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ATLANTA — Atlanta United won on Saturday, but grumblings from fans and media about the team’s attacking struggles continue.

Seventy-four minutes passed before Julian Gressel scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes put a single shot on target in the first half, a long-range effort from centerback Leandro González-Pírez, and home supporters booed when referee Alan Kelly blew his halftime whistle. Colorado entered the game with Major League Soccer’s worst defensive record, having allowed 23 goals in its first eight games.

In his postgame press conference, the first question manager Frank de Boer received was whether he was concerned with the performance. De Boer was taken aback. The team had won, and the manager seemingly expected a more upbeat chat with reporters. Games against defensive-minded teams that “park two busses in front of their own goal,” as Colorado did, are difficult. De Boer was proud of his team for finding a way to take all three points.

It is true, as de Boer argued, that even the best attacking teams can struggle against opponents who bunker. (Remember Atlanta’s 1-1 draw against Seattle last season, or its three losses to lowly D.C. United in 2017?) The bigger issue for the Five Stripes right now is the lack of production from Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez, who still has not adapted to his new country, league and team, and who, according to de Boer, still is not fully match fit after a short offseason and an injury layoff last month.

De Boer and his players who speak with media often take questions about Martínez. The answers are always the same: He needs more time, and when he is comfortable, they are confident Martínez will show the skills that made him a superstar in Argentina. That may be true, but until then, Atlanta will struggle with Martínez in the lineup. He is meant to be the playmaker in the center of the field, and right now, he is not making plays. Martínez took one shot against Colorado. It landed in the stands. He completed 63 percent of his passes, the lowest percentage among the starting 11.

Replacing the production of Miguel Almirón, perhaps the most electric player in MLS history, was always going to be difficult. It is impossible to do that with a player who is in a poor run of form.

With El Pity scuffling and frustrated, his teammates appear unsure of themselves. It looks as though no one knows when or where Martínez will play the ball. Atlanta won against Colorado, but it looked more dangerous in the 2-1 loss to a defensive FC Dallas side the week prior. Martínez did not start that game, nor Atlanta’s 2-0 win over the New England Revolution.

Pity Martinez after being subbed off for Tito Villalba…

Source: C.R. Cope via https://t.co/VDKC8WDbPG pic.twitter.com/nxCPWJZYI0

— JayRiddle (@jay_riddle) April 28, 2019

There is no easy solution for the Five Stripes. Sitting Martínez would do nothing to help his confidence and would only slow his assimilation into the team. De Boer must count on Martínez, and thus his team, improving each week.

“Every time I get the ball, I’m looking for him,” midfielder Darlington Nagbe said after the Colorado game. “Obviously we want to get out talented guys and our playmaker, our No. 10, on the ball.

“We know what he can do. We’ve seen him in training, and we’ve seen him at River [Plate], and I think he’s just getting started here. So, I’m confident in him and giving him the ball every single time. It’s just a matter of time until everyone sees what he can do.”

Before the season began, de Boer said that while he has a specific philosophy regarding how his team should play, he would always prioritize results over style. Atlanta looked good in the loss to Dallas, but it won ugly against Colorado. The manager will take the latter outcome every time, and until Martínez is able to showcase his skills, supporters should forget about beautiful soccer and enjoy the victories when they come.

Tito Villalba, super sub

Héctor “Tito” Villalba believes he is a starting-11 player, but he is a great weapon off the bench for de Boer. Tired defenders face a tall task in keeping up with the winger’s pace and shifty dribbling. Villalba’s substitute appearances were vital for the Five Stripes during their playoff run last season. Saturday night against Colorado was no different.

With just 17 touches, Villalba created two chances and hit a shot off the post. Atlanta came to life when he entered the game in the 71st minute.

Going for broke pays off

Another issue Atlanta has faced this season is a lack of attacking influence from its fullbacks as injuries have ravaged the depth chart. The Five Stripes were reliant on dynamic wing play in 2018, but that has been mostly non-existent this year.

The problem continued against Colorado until de Boer made a double substitution in the 71st minute. Villalba and Eric Remedi entered for Martínez and Brek Shea, respectively. The changes allowed Ezequiel Barco to slide into the role of center attacking midfielder, where he has excelled this season. Remedi filled Darlington Nagbe’s holding midfielder position, and Nagbe replaced Shea as an advanced left back.

