SELECT CLIPS

• Atlanta United 19-year-old phenom Ezequiel Barco scores first MLS goal in 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire (FOX-ATL, Atlanta, GA)
  
• Orlando City SC wins club-record sixth straight match with 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake
• LAFC defender Walker Zimmerman discusses playing at incredible atmosphere of Banc of California Stadium (FOX-LA, Los Angeles, CA)
  
• New York City FC coach Patrick Vieira, star David Villa help unveil new state-of-the art training facility (FOX-NY, New York, NY)
  

MLS ARTICLES

• As U.S. national team vacancy looms, Peter Vermes is re-upping with Sporting KC (Kansas City Star)
  
• Kaku delivers as Red Bulls stymie rival NYCFC (New York Post)
  
• El Campo native Memo Rodriguez scores difference in Dynamo's win over Galaxy (Houston Chronicle)
  
• Sébastien Le Toux, longtime fan favorite, retiring with Union (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  
• Things to know about Atlanta United this week (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
  
• The MLS XI, Week 10: Another Party for New York Red Bulls; Orlando Keeps Winning (SI.com)
  
• Red Bulls dominate midfield battle in Hudson River Derby demolition (Goal.com)
  
• Rookie Chris Mueller helping to lead Orlando's surge (American Soccer Now)
  
• Tim Howard gives advice to younger self, those affected by Tourette Syndrome (Pro Soccer USA)
  
• Henry Wingo, a mother’s love, and the long road to the Sounders’ senior team (The Athletic)
  
• A conversation with Quakes president Tom Fox: State of the team, investing for success, plans for the future and more (The Athletic)
  

Orlando City SC 3, Real Salt Lake 1

• After record win, Orlando City fans need to start appreciating Jason Kreis (Pro Soccer USA)
  
• Orlando City rallies to defeat Real Salt Lake, wins sixth consecutive game (Pro Soccer USA)
  
• Real Salt Lake loses 3-1 at Orlando after scoring first goal of game (Salt Lake Tribune)
  

