MLS News

March 11, 2010

Midfielder Sasha Victorine retires
Midfielder Sasha Victorine, a Southern California native and UCLA graduate, has retired from professional soccer after ten seasons in MLS.

Arena pleased with Galaxy performance
The Los Angeles Galaxy remained unbeaten after passing their first real test of the preseason in a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica's Puntarenas FC in an international friendly on Wednesday at Cal State Fullerton.

Galaxy edge Puntarenas in friendly
The Los Angeles Galaxy continued their unbeaten preseason with a 1-0 victory over Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica in an international friendly on Wednesday at Cal State Fullerton.

Kljestan, Bornstein to serve as co-captains
With just more than two weeks to go before the kickoff of the season, Chivas USA head coach Martín Vásquez Wednesday said Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein will likely serve as the club's co-captains for the year.

March 10, 2010

MLS Alums: Merseyside's hero
Landon Donovan has settled a big issue while on loan: he can play with Europe's big boys.

MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
A look at the latest news and performances of former Major League Soccer standouts around the globe, including standout performances for club and national team by Carlos Bocanegra.

Earthquakes defeat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Wednesday
The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Tottenham Hotspur's development side 1-0 on Wednesday at Spurs Lodge in Chigwell, London.

Alston hoping for future US opportunities
Fate didn't want New England Revolution defender Kevin Alston to earn his first cap with the United States national team this winter.

FC Dallas taking training to Tampa
FC Dallas on Wednesday departed for Tampa, where the club will spend the next six days, taking on USSF D-II Pro League side Tampa Bay Rowdies on Friday, then squaring off with MLS expansion club Philadelphia Union on Sunday.

Lenhart lets play do talking in draw with Toluca
Steven Lenhart's knowledge of a second language came in useful a few times during the hard-fought first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal Tuesday at Crew Stadium against Mexico's Toluca.

March 9, 2010

Lenhart's double earns Crew draw
Toluca scored twice before the half but Steven Lenhart countered in the second half to lead the Columbus Crew back to a 2-2 tie in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series.

Hartman boosts FCD goalkeeping depth
The FC Dallas goalkeeping ranks added a big name with Monday's announcement that club had signed 35-year-old goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, most recently of the Kansas City Wizards.

Dynamo sign 18-year-old Houston native
The Houston Dynamo have signed Dynamo Academy product Francisco Navas Cobo to a developmental contract.

March 8, 2010

FC Dallas acquires goalkeeper Kevin Hartman
FC Dallas has acquired Hartman in a trade with the Kansas City Wizards, sending them a second round selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

Galaxy ready to meet Puntarenas
The Los Angeles Galaxy continue their preseason preparations on Wednesday night at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium, where they will host Costa Rican side Puntarenas FC in an international friendly.

Earthquakes knock off EPL side West Ham United 2-0
The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Barclays Premier League side West Ham United 2-0 on Monday at Upton Park in London.

Crew set to face Toluca in first leg of CCL quarterfinals
As the Crew prepare to face Toluca on Tuesday, the weather, and absence of key players will not be in Columbus' favor.

Union sign Colombian Roger Torres on loan
Philadelphia Union today announced the signing of Colombian midfielder Roger Torres on loan from América de Cali of the Columbian First Division.

Nyarko leads Fire past FC Dallas, 3-0
Returning stateside from a week-and-a-half stint in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Chicago Fire also returned to their winning ways Sunday afternoon with a resounding 3-0 win over MLS foe FC Dallas.

March 5, 2010

MLS, Players Union to meet next week with mediator
Major League Soccer confirmed that MLS and the MLS Players Union have agreed to meet next week in Washington, D.C. to continue collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

LA uninterested in extending Donovan's loan
Los Angeles Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said the club is not interested in extending the loan of Landon Donovan to Everton of the English Premier League, despite reports that the Toffees will pursue such an arrangement.

Five-a-side: Keller's contract status
Steve Davis checks in with the latest news on Kasey Keller, World Cup 2010 opportunities and the rise of MLS scorers in international play.

March 6, 2010

No Brimstone, but expect fire when FCD faces Chicago
On Sunday, FC Dallas and Chicago will renew their long standing rivalry in, of all places, Jackson, Mississippi.

Chivas USA to scrimmage Fresno
With some tough roster decisions still ahead, Chivas USA will travel Saturday to battle the Fresno Fuego of the PDL. The Red-and-White will use the scrimmage as an opportunity to evaluate some of the team's newer players.