In the first half, Shea and right back Franco Escobar were in line with Nagbe and Jeff Larentowicz, alternately joining the attack. The formation looked like of 2-4-4 in possession that was well suited to prevent counter attacks from Colorado. De Boer went for the win late, pushing both fullbacks high up the field in sort of a 2-2-6.

Quality pressure up front to open the score @darlingtonnagbe @JulianGressel pic.twitter.com/3FcT4D5EGB

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 27, 2019

The decisive goal came when Nagbe won the ball back in Colorado’s defensive third, went on a direct run into the penalty area and played a good ball to Julian Gressel. It was a decisive, aggressive action, the kind of move Atlanta had been lacking. Sending a player of Nagbe’s quality out on the wing to close the game was the winning adjustment.

The post Atlanta United attack scuffles with Pity Martínez struggling to assimilate appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

In a clash of conference bottom dwellers Saturday evening, Atlanta United hosted the Colorado Rapids. After going scoreless for the first half, the hosts finally broke through, with Darlington Nagbe dribbling and setting up the cross for Julian Gressel, who put Atlanta on the board in the 74th minute. Atlanta doubled their lead in extra time, but closed out the match with a 1-0 win, handing Colorado its sixth defeat in a row.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 1-0 loss to Atlanta:

Slow the bleeding

Anthony Hudson and the Rapids did their part to try to put an end to the defensive woes that have plagued them all season. Colorado adjusted by coming out in a 5-4-1 formation with converted centerback Danny Wilson playing as a defensive midfielder to replace the suspended Jack Price.

Conceding just a goal to an Atlanta team that has proven to be potent (although less so this season) was a marked improvement over the past five matches in which the Rapids have conceded at least three.

“I don’t think there was any danger,” Hudson said of the formation adjustment. “Coming into halftime, there was no danger. I didn’t feel there wasn’t any real scary moments in terms of what they created. I think we defended a lot better. Individually, they defended a lot better, and as a group, they defended a lot better. So coming into halftime, it was a case of us staying in the game as long as possible. There were a couple of situations where we felt we could create some chances ourselves. I think there was that spell in the second half right before the goal where we were pinned back a little bit too much, but look, defensively, I thought we were a lot better.”

Homegrown Debut

Colorado Rapids Homegrown Sebastian Anderson made his first career professional start Saturday, featuring at right back while Keegan Rosenberry moved more centrally in the 5-4-1.

Despite being only 16-years-old, and having just signed a professional contract weeks ago, Anderson fared well. Defensively, he managed an interception, six clearances and eight ball recoveries in 80 minutes of action.

“Definitely for the first five minutes it was kind of, ‘just do the right thing, be super aware of everything.’ Then once the game kind of settled in it was more of like, ‘I’m playing around with some of the guys I watched on TV, this is crazy.’ But I have a job to do and I know what I need to do to help the team,” Anderson said of his first competitive minutes with the first team.

Anderson joins teammate Sam Vines as the second Homegrown to get their first career start this season.

The Bad and the Ugly

The Rapids formation adjustment was needed, and Anderson’s debut was a positive for the club, not just in the short term but for the future of the club. But it’s impossible to sugar coat how bad Colorado has been this season, having secured just two points in nine matches.

Hudson tried to deflect criticism following the team’s latest loss – the sixth in a row – by pointing to the team’s budget and roster building compared to other sides in MLS.

“I think this is another game where I hear a lot of people around the place and media and these types of things talk about where we’re at,” Hudson said postgame. “It’s almost like people see us at the same level as Atlanta or as on the same level as Orlando or DC, but the reality is, I think, every game we’ve played in, it’s been the DPs (designated players), big money players up front that are making the difference.

“Every game that we’ve played in, people think we have those players and we don’t. Today was just another example of the real gulf in class. I think every single game we’re playing against teams and their DPs are making a difference. People think we are on the same level, we’re not. We’ve compromised our attack slightly today because we had to come here today and get a result. The approach was right. I think the approach worked, and in the end, we were unfortunate.”

