Here are the top 15 soccer stories we’re following today.
1. GALAXY RESERVES DO THE JOB
This may come as a surprise, but Bruce Arena wasn’t happy about the scheduling of CONCACAF Champions League matches. As such, the LA Galaxy boss sent out a team made up mostly of youngsters and reserves to face Isidro Metapán on Wednesday night, yet the move paid off as those players seized their chance, scoring one then holding on late to win (watch highlights here).
2. 24 UNDER 24
As the list continues, we’ve only got the top 10 left to reveal. Check out who made it from Nos. 15-11 and come back today at 11 am ET to see who we rank between Nos. 10-6. Want to hang out with the overall winner? Here’s what you need to do. The majority of players on this list will have come through either the academy or college system, is there a right option? With the college season well under way now, which five college players have the best chance of making this list next season. Finally, if the list was compiled based on fantasy points, here is how it would look. The winner might surprise you.
3. MEXICO LOOKING TO STEAL US PROSPECT
One of MLS’ brightest young stars is also a future prospect for the US national team. At least, that’s as long as Mexico don’t steal him away. Luis Gil has been lighting it up at both U-17 and U-20 levels for the US and, with 84 appearances at just 19 years of age, he is practically a veteran for Real Salt Lake. With Mexico making serious inquiries, would he be willing to make a onetime switch?
4. FUTURE STARS ASSEMBLE FOR CAMP
As we count this year's 24 Under 24, it seems like future lists will stay bright as well. Javier Perez has called in 36 players for the US Under-18 national team training camp in September, 12 of whom currently play for MLS academy sides.
5. DANNY WILLIAMS MAKING HIS CASE?
Danny Williams played a big part in his new team's 1-0 win on Wednesday. With the 24-year-old finding his feet in England, is he starting to put his name back in contention for next summer’s World Cup? Of course not everyone’s adventure in Europe turns out so well: What ever happened to former US youth international Tony Taylor?
6. CREW BOSS NOT ON TRIAL
Two wins out of three have been enough for interim Columbus Crew boss Brian Bliss to move past the mentality that he is “on trial” with the club. “Obviously results help but I can’t live like I’m on an eight week try-out,” said Bliss, whose main focus now is trying to get the Crew into the playoffs.
7. THE JAMAICAN INFLUX
There are currently 15 Jamaicans playing in MLS, which is enough to rank the country sixth on the list of nations with players in the league. So why are so many players turning to Major League Soccer?
8. RYAN NELSEN FEARS UNFAIR DISCIPLINE
By now, chances are you’ve seen the Jonathan Osorio-Kosuke Kimura incident from last Saturday. The reaction to it has been fairly unanimous and that, in part, is what leads Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen to worry his star player won’t receive a fair trial. “I won’t be surprised if something happens,” said Nelsen, who saw nothing wrong with the incident but fears the Disciplinary Committee might use fancy methods such as slow motion replays to come to a different conclusion.
9. THE COMMISSIONER IN DEMAND?
Here’s a worrying thought. If Bud Selig really does retire as Major League Baseball’s commissioner at the end of next season, could MLB try and steal MLS' very own commissioner? That the question posed by SB Nation, which says that, while acknowledging the chances are thankfully slim to none, having a look at Don Garber wouldn’t be such a bad idea for MLB given all his success.
10. POSSESSION IS NINE-10THS OF THE LAW
“If you don’t have the ball, it becomes that much harder to win,” is an old adage often heard in soccer. The accepted logic is that teams with more possession will be the most successful. Is this actually true? Let's crunch the numbers.
11. SALCEDO LEARNING THE ROPES
Last Friday night’s 2-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders may have been a night to forget for Real Salt Lake’s 19-year-old center back Carlos Salcedo. But that shouldn’t detract from what has been an outstanding first year for the player. Willll Jason Kreis turn to a more experienced veteran as the club pushes for the Supporters' Shield?
12. DC MORE THAN A NAME TO UNITED
For D.C. United, staying in the city they’ve always called home is an important part of their future. They've laid down significant roots in Washington, according to this impassioned piece in the Huffington Post.
13. CANADA BOUND FOR LONDON
The rumors were true. It was revealed on Wednesday that the Canadian men's national team will indeed travel to London for an international friendly against Australia, who could potentially feature a couple of New York Red Bulls.
14. SOCCER STAR GETS RECOGNITION
Christine Sinclair, long a star of the Canadian women’s national team and currently playing for the Portland Thorns, is to be honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, which celebrates the countries artists from all walks of life. Can you imagine a point where a US player earns a spot on Hollywood Boulevard?
15. EXPANSION FOR EVERYONE
Let’s be honest, MLS expansion is exciting. It’s fun to speculate about which cities might one day host teams, where they would play, what they’d be called, etc. However, not every campaign for an MLS franchise is going to be a winner. As this parody piece aptly shows, some of them are unrealistic and some of them are just downright silly.
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