MLS

There seems to be a growing consensus on social media that it’s job done after arriving at a European super club or that it’s only onwards and upwards for a player’s career from there. It’s hard not to get excited about CONCACAF footballers at some of the world’s biggest clubs, but it’s also worth remembering that the challenge really only begins once you get through the door.  

Look at Alexander Hleb’s career after arriving at Barcelona or Christian Poulsen at Juventus for examples of dream moves turned into living nightmares.

El Tráfico took center stage on Sunday afternoon as Los Angeles FC hosted the LA Galaxy at an empty Banc of California Stadium but with thousands watching the action unfold on national television. 

The standings — LAFC entered fifth in the Western Conference, the Galaxy dead last — and ESPN.com’s promo photo juxtaposing Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sebastian Lletget told you everything you needed to know about how much has changed for these two clubs over the past year.

The top team in this year's Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season will receive the Supporters' Shield after all, in a reversal of an earlier decision, the league said on Friday.

The Supporters' Shield Foundation said last week that awarding the prize "goes against the spirit of the Shield," amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted the season and resulted in fans being barred from stadiums.

But the foundation has reversed the decision after discussions with the MLS Independent Supporters Council.

Christian Torres' 93rd minute goal gave Los Angeles FC a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers on Sunday night in Portland.

The 16-year-old forward, who entered as a substitute in the 75th minute, scored his first goal of the season, and LAFC stole two points from the Timbers (9-5-4, 31 points).

THE YOUNGEST PLAYER EVER TO SCORE FOR #LAFC.

Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney didn't mince words on Sunday when addressing the decision against presenting the Supporters' Shield this season.

The Supporters' Shield is given annually to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular-season record. The decision against handing out the award was reached by the Supporters' Shield Foundation, which gives out the honor on behalf of the Independent Supporters Council. The award was created by supporters in the formative years of MLS and awarded in 1998 for the first time.

After a dreadful start to their season, the Los Angeles Galaxy will make a change at head coach, according to multiple reports in Ireland.

Former Galaxy standout and Ireland international Robbie Keane will replace Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Galaxy did not refute the reports outright, instead characterizing them as a "rumor."

The Galaxy are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the most recent coming in a 4-0 thrashing at home by the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday. They are also winless in their last seven games.

The Philadelphia Union are transferring homegrown midfielder Brenden Aaronson to Austria's FC Red Bull Salzburg after the 2020 MLS season.

The team said the deal announced Friday includes a record transfer fee for a U.S.-based homegrown player — "close to $10 million," according to NBC Sports.

Philadelphia Union have reached a historic transfer agreement with @redbullsalzburg for Homegrown Midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

Caden Clark scored the tying goal in the 77th minute and the visiting New York Red Bulls rallied for a 1-1 draw against league-leading Toronto FC Wednesday night at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut.

The 17-year-old became the youngest player in MLS history to score in his first two games after entering the game in the 59th minute. Clark leveled the game by releasing a left-footed shot from above the middle of the box that sailed over the diving attempt of Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westburg. 

Erik Hurtado's airborne goal lifted Sporting Kansas City past Nashville SC 2-1 Sunday night at Children's Mercy Park in the first match ever between the clubs. Sporting Kansas City is now 10-3-4 in first meetings with expansion sides.

Sporting (9-5-2, 29 points) earned its first three-game winning streak this season. Nashville SC (4-6-6, 18 points) allowed more than one goal for only the sixth time this season.

In his MLS debut, 17-year-old Caden Clark scored shortly after halftime to lift the New York Red Bulls to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Clark's goal, his fourth in the pros after scoring three times for the New York Red Bulls II of the second-tier USL Championship, came on the match's first shot on target.