Despite promising playoffs to the fanbase for two consecutive seasons, Colorado is actually worse than it was under previous head coach Pablo Mastroeni, who was fired for not performing to standard. Under Hudson, Colorado now has three separate winless streaks of eight games or more during his 17-month tenure.

The post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 1-0 loss to Atlanta United appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Ashley Williams could be making another move late in his career. Everton defender currently on loan at Stoke City could be going to Major League Soccer this summer, according to The Sun. They report that the Welsh centre-back is D.C. United’s latest transfer target. Last summer, D.C. United already made a transfer from Everton, when […]

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MLS champions Atlanta United won their first home game of the season to ease pressure on Frank de Boer, while Sporting Kansas City and New England Revolution drew 4-4. Atlanta overcame fellow strugglers and winless Colorado Rapids 1-0 courtesy of Julian Gressel at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. Struggling for form since former Inter and Crystal […]

The post MLS Review: Atlanta claim first home win, Sporting KC and Revs in eight-goal thriller appeared first on Soccer News.

The post MLS Review: Atlanta claim first home win, Sporting KC and Revs in eight-goal thriller appeared first on Soccer News.

ATLANTA — Julian Gressel scored from close range in the second half to seal an Atlanta United win over the Colorado Rapids 1-0 Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was Atlanta’s first home win of the 2019 Major League Soccer season.

Atlanta (2-3-2, 8 points) struggled in attack for much of the game. The team went into halftime with just one shot on goal, a 35-yard effort from centerback Leandro González-Pírez. Players were visibly frustrated with Gressel and forward Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez exchanging heated words before walking off the field.

After the game, manager Frank de Boer was surprised to be asked if the offensive performance was concerning. De Boer blamed the lack of attacking fireworks on Colorado’s defensive strategy. He accused the Rapids of parking not one, but two busses.

“You always need two teams to try to play football,” de Boer said in his postgame press conference. “And we had only one team trying to win the game. So, that’s hard. In international football, and also here, when teams play like this, you know, you have to have a fantastic day. Even the big teams in Europe have problems with this  kind of system if they park two busses in front of their own goal.

“The second half was much better, but it’s very difficult to play against this type of system. … If you score an early goal, they have to come out and then it’s an open game. But now, they still have the belief, they’re coming for the result, for one point, and maybe with a little bit of luck, three points. That’s why I think this victory tastes very sweet, because I think the team who deserved to win got the three points. Sometimes it’s not always the case.”

In the 75th minute, Colorado attempted to play the ball out of its defensive third. Nagbe stepped up to intercept a pass 35 yards from goal and dribbled through traffic into the penalty area. The chance was nearly lost due to a heavy touch, but Nagbe raced to the end line and fizzed a low pass across the face of goal. Gressel beat goalkeeper Tim Howard to the ball and scored from two yards.

Gressel’s goal came four minutes after Atlanta made a double substitution: Martínez vacated for Héctor “Tito” Villalba, and midfielder Eric Remedi subbed on for left fullback Brek Shea. Atlanta immediately looked more dangerous after the change. Nagbe moved into Shea’s position on left flank. He and Villalba provided more dynamic play on the wing, which allowed the Five Stripes to break through.

“Play a little bit more attacking,” Nagbe said of his adjusted role after the game. “Essentially, provide support on the ball, but if I can get isolated, if Tito can get isolated, then for us to go on the attack.”

De Boer remained calm during his halftime talk, despite the difficult first 45 minutes.

“He said that when he played with Barcelona that [he played these types of games],” González-Pírez told reporters.  “He said we have to keep patience, and do it and try and try and try, and we will find the scores. Finally we can find it.”

It was another tough night for Martínez, Atlanta’s blockbuster signing from River Plate. He took Atlanta’s first shot of the game, striking from distance and connecting with fans in the fifth row. The Argentine’s passes routinely missed their targets, and he still does not appear to be on the same page with his new teammates. The Five Stripes looked much better after Martínez’s exit, but that is in part due to the quality coming off the bench. 

“Everybody brings different characteristics, for sure,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “Tito’s different from [Ezequiel Barco], Pity’s different from Julian. It’s something else, especially if you’re a defender and you’ve been playing for 75 minutes against a guy that does one thing and then you bring another guy on that does something else, that’s both dangerous.