March 5, 2010

Hyndman mulling captain candidates
As FC Dallas head into the final three weeks of preseason, head coach Schellas Hyndman is poised to name a 2010 captain fairly soon.

March 4, 2010

First Lady Michelle Obama to join USSF for soccer clinic
The First Lady, Michelle Obama, will join the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of Soccer in the United States at its free youth soccer clinic in Washington, DC on Friday, March 5, 2010.

Rapids give Conor Casey a three-year extension
The Colorado Rapids and forward Conor Casey agreed to a three-year extension on Thursday at Denver's South High School.

MLS Alums: Clark coming back
Last Saturday, Ricardo Clark was sufficiently healthy to dress for the Eagles for the first time since moving to the Bundesliga.

MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
A look at the latest news and performances of former Major League Soccer standouts around the globe, including Maurice Edu's standout efforts with club and national team.

Kljestan has work cut out for him for World Cup spot
Chivas midfielder Sacha Kljestan has his work cut out for him if he wants to make the U.S. roster for the World Cup in June.

Seattle's signing of Nkufo gives club flexibility up front
Thursday's signing of Swiss forward Blaise Nkfuo instantly upgrades one of Seattle's weakest positions.

Sounders FC sign Swiss forward Blaise Nkufo
The Seattle Sounders FC have signed Switzerland National Team forward Blaise Nkufo, it was announced today.

After month on road, Sounders FC return home
Seattle Sounders FC began its fourth and final phase of training camp Wednesday, returning to Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila after intermediate stops in Arizona and Spain.

Pontius back with DC after US call-up
Chris Pontius rejoined his United teammates this week after a second stint with the U.S. squad leading up to last week's international friendly against El Salvador.

March 3, 2010

Beasley hopeful of earning another World Cup invite
DaMarcus Beasley sounded happy and hopeful of earning his third World Cup invite after an encouraging 34-minute shift against the Netherlands.

US falls to Netherlands in friendly
The U.S. national team fell 2-1 to the No. 3 ranked Netherlands in an international friendly.

Galaxy return home from 10-day training in Arizona
The Galaxy returned to the Home Depot Center practice field on Tuesday after 10 days of training in Arizona.

Chavez poised to man flank for FC Dallas
Two of the most impressive players for FCD this preseason, midfielders Marvin Chavez and Brek Shea, are poised to man the flanks once the MLS regular season begins.

United back in DC, coping with injuries
D.C. United have returned home to RFK Stadium for a brief interlude between trips to warm-weather preseason locales, but must cope with the losses of Clyde Simms and Marc Burch to injury.

West notes: Chivas' Galindo injury-free
For Chivas USA forward Maykel Galindo, the grind of the 2010 preseason is something he's only too happy to partake in as he enters the season with peace of both body and mind.

East notes: Revs reward Dube
New England Revolution striker Kheli Dube returned from his offseason excursion to his native Zimbabwe to encounter a series of changes.

DC United announce preseason friendly with Santos Laguna
D.C. United announced Wednesday that the club will take on Mexican Primera Division side Santos Laguna for the second leg of its 2010 preseason.

United's Simms, Burch to undergo surgery
D.C. United announced Tuesday that midfielder Clyde Simms and defender Marc Burch will both be undergoing surgery on their knee and foot, respectively.

March 2, 2010

The final exam in Amsterdam
In a sneak preview of his "Postcards from Europe" column, Greg Seltzer takes a look at position battles within the U.S. national team ahead of Wednesday's friendly with the Netherlands.

US facing major test in Amsterdam
Officially, it is listed as a friendly international. But Landon Donovan and his teammates realize the United States' encounter with the Netherlands Wednesday is much more than that.

Chivas introduce new star Romero
Chivas USA unveiled the latest addition to the club's roster on Monday afternoon, introducing Salvadoran sensation Osael Romero to fans and media in Los Angeles.

March 1, 2010

MLS roster compliance date delayed
MLS is delaying the roster compliance date, originally scheduled for March 1, while discussions continue over related topics with the MLS Players Union.

Ralph chasing improbable comeback
Two years after three knee operations derailed his soccer career, former Chicago Fire standout forward Damani Ralph is in the midst of a what could turn into a unique comeback.

John has come into camp ready and prepared to go
FC Dallas defender George John came into camp fit and ready to go, which is difficult for most players to do.

February 28, 2010

Red Bulls continue strong preseason with Disney win
The worst team in all of MLS last season, New York, is undefeated in preseason at 4-0-3 after capturing the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Saturday night.