As U.S. national team vacancy looms, Peter Vermes is re-upping with Sporting KC
Kansas City Star – May 7, 2018
At a ranch located one hour south of Kansas City, Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes dined with club ownership last winter. Over a steak dinner, he presented his five-year forecast, broaching on senior team projections, the development of academy prospects and international player acquisitions.
At some point, Sporting Club co-owner Mike Illig interjected.
“What do you think about re-upping your deal?” Illig asked, later explaining, “We are discussing the future of our club, and for us as owners, we don’t see a future without Peter as the CEO of the technical (component).”
Five months later, the deal became reality.
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Sporting KC and Vermes agreed to a contract extension Monday that will keep him in his dual roles as the club’s coach and technical director through 2023, both parties told The Star. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. His original pact was set to expire after the 2019 season.
The contract arrives amidst the undertone of the opening with the United States men’s national team, a coaching vacancy for which Vermes will at least be in the mix.
Asked if the new deal should be perceived as a preference to remain in Kansas City if that opportunity should arise, Vermes replied, “I don’t want to deal in speculation. But what I would say is that after 12 1/2 years here, in some regards I’ve put my life’s work into this place. The reason why the ownership has made a commitment and why I’ve made a commitment to them is that while we have had a lot of success over the years, we still have a lot we want to get done. We’re all committed to that, and that includes myself.
“This is where my heart is.”
In conversations with The Star, multiple acquaintances close to Vermes continue to wonder if he would accept a potential offer from the national team, given that it would require him to vacate full authority over the technical side of Sporting KC.
Vermes, 51, has overseen this project since 2006, hired as technical director of a franchise for which he played. He added the coaching component in August 2009, the only coach hired by Sporting Club since it seized control late in 2006. No MLS coach has been with his team longer.
In his time occupying both positions, Sporting KC has won four trophies — the MLS Cup in 2013 and U.S. Open Cup championships in 2012, 2015 and 2017 — and reached the postseason in each of the past seven seasons. He is the winningest coach in club history, with a 121-93-76 mark in MLS regular season play and 150-108-86 across all competitions.
The history is in his corner.
The outlook for the future is what continues to sell ownership. Illig refers to Vermes as the CEO of the “Sporting Player Enterprise,” an intended method of flattery for a man trusted to oversee every level within the soccer venture. It was his blueprint that persuaded ownership to invest approximately $20 million into its academy; the same plan sparked the launch of a minor-league USL affiliate, the Swope Park Rangers, three years ago.
“I think the thing that meshes with us is we try to be entrepreneurial, and he has incredible vision,” Illig told The Star. “He knows where the league is going and where we need to be compared to that. He sees us differently than anyone else in the league sees us.
“Obviously when you look at the New Yorks, Toronto, Seattle, L.A., our approach around players and identifying talent and developing talent is crucial to our success. Peter is the visionary behind that project.”
The small-market stature has always been part of the draw for Vermes, who relishes the opportunity to claw, scrap, do whatever he can to gain an edge. His teams in Kansas City have long taken on that personality.
The academy is his primary solution, and he has established a goal to one day field a starting lineup consisting of 11 homegrown players. The only current homegrown regular in the lineup is winger Daniel Salloi. But it’s an undertaking Vermes said he hopes to see through, and Monday’s contract extension pulls him five years nearer.
“We are going to play a team (Atlanta) on Wednesday that spent $15 million on a transfer for one player — that’s not our world,” Vermes said, later adding, “At the same time, we have to find ways to compete with teams like that. That’s why these other things in our project, that’s why they’re exciting to me. Because what we’re trying to figure out is this: How do we deal with Goliath? How do we do that? The challenge is fun and intriguing.”
Sporting KC completed the weekend in first place in the Western Conference, with key offseason acquisitions such as Johnny Russell and Felipe Gutierrez blending with a host of accomplished veterans.
As Vermes guided the flight in its takeoff, Illig relaxed the talks of a contract extension. He recently returned them to the conversation last month. The details were settled rather quickly.
“I don’t know of a better situation when you’re doing this job, (particularly) the support from ownership and their understanding that this is a long-term play,” Vermes said. “The easiest progression to see is just the facilities themselves — Swope Soccer Village, the second phase of Swope and now (Pinnacle).
“When you just see that progression and that we’re consistently trying to be better versions of ourselves in all that we do, it’s the environment I wanna be in.”
Kaku delivers as Red Bulls stymie rival NYCFC
New York Post – May 5, 2018
New York is cuckoo for “Kaku.”
The Red Bulls’ young Argentine star dazzled Saturday in his first Hudson River Derby, further validating the preseason hype with a goal and two assists as his team, using an early four-minute barrage, suffocated NYCFC to take the first installment, 4-0, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
“He’s been a lot of fun to have here,” Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said of Alejandro Romero Gamarra, who goes by the nickname Kaku.
His Red Bulls teammates hummed the same about Kaku, who along with midfielders Florian Valot, Sean Davis and Tyler Adams made NYCFC look like an amateur team, especially in the first half.
Kaku’s first punch in the rivalry came in the second minute, when he finished Bradley Wright-Phillips’ saved shot to beat Sean Johnson for his third goal of the year. The opening stunner shocked NYCFC — MLS’ best team at 6-1-2 (20 points) entering Saturday — before luck had its way two minutes later when Valot scored after his shot deflected off defender Alexander Callens.
NYCFC controlled 54 percent of possession in the opening half, but were held too deep in their own half due to the high press of the Red Bulls (5-3-0, 15 points), which forced wingers Jesus Medina and Jo Inge Berget to track back. That also successfully shuttered NYCFC’s midfield and kept its backline uncomfortable.
“We won the battle in the midfield,” Marsch said. “We pressed them better, We picked them off in possession more.”
The dream-like first half for the Red Bulls only got better when Wright-Phillips added his 11th Hudson River Derby score when he knocked in a header off Kaku’s beautifully floated cross.
