Community
With just over a month until the opening matches, MLS clubs get to work on and off the field. Here are this week's highlights:
Beckham signs five month deal with Paris St. Germain, salary will go to children's charity
Chivas USA celebrated Coach Chelis' 54th Birthday
Colorado supports Special Olympics Colorado by taking the Polar Plunge
Colorado's Mastroeni wearing headgear as a precaution, to raise awareness
Fagundez balancing double sessions with HS classes
Whitecaps Visit Local Schools During Family Literacy Week
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Teams are starting to take shape on the field and off the field clubs continue to make an impact in their community. From award winning Community Relations departments to pre-season fundraisers, clubs continue to stun with their commitment to giving back. Here are the highlights:
Crew Soccer Foundation wins 2013 Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service
Revolution's McCarthy switches number to honor friend Kirk Urso
Montreal Impact: Brovsky has unforgettable experience in Guatemala
Chicago Fire Academy alum Ciesiulka helps raise big money for children in need
Former Red Bulls intern living out her dream in NWSL
Chris Seitz in top form after donation as preseason begins
Crew Soccer Foundation unveils inaugural Kirk Urso Memorial Match
Whitecaps FC visit Ronald McDonald House
Chicago Fire Foundation hold 15th Annual Season Kick-off Luncheon
Portland Timbers Dribble Oregon concludes in Astoria
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Congratulations to the Portland Timbers for being the recipient of the Marisa Colaiano Community Relations Department of the Year presented by MLS W.O.R.K.S. The Community Relations Department of the Year award was renamed in 2012 in honor of Marisa Colaiano, Colorado Rapids Community Relations Director, who exemplified what it means to give back through passion, dedication and selflessness to make a lasting impact in the community.
Check out this week's club highlights:
Sporting Kansas City teams up with Make-A-Wish
Portland Timbers Dribble Oregon
Loyd, Warshaw featured in Dallas Morning News column
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Excitement around the 2013 MLS SuperDraft is building in Indianapolis and MLS W.O.R.K.S. took a few of the draftees to Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health today. Walker Zimmerman, Andrew Farrell and Eriq Zavaleta visited with patients and families at the hospital and signed MLS W.O.R.K.S. t-shirts and posed for photos. The visit was a great opportunity for these future MLS players to give back to the Indianapolis community prior to the MLS SuperDraft tomorrow.
Don't miss your chance to watch the SuperDraft live tomorrow on MLSsoccer.com, ESPN3, ESPNFC and YouTube to find out which MLS club these draftees will end up playing for.
For more information about MLS W.O.R.K.S. visit our website.
US international Robbie Rogers’ contract with Leeds United has been terminated by mutual consent, so what does that mean for the winger’s future? Could a return to MLS be in the cards?
The Columbus Dispatch has some early details for those wondering. For now, though, Rogers' agent is staying mum on the subject of potential destinations for the former Crew star.
The 25-year-old joined the Championship side 12 months ago after a successful trial period, but a head injury and ankle injury limited his involvement to just one start and three further appearances as a sub.
Rogers left MLS on a free transfer after five seasons with the Crew and is free to sign with any team overseas, but his rights belong to Columbus after the club made the left-footed winger a qualifying offer after the 2011 season.
Should Columbus bring him back? Or should Rogers look for another landing place in Europe?
The clubs have had an incredibly busy week - a week that started off with Soccer Night in Newtown, an event that saw all MLS clubs coming together to support the community in Newtown. Read first-hand accounts from MLS players who attended the event and other impactful community stories in the highlights below.
