There’s no shortage of attacking talent across MLS, but five clubs have assembled groups that are a cut above the restAttacking talent across Major League Soccer is plentiful. The recruitment of wonderful goal scorers and goal makers kept pace with expansion, then entered another stratosphere. Most clubs have curated their attacking display with multiple stars and the best clubs have seen those individuals connect seamlessly with their teammates. So, which sides in MLS have formed the best attacking trios?The top trios below are comprised by individual greatness and placing a premium on how they combine collectively; in part by rewarding past work and part by projecting forward this season as many teams will continue to evolve, despite being more than...
The Swede brushed aside questions about his age and fitness with his trademark self-confidence on his first day with the MLS clubAs with all new recruits at LA Galaxy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was greeted to the ‘Tunnel of Death’ indoctrination when he first stepped onto the StubHub Center training field on Friday morning.Ibrahimovic’s team-mates formed a passageway and took turns slapping his back, as the 36-year-old ran the gauntlet. Perhaps some will have needed the bravery of the ‘lion’ to strike the 6ft 5in frontman, yet he was all smiles afterwards. Related: Why Zlatan's move to LA Galaxy is bad for Major League Soccer Continue reading...
Ageing striker’s long-awaited move to US is done, but the entire enterprise feels like an unwelcome throwback for MLSIt had become the worst kept secret in soccer. This was a transfer that followed the usual course of conjecture: there was a public courting, months of tabloid speculation and, of course, stories of the player concerned hunting for a new home in the local area, the mark of any mega move played out through the press. Finally, on Thursday, it became apparent that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was set to become an LA Galaxy player, with the Swede’s contract at Manchester United terminated. On Friday, it became official.Ibrahimovic makes ripples wherever he goes, such is his nature, and it will be no different...
The veteran coach’s return to southern California seemed like a Hollywood script. But now Galaxy are struggling to qualify for the playoffsAs juicy narratives go, Sigi Schmid’s return to the LA Galaxy could have been scripted 20 or miles or so due north from the StubHub Center, up in the Hollywood Hills.When Schmid took over from deposed first-year coach Curt Onalfo late last month, the opportunity offered the 64-year-old redemption on multiple levels. Continue reading...
Football thrives on friction between clubs but is it inauthentic to create one? In a young league such as MLS the results can be interesting to say the leastThis week the LA Galaxy reignited their two rivalries, one on the pitch, and one off it. On the pitch, the Galaxy beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 in the 75th edition of the Cali Clásico. It was the third straight win for a suddenly streaking Galaxy, and they are now undefeated in five and back in the playoff positions. The Galaxy now look poised to make their typical summer surge, and the outlook is starting to feel sunny again in Southern California. Off the pitch, however, things are a little more...