Hyndman uses Florida trip for evaluation
Their Florida trip now concluded, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman felt his team's venture to the Sunshine State was rewarding despite losing three of five games on the 10-day excursion.

February 26, 2010

Five-a-side: What's hot around the league
What's hot in the MLS preseason with less than a month to go before opening kickoff, including changing faces in several goals around the league.

February 25, 2010

MLS statement on Collective Bargaining Agreement
Major League Soccer issued the following statement today regarding negotiations with the Major League Soccer Players Union on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

February 26, 2010

Trialist Edward in Dallas' good graces
With the roster cutdown day two weeks away, the time for many trialists to make MLS rosters is growing ever shorter. But one who remains with FC Dallas is defender Edson Edward, who came to the club following a solid career at NAIA school Graceland University

February 25, 2010

Fire, Guadalajara play to 1-1 draw
A 41st minute tally from veteran forward Brian McBride looked good enough to keep the Fire perfect in preseason, but Guadalajara's Adrián Domínguez struck late in second half stoppage time to give Chivas a share of the spoils in Thursday afternoon's friendly match.

Bradley names roster to face Netherlands
U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a 20 player roster to face the Netherlands at Amsterdam ArenA on March 3 in the team's final international fixture date before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

MLS Alums: Nelsen not fretting injury
Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen is treating a knee injury suffered on Feb. 20 as a "blessing in disguise."

MLS Alums: Weekly roundup
A look at the latest news and performances of former Major League Soccer standouts around the globe, including Stuart Holden's debut with Bolton Wanderers.

Ching hopes things are different than four years ago
After not seeing any action in Germany during the 2006 World Cup, forward Brian Ching made it a goal to play in 2010. Last night's effort may prove to help that cause.

Sounders FC claim fifth place in La Manga Cup
Getting a late goal from Lamar Neagle off a Peter Vagenas corner kick, the Sounders FC finished its trip to Spain with a 1-0 win over Norway's SK Brann to take fifth place in the La Manga Cup on Thursday afternoon.

Loyd recovers from hamstring injury, making up for time lost
When FC Dallas chose Zach Loyd fifth overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, they felt the University of North Carolina product would contribute quickly.

Barklage hoping for breakout campaign
Brandon Barklage came on in the middle of last season, and D.C. United expects even more from the young midfielder in 2010.

February 24, 2010

Two late goals lift US past El Salvador
It took a monumental effort led by second-half substitute Brian Ching, but the United States overcame a pesky El Salvador side and beat the Central Americans 2-1 in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

East notes: Crew defender blogs about trip
Crew defender Jed Zayner didn't quite grasp what he was about to start when he and teammate Adam Moffat decided to post a blog entry about the first day of the Crew's trip to Bradenton, Fla.

West notes: Real Salt Lake excited about Gil
Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey was quite excited about bringing on U.S. U-17 international, Luis Gil, to the club.

Union announce stadium naming rights partnership
Keystone Sports and Entertainment LLC and PPL EnergyPlus on Wednesday announced an 11-year naming rights partnership. The stadium, currently under construction on the banks of the Delaware River, will be known as PPL Park.

February 23, 2010

Wizards net international spot, pick, future transfer fees for Gil
The Kansas City Wizards have traded the rights to midfielder Luis Gil to Real Salt Lake in exchange for an international roster spot, a 2011 2nd round SuperDraft pick, and 25 percent of any transfer fee should a club outside of MLS purchase Gil's rights in the future.

Cunningham at last chance saloon
Time, in more ways than one, definitely is not on Jeff Cunningham's side. The 33-year-old FC Dallas striker has only one international game remaining to impress the U.S. national team coaching staff and prove he belongs on a flight to South Africa in late May.

Wizards part ways with Claudio Lopez
The Kansas City Wizards announced Tuesday that the team will not be renewing the contract of Argentine midfielder Claudio Lopez. The team had been in negotiations with Lopez throughout the preseason.

February 24, 2010

New approach to camp pays off for FCD
A year ago, FC Dallas played just two MLS sides in preseason, and head coach Schellas Hyndman admitted that might have been why his club struggled to just three wins in their first 12 matches. This year, however, Hyndman decided to change his approach.

February 23, 2010

Oduro powers Dynamo past UCF in scrimmage
The Houston Dynamo used a second-half hat trick from Dominic Oduro to earn a 4-1 scrimmage win over the University of Central Florida Tuesday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.