The Chicago Fire is finally planting the seeds to be a contender

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 2/24/2017

The history of the Chicago Fire is marked by an early period of success — they won multiple trophies under Bob Bradley in the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s — and a long period of futility in the years following. They haven’t won a trophy since a U.S. Open Cup victory in 2006, and […]

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 06: Quincy Amarikwa #25 of San Jose Earthquakes goes down to one knee to gain control of the ball against the Colorado Rapids during their MLS Soccer game in the second half at Avaya Stadium on March 6, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Breaking down the various positional battles this MLS offseason

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 2/9/2017

Virtually every MLS team has places in their starting XI that are competitive. Whether it’s a weakness or not, there are bound to be important positions without obvious holders. A good example would be the ridiculously crowded central midfield in San Jose. Fatai Alashe, Darwin Ceren, Tommy Thompson, first round draft pick Jackson Yueill, Marc […]

What have we learned from the USMNT this winter?

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 2/4/2017

Bruce Arena’s first two matches as manager of the United States national team have concluded, and there are decidedly mixed opinions on his and the team’s performance. For some, 0-0 and 1-0 results against C and B level Serbia and Jamaica is simply not enough, while for others, the incremental progress seen throughout the MLS-filled […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: Head coach Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy looks on during warmups for the match with Club America in the International Champions Cup 2015 at StubHub Center on July 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

USMNT face Serbia in Bruce Arena’s comeback as manager

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/28/2017

Sunday’s U.S. vs. Serbia friendly will present a welcome sight for many U.S. Men’s National Team fans, a manager other than Jurgen Klinsmann patrolling the American touchline. Bruce Arena will manage his first game as USMNT coach since he was fired in 2006. Klinsmann was axed after bombing two crucial November World Cup qualifiers and following years […]

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 13: Clint Dempsey #2 of the Seattle Sounders reacts after scoring a goal in the second half against the Portland Timbers at CenturyLink Field on July 13, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Clint Dempsey’s return makes the Seattle Sounders an even scarier opponent for MLS clubs

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/27/2017

It was recently revealed that the Seattle Sounders’ Clint Dempsey will return to full training after months of a medically-induced absence caused by an irregular heartbeat. This is obviously good news, and hopefully he is lucky enough to remain healthy. From a soccer standpoint, Dempsey’s arrival in training camp could elevate the Sounders from defending […]

HARRISON, NJ – MARCH 16: Dax McCarty #11 of New York Red Bulls reacts during the game against the D.C. United at Red Bull Arena on March 16, 2013 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Beloved Red Bull midfielder Dax McCarty is traded to Chicago Fire

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/17/2017

MLS made a big decision recently to disclose the amounts of allocation money swapped in trades, and Monday’s deal between the Chicago Fire and the New York Red Bulls is one of our first opportunities to use that information to help evaluate the deal. Longtime Red Bulls defensive midfielder Dax McCarty, 29, was traded to […]

Winners and losers of the MLS SuperDraft

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/14/2017

My MLS mock draft got exactly one of the 22 correct. The second pick — Miles Robinson to Atlanta — was the lone successful one. Despite my disappointment at utterly failing to predict the draft (I am in good company, though), there was a lot of intrigue during the first two rounds of the SuperDraft. […]

Trying to predict who takes who in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/12/2017

Predicting the MLS SuperDraft is, as you may have figured out. an almost impossible task. Not only do we have little to no idea of who teams are considering and what concerns they have about the various options they have, trades are inevitably going to be prevalent. It’s tough to predict draft picks in every […]

SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 14: A general view during the match between the Seattle Sounders against the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field on April 14, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. The Sounders defeated the Rapids 1-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

What does every MLS Western Conference team need this offseason?

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/8/2017

MLS clubs enter the calendar year having gone through three of their four offseason drafts, with expansion teams Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC gradually filling out their roster as we push on to the beginning of the 2017 season in March. There’s a lot to do over the next couple months if you’re an […]

HARRISON, NJ – NOVEMBER 23: Fans cheer during the antional anthem prior to the game between the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution during the Eastern Conference Final – Leg 1 at Red Bull Arena on November 23, 2014 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

What does every MLS Eastern Conference team need this offseason?

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/7/2017

MLS clubs enter the new calendar year having gone through three of their four offseason drafts, with expansion teams Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC gradually filling out their roster as we push on to the beginning of the 2017 season in March. There’s a lot to do over the next couple months if you’re […]

Breaking down Bruce Arena’s January camp USMNT roster

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 1/6/2017

Bruce Arena has called in his first set of players as manager of the US national team. 32 MLS players will attend his January training camp (all European and Mexican based players are busy with their clubs) prior to friendlies against Serbia and Jamaica. You can see the official release on the US Soccer website. […]

CARSON, CA – AUGUST 23: David Villa #7 of New York City FC scores on a penalty kick against Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half at StubHub Center August 23, 2015, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The ten best MLS players of 2016

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 12/21/2016

As we enter the MLS offseason, I decided to look back on 2016 — and 2016 only — and rank the top 10 best MLS players of the year. This is not based on past performance, talent level, potential, or any factors other than their performance this season and how they were able to help […]

TORONTO, ONTARIO – DECEMBER 10: Jozy Altidore #17 of the Toronto FC keeps an eye on the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field on December 10, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Seattle defeated Toronto in the 6th round of extra time penalty kicks. (Photo: Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Five thoughts on the MLS Cup Final

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 12/15/2016

The Seattle Sounders have won MLS Cup despite failing to put a shot on goal. The last time they didn’t put a shot on target? July 24th, the last match they played before Sigi Schmid was fired as manager. They lost 3-0 that day to Sporting KC, and barely even attempted a shot. But the […]

TORONTO, ONTARIO – DECEMBER 10: Steven Beitashour #33 of the Toronto FC battles against Jordan Morris #13 of the Seattle Sounders during the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field on December 10, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Seattle defeated Toronto in the 6th round of extra time penalty kicks. (Photo: Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Ranking the top five players available in the MLS Expansion Draft

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 12/13/2016

Atlanta United and Minnesota United will make their picks — five each, ten total — in the MLS Expansion Draft Tuesday. The 20 other MLS clubs are able to protect 11 players, with homegrown and Generation Adidas players automatically protected, and every club revealed their list on Monday. You can find them here. Today, I’ll rank […]

Seattle Sounders defeat Toronto FC in a penalty shootout to win MLS Cup

0 comments by Harrison Hamm on 12/10/2016

The Seattle Sounders, after years of coming incredibly close, have finally been crowned MLS Cup champions. They won 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout over Toronto FC after 120 minutes of scoreless action. Despite not putting a shot on target the entire game, Seattle center back Roman Torres — after a man-of-the-match caliber performance — […]

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