MLS

Tim Howard’s presence in MLS was clearly felt during his return on Monday as the American goalkeeper registered a shutout in the 0-0 draw between Colorado Rapids, Howard’s new club, and the reigning MLS champion Portland Timbers.

Howard’s debut electrified Colorado’s fanbase — the club typically averages 14,978 spectators per match but had a season-best 18,759 attend Monday’s July 4th matchup.

Rapids fans were keen to see Howard and Jermaine Jones, both returning from Copa America action with the United States, take the field together for the first time for the club.

It's safe to say that NYCFC fans are not completely impressed with Frank Lampard so far. He's been booed by his own supporters, he's been called the worst MLS signing in history and he's only managed to play 14 times for NYCFC in just under a year. 

On Monday, May 2, Giovani Dos Santos was named in Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s 40-player preliminary squad. On Sunday, May 8, Dos Santos showed why with a dominant performance in the LA Galaxy’s 4-2 victory over the New England Revolution.

After a slow start to his professional career, Jordan Morris is now officially more lit than Dubai. Morris scored his fourth goal in as many games on Saturday, tying a rookie record for the longest MLS goal-scoring streak.

Morris was named on Jurgen Klinsmann’s preliminary 40-man roster ahead of the Copa America, and his exploits with Seattle mean that he’s highly likely to make the final list of 23 players.

The big ceremony thing announcing the unveiling of Los Angeles FC's colors and crest also featured the unveiling of a new part-owner: Will Ferrell.

Will Ferrell

.@WillFerreI just crashed @MiaHamm's speech at the unveiling of #LAFC's colors. pic.twitter.com/6y4RHvNEiL

In a classic derby match where rivalry and home pride is all that matters, there is no telling what fans will do to help give their club any extra boost to win the match. New York is new to the whole derby experience, but that doesn’t mean they are short of energy and passion. 

Drogba lands in Montreal

Everyone's likely already heard that Didier Drogba has signed with the Montreal Impact, a team that recently put up a second place result in the CONCACAF Champion's League. While the rumors were originally for Chicago, Montreal was able to steal him away with a combination of targeted allocation money — they backed the Brink's truck up to Drogba's front door — and location — Montreal being a French speaking town. 

Nick Rimando looks like someone you'd want on your side in a bar fight. He's short for a goalie, but sturdy. He's friendly, gregarious even, but he gives off a subtle intensity, which loses its subtlety when he steps in front of a soccer goal. That's his territory, where he's made his living in MLS since 2000 with (now defunct) Miami Fusion, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. At 36, he's an MLS lifer at this point. 

The Club America U-20s defeated the MLS Homegrown All-Stars last night in penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation. This casts a poor light on MLS's player development efforts, however friendly the match ended up being. With that in mind, we did what we always do in trying times: we made a list of pros and cons. 

Pro:

The MLS Homegrown All-Stars almost didn't lose!

Con:

The MLS Homegrown All-Stars lost.

Pro:

The MLS team was really young, with just eight players age 21 or older.