“If I had the chance to change all the 10 players on the field, I [was] going to do it at halftime,” said NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, who said he was appalled by his team’s lack of desire and conviction in the match.
Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls made NYCFC star David Villa seem like an afterthought. Villa, who was coming off a historic 400th goal last game against FC Dallas, had zero shots and was subbed off in the 66th minute — a clear sign Vieira was waving the white flag with his team down 3-0.
NYCFC came with out more punch in the second half, mostly trying to create the overload on the right side of the field, but to no avail since the Red Bulls wouldn’t allow NYCFC to penetrate centrally.
“We know the truth: This was a s–t game from us,” NYCFC midfielder Alex Ring said. “We deserved to lose.”
Red Bulls substitute Derrick Etienne got the final blow in the 79th minute when he drilled in the fourth goal in front of a bopping South Ward supporting section giving the Red Bulls a 6-1-3 all-time record in the series.
“We were the team that used to get the better of them,” Wright-Phillips said. “They see now that it’s difficult to play when a team’s frustrated, losing, angry and all riled up. It showed today from the start.”
El Campo native Memo Rodriguez scores difference in Dynamo's win over Galaxy
Houston Chronicle – May 5, 2018
Houston fans might be forgiven for being unfazed when the Dynamo blew their lead to the L.A. Galaxy twice.
But in a moment the narrative changed when midfielder and El Campo native Memo Rodriguez bounced a header in the back of the net to rip a would-be draw away from Los Angeles in a 3-2 win at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday.
The Dynamo (3-3-2) scored early when, in the third minute, forward Romell Quioto chipped a lobbing free kick from outside the box on the left side of the field. The ball floated right and Dynamo defender Alejandro Fuenmayor emerged from the pack and elevated to tap the ball with the inside of his foot, guiding it into the net.
The crowd erupted, orange smoke permeated the air, and spinning towels decorated the stands.
But it all stopped momentarily when the referee stalled the score to reexamine if Fuenmayor was offside—the goal stood.
Houston earned its way into last season’s playoffs off the strength of a defense that conceded the sixth-fewest goals in the league. But coming into Saturday’s match, the team had given up 11 goals in seven games. They’ve also made a habit of allowing teams back into games, especially late.
Saturday was no different although the Galaxy (3-5-1) struck back in the 39th minute, with plenty of time remaining.
Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos streaked down the field on the counterattack with Zlatan Ibrahimović offering support to his right. The Mexican international shot a pass over to Ibrahimović who shot towards the goal but it was deflected by goalkeeper Joe Willis. But dos Santos hadn’t given up on the play, anticipating then scoring off of the rebound.
The teams ended a physical first half even.
Then, as Houston had done to open the game, the Dynamo positioned themselves to score early in the half. From the edge of the penalty box it was Quioto again.
His kick skipped through a wall of defenders and a flat-footed David Bingham to find the opposite corner of the net to put Houston up by a score.
Quioto is building off of a productive April where the Honduran had been responsible for a goal and three assists to go along with 10 shots (five on goal).
Coach Wilmer Cabrera adjusted his lineup to better defend against the Galaxy and to prevent another comeback but the effort looked to prove futile.
In the 85th minute dos Santos was streaking down the field again with acres of space on the left side of the field. He pulled up to launch a cross to his right into the box and connected with forward Ola Kamara who knotted the score at 2-2.
But Houston still had their offensive opportunities. The Dynamo kept attacking but their shots were saved. One ricocheted off of the crossbar, floating midair for seconds that felt like an eternity.
Rodriguez arrived to head the ball into the net to seal the win and capture three points for Houston.
Sébastien Le Toux, longtime fan favorite, retiring with Union
Philadelphia Inquirer – May 7, 2018
The most popular player in Union history has returned to the team again, and this time it’s for the last time as a player. Sébastien Le Toux will sign a one-day contract with the team Tuesday to confirm his retirement from playing after 14 years as a pro.
“Philadelphia is where I had the most opportunities on and off the field,” Le Toux said in a statement issued by the Union. “It is where I found career success with the Philadelphia Union, met my wife, and found my forever home with friends, family, and fans that have become family.”
Le Toux will become the first inductee into the Union’s new Ring of Honor at Talen Energy Stadium. The ceremony will be held on June 23, when the Union play the Vancouver Whitecaps — the team to which the the Union controversially traded Le Toux at the height of his popularity here.
There will be well-earned jokes about how the Union haven’t done much to deserve a Ring of Honor. But if anyone deserves to be the first inductee, it’s Le Toux.
A native of Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, he was one of the Union’s original players, having come here from the Seattle Sounders in the Union’s expansion draft. He spent six seasons with the Union as a forward and winger: 2010 through 2011, and 2013 through half of 2016. His total of 175 games with the team is the most of any player.
In his first two seasons here, Le Toux scored 26 of his club-record 53 goals. The first three of the 26 came in a hat trick in the team’s first home game. He scored 14 goals in all in 2010, a club record until C.J. Sapong broke it last year.
The last of them was the team’s first playoff goal, and the only one it has scored in a playoff game at home — mainly because there hasn’t been another playoff game at home since.
Le Toux endeared himself to fans off the field, as well. He made many appearances at community events and informal gatherings of the Sons of Ben supporters club. He was, and remains, one of the only players in Union history to be well-known among local sports fans, not just soccer fans.
After the 2011 season, Le Toux got a tryout with English club Bolton Wanderers but didn’t earn a deal — in part because he left early with a foot injury. He came back to town and tried to negotiate a contract extension with the Union, but then-manager Peter Nowak didn’t want to keep him here, so the team traded him to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Nowak said the move was made to free up money to buy the contract of young midfielder Roger Torres, who initially came to Philadelphia on a loan deal.
Le Toux was irate. He told the Delaware County Daily Times soon after the deal that he was “sad because of the way I was treated” and “disgusted” with the team.
“It had gotten to the point where I said to them, to Nick [Sakiewicz, the team’s CEO at the time], to Peter, to everyone, ‘Just give me a contract and I will sign it,'” Le Toux said. “I wanted to stay in Philly. I didn’t care about the money.”
It didn’t help that Le Toux didn’t have an agent. He also was being separated from his longtime girlfriend in West Chester.
