The MLS preseason action takes a backseat to the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday, but comes back with a full plate of matches from across the nation on Wedneday. Below is Wednesday's jam-packed schedule so you can plan accordingly. This is, after all, the MLS' month of the live stream.
- 5 pm: Columbus Crew SC vs. Philadelphia Union, IMG Suncoast Pro Classic (Bradenton, Florida)
- 5 pm: New York City FC vs. Houston Dynamo, Carolina Challenge Cup (Charleston, South Carolina)
- 7:30 pm: Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City, Carolina Challenge Cup (Charleston, South Carolina)
- 7:30 pm: Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls, IMG Suncoast Pro Classic (Bradenton, Florida)
- 7:30 pm: Colorado Rapids vs. FC Tucson, Desert Diamond Cup (Tucson, Arizona)
- 8 pm: Seattle Sounders vs. New England Revolution, Desert Diamond Cup (Tucson, Arizona)
- 8 pm: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Stabaek, Simple Invitational (Portland, Oregon)
- 10 pm: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City, Desert Diamond Cup (Tucson, Arizona)
- 10:30 pm: Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, Simple Invitational (Portland, Oregon)
- TBD: San Jose Earthquakes vs. SF Stompers FC (San Jose, California)
For now, you can follow all of today's news and updates from MLS training camps below, and for the entire preseason schedule, click here.
VANNEY TALKS TFC PROGRESS
Toronto FC are busy making their final preparations for their regular-season opener March 7 against the Vancouver Whitecaps with two more preseason games at the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic in Bradenton, Fla.
TFC head coach Greg Vanney spoke with the club’s website about the team’s progress.
“Every day is a new opportunity we have a lot of good players,” he said. “And the key is to make sure they’re all connected.”
He said he’ll field a mix of players, taking into account those who played in their 1-0 win Saturday over Danish side HB Koge, in Wednesday’s match against New York Red Bulls, with a likely first-choice lineup for the final preseason match Saturday.
“I think it’s a matter of one or two spots really at this point,” Vanney said of his expected starting lineup. “Even then we have some clarity, but we want guys to push and show that they’re ready, that they’re ready for the call on the first day.”
Check out the full video below:
'CAPS SIGN HONDURAN YOUTH INTERNATIONAL
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced Tuesday the acquisition of Honduran youth international midfielder Deybi Flores on a one-year loan with a transfer option from Club Deportivo Motagua of the Honduran Liga Nacional – pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, Canadian work permit and visa.
Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 18-year-old has made 21 appearances over two seasons with Club Deportivo Motagua and most recently started five matches for Honduras at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
“Deybi is a talented young box-to-box midfielder with a big upside,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said in a team release. “He was one of the top players in the recent CONCACAF U-20 tournament and we are excited to welcome him to our club.”
RSL ADD GUATEMALAN INTERNATIONAL
Real Salt Lake bolstered their defense on Tuesday, signing center back Elias Enoc Vasquez. The 22-year-old Guatemalan international joins the club after most recently playing for Dorados in Mexico's second division. He started his career with Guatemalan side Comunicaciones, and has 25 international appearances for his country.
“For such a young player, he’s very experienced. The club thought it was very important in finding that player,” Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar said in a statement. “We wanted a player that could stay with our team for a long time and I think Elias fits that perfectly. He’s a young player in the national team for Guatemala. He’s a starter for his club team and he has come in with a fantastic attitude.”
SPORTING RELEASE CLAROS, MARCELIN
Sporting Kansas City waived Haitian international James Marcelin and mutually agreed to part ways with Honduran Jorge Claros on Tuesday morning, opening two international roster spots.
Marcelin was acquired by Sporting in December and appeared in three preseason matches for the club. The 28-year-old has 39 career MLS appearances over two seasons with the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas. Claros appeared in eight MLS matches and four games during the CONCACAF Champions League group stage after signing in July. Reports linked the 29-year-old with a move to China on Monday.
BEANIES EVERYWHERE!
If you thought preseason camps were being held only in warm weather climates, think again.
Charleston, South Carolina has seen a recent drop in temperatures, and the multiple MLS teams in the city for the Carolina Challenge Cup are feeling the effects of it. Look no further than at New York City FC, whose popular fashion item during training on Tuesday morning was a baby-blue beanie.
ADI'S TALE
Fanendo Adi loves soccer. So much so that he once played for three hours as a kid instead of quickly running an errand for his parents, who wound up being understandably upset.
The Portland Timbers forward shared that anecdote and several others, including how he shared a bed with his grandmother until he was 16, in a wide-ranging interview on Timbers.com. Adi's story is an interesting one, and will surely win over a few new fans ahead of his sophomore season in MLS.
CHIVAS USA CONNECTION IN RBNY LAND
Sacha Kljestan and Jesse Marsch used to be midfield partners at Chivas USA years ago, and their on-field chemistry is apparently still pretty good.
While Marsch is Kljestan's coach these days at the New York Red Bulls, the two of them combined neatly to score a goal in a small-sided game on Tuesday. Ah, shades of 2006-2009.
STUCK IN THE MUD, LITERALLY
MLS preseason is one of the best periods throughout the year for team-building exercises. Well, nothing might top the one Toronto FC accidentally experienced on Tuesday.
Following their practice session, Toronto FC did what they normally do in preseason and hopped on their bus. Unfortunately for them, it got stuck in the Florida mud. Numerous failed attempts to get out led to the team's players and staff members giving it a go with a good old collective push, but alas it was to no avail. After about an hour wait, a tow truck arrived to save the day.
If an image surfaces of TFC players and staff pushing the bus - just imagine
Jozy Altidore
,
Michael Bradley
and
Sebastian Giovinco
trying with all their might to get it out - we'll be sure to bring it to you.
REALIGNING THE WHEELS
It's always important to feel loose and comfortable before any training session or game, even more so apparently if it's during preseason. If you don't believe it, just ask Andrew Wenger, who looks pretty darn comfortable on the trainer's table.