Crew cap off 2012 with sucessful holiday outreach campaign
Union Ultras give over 400 kids a reason to smile
Capital Community News lauds D.C. United's Off the Pitch Work
Colorado's Wynne shows love of cats during visit to animal shelter
Seattle Sounders: Off to Tanzania
Stephen McCarthy changes number to honor Kirk Urso
Vancouver Whitecaps FC players attend Soccer Night in Newtown
Sounders FC players attend Newtown event
Marcus Tracy attends Soccer Night in Newtown
Participation in Newtown event a big blessing for Watson-Siriboe
NE Revolution Headline News: Newtown
Galaxy's Garcia honored to participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
FC Dallas hosts Cocktails and Cleats 2013
D.C. United Video: Soccer Night in Newtown
Crew's Finlay humbled by experience in Newtown
Crew Soccer Foundation Honors Linden Student-Athlete Tremayne Tittle
Toronto FC: Soccer Night in Newtown
Montreal players assist in Newtown
Dynamo players participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
As it happened: Soccer Night in Newtown
MLS Community helps healing for 1500 at Soccer Night in Newtown
Group photo of soccer stars in Newtown
Bobby Warshaw writes about Newtown
Cascio to join other MLS and US stars at Soccer Night in Newtown
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS clubs finished the 2012 year with an impressive line up of community appearances and favorite community moments. This New Year, clubs are starting strong in the community. Take a look at some of the highlights:
The Crew focus on community outreach in Columbus
Houston Dynamo Plates to benefit Dynamo Charities
PwC US donates $27,750 to Ronald McDonald House Houston for 37 Dynamo home game goals
Dallas Morning News reader nominates Chris Seitz for Texan of the Year
Sounders FC's Josh Ford attends Newtown event
Watson-Siriboe participates in Soccer Night in Newtown
Whitecaps FC support Newtown event
Albright and Gaddis take part in Newtown initiative
Red Bulls join MLS at Soccer Night in Newtown
Zach Loyd and Bobby Warshaw participate in Soccer Night in Newtown
Crew supports soccer event in Newtown
New York Red Bulls remember 2012 moments giving back
Toronto FC make a special holiday appearance
Whitecaps FC share holiday traditions
San Jose's Tracy pays tribute to Newtown
United Soccer Club works with Soccer For Success
Top Moments for Colorado Rapids in the community
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
More than 1,700 miles separate Houston and Newton, Conn., but the Dynamo aren't concerned with distance as they do their part to support a grieving community in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.
On Friday, Houston announced they were partnering with the Quinnipiac University soccer program and the Connecticut Football Club to host "Soccer Night in Newtown" on Monday, January 7. Dynamo president and Guilford, Conn., native Chris Canetti is leading the charge, using his connections in his new home to provide a much-needed distraction for those affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"Soccer is a big part of the Newtown community, and we thought it would be a great idea to give the kids a chance to have some fun playing a game they love alongside some of America's top professional players and some of the area's top collegiate players," Canetti said in a statement. "I hope this event can be a diversion from some of the harsh realities facing their world and provide an opportunity to create positive lifelong memories."
Forward Brian Ching, midfielders Ricardo Clark and Brad Davis, defender Corey Ashe and goalkeeper Tally Hall will all make the trip to Newton to sign autographs and participate in soccer-themed activities at the free event. Houston also opened an auction to benefit the United Way's Sandy Hook School Support Fund, and prizes includes a trip for two to see the Dynamo play a 2013 home game at BBVA Compass Stadium in downtown Houston.
There isn't much to say other than 'Well done, Dynamo." At times like these, we're all in it together, and Houston's attitude toward tragedy is a lesson to us all.
See how you can help support Sandy Hook victims here.
Happy Holidays from MLS and MLS W.O.R.K.S. - enjoy these charitable stories to get into the holiday spirit.
Columbus Crew selected as a finalist for prestigious Pillar Award for Community Service
Wondolowski donates to Street Soccer USA
Whitecaps FC volunteer with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
Portland Timbers Second Annual Dribble Oregon
D.C. United: Martha's Table Meals for Minds
San Jose Earthquakes: Wondolowski shows charitable spirit
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
Deadspin beat us to this one, and for that, we salute you guys. With cheesesteaks.
Honestly, there's not a lot to say about this footage of the 1924 US Open Cup final between the Fall River Marksmen and Vesper Buick besides "wow." And, "I wish there was enough footage of the old ASL for Ken Burns to do one of those eight-hour documentaries that I love so much."
Oh, and, "Who says that America has no soccer history or culture?" As wotnograpefruit, a commenter on the video's YouTube page, points out: This video, which shows that the Vesper Buick players had numbers on their jerseys, predates the previously reported beginning of numbered jerseys, 1928 with English side Arsenal.
So I guess there's actually a bunch to say about this. I love the US Open Cup. And I love that this video still exists.