When oddsmakers first set a line for the MLS Cup Final, the Columbus Crew and the Seattle Sounders rated as equals heading into the championship match. But the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic have hit the Crew hard during the postseason, leaving the hosts in a difficult position heading into […]
MLS
Seattle Sounders Face Minnesota United with MLS Cup Final Berth on the Line
The Seattle Sounders are one game away from the chance to defend their MLS Cup title, with only Minnesota United standing between the defending champions and a date with the Columbus Crew. Seattle will host Monday’s Western Conference final, and comes in as a -165 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. […]
Columbus Crew, New England Revolution Both Peaking Ahead of MLS Eastern Conference Final
Neither the Columbus Crew nor the New England Revolution were among the top choices to win the MLS Cup when the Major League Soccer playoffs began. Now, both clubs sit just one game away from the MLS Cup Final, as Columbus hosts New England in the Eastern Conference final on […]
Sporting KC Hosts Dangerous Minnesota United in MLS Western Conference Semifinal
Sporting Kansas City has never lost a game at Children’s Mercy Park to Minnesota United. In fact, it’s never failed to win in its home matchups against the Loons. But Sporting KC will still be wary of the danger posed by Minnesota when the two clubs hook up in an […]
FC Dallas Seeks Revenge After Heartbreaking Loss to Seattle Sounders in 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs
The Seattle Sounders are closing in on an opportunity to defend their MLS Cup title, but they’ll first have to deal with a confident FC Dallas side in the first Western Conference semifinal matchup on Tuesday. Dallas came from behind late to defeat the Portland Timbers in a lengthy penalty […]
MLS Cup Playoffs: Orlando City, Columbus Crew Host Eastern Conference Semifinals
Orlando City SC will try to continue its first-ever MLS Cup Playoff run as the club hosts the New England Revolution in the first of two Eastern Conference semifinal matchups on Sunday. Neither team entered the unusual 2020 campaign as a favorite to make much noise in the MLS playoffs. […]
MLS Cup Playoffs: Seattle Sounders Host LAFC in Rematch of 2019 Western Conference Final
LAFC entered the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs as the favorite to win the title before the Seattle Sounders upset Los Angeles in the Western Conference Final. Now, the two teams will clash again, this time in the opening round of the 2020 playoffs. This time around, Seattle enjoys home-field advantage […]
MLS Cup Playoffs: New York Clubs Open as Road Underdogs in Saturday Matches
Both of Major League Soccer’s New York franchises will be in action on Saturday, but they’ll need to pull upsets if they want to advance out of the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The New York Red Bulls will travel to Columbus to face the Crew as a […]
MLS Cup Playoffs: New England, Nashville Favored at Home for Play-In Round
The single-elimination MLS Cup Playoffs will kick off on Friday as the bottom-four qualifiers in the Eastern Conference will face off in a play-in round to get into the main knockout bracket. The New England Revolution will play host to the Montreal Impact, while Nashville SC will take on expansion […]
Orlando City Hosts Portland Timbers in MLS is Back Tournament Final
Orlando City will look to cap off its Cinderella run at Walt Disney World on Tuesday when it takes on the Portland Timbers in the final of the MLS is Back Tournament. The Lions came into the MLS is Back Tournament as a long shot to win, despite the fact […]
MLS is Back Tournament: LAFC Leads Contenders Heading into Quarterfinals
Eight teams remain in contention in the MLS is Back Tournament at Walt Disney World, with LAFC emerging as the favorite to take home the title and the guaranteed CONCACAF Champions League berth. The MLS is Back Tournament began with 26 teams, though FC Dallas and Nashville SC withdrew from […]
Nashville SC Becomes Second Team to Drop Out of MLS is Back Tournament
Nashville SC withdrew from the MLS is Back Tournament on Thursday, reducing the event’s field to 24 teams. Nashville SC followed FC Dallas in leaving the tournament, with both clubs dropping out due to a high number of positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff members. Nashville Reports Nine Positive […]
FC Dallas Withdraws from MLS is Back Tournament Following COVID-19 Test Results
FC Dallas dropped out of the MLS is Back Tournament on Monday, becoming the first professional team in the United States to exclude itself from a league’s return-to-play plan. The club made the decision after 10 players and one staff member tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving at Disney’s […]
Major League Soccer Returning Next Month with Tournament in Orlando
Major League Soccer announced that it will return to play on July 8 with a special tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The MLS is Back Tournament will feature multiple games each day, with a pool-play format followed by a […]
Major League Soccer Nearing Deal to Avoid Lockout, Hold Summer Tournament in Orlando
Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association are close to a collective bargaining agreement that would allow teams to participate in a tournament this summer in Orlando, Florida. The league will likely send its official offer to the MLSPA on Tuesday, with players voting on the proposal by Wednesday. […]
MLS Cancels 2020 All-Star Game Set for Los Angeles
Major League Soccer announced the 2020 All-Star Game, set for July 29 in Los Angeles, will be canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The MLS also canceled the Leagues Cup and the Campeones Cup. All three events included joint participation between the MLS and Mexico’s equivalent, LIGA MX. The All-Star […]
Sports Economists Warn of Looming Financial Crisis for Football’s Lower Leagues
While football’s largest leagues pull out all stops to weather the financial storm caused by the global pandemic, smaller soccer clubs have fewer levers to pull. As a result, the current coronavirus shutdown could prove to be an “extinction-level” event for lower-tier clubs across the globe — according to a […]
Soccer Reacts to Coronavirus: MLS, La Liga Suspend Play, Champions League Matches Postponed
Soccer competitions worldwide are scrambling to respond to the coronavirus, with both MLS and La Liga suspending play for the coming weeks. MLS announced on Thursday that it would suspend play for 30 days, with ESPN reporting the league will try to reschedule missed matches for later in the season. […]
LAFC Leads the Race for 2020 MLS Cup
LAFC stands as the clear favorite to win the 2020 MLS Cup, but the unforgiving Major League Soccer playoff format means that many teams could be considered legitimate contenders to win the title. LAFC had a monster regular season in 2019, breaking the MLS record by compiling 72 points after […]
Inter Miami, Nashville SC Assigned to Conferences as Relentless MLS Expansion Continues
Officials announced Monday that MLS expansion team Inter Miami CF will be playing in the league’s Eastern Conference next year, while Nashville SC will set up shop in the Western Conference. The addition of the two new teams will bring the league total to 26, a new high for MLS. […]