-20 women’s national team is currently competing in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship with a spot at the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on the line.
Javier Hernández made his long-awaited MLS debut on Saturday in Houston. A rare sell-out crowd at BBVA Stadium watched as Chicharito’s LA Galaxy earned a 1-1 draw with the hometown Dynamo.
It's time. @CH14_ pic.twitter.com/iNk6ECl0TQ
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 29, 2020
Maximiliano Urruti's goal in the 80th minute lifted the Montreal Impact to a 2-1 victory over the visiting New England Revolution in Saturday's MLS season opener.
Urruti's high-arcing shot from just outside the box found its way over New England keeper Matt Turner, who had come off his line in an attempt to cut off Urruti's path to the net.
The USWNT spent their extra day of the year back in training in preparation for the SheBelieves Cup that kicks off on March 5. The Orlando mayor greeted the USWNT at City Hall in Orlando, Florida, before the tournament begins and has proclaimed March 5 as SheBelieves Day.
American Pellegrino Matarazzo has enjoyed an excellent start to his career as a head coach, taking 13 points from a possible 15 while taking VfB Stuttgart up to second place in the table.
Matarazzo, appointed in December to take over for Tim Walter, got off to a winning start with the Swabians as his side rolled over FC Heidenheim, 3-0. VfB has gone from strength to strength since then, winning three of the next four in the 2. Bundesliga. Matarazzo's only loss at the helm so far came in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal.
FC Dallas signed midfielder Tanner Tessmann to a three-year contract with club options for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, making him the 28th Homegrown Player in the organization.
By signing the contract, the 18-year-old is giving up his chance to vie for the kicking duties at Clemson.
A lot of thought went in to @frantanjam5's decision to choose FC Dallas over Clemson.
A visible clock is one of the measures being considered by Major League Soccer to solve the problem of time-wasting by players, according to former World Cup final referee Howard Webb, who is now the MLS's head official.
Webb told Reuters he was "open-minded" about the concept and that MLS could perhaps serve as a test model to trial the idea, just as it was the world's first league to use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at every match.
The MLS debut of LA Galaxy's new Mexican goal machine Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and the long-awaited arrival of the David Beckham-owned Inter Miami expansion team highlight the start of the league's 25th anniversary season this weekend.
The campaign, which kicks off with all 26 clubs in action, will also see defending champions Seattle Sounders seeking a third title in five seasons and Los Angeles FC eager to build on a record-breaking 2019 regular season.
The 2020 SheBelieves Hero contest was developed by U.S. Soccer and supported by USWNT players to encourage girls and women of all ages to achieve their goals and make a difference in their community. Originally launched before the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the contest has helped foster a special relationship between the team and its fans.
Believing in yourself and being a leader in your supporting community, no matter the circumstances, are key components in the selection of the SheBelieves Hero.