Zlatan Ibrahimović has announced his departure from the LA Galaxy following the expiration of his contract in MLS. Ibrahimović took to Twitter to inform America that he came, he saw, he conquered — and then he instructed us all to go back to watching baseball.
It’s happening with increasing swiftness: Spain’s golden generation is tiki-takaing out of existence. The latest to announce his retirement from the game is 37-year-old striker David Villa, who’ll call it quits in either December or January (depending on if Vissel Kobe can reach the final of the Emperor’s Cup).
Villa was a monster for Valencia, Barcelona, Sporting Gijón, Zaragoza and New York City FC, as well as the Spanish national team — although injury conspired against him for some of his generation’s finest moments.
For years, Major League Soccer has started in March. Sounders at Heart recently reported, however, that the 2020 MLS season will start on Feb. 29, the earliest in league history.
The Seattle Sounders captured their second MLS Cup in four years by defeating Toronto FC 3-1 at CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Sounders scored three second half goals to secure the victory in front of the largest sporting event crowd in CenturyLink Field history — 69,274 roared their approval when a deflected Kelvin Leerdam effort gave Seattle the lead in the 57th minute before Víctor Rodríguez’s cool finish doubled the advantage in the 76th. Raúl Ruidíaz cemented the club’s second-ever title with a strike of his own in the 90th.
There’s nothing hotter in MLS right now than revealing plans and renderings for a new stadium. All the cool kids are doing it these days, unless you’re the Chicago Fire and you’re unveiling a return to a really old stadium (still better than the old digs). But there’s something about the St. Louis MLS stadium that makes it special.
It was a nail-biting match, but the Seattle Sounders came up with a massive upset again MLS Cup favorite LAFC on Tuesday night to claim their third Western Conference championship in four years.
While the Sounders played well, LAFC was its own worst enemy. Its frustration in not being able to break the Sounders down was not only evident on the field, but also in the stands. By the 80th minute, the fans were throwing beer at Sounders players.
As a player, how do you respond to things being thrown on the pitch?
Another start, another full 90, another match without a significant contribution from Newcastle United’s Miguel Almirón. After arriving from Atlanta United for a club-record fee of $27 million last January, it’s now 20 Premier League appearances for the 25-year-old Paraguayan without a single goal or assist.
The Dynamo have a new coach, and for the first time since Dominic Kinnear roamed the sidelines at Robertson Stadium, Houston fans have a reason to be excited about the man in charge. Tab Ramos is coming to Houston.
The Houston Dynamo announced Tab Ramos as its new head coach on Friday, confirming reports from earlier in the week.
It’s official Dynamo fans. Tab Ramos is your new head coach! #ForeverOrange
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been coy over his future in Major League Soccer. This much we know: He’s done for the season after failing to lead the LA Galaxy past LAFC on Thursday night.
Carlos Vela had two goals and an assist as LAFC beat the Galaxy for the first time ever, 5-3 in the MLS Western Conference semifinals at Banc of California Stadium.
Ibrahimovic had a goal and an assist in what could be his final match in MLS, but said afterword it’s “too early to speak” about his future.
LAFC manager Bob Bradley raked in his third Coach of the Year Award after an incredible 21-win and 72-point season.
Bradley joined New England Revolution manager Bruce Arena as the only managers with three MLS Coach of the Year awards (renamed this year as the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award) as well as being the only two managers to win the Sigi Schmid in three separate decades.
points (single-season points record)
+ goal differential
Supporters' Shield