Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore enjoyed sweet vindication as Toronto FC made their most compelling pitch for Major League Soccer’s best team everThe spirit of blame has been bouncing around US soccer circles since the USA’s World Cup elimination – but over the course of these MLS playoffs far more than its share has settled on Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore. Both men were booed by opposing fans every time they touched the ball during the playoffs, and both had their struggles – Bradley was nullified by Tyler Adams in the home playoff loss to the Red Bulls, while Altidore saw red in the same game and missed the first leg against Columbus. Related: Jozy Altidore has last laugh to...
The teams are decided for the post-season. But who will have the biggest say on the destination of this season’s MLS Cup?Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Nothing in Major League Soccer is as thrilling as an Atlanta United game at their new Mercedes Benz Stadium home. Tata Martino’s men have scored more goals than any other side in becoming the first expansion team to make the play-offs in their debut season since the 2009 Seattle Sounders. Much of that attacking success has been down to Josef Martinez.The Venezuelan is United’s master of chaos, scoring 18 goals in just 16 starts. If Atlanta are to make a play-off run, keeping Martinez firing will prove critical. Of course, without the supply line of...
The TFC captain said ‘we feel like we have the best team in the league’ – and on the evidence of a 1-0 victory that snapped Seattle’s home streak, it’s hard to argueToronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley chooses his words carefully.One of the most introspective stars in Major League Soccer, Bradley speaks slowly and takes long pauses between each sentence. You’re never quite sure if he’s finished his thought or whether he’s waiting for an interloper to jump in and keep the conversation going. Related: US soccer's coaching gap: 'I refuse to believe all the best people are white males' Continue reading...
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...
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...