“If I’m worrying about covering Barco with the ball at his feet and closing him down for 75 minutes, and then you bring Tito on and he runs behind me, that’s going to be tough.”

Martínez joined Atlanta after a short offseason, and he sustained a hamstring injury in March. De Boer explained his playmaker still is not fully fit.

“I think he has to get stronger, physically stronger, and then he can [improve],” the manager said. “He’s still, in my point of view, not 100 percent. That’s why I let him play, like, 66 minutes. He will come to that, and it takes time. But I’m convinced if he gets to 100 percent, we’re going to have a lot of fun with him.”

Colorado (0-7-2, 2 points) hardly threatened until Atlanta scored. After Gressel beat Howard, the soon-to-retire goalkeeping icon, the Rapids pushed forward. But aside from an 88th-minute free header from substitute Nicolás Mezquida, which was saved by Brad Guzan, they did not stress Atlanta.

“We know it wasn’t pretty,” Guzan said of the victory. “At the end of the day, nobody’s going to remember whether it was a pretty game. One-nil, 10-nil, a win’s a win.”

The post Atlanta United tops Colorado Rapids 1-0 for much-needed home win appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The end of an era is coming in Bayern Munich. Arjen Robben, who scored a decisive goal in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, will leave the club once the campaign ends. The winger has been one of Bayern’s best players over the past decade, and there’s no question he will leave […]

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The post Arjen Robben Would Be Wise To Continue His Career In The MLS appeared first on Soccer News.

One of the great equalizers and problems in Major League Soccer comes to the forefront during Week 9’s weekend slate. 

Los Angeles FC’s second meeting with the Seattle Sounders in two weeks takes place at CenturyLink Field on Sunday. 

No matter the shape of the turf fields across MLS, it still makes a difference when it comes to actually playing games. 

Bob Bradley even admitted as such after the Black-and-Gold blitzed the Sounders 4-1 at Banc of California Stadium a week ago. 

The good news for the Sounders is that Chad Marshall is back in the lineup at center back. The 16-year MLS veteran was missed in Week 8, when the LAFC offense ran through the Sounders back line with ease. 

Defending Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Co. is still going to be a tough task, but the Sounders defense has the familiarity with the turf on their side, and the pace of play will be different with LAFC having a harder time working through the defensive lines through the ground. 

LAFC isn’t a one-dimensional side, but it will have to make adjustments on the fly in order to counter the difficulties of the turf.

But the Sounders proved on Wednesday they aren’t a perfect side yet. The defense gave up a pair of goals to the San Jose Earthquakes before coming back to earn a draw. 

After being the target of criticism for most of March, the Quakes have turned into one of the league’s best stories in April by beating Portland and Sporting Kansas City at home and earning a point in Seattle. 

Suddenly, the Quakes look like a competent side under first-year head coach Matias Almeyda, and dare we say, they are fun to watch. 

The Quakes are only three points out of the Western Conference playoff spots, but they face a difficult task on Saturday against a FC Dallas side that is improving in its own right under first-year boss Luchi Gonzalez. 

Shea Salinas has turned into an unlikely goal contributor with three goals in the last two games, and he’s already reached a career high in scoring with four tallies. 

THIS MAN IS ON FIRE!

Shea Salinas with his third goal of the season! #SEAvSJ | #VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/qyUSNS9d78

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 25, 2019

Cristian Espinoza has also been a bright spot for the Quakes in the middle of the park, and Jackson Yueill looks the part of a MLS starter after he was finally given an opportunity to show his quality in an extended role under Almeyda. 

Compared to the other teams that were in need of massive improvements, the Quakes are in great shape. 

Colorado is still lingering at the bottom of the West, Vancouver hasn’t hit its stride yet, while New England and Chicago have been up-and-down in the Eastern Conference. 

Speaking of the Revolution, Brad Friedel has come under plenty of criticism for his team’s performance in 2019, and even though he deserves the No. 1 spot on the hot seat rankings, remember this is a franchise that gave Jay Heaps plenty of chances to turn things around before cutting ties in 2017. 