After spending half of 2012 in Vancouver, Le Toux was traded to the New York Red Bulls. It was hard enough for Union fans to stomach Le Toux’s leaving in the first place, and even harder to watch him play for their team’s biggest rival.
Worst of all, none of the Union’s players that year came close to matching the 11 goals Le Toux had scored in 2011 — never mind the 14 he had scored in 2010. Jack McInerney was the team’s top scorer with eight, midfielder Gabriel Gomez was second with six, and Freddy Adu had five.
Remember Lionard Pajoy? He had five, too. How about Josué Martinez? He had just one. Or Jorge Perlaza? He had zero. Danny Mwanga and Chandler Hoffman, both Union draft picks with once-promising futures, also had zero.
Le Toux’s contract ran out after that season, and he still wanted to come back to Philadelphia. This time, he got his wish, as the Union reacquired him in a trade with the Red Bulls in December 2012.
There was a sense, though, that the move was made as much for marketing purposes as soccer ones. It didn’t help that he scored just three goals in 25 games in 2013, playing at times as a center forward and at times as a winger. He did provide 12 assists, though.
In 2014, Le Toux looked like his old self again, scoring 12 goals and adding seven assists. But in 2015, he had just eight goals and six assists. In 2016, he had just two goals and five assists in 13 games, at which point the Union traded him to the Colorado Rapids. This time, fans weren’t as sad to see him go.
After the 2016 season, Le Toux moved back to the East Coast to sign with D.C. United. He played 16 games in the 2017 season, then agreed to a mutual contract termination with the team in mid-August. He has not played in a professional game since.
Sébastien Le Toux was a fan favorite from his very first days with the Philadelphia Union, and still is.
Things to know about Atlanta United this week
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – May 7, 2018
A few things to know about Atlanta United this week:
1. Atlanta United extended its unbeaten streak to eight games with Saturday’s 2-1 win against Chicago at Toyota Park. The team’s goals were scored by Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez.
2. Barco’s goal was his first since signing with the team in the offseason. Martinez’s was his league-leading seventh. Teammate Miguel Almiron is tied for second with six goals and tied for third with five assists. The Paraguayan also leads MLS with 49 shots. Last season, particularly early, he was developing a reputation as a player who seemed more interested in setting up teammates for shots, rather than shooting.
3. Atlanta United is first in the Eastern Conference. It leads MLS in points (22), points per game (2.44), goals scored (23) and goal difference (plus-13).
4. The Five Stripes have two important games this week. It will host Sporting KC, which leads the West with 20 points, on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a potential MLS Cup preview. It will travel to Orlando City on Sunday for what should be a raucous game.
5. Despite another goal from Jon Gallagher, Atlanta United 2 was beaten at Cincinnati 4-2 on Saturday. It has dropped three consecutive games. It will play at Ottawa on Saturday. Gallagher has four goals, tied for fourth in USL, in six matches.
The MLS XI, Week 10: Another Party for New York Red Bulls; Orlando Keeps Winning
SI.com – May 7, 2018
"If I had the chance to change all the 10 players on the field, I would have done it at halftime."
Patrick Vieira's words pretty much summed up NYCFC's weekend and the team's performance against the New York Red Bulls, who for their part, delivered another scintillating performance against its derby rivals. From the first minute, the hosts overwhelmed the boys in blue in every department, pressing high at every opportunity and taking control of the midfield, but more importantly, there was a desire to win every single 50/50 ball, every challenge and every run.
Alejandro Sebastián Romero Gamarra, or Kaku as we all lovingly know him, has been fantastic so far this season and Saturday was no exception. The 23-year-old Argentine ended the afternoon with the opening goal and two assists and his creativity and vision was welcomed throughout. A contrast to David Villa's day, who had a day to forget and ended coming off shortly after the hour mark. The legendary Spanish striker, who is well known not just for his scoring but also his effort, was extremely disappointing and Vieira wanted him to know it, as the boss didn't even shake his hand when he left the field. It wasn't just Villa who disappointed, but his subpar performance was even more alarming than others because it was the complete opposite of what we know him for.
After the fourth goal, the crowd chanted "We want seven!" and to be honest, there were large parts of that game where it seemed as it could have happened. Also, here was my favorite part of the game, which pretty much describes the match in one tweet.
But this wasn't the only match worth talking about as it was another busy weekend of MLS goodness, including a long-awaited victory from Toronto FC, Orlando City's winning streak, Ezequiel Barco's first goal for Atlanta United and is Zlatan's honeymoon start with the Galaxy over? Here's the best of the bunch:
I. BARCO IS HEATING UP
The most expensive player in MLS history finally got his goal, and it was a beauty against Chicago.
Barco's start with big new club started with a bump as the young Argentine has been rehabbing from a quad injury he suffered in the last days of pre-season. Aside from the fact that he has to take time in order to get accustomed to Tata Martino's high-press system, Barco's game relies on having the ball at his feet and changing direction with velocity, and when you suffer a leg injury, his skills take time to get back to shape. There is much more to come from the teen sensation.
II. MOVING UP...
Toronto FC finally got a good result as last season's champions routed Philadelphia 3-0 on Friday night and finally moved out of last place. Sebastian Giovinco also scored his first goal of the season. We know, it's kinda crazy to even say it, but it's true. It's taken Toronto a while to get back on track, but this win should indicate that things are improving for Greg Vanney's squad.
III. ORLANDO CITY: COMEBACK KINGS
Six wins in a row now for Jason Kreis's team but what's even more impressive is that this was the fourth match where they had to come back from behind. We believe Orlando, just like its coach, is learning now just how to win, but how to win with vindication. Watch out, y'all. Orlando is coming.
IV. TROUBLE IN LA?
After giving away a late goal against Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy lost in dramatic fashion this weekend...
We did see a ridiculous pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic...
But nonetheless, LA lost meaning Sigi Schmid's team suffered a third straight loss and a fourth in five matches. After the match, Zlatan expressing his frustration, asking his teammates to wake up. 
V. LEE NGUYEN'S BLACK AND GOLD DEBUT
The former Revs player looks pretty good in his new kit, don't you think? Well, how could you not. It's one of the best uniforms in the league. LAFC tied with FC Dallas 1-1 at Banc of California stadium.
