Lampard’s departure begs the question: Are aging designated players worth it or would the money be better invested in cultivating young, home-grown talent?Frank Lampard’s two-year love affair with New York City came to an end as Monday morning came with the news that the 38-year-old English midfielder will not return to the club after his $6m contract expires next month. Related: Frank Lampard set to depart New York City FC as contract expires Today, we say goodbye to a legend. Best of luck on your next chapter, Frank. #ThankYouFrank Related: Frank Lampard to be offered Chelsea post if he retires from playing This city, this team was lucky to have you. #thankyoufrank #nycfc @NYCFC Continue reading...
As the New York Cosmos prepare to take on Indy Eleven in Sunday’s final, one NASL owner is set to take legal action alleging ties to ‘dirty money’ – another blow to a league that has suffered more than its fair share of problemsAs the North American Soccer League gears up for its championship final between New York Cosmos and Indy Eleven in New York on Sunday, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards has warned he is poised to take legal action against the league, alleging ties to “dirty money”. Related: America's Azteca: how a small Columbus stadium became a fortress for US soccer The politics of soccer in the United States is pretty volatile at the moment and NASL...
Major League Soccer is no match for the top European leagues but playing in the States doesn’t mean you will fail at international levelWhen Giampiero Ventura decided to exclude Sebastian Giovinco from Italy’s squad for the upcoming matches against Liechtenstein and Germany, it barely registered as a surprise. Ventura, who became the Azzurris’ new manager in June after Antonio Conte left for Chelsea, echoed his predecessor’s sentiments by declaring that Giovinco’s decision to play in MLS hurt his chances of being selected. “I have done everything to help him but the reality is that he plays in a league that doesn’t count for much,” said the 68-year-old. “And the number of goals he scores is less important because with the...
The star’s return to MLS is a great story but what does it say about the strength of the league that he has been able to slot back in so easily?As far as first touches following a near two-year hiatus from soccer go, Landon Donovan’s was pretty good. He’d made a three-minute substitute cameo coming off the bench for the LA Galaxy away to Sporting KC, but this was his first meaningful involvement since unexpectedly coming out of retirement 10 days previously. It took him just 60 seconds, and one touch, to strike home a crucial equaliser. That’s how to make a comeback.Nobody knew quite what to expect from Donovan in the final throes of the 2016 season. Once the...
The list of Major League Soccer’s most valuable player award winners is one of the most diverse in sports and this year’s two-horse race is no exceptionFirst a thought. Now that Landon Donovan has shaken off the proverbial dust from his Galaxy uniform and returned to action, the league should probably consider removing his name from the MVP award. After saying goodbye to the game in 2014, MLS respectfully renamed it in his honor, but now after his return it seems slightly odd for a trophy to be named after a player who, despite his great success in the past, is probably not better than the candidates who might receive it.Namesake notwithstanding, Major League Soccer’s MVP award is one of...