City Football Group insists NYC FC and Manchester City are separate clubs with separate identities, but doubt persist over the true nature of their partnershipCity Football Group and Major League Soccer were careful not to draw too many lines of association upon announcing the league’s 20th franchise back in May 2013. New York City FC, they said, would be “a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights.” Their inception would create “an intense crosstown rivalry between NYC FC and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.” Manchester City, the European superpower anchoring the purchase, were barely mentioned. Related: Frank Lampard's legacy with New York City FC remains difficult to assess Related: Manchester City...
This week marks 10 years since the former England captain announced his move to LA Galaxy. But how did his decision shape soccer in the States?Wednesday marks 10 years since David Beckham confirmed he would leave Madrid and head to California to sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Then football’s most recognisable star, he arrived in Major League Soccer with the goal of improving the American game. Beckham promised to “make a difference” Stateside, but where did he fail and where did he succeed? Related: Why Miami made David Beckham work hard for his MLS stadium dream Related: Landon Donovan – I was wrong to criticise David Beckham at LA Galaxy Continue reading...
His move to Celtic might have fallen through, but the Timbers midfielder has nothing left to prove in America, and a fresh challenge would do him goodBrendan Rodgers was left confused by the first question posed over Celtic’s interest in Darlington Nagbe. Asked about a player called “Darling”, the Northern Irishman didn’t immediately process who or what he was being pressed on. It’s fair to say Nagbe’s name isn’t exactly renowned in Scottish soccer circles. Related: Seattle's triumph, and good riddance to Gerrard: the 2016 MLS season in review Continue reading...
The club that brought Pelé and Raúl to America have shed their staff and players. So why does their chairman insist the team has a future?There are few American soccer brands that rival the global resonance of the New York Cosmos. The name alone conjures images of Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia trouncing opponents in packed stadiums across America.They were the rebels. The pioneers. The original galácticos. In short, the Cosmos are one of the most romantic and important clubs in the history of American soccer. And for the second time in a generation, they are teetering on the brink of extinction. Related: Messi, Lahm and ... Sidwell? How much would Pelé's New York Cosmos cost today? Related: The...
Stefan Frei pulled off some crucial saves but the most important part of the champions’ season happened back in the summerRoman Torres gives the Seattle Sounders a historic winThis was a defenders’ MLS Cup final and so it was fitting that a defender should strike the decisive blow. Roman Torres was already something of a cult figure for the Sounders support before he strode up to hit the most important penalty in the franchise’s history. Now the image of his celebrations will be immortalised in Seattle.Of course, the narrative that will be drawn from this match seems a little bizarre considering that an entire season came down to a few inches, with Justin Morrow smashing his penalty off the underside...