VI. THE PORTLAND GOOD...
Diego Valeri's fantastic free-kick secured three points for Portland. It was an audacious, typically wonderful set piece from the Timbers legend.
VII. THE PORTLAND BAD...
But the celebration was a little too much for some as Zarek Valentin required heavy bandage treatment after his teammate accidentally bumped him in the head while congratulating Valeri.
 Glad he's ok...
VIII. WHAT A FILTHY CHIP
Real Salt Lake lost against Orlando but check out this ridiculous finish from ex-Stanford University forward Corey Baird. Nasty.
IX. WE ALSO LOVE RSL'S LINEUP TWEET
Real Salt Lake's social team gets a special mention here as this is probably our favorite starting XI design, reminiscent of an Avengers poster or a perfectly balanced cheerleading squad.
X. THIS IS AN IMPRESSIVE TIFO
Well done, San Jose. Well done.
XI. CHRIS LEMA CHANNELS INIESTA
There was a lot going on during the RBNY/NYCFC derby but this pass from Chris Lema should not be forgotten, which is why we're saving it for last. What a ball from the Red Bulls midfielder.
We'd like to think it was homage to Andres Iniesta.
Red Bulls dominate midfield battle in Hudson River Derby demolition
Goal.com – May 6, 2018
HARRISON, N.J. — Of all the juicy matchups on display heading into New York City FC's visit to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, none was going to be more important than the clash in central midfield. NYCFC's combination of skill and grit had been key to compiling the league's best record, but Patrick Vieira's engine room had yet to face a midfield as irrepressible as the Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls quartet of Kaku, Tyler Adams, Sean Davis and Florian Valot didn't just win the battle, they squeezed the life out of NYCFC's midfield, carrying out their trademark high press to perfection, eliminating Maxi Moralez, and by extension David Villa, as threats, and setting the tone for an eventual 4-0 beatdown at Red Bull Arena.
The tone was set from the start, and it was Kaku who put NYCFC on its heals after just four minutes. His lung-busting run to race onto a saved Bradley Wright-Phillips shot opened the scoring just 65 seconds into the match. Just three minutes later Kaku won an aerial duel before collecting a pass from Wright-Phillips and delivering a perfect pass to spring Valot on what became the Red Bulls' second goal.
"The work that Kaku put in and the chances he created in that first 20 minutes was incredible," Adams told Goal. "I don't even think he's at his max fitness yet so I think that he''ll just get better and better."
Kaku's attacking qualities came as no surprise, but his effort and commitment to pressuring NYCFC all over the field made his man of the match performance a truly complete one.
"We knew the first minutes were very important and that's why we started by pressing right away," Kaku told Goal. "That was the key to winning the game. By the 25th minute, we felt it after pressuring so much so we had to drop our line a bit to manage the ball better. We were all pressuring and all running and that's what made the difference.
"It just makes things easier when you see everyone doing the work to run and press," said Kaku, who delivered a perfect cross to Wright-Phillips in the 35th minute to help make the score 3-0. "If I see them running for me, to help me, I'm going to do the same for them."
The Red Bulls could have sat back and been satisfied with that two-goal cushion, but the early goals only served to energize them and boost their commitment to pressing NYCFC and keeping their attack from having any room to operate. It required an extreme physical workload, but the Red Bulls committed to it and didn't let up until around the 25th minute mark, when a Kemar Lawrence injury led to a stoppage in play that provided a much-needed break.
"If you looked at me at that point I was hands on my knees too," Adams said. "The effort we put in for that first 25 minutes it felt like it should have been halftime already."
If Adams felt that way, surely NYCFC must have felt the same after failing to find much room to operate. The Red Bulls successfully neutralized Moralez, the focal point of NYCFC's attack, and a back-up plan failed to materialize for Patrick Vieira's squad.
"We designed a specific tactical pressuring scheme to try to limit [Villa and Moralez]," Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said. "That being said, you know, with Moralez, he's very nifty and he's very clever at finding little pockets.
"So it was sometimes going to be Tyler around him, but it was also going to require whoever was in the vicinity to be aware of where he was and to close down his space," Marsch continued. "And then I think you saw a tough day for David Villa based on the performances of Tim Parker and Aaron Long. If we can continue to get really good defensive performances and continue to tactically be on top of games, then the potential for this team is good."
Adams was particularly impressive with his ability to cover ground and pressure NYCFC all over the field, but the U.S. national team midfielder was far from alone, with Kaku and Davis also pressuring well and Valot sliding into central midfield in the second half to keep the team's intensity up as Adams shifted to the right wing to limit NYCFC's options after a halftime tactical adjustment.
"I think we won the battle of the midfield," Marsch said. "I think we picked up more second balls. I think we pressed them better. We picked them off in possession more, and Tyler covered a ton of ground and he made a bunch of plays to break them up to make it hard on Moralez.
"Even when he didn't take the ball from Moralez, he made him alter everything he did and often play backwards," Marsch said. "The more that you can now put him in situations where he's got to find ways to wiggle out of and not be in open space, then it's obviously much more difficult for him."
The work of the Red Bulls midfield didn't go unnoticed by NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, who acknowledged that his team was outplayed in the middle of the park on the day.
"When you look at their midfield three, and you look at our midfield three, I think we are as good as they are," Vieira said. "If you ask me if I would swap one of their players for one of our players, the answer is no, but today we didn't turn up and for me that is the frustration."
While you could understand why Vieira wouldn't trade his central midfield trio of Moralez, Ring and Yangel Herrera, it's a safe bet Marsch wouldn't trade any of his central midfielders either, especially not after the way they completely dominated the Hudson River Derby.
"Tyler, I thought, a really good day. Sean Davis, really good day. Kaku, obviously, very good day, and [Valot], very good day, too," Marsch said. "We like our midfield. We like our ability to run. We like our ability to think,  to understand the tactics. So yeah, it's a good group."
Rookie Chris Mueller helping to lead Orlando's surge
American Soccer Now – May 4, 2018
One of the frequent criticisms of MLS in 2018 is whether or not the league gives enough young domestic players a chance to flourish. Of course, there are always players like Tyler Adams who come into the league and do well, but most of the headlines the past year have surrounded the influx of expensive and talented young South Americans.
