Major League Soccer » MLS

MLS Blogger Still Needed

Daryl — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:58:04 +0000

Congratulations to Real Salt Lake on their MLS Cup win. Impressive stuff. Unlike Landon Donovan’s penalty.

Rocky has a recap on RSL Offside, and Laurie had a big front page post with photos.

There’ll obviously be an MLS break from now until March 2010, which gives us plenty of time to find an excellent MLS blogger.

If interested, you will need:

1. A computer. 2. The internet. 3. A love of MLS.

We’re also looking for someone who can cover the league as a whole. Big picture, easy on the team bias.

For details about writing for The Offside, please give this a read. And if you’re still interested after reading all that, then please email me at daryl[at]theoffside[dot]com with a writing sample.

Poll: Who Will Win MLS Cup 2009

Laurie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:51:20 +0000

And the first leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs tells us…

Not much.

Two one-goal winners. Two one-goal losers. And two games ending in draws. At this point it’s still looking wide open.

This weekend’s results:
Seattle 0-0 Houston
RSL 1-0 Columbus
NE 2-1 Chicago
Chivas 2-2 Galaxy

Who Will Win the 2009 MLS Cup?(polls)

Write for MLS Offside

Daryl — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:20:56 +0000

The Offside has a very healthy number of American readers, and many fine MLS team blogs. The Offside does not have an MLS blog right now. So we’re looking for someone to cover the ins, outs and crazies of Major League Soccer right here on this page. Preferably someone who can jump right in, because playoffs are about to start.

It’s not a paid position. But there’s definitely an audience here on The Offside, just waiting for a good MLS blog. If you can provide insight, opinion, humor and commitment, then MLS Offside needs you and we want you.

For more info, have a read of the bloggers guidelines here and then send an email to daryl[at]theoffside[dot]com with an MLS related writing sample.

MLS Final Kick: Week 18

travis — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:00:31 +0000

Week 18 Highlights

travis — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:18:38 +0000

I’m back in action this week, and have all your highlights from league action right here.

New York v Los Angeles

Chicago v San Jose

D.C. United v Colorado
Columbus v Real Salt Lake
Toronto v Houston
New England v Chivas USA (not up yet)

Blast from the past: 1997 MLS

travis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:30:45 +0000

I found this gem posted on The Offside Rules, where the always-entertaining Shawn Francis unearthed a highlight video from 1997 MLS. What makes this great are three things: the first, that John Harkes and Eric Wynalda are introducing it, the second, that they seem like they’re on something, and the third is that Steve Ralston is involved in one of the highlights. Please watch:

We’ve come a long way from that, haven’t we?

Kicking Field Goals with Santino Quaranta and Stuart Holden

travis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:55:16 +0000

Philadelphia Eagles kicker David Akers stopped by USMNT practice and showed a couple of MLSers how it’s done. Tune in below:

MLS Power Rankings: Week 16

travis — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:30:50 +0000

The first full weekend of action means that change is afoot in the weekly MLS Power Rankings. For some, it’s more of the same, as a lot of clubs around the league have held serve with their performances.

Gold Cup absences continue to be the story, as a number of clubs will be missing top players through this weekend and probably more. The success of U.S. and Canada will no doubt be a bane on a number of clubs, with a lengthy list looking to move on to the quarterfinal round in Philadelphia.

It’s a true test of both the new roster size and a coach/front office and their ability to build the right team or call in the right reinforcement. With the player window opening up soon, look for big moves to start.

Full rankings are after the jump. Don’t forget to follow MLS Offside on Twitter and to email ideas and tips to mlsoffside[at]gmail[dot]com.

1. Houston Dynamo
Record: 9-3-4
Previous: 1
Comment: No reason for them to budge.

2. Chivas USA
Record: 8-4-3
Previous: 2
Comment: Same with Chivas.

3. Seattle Sounders FC
Record: 6-3-7
Previous: 5
Comment: Big game for Seattle this weekend, with Houton coming to town. A win against the Dynamo would send a signal to the rest of the league that this team is a legitimate MLS Cup contender.

4. D.C. United
Record: 5-3-9
Previous: 5
Comment: Doing ok in handling their Gold Cup losses, but the health of Moreno and Emilio remain a concern. Fortunately, another weekend off.

5. Chicago Fire
Record: 6-3-6
Previous: 6
Comment: Rebounded nicely with a win in Colorado—their first since 1999.

6. Columbus Crew
Record: 5-3-8
Previous: 7
Comment: Held United to a draw, but can’t be ecstatic about their performance at home.

7. Colorado Rapids
Record: 5-4-6
Previous: 4
Comment: A disappointing loss for the Rapids who would have liked a better showing at DSG. Need Conor Casey to recover ASAP.

8. Toronto FC
Record: 6-6-4
Previous: 10
Comment: Quietly bounding back up the ladder—though with the East as tight as it is, everyone but the Red Bulls are in it.

9. Kansas City Wizards
Record: 5-6-4
Previous: 8
Comment: Struggling to score at home, and while their defense is doing just fine without Conrad, it’s the offense that is letting them down.

10. Real Salt Lake
Record: 5-6-4
Previous: 9
Comment: Inconsistency thy name is Real. Javier Morales and Clint Mathis are two very important players right now with Will Johnson and Kyle Beckerman away on Gold Cup duty.

11. Los Angeles Galaxy
Record: 4-3-9
Previous: 12
Comment: Will the return of Beckham cause their season to unravel, or will they put it all together and finish with aplomb?

12. New England Revolution
Record: 4-5-4
Previous: 11
Comment: Struggles continue for the Revolution who deserved more against Los Angeles. Steve Nicol has a lot of work to do if he wants to save this season.

13. FC Dallas
Record: 4-7-5
Previous: 13
Comment: What’s this you say? A Dallas victory? Sure, it was over the Red Bulls, but suddenly signs of life are creeping out of Frisco.

14. San Jose Earthquakes
Record: 3-8-4
Previous: 14
Comment: Blew a chance at a rare road victory with a Keystone Cops-like own goal.

15. New York Red Bulls
Record: 2-13-4
Previous: 15
Comment: Entrenched in this spot for a long, long time, even if they actually win a game for once.

What do you think? Am I completely mad with these rankings or do you agree?

MLS Final Kick: Week 16

travis — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:33:11 +0000

Another weekly wrap up from ESPN.

MLS Week 16 Highlights

travis — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:40:21 +0000

After another exciting weekend of action — good crowds too — here are your MLS highlights.

Real Salt Lake v San Jose

Kansas City v Houston
Los Angeles v New England