Major League Soccer (MLS)

Why Wilfried Zaha became first Premier League player not to take the knee

MLS Homegrown Team to face Tigres UANL Under-20 Champions in 2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer®

Homegrown Team to face defending Mexican league U-20 Champions live on UDN and Twitter on July 31;

Atlanta United Academy Director to coach Homegrown Team

NEW YORK (June 12, 2018) – Major League Soccer today announced that the MLS Homegrown Team will take on Tigres UANL, the reigning Mexican league’s Under-20 champion, in the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® on July 31 at 8 p.m. ET at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, part of a week of events during 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta. In addition to the live national broadcast on Univision Deportes Network (UDN), the MLS Homegrown Game will be streamed live on Twitter for the first time in the history of the event.

Tickets, starting at $15, may be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and includes entrance to the Special Olympics Unified Sports® All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, held immediately prior at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Tickets are now available by CLICKING HERE.

The MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® is the latest initiative between Major League Soccer and Liga MX after the two leagues announced an increased partnership in March including a focus on youth development highlighted by an annual showcase match. Joining a list of formidable opponents to participate in the MLS Homegrown Game, Tigres UANL’s Under-20 team brings an accomplished track record to the match. The club captured the Liga MX Under-20 title last month and features numerous players that have received time with both the Tigres reserve squad and the first team side that has captured the Liga MX title in three out of the previous six tournaments.

Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan will serve as the head coach for the Homegrown Team against Tigres. Annan, who helped build Atlanta’s academy from the ground up and brings over 20 years of youth development experience to the match, is one of only six coaches to hold licenses from the U.S. Soccer Academy Director’s Course and the Elite Formation Coaching License course (EFCL). With a focus on cultivating talented academy products, Annan has helped Atlanta identify and develop standout youth players from the academy to the first team, coaching the club’s U-17 squad to a national title in the first year of the program.

CLICK HERE for media assets including video soundbytes from Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan

One of the many highly anticipated events during the week of events surrounding 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta, the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the League’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate topflight prospects and have now produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs. Vital to the long-term success of their clubs, Homegrown Players now serve more important and visible roles than ever, with academy products logging a record number of goals, assists, minutes and games played in 2017. Of note, the 94 assists compiled by Homegrown Players in 2017 is more than double the total compared to 2016.

Homegrown Players have also become significant contributors at the international level with the U.S. and Canadian youth and senior national teams relying on some of the league’s most exciting and promising young players. In the past year, 13 current Homegrown standouts have been called to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team, including MLS Homegrown Game alumnus Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas) and Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake). In addition, 11 current Homegrown Players played for the United States in the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup while seven Homegrown Players represented the U.S. at the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Outside of the U.S., five Homegrown Players were called to represent the Canada Men’s National Team at the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, with Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) winning the tournament’s golden boot.

“The continued growth of Major League Soccer’s youth academy system and development of the future stars of the sport remain at the forefront of the league’s long-term initiatives,” said Todd Durbin, Executive Vice President of Player Relations and Competition. “The MLS Homegrown Game offers a unique opportunity to showcase the talent our clubs have produced. We are excited to have the Tigres Under-20 team as this year’s opponent in another example of how MLS continues to build upon its partnership with Liga MX in the area of youth development.”

MLS Homegrown Players are a specialized group of players that have been a member of an MLS club’s youth development program for at least one year and have met the necessary training and retention requirements. Players that meet those qualifications can sign a professional contract with the club’s senior team without being subject to the SuperDraft.

Media planning to cover the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer®, the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, along with the 2018 MLS All-Star Game may now apply for credentials by CLICKING HERE.

MLS All-Stadium credentials, team season credentials and credentials from previous MLS and SUM events will not be recognized for any of the media events surrounding the All-Star Game. Credential applications must be received by Wednesday, July 18.

MLS Homegrown Game History

2017: MLS Homegrown Team 2-2 Chivas de Guadalajara U-20s

2016: MLS Homegrown Team 0-1 Mexico U-20s

2015: MLS Homegrown Team 1(4)-1(5) Club América U-20s

2014: MLS Homegrown Team 0–0 Portland Timbers U-23s

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 26 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including future expansion teams in Nashville, Miami and Cincinnati. The League plans to have 28 clubs in the coming years. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.

ABOUT ENERGIZER

Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries and portable lighting products and is anchored by its two globally recognized brands Energizer® and EVEREADY®. Energizer is also a leading designer and marketer of automotive fragrance and appearance products from recognized brands such as Refresh Your Car!®, California Scents®, Driven®, Bahama & Co.®, LEXOL® and Eagle One®. Visit http://www.energizerholdings.com for more details.

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‘Unfortunately he couldn’t finish like he does in training’ - Tuchel rues Havertz losing his touch in Chelsea draw at Leeds

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Goal.com News

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Midfielder Alphonso Davies Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Tuesday, June 12, 2018) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Alphonso Davies was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 15th week of the 2018 MLS season.

Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to six matches with a 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC at BC Place on Saturday, with Davies netting one goal and adding three assists to help lift the club. With the outstanding performance, the 17-year-old Davies became the youngest player in league history to record three assists in a match and the youngest player to factor into a combined four goals and assists, according to Elias Sports Bureau. On the season, Davies has two goals and seven assists, the latter tied for third in MLS. Whitecaps FC sit fourth in the Western Conference with 23 points (6-5-5 overall record).

Davies’ tremendous pace was on full display during a Vancouver counter in the 36th minute, with the midfielder dribbling past multiple defenders before displaying some fancy footwork in the box. The Canada National Team midfielder then laid the ball off to Kei Kamara, setting up the forward’s strike to the center of goal to give Whitecaps FC a 1-0 lead (Watch Assist). Following an Orlando equalizer, Davies would reclaim Vancouver’s advantage capitalizing off goalkeeper Joe Bendik’s deflection with a close-range finish in the 76th minute for a 2-1 advantage (Watch Goal).

Whitecaps FC continued a relentless attack, with Davies’s speed once again proving to be a difference maker as he outran an Orlando defender on the left flank before setting up Yordy Reyna’s easy finish in the center of the box in the 87th minute for a 4-1 lead (Watch Assist). Davies finished a historic day when recording his third assist in the 90th minute on Nicolás Mezquida’s strike, becoming the first Vancouver Whitecaps FC player to record three assists in one match (Watch Assist).

Vancouver Whitecaps FC return to MLS regular season action on Saturday, June 23 to face the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET, TSN1 / TSN5 / ESPN+).

The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.

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Transfer Talk: Bayern back to chasing Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi

Major League Soccer (MLS)

MLS News

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A first-half goal from Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez in the 30th minute opened the scoring and a penalty from Mauro Manotas six minutes later opened up a 2-0 Houston lead against a bunkering Colorado as the Houston Dynamo defeated the Colorado Rapids at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night.

Here are three takeaways from Houston’s 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids:

Historic lows now approaching league marks

As outlined last week following Colorado’s 2-1 loss to Vancouver, the Colorado Rapids’ winless streak is a historic one in terms of club record lows. It became official on Saturday as the Rapids reached an eight-game winless streak in league play – a club record.

With its latest loss, Colorado’s points per game total now stands at 0.62, still placing the team in danger of breaking the mark for worst ever campaign points total in club history (29) and the worst total in the post-MLS shootout era (33).

Colorado’s current eight-game winless streak places them in a fourth-place tie for longest all-time losing streaks in MLS (New England, 2014).

These totals would also place Colorado among the top 10 worst teams in MLS history.

The positive? Colorado has an opportunity to avoid a club record winless streak (14) if it secures a win within the next five games.

Offense a legitimate problem for Colorado

Despite having not won a game for eight straight entering Saturday’s match with Houston, Anthony Hudson’s side could hang its hat on the fact that the team did show signs of an improved offense this season. Colorado had only been shutout in four games prior to Saturday – including one against RSL where Tim Howard was sent off, but the team held on for 80 minutes before conceding.

But in Saturday night’s match, Colorado was truly dominated, managing just two shots (one on target) in the 90 minutes. Including U.S. Open Cup play, it marked the second-straight shutout for Colorado, which has only managed a single shot on-target in over 180 minutes of play.

With top scorer Dominique Badji sidelined by suspension (yellow card accumulation), the frustration boiled over for lone striker Yannick Boli, who was sent off with a first half red card.

Badji will return Wednesday for Colorado’s home match against Chicago, but the Rapids need to find production from other sources.

Hairston an important cog

For all the futility present during Colorado’s eight games winless in league play, Rapids fans have a glimmer of hope in seeing top choice right wingback return to action in MLS play. Hairston managed 79 minutes of action before being subbed off in favor of Jack McBean, but racked up five recoveries, two defensive clearances and a block of DeMarcus Beasley’s shot in the 68th minute.

“I feel pretty good coming back, just trying to get as fit as possible,” Hairston said of his ongoing return from a knee injury. “Fitness is definitely an important piece to playing the way the coaching staff wants us to play, but I can’t say I played well with the team. I try to do whatever I can to push the team forward.”

On the loss, Hairston said, “I think this is a game I have to correct and help out the team as we move forward.”

The post Three takeaways from Colorado’s 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Original author: Marco Cummings, Pro Soccer USA

Dortmund director: No proposals for Bellingham

Major League Soccer (MLS)

MLS News

HOUSTON – Two first-half goals in a span of six minutes sealed the Houston Dynamo’s sixth win of the season — and third consecutive at home — as the Orange swiftly handled the Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Star Wars Night.

The game got off to a slow start for Houston (6-5-3, 21 points) and it’s just how head coach Wilmer Cabrera expected it to be.

“We knew tonight was going to be a tough match with a team that is normally going to be deep, waiting with five in the back and two or three defensive midfielders and only one player up top,” Cabrera said.

The game picked up steam in the 25th minute and it started when Andrew Wenger, who was making his return to the pitch after being a late-game scratch against New York City FC in late May, had to be replaced after feeling some tightness in his left calf.

