The LA Galaxy triggered a first-ever playoff El Tráfico by defeating Minnesota United 2-1 at Allianz Field in Saint Paul on Sunday, registering the only upset of the first round of 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Zlatan Ibrahimović was oddly ineffective and wasteful for the Galaxy, but Sebastian Lletget and Jonathan dos Santos struck in quick succession in the second half to sink the Loons in their maiden playoff voyage.
While the new single-elimination format for the MLS playoffs was widely hailed immediately after its announcement, it’s been edifying to watch the first round produce some all time classics over the course of its first two days.
It's no secret that soccer is growing in the United States. More children are playing the game, it's become much more accessible on TV with a myriad of different streaming options and soccer jerseys are almost becoming a fashion statement on the street.
We’ve known it’s been coming for quite some time — the Fire called the announcement “The World’s Best Worst-Kept Secret” — but it’s now officially official: The Chicago Fire will return to Soldier Field beginning with the 2020 season.
Alas, Bastian Schweinsteiger will not win a World Cup for the Chicago Fire.
That much was confirmed when the iconic German midfielder announced his retirement on Tuesday, calling to an end an 18-year professional career that included eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
With Decision Day behind us, it’s time for the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs! Actually, we’ve got to make it through an international break, but then — it’s time for the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs! It’s our first taste of the newfangled MLS playoff schedule, with the top seven teams from each conference battling it out in single-elimination matches. Play begins on Saturday, Oct. 19, and concludes with MLS Cup 2019 on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Here’s a look at the MLS playoff schedule 2019, including match dates, times, TV information, previews and predictions.
It’s happened again, although the result is less disastrous this time around. Last year, despite the brilliance of Zlatan Ibrahimović and his record of 22 goals in 27 games, the LA Galaxy missed out on the playoffs after a catastrophic choke-job against an already eliminated Houston Dynamo on Decision Day.
Earlier this year, Tim Howard announced his plans to retire from professional soccer at the end of this season. While he hasn't played since the end of August, Howard went to Twitter to say thank you to the Colorado Rapids fans for three-and-a-half seasons with the club before the final regular-season home game of the season.
It is sad that Chris Wondolowski's name will always remind people of his miss against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup. Because the all-time MLS leading goal scorer is not only a San Jose 'Quakes legend, but he is a fan favorite for moments just like what happened this week.
After picking up his first-ever red card in his 15-year professional career, he had to miss San Jose's match against the Philadelphia Union. He doesn't watch the game from the fancy box seats. Instead, he joins the San Jose Ultras. If that doesn't show dedication to your team, I don't know what does.
Major League Soccer has decided it would rather not side with fascists after all, a positive step for the league in a country where fascism isn’t always condemned.
In a statement released Wednesday, MLS said it has reversed course on fan usage of the Iron Front symbol, allowing the anti-fascist imagery to be displayed at matches, at least through the end of the 2019 season.