Week 9 Weekend Schedule

Saturday, April 27

Orlando City at New York City FC (1 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Portland Timbers at Toronto FC (3 p.m, ET, TSN, ESPN+) 

San Jose Earthquakes at FC Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, Univision) 

Philadelphia Union at Vancouver Whitecaps (5 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN+)

Colorado Rapids at Atlanta United (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

FC Cincinnati at New York Red Bulls (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

New England Revolution at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Sunday, April 28

Chicago Fire at Montreal Impact (12:30 p.m. ET, TVA Sport, ESPN+)

D.C. United at Minnesota United (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1) 

Los Angeles FC at Seattle Sounders (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Real Salt Lake at LA Galaxy (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Player to Watch 

Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto FC

Apr 19, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo (10) reacts after scoring his first goal against Minnesota United in the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Alejandro Pozuelo has already established himself as the main attraction in the Toronto FC attack, but he’ll have even more pressure to create chances on Saturday without Jozy Altidore on the field. 

The Spaniard has four goals and five assists in four games, and the majority of those assists have come on goals scored by Altidore. 

If he continues to be a menace in the final third, the Reds won’t drop off much in production, even if they are calling on their depth to manage through Altidore’s injury absence. 

Matchup to Watch

Alberth Elis, Houston vs. Waylon Francis, Columbus

Apr 19, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) controls the ball ahead of Los Angeles Galaxy defender Jorgen Skjelvik (16) during the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Alberth Elis has torn apart a few defenses with his pacy runs down the right wing. 

The Honduran attacker is one of the most dangerous attackers in MLS when he gets rolling, and he’ll try to show that again on Saturday against the Columbus Crew’s Waylon Francis. 

Francis is one of the most experienced full backs in MLS and he is a part of a Crew back line that has conceded nine goals, which is tied for second-fewest in the league.

The Crew back line will be on short rest on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium, which leads us to believe Elis has an advantage in this matchup going into the match. 

Fantasy Option To Watch 

Heber, F, New York City FC

Apr 6, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC forward Heber (9) fights for position against Montreal Impact defender Jukka Raitala (22) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Heber has made an instant impact on the New York City FC attack in his four games with the club.

The 27-year-old forward has a goal and two assists in his two starts, including an assist on Wednesday against Chicago.

Short rest might be a factor in Heber’s performance on Saturday against Orlando City, but if you had him in your lineup at the start of the match week, you should be able to reap more benefits out of him.

The post MLS Week 9 Weekend Preview: LAFC, Sounders rematch, Quakes trying to stay hot and more appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

MARIETTA, Ga. — Barring a change of plans, Tim Howard will make his first and only appearance as a player at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend. Howard is calling it a career at the end of the 2019 season. With the Colorado Rapids looking like a sure bet to miss the MLS Cup playoffs, the team’s away dates are serving as a farewell tour for the United States goalkeeping icon.

Atlanta United (1-3-2, 5 points) hosts Colorado (0-6-2, 2 points) Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

For Atlanta’s American-born players, the game is a last chance to go up against one of the best players this country has ever produced.

“He’s a legend in my eyes, everything he’s achieved with his career and what he’s done for the sport in America,” fullback Brek Shea, whose U.S. international career overlapped with Howard from 2010 to 2015, said after Wednesday’s training session. “Watching him growing up, and then being able to play with him and then hanging out with him and getting to know him, it’s something that I cherish. It’s always fun playing against him, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Howard got his start in Major League Soccer in the late-90s, back when the New Jersey-based team he played for was not part of an energy-drink conglomerate. He made a groundbreaking move to Manchester United in 2003. While his career at Old Trafford never really got off the ground — Edwin van der Sar came in and took the No. 1 shirt for himself — Howard found a home at Everton and spent 11 years on the blue side of the Mersey. He posted more than 100 clean sheets with the Toffees and set a club record with 28 appearances in European continental competitions.

“In my generation, he was really the first guy who went to a huge club in Europe and stayed at Everton and was instrumental for them for a really long time,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who picked up four U.S. caps in 2011 and 2012, told reporters Wednesday. “Ton of respect for him.”

Asked if any particular moments from Howard’s career stand out in his memory, Larentowicz picked that moment, the one every American soccer fan would select. In the 2014 World Cup round of 16, Belgium defeated the U.S., 2-1, in extra time. If not for Howard’s heroics, it may have been 5 or 6-0 after 90 minutes. The ’keeper made a tournament-record 16 saves at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil.