Replacing Wenger was Adam Lundqvist, and that’s when Houston put their game on hyperspeed and gave the announced 16,058 in attendance, some in Star Wars attire, much to cheer about.

On Star Wars night, the Houston Dynamo defeated the dark side [Colorado Rapids] 2-0 to send their fans home happy to a galaxy far, far away. (Courtesy of Houston Dynamo)

“They were aggressive and we went after them and we took control of the game quick and we started to create options,” Cabrera said of his team performance in the first half. “And when we didn’t create options we were moving the ball and trying to find the game with our for 50/50 balls.”

With the Rapids sitting back, Houston pressured them high up the field and were rewarded for their efforts in the 30th minute.

Tomás Martinez took the ball from Rapids midfielder Johan Bloomberg just outside the box and then proceeded to dance around Rapids defenders Deklan Wynne and Danny Wilson before ripping off a left-footed shot

Rapids ‘keeper Tim Howard made a kick-save, but unfortunately for him, the rebound went straight to Martinez, who shot it back for the game’s first goal.

The goal was extra special for Martinez, who’s grandparents flew in from Argentina to see him play in tonight’s game.

Five minutes after Martinez’s goal, and with La Naranja rolling, DaMarcus Beasley received a pass from Romell Quioto and got into the box but before the veteran defender could get to it, Bloomberg brought him down. The referee immediately pointed to the spot.

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Mauro Manotas, who’s been on a scoring slump, calmly stepped up and converted the penalty to put Houston up 2-0. Aside from doubling up their lead, the goal also marks the 2oth game out of 24 that Houston scores two or more goals since Cabrera became the head coach.

“Today was a game to close out the scoring slump that I had been having,” Manotas said. “Once they brought Beasley down I grabbed the ball with confidence and stepped up and hit it well.”

If the Dynamo were rolling after the first goal, after the second the Orange were “cruising” Cabrera said. But the fireworks were far from done in the first half.

Four minutes into stoppage time, Rapids forward Yannick Boli was shielding the ball from Dynamo centerback Leonardo when Boli raised his hands and slapped Leonardo in the face. The referee had no choice but to show Boli a straight red.

Despite having a man advantage for an entire half, La Naranja could not add to its lead, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Houston hit the woodwork twice and might have easily added a third goal if not for Tim Howard.

Houston settled for the 2-0 win and while it couldn’t add to its lead, Houston managed a clean sheet for the first time since its opening game win over Atlanta. For Dynamo ‘keeper Joe Willis, it’s his first of the year.

“It’s been a while since we’ve kept a clean sheet so personally for me, it’s good for my confidence,” Willis said. “But for the team also, it’s good for us moving forward.”

Getting the clean sheet “is a turning point” for the Dynamo, Cabrera noted. He also said he hopes his team grasps that it can play good defense and close games out.

With the FIFA break set to start, the next MLS regular-season game for the Dynamo is at Western Conference nemesis Sporting KC on June 23. But before that, Houston has a date with Minnesota United in the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Monday, June 18.

The post Houston Dynamo blast Colorado Rapids 2-0 for third consecutive home win appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Original author: Jesus Acevedo Jr., Pro Soccer USA

Chelsea's alternative end of season awards after cancelling their own

Major League Soccer (MLS)

90 Minutes Sports News

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Stefan Aigner is no longer a member of the Colorado Rapids.

Aigner and the Rapids agreed to mutually terminate his three-and-a-half-year contract, the club announced Friday.

A highly-touted signing acquired from German club 1860 Munich, Aigner, 29, signed with the Rapids last July, making nine appearances (five starts) for Colorado in 2017, scoring two goals and chipping in an assist.

At more than $845,885 in compensation for 2018, Aigner was the fourth-highest paid player on the team.

But under current head coach Anthony Hudson, the midfielder had featured in just 11 minutes of action – with the manager citing a variety of reasons including preseason injury and a lack of fitness as reasons for Aigner’s absence from the lineup.

Hudson gave a lengthy interview two weeks ago with local Denver TV station 9News (KUSA) detailing his side of the situation with Aigner, but the midfielder had been made unavailable to reporters to get the other side of the story.

“I don’t know. It’s strange. I don’t know,” Hudson told Pro Soccer USA on what had changed with Aigner’s situation since being praised by Rapids GM Padraig Smith for his preseason training regimen with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in the preseason.

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hudson-on-Aigner.m4a

“The bottom line is we want players here that will fight for the club, want to fight for the team and be here for the team,” Hudson continued. “I just don’t think that we’ve seen that.”

Following Wednesday night’s 2-0 elimination loss to Nashville SC in U.S. Open Cup play, the Rapids are now on a run of eight-straight losses across all competitions. Colorado is currently in Houston in preparation for Saturday night’s match against the Houston Dynamo.

The post Stefan Aigner, Colorado Rapids agree to mutually part ways appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Original author: Marco Cummings, Pro Soccer USA