Orlando City attacker Chris Mueller, 21, is a throwback to the American players who thrived in the league in its first 15 years. He is a player that went to college for four years but was ready to contribute in impressive ways right off the bat. Some, like Carlos Bocanegra, Brian McBride, Clint Mathis, and Josh Wolff would go on to have success abroad and at the World Cup.
His career is still in its infancy and it is impossible to know how it will end up, but the first indications have been very promising. As a versatile attacker, he has played mostly on the wing this season. So far, he has been on the field for 516 minutes, racking up three goals and an assist.
After Orlando started off the season poorly with just one point from three games, Muller has been a big part of the team’s turnaround as it has now won five in a row.
“It's been a crazy past couple of weeks,” Mueller told ASN. “The team is doing so well. We have five wins in a row. Being a part of that means a lot and making an impact is something every rookie wants to do and works towards. So I am very happy with where I am at right now. Honestly, I've just been trying to be myself, as a lot of the older guys have taught me. If you come in fear-based or you're nervous and not showing who you really are, that doesn't help.”
A native of Schaumburg, Illinois, Mueller grew up a fan of Chelsea and admired players like Ronaldinho – whom he believed made the game fun. He entered into the league as the sixth overall pick out of the University of Wisconsin where he helped turn around a struggling program.
During his time with the Badgers he played nearly every attacking position including both wings, the No. 10, a false nine, and the No. 9. In his final two years, he put up very impressive numbers – 17 goals, 31 assists in 40 games – and was named the Big Ten Conference offensive player of the year.
Most top young American players these days opt for ways to begin their career early. Some go abroad but others are also now bypassing school to sign homegrown deals and begin play with MLS reserve teams in the USL – most notably Philadelphia’s Anthony Fontana and the Red Bulls’ Ben Mines (Mines even turned down a scholarship from Stanford to play for NYRB II).
Mueller points out that options for him were limited but that the experience he got in college helped him as a player – both mentally and physically. Even with a short NCAA season, he returned to Chicago in the winter to play in 5v5 indoor leagues alongside professionals and then played in the PDL in the summer to keep him active throughout the year.
“In order to be successful and wanting to make it to this level, I never had an offseason,” Mueller said. “I never took time off. Even though the season was shorter, there was never even a week I took off. I don't think the jump is that surprising for me. I’m used to never stop playing. It's what I do - I love to be around the game. If I have a couple days away from the game, I am itching to get back onto the field.”
“I didn't really have any options to leave school early so I just had to make the most out of my situation,” Mueller added. “Honestly, I think I just learned a lot playing in college. I think it prepared me for where I'm at right now - playing four years at school. I had two rough-start years at school, but the whole team did. We weren't doing well. So in order to make that jump mentally, turn it around, and to finish the way I did and the team did, it built a lot of character inside of me. Mentally, that was a grind as well. Being able to do something like that has just translated into what I am doing right now.”
The Orlando City players and teammates have all been impressed with how Muller has come into the team and with his potential.
Dom Dwyer recently admitted the he is excited for Mueller’s potential while Sacha Kljestan, one of the few Americans to have played in the UEFA Champions League, notices that he is impressed with the way Mueller reads the game.
“He was the assist leader in college last year and you could see early on in training sessions and even in preseason he always had a good knack being around the goal,” Kljestan said. “But if there was an extra pass to be made at an open guy, he would slot it to him for a tap-in. He’s got good vision, and you can definitely say that he’s working hard and he’s getting goals but he’s setting them up now, too.”
Head coach Jason Kreis has had to make difficult decisions due to Mueller’s performances. Paraguayan designated player Josué Colmán, 19, was expected to start at the right midfield position but that has instead gone to Mueller whom Kreis cannot afford to take out of the lineup right now.
“The goal scoring part is just the icing on the cake, because all the other work he’s doing for us is so critical,” said Kreis. “Holding up the ball, making good decisions with the ball, the defensive work that he puts in. Those are the things that he does that are critically important and then the ability to score the goals is just the icing on the cake.”
Mueller’s strong start might not have taken Orlando City by surprise but it has taken some fans by surprise as he was not well known. While many other top American rookies have earned recognition with U.S. youth national teams, Mueller has never played for any U.S. team at any age level.
The fact that he has less accolades in his past only helps him now and he is looking forward to continue proving people wrong.
“I think that's a key to how I play - with a sort of chip on my shoulder,” Mueller said. “Just being overlooked, in my opinion, it's driven to get me to where I am today. It takes a lot of grind to continue to believe in yourself even when everyone else isn't. I am not disappointed. I feel like time will tell.”
Tim Howard gives advice to younger self, those affected by Tourette Syndrome
Pro Soccer USA – May 7, 2018
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – When he’s not manning the net for the Colorado Rapids, goalkeeper Tim Howard spends a good portion of his time advocating for those with Tourette syndrome.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Howard, along with several other celebrities and mental health champions participated in the Child Mind Institute’s #MyYoungerSelf social media campaign.
As part of the campaign, Howard shared a video in which he gives advice to his younger self.
In the video, he says, “Stay the course, surround yourself with great people – people who believe in you, love you for who you are and allow you to express yourself in whatever way you feel fit. I would also encourage my younger self to not be bogged down with stereotypes. When I was a kid, I wondered if I was going to be able to date or drive a car, and all these things seem silly now, but at the time they were real. [I’d] Take a moment, pause and allow myself to realize that I can do and accomplish anything I wanted to with TS because or in spite of it.”
On Saturday in SLC, I had the pleasure of meeting the Allred Family. Their story is powerful - the father (Brian), son (Enzo) and daughter (Tempest) all have TS. I’m inspired by their strength and I thank them for driving over an hour to catch our match. #HowardsHeroes