“It was an incredible performance, and if that was the only game you play in your career, you could say that you had an outstanding career,” Larentowicz said. “Tim’s played I don’t know how many hundreds of games. He always seems to be doing some incredible things.”

As pleasant as it is to reminisce about one of the greats on his way out the door, Atlanta has a task at hand Saturday. Incredibly, the defending champions find themselves playing a Wooden Spoon six-pointer in late April.

If the Five Stripes are ailing in attack — and they are, with a league-low five goals through six games — the Rapids could be a perfect tonic. Colorado has shipped 23 goals in eight games, which by far is MLS’s worst defensive record in 2019. The opportunity is there for a breakout performance from Atlanta. Frank de Boer’s team took 22 shots and put eight on target last week in a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas, but only a Josef Martínez penalty deep in second-half stoppage time found the net. Against a goalkeeper with the reputation of Howard, execution in the final third must improve.

“Just being more clinical,” Darlington Nagbe, a regular with the U.S. senior team since 2015, said Tuesday regarding what Atlanta must do to beat Howard. “There’s more focus on getting in [dangerous] spots and those situations. He’s another great goalie, so it won’t be easy.”

There has been much optimistic talk from players and coaches about how the team is progressing, and that results will soon come. Larentowicz said this sort of chatter is acceptable for only so long. A home defeat to a winless Colorado team would cast Atlanta’s season in an abysmal light and bring about real concern of a 2018-Toronto FC-style collapse.

An early goal Saturday would calm nerves and boost confidence. Should it not come, the Five Stripes cannot lose the plot. If they overextend themselves or switch off defensively, Colorado can punish them. The Rapids have size at center forward in the 6-foot-3 Kei Kamara, who has scored in each of his past four games. Atlanta’s centerbacks have to be wary of counter attacks. Fouling in their own half or giving away corners may lead to problematic set pieces. Colorado has scored three of its 12 goals this season from dead-ball situations. The club’s goal tally ranks 11th in MLS this season, but the Rapids are fifth in the league with 10.7 expected goals, for those who put stock in such advanced metrics.

“They’re a capable team of getting results, and we understand that,” centerback Michael Parkhurst said Thursday. “They’ve had a rough go of it, but so have we. Who are we to look past anybody? We’re at the bottom of the table as well, so we are not going to do that. We understand what we expect out of this game, and what’s going to be needed to be done in order to [win].”

After training Thursday, de Boer, who earned 112 international caps for the Netherlands, acknowledged Howard has had a great career and that “it’s fantastic that he’s still around.” From one national-team legend to another, de Boer wishes Howard well.

“I hope he has a fantastic last year,” de Boer said, “but not on Saturday.”

The post Atlanta United welcomes Colorado Rapids, Tim Howard farewell tour to town appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Wayne Rooney helped DC United move clear atop the Eastern Conference in MLS, while LA Galaxy were held to a draw on Wednesday. Rooney’s fifth goal of the season saw DC United overcome the Columbus Crew 1-0 at MAPFRE Stadium. The former Manchester United captain struck approaching the half-hour mark for the game’s only goal. […]

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“It’s not the end or retirement from the game because I believe I can still play on for another two or three years. Why not in the United States, or in the Gulf or in Asia? I will take the time to think and see what I decide next season.”  Those are the words of […]

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Arjen Roben’s time at Bayern Munich is bound to end this summer. After player over 300 matches, scoring over 140 goals and winning at least 18 trophies – the number could grow before the season ends – the amazing Dutchman will be moving away from the Bavarian club. His contract is supposed to end on […]

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Los Angeles FC continued their flying start to the MLS season with a rout of Seattle Sounders, while New York City won for the first time. Carlos Vela scored a brace as LAFC crushed Seattle 4-1 on Sunday to boost their position atop the Western Conference. It was a perfect Easter outing for LAFC at […]

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Toronto FC beat Minnesota United in the MLS on Saturday by 4-3. Even though the visitors took the lead in the 17th minute through Carlos Quintero, it took Alejandro Pozuelo less than 120 seconds (28′, 30′) to turn the game around with two excellently taken goals. Two goals in the span of 110 seconds. ✌️@Pozuelo_10 […]

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