As detailed in his autobiography, The Keeper: A Life Of Saving Goals And Achieving Them, Howard dealt with Tourette and Obsessive-Compulsive disorder since his days playing youth soccer. In addition to initiatives such as the #MyYoungerSelf campaign, Howard often meets with youths affected by Tourette syndrome following Rapids matches.
“I remember what it was like being a kid, having to look up to someone, and trying to figure out what was going on with me,” Howard told the Rapids supporter group Voice of C38 in a recent interview. “I just want to give kids an opportunity while I still have this platform.”
Henry Wingo, a mother’s love, and the long road to the Sounders’ senior team
The Athletic – May 4, 2018
On the day her husband left, Erica Wingo found herself responsible for three young sons, two Bernese mountain dogs, and a big, fancy house in Lake Forest Park, north of Seattle, that she could neither afford on her own salary nor bring herself to give up.
She could have moved the family to a cheaper suburb, but the boys were settled in their schools. The departure of their father was disruption enough for the brothers aged two-and-a-half to eight. So she kept the family in the house, at least at first. She kept herself together, at least during the day. At night, alone with her thoughts, she allowed herself to panic.
“There were so many nights that I would go to bed and not know how I was going to make it through the next day,” Erica said this week. “I was just so constantly, incredibly stressed out.”
Erica holds Henry alongside Connor and Teddy (right)
She set herself some basic parenting goals and repeated them to herself like a prayer:...
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A conversation with Quakes president Tom Fox: State of the team, investing for success, plans for the future and more
The Athletic – May 3, 2018
When the Earthquakes hired Tom Fox as president of the club in June 2017, it marked a significant change in leadership for an organization that was evolving at every level. He took over for Dave Kaval, the charismatic face of the club, after he left the Quakes to take over the reigns of the A’s.
They were big shoes to fill, as Kaval had ushered in the construction of Avaya Stadium, putting the Quakes on level terms with other teams within Major League Soccer.
But Fox, a Chicago native, is up to the challenge, as he brings with him a wealth of experience from working with such storied clubs as Arsenal and Aston Villa in England and he hopes to leverage that knowledge as he leads both the business and technical sides of the club.
Fox joins the Earthquakes at a pivotal time in the club’s history, as the growth of MLS has brought in multiple expansion teams that all have different, but elevated, levels of ambition. The Quakes are considered part of the...
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After record win, Orlando City fans need to start appreciating Jason Kreis
Pro Soccer USA – May 6, 2018
How do you like Orlando City coach Jason Kreis now, all of you nattering nabobs of negativity?
Are you still spewing your Twitter litter and demanding his ouster with the hashtag #KreisOut?
Are you still complaining about his coaching style and his intense demeanor?
Do you still want to see him get fired after he choreographed a 3-1 victory over his former team, Real Salt Lake, Sunday to give Orlando City a franchise-record six-match winning streak?
I didn’t think so.
In fact, wouldn’t you say it’s about time Orlando City fans started treating Kreis like he used to be treated by the adoring fans of Real Salt Lake?
There have been times over the years when Orlando City’s coach wondered if he made the right move when he left a Real Salt Lake franchise where he was a championship coach and a beloved former player. Although Kreis says now that Sunday’s victory against his former team doesn’t carry any more emotional weight than any other victory, he admits he has sometimes second-guessed his decision to leave Utah. Especially when you consider what happened in the immediate aftermath.
He left Salt Lake City four years ago for the bright lights of the Big Apple, where he was named the head coach of expansion NYCFC during the same season Orlando City joined MLS. After just one season, Kreis was unceremoniously dumped after failing to make the playoffs and found himself out of work until Orlando City hired him several months later.
“I’m a human being and all human beings have a moment of retrospection and thinking about what-if,” Kreis says. “I don’t know that I went so far as saying, ‘Man, I really screwed up’ — but my wife and I have asked ourselves plenty of times if that was the absolute best decision in the world.
“Interestingly enough, even though we didn’t do what we wanted to do in New York, we’ve both come to the very solid conclusion that it was the right choice because it was time to move on; it was time for a new challenge. Having that new challenge brought us to New York, but, ultimately, it brought us to Orlando. We think this is where we need to be and where we should be right now and we’re extremely happy to be here.”
Hopefully, now, Orlando City fans are finally happy he’s here as well. After all the impatience and impetuousness Kreis has had to endure since taking over for the beloved Adrian Heath nearly two years ago, it’s about time Orlando City fans start appreciating Kreis and realizing what they have.
The guy didn’t forget how to build a roster and coach a team since leaving Real Salt Lake, where he became the youngest coach in league history to ever win an MLS Cup and he nearly won another one but dramatically lost to Sporting Kansas City on penalty kicks in his final game before leaving for NYCFC.
Kreis, perhaps more than any coach in the league, knows what it takes to thrive in MLS as a coach and a player. After all, he is a former league MVP and is sixth all-time in goals scored.
Kreis has taken aim at some of the negativity on social media by ending his two-year hiatus from Twitter to take his message to the masses. He regularly ends his tweets with #TrustTheProcess, which is his way of saying, “Do you want me to use the right materials and build you a nice house that’s going to last or do you want me to slap something together that’s going to collapse during the first stiff wind?”
“I look at building a club and mentality and an identity and a team chemistry as a long process,” Kreis said earlier this week. “I know that there are many, many people out there who would like that process to be a lot shorter … that have been impatient in the process.”
During the offseason, Kreis and Orlando City GM Niki Budalic brought in 14 new players and every one of them, Kreis says, has one common trait. They will never quit and will do whatever necessary on the practice field, on the pitch and in the locker room to win. So far, so good. Orlando City has come from behind to win four of their nine matches this season.
This roster, Kreis says, is starting to remind him of his championship roster he built at Real Salt Lake. “One of the biggest parallels has everything to do with team chemistry and team camaraderie and togetherness and character,” he says. “Those are the things that are nearly impossible to coach.”
His players have obviously bought into Jason Kreis as their coach.
It’s high time Orlando City fans did the same.

KreisIn.

Orlando City rallies to defeat Real Salt Lake, wins sixth consecutive game
Pro Soccer USA – May 6, 2018
There was some drama – there’s been plenty of on-field drama during this win streak for Orlando City – but the outcome Sunday evening was the same as the Lions’ previous five matches.
Orlando City started slow and gave up a goal. The Lions lacked quality in the final third during the first half. The back line had to adjust after another injury to a key player.
None of that mattered.
Orlando City scored three goals in the second half and a virtuoso performance from Joe Bendik kept visiting Real Salt Lake from finding the back off the net during the final 45 minutes as the Lions won their sixth consecutive match 3-1 over RSL.
The win sets a club record for consecutive MLS victories.
“For me, the opening 15 minutes was really, really bright,” coach Jason Kreis said. “It reminded me a lot of the first 15 minutes of our last home game [against the San Jose Earthquakes]. But we don’t take the chance that I think really rewards ourselves and puts us in a great spot to have our foot very much forward.
“To allow the counter-attacking goal against us, I think, really hurt. It took us a bit to come back from that, but the guys continued to believe, continued to push.”
Centerback Amro Tarek missed his first start of the 2018 season due to a lower body injury, which led to Chris Schuler making his Orlando City debut.
The Lions scored two goals in three minutes to erase an early 1-0 deficit – just another comeback for Orlando City in a season filled with them. Dom Dwyer headed home a cross from Sacha Kljestan in the 60th minute and center back Lamine Sane followed suit in the 63rd minute with a header of his own off corner kick of Yoshi Yotún.
Early in the second half, Bendik got some help from the woodwork as a shot from RSL midfielder Albert Rusnák went off the post. Bendik kept battling to keep Real Salt Lake off the board in the second half, and his teammates rewarded him with goals.
“As a coach, you probably much prefer not to be having to come back so many times, not to be suffering the first goal in so many matches, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter,” Kreis said. “It’s about 90 minutes. Over the 90 minutes, our guys continued to work and stay together and get the result.
“I think we deserved that result, and we got it.”
In between Dwyer’s goal and Sané’s score, Bendik had to come off his line to kick away a golden opportunity for RSL’s Corey Baird.
“They were important saves to make,” Bendik said. “I think, overall, they weren’t overly difficult. We knew that we wanted to come out in the second half and try to get a goal and continue to put them under pressure and I think we did that.”
Yotún put the finishing touch on the scoring in the 78th minute, crushing a rebound into the back of the net.
“We’ve been showing great character,” Dwyer said. “It’s unfortunate that we keep going down in these games. It’s very positive that we’re not fazed and we’re coming back with no problem. I think we controlled the game at the end. We secured the result well. Joe made some fantastic saves and it was a good, solid team performance.”
Real Salt Lake opened the scoring in the 12th minute.  Sané tried to control a ball played forward by Damir Kreilach and mis-hit, which gave Barid a chance to pounce. Baird fired a shot past Bendik and put Real Salt Lake ahead early.
Next, the Lions (6-2-1, 19 points) take on Atlanta United (7-1-1, 22 points). The Five Stripes are on an unbeaten run of their own and haven’t lost in eight matches since dropping their season opener.
“It’s going to be an awesome, awesome opportunity for us,” Bendik said.
Real Salt Lake loses 3-1 at Orlando after scoring first goal of game
Salt Lake Tribune – May 6, 2018
Real Salt Lake forward Corey Baird settled a ball from Joao Plata in front of the goal and faced Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik one-on-one.
It was reminiscent of the goal Baird had scored in the 12th minute, when he chipped Bendik to open scoring for RSL, but this time, as Baird tapped a shot to Bendik’s right when he leaned left, the keeper stuck out his foot to knock away the shot. Just a minute later, Orlando earned a corner kick and scored the go-ahead goal.
“Up until 65, 70 minutes,” RSL coach Mike Petke said, “I thought we were walking out of here with points, whether it’s one or three.”
Real Salt Lake lost 3-1 at Orlando City Stadium Sunday, and Orlando (6-2-1, 19 points) stretched its winning streak to six matches, a club record.
Real Salt Lake (3-5-1, 10 points) on the other hand, remained winless on the road.
In the span of three minutes, RSL watched Orlando turn the match on its head.
Just before Bendik’s kick save, Orlando midfielder Sacha Kljestan recovered from a clean tackle by RSL defender Nick Besler to chip a cross in front of the goal. Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer headed it in for the equalizer in the 61st minute.
Three minutes later, Lamine Sané netted his first MLS goal. Orlando Midfielder Yoshimar Yotún took the corner kick, sending it into a packed penalty box. Sané made a run to get open and rose up to score the go-ahead goal with his head.
Yotún added his own goal in the 78th minute, finishing the rebound off a save by RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, to put the match out of RSL’s reach.
“You don’t win five in a row in this league unless you have some quality and unless you have smart players and some experience,” Petke said of Orlando. “So they showed it. They hung in there, down 1-0 for a while and then they took their opportunities.”
Before Dwyer kicked off Orlando’s second-half scoring spree, RSL had led the match for almost 50 minutes.
Back in the first half, Damir Kreilach won the ball off Sacha Kljestan as the Orlando midfielder attempted to settle it. Kreilach picked his head up and sent a long ball behind the Orlando back line for fBaird.
Baird raced against Sané, pulling a step ahead of the Orlando defender as Bendik came off his line to defend the breakaway. Baird chipped a shot over Bendick and into the back of the net.
It was one of RSL’s nine shots on goal, compared to Orlando’s seven. Real Salt Lake bounced two shots off the goal frame, the first coming from Baird and the second by Albert Rusnák.
“We’ve got to put the ball away,” Baird said. “And that’s coming from me leading the line. I’ve got to be getting more chances, I’ve got to be putting away the chances I get.”