Olympic failures show structural issues for US Soccer, MLS
United States' Sebastian Soto reacts at the end of a Concacaf Men's Olympic qualifying championship semi-final soccer match against Honduras in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, March 28, 2021. Lalas maintains the burden to improve the Olympic effort lies with Kreis, senior national team coach Gregg Berhalter and U.S. men’s national team general manager Brian McBride. FIFA regulations say clubs don’t have to release players for Olympic qualifying or the Olympics. FIFA restricts Olympic qualifying to players 23 and under. AdNone of Honduras’ players on the roster for last week’s national team exhibition against Greece were Olympic age eligible.
Orlando City SC releases pre-season schedule
All rights reserved)ORL,ANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC on Wednesday announced its preseason schedule ahead of the 2021 Major League Soccer season. Led by Head Coach Oscar Pareja, the Lions began preseason on Monday at Osceola Heritage Park. The preseason will also feature an eight-day trip to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for training and a scrimmage. [TRENDING: Gas skimmer hits News 6 anchor for $1,600 | Epic: Universal resumes work on 4th theme park | Porn plays during Fla. zoom class]All preseason scrimmages will be closed-door. Ad2021 Orlando City SC Preseason ScheduleMon., March 1 First Training of 2021 | Orlando City SC Training GroundSun., March 7 Depart for IMG AcademyMon., March 15 Preseason Scrimmage vs. Philadelphia Union Return from BradentonThurs., March 18 Preseason Scrimmage vs. New York City FCSat., March 27 Preseason Scrimmage vs. TBAWed., March 31 Preseason Scrimmage vs. FC CincinnatiSat., April 3 Preseason Scrimmage vs. Chicago Fire FCTues., April 6 Preseason Scrimmage vs. Miami FCFri., April 9 Preseason Scrimmage vs. Minnesota United FCSat., April 17 Start of MLS Regular SeasonThe MLS regular season kicks off on Saturday, April 17.
Jordan Morris tears left ACL, 3 years after tearing right
Swansea City's Jordan Morris is stretchered off the field after getting hurt during a Sky Bet Championship soccer match against Huddersfield, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield, England. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)SWANSEA – American forward Jordan Morris tore his left ACL while on loan for Swansea in the English League Championship, three years after rupturing his right ACL during a match for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders. Morris tore his left ACL on Saturday during Swansea’s 4-1 loss at Huddersfield. Seattle announced Morris will return to the United States to prepare for surgery, which will be done by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum in Santa Monica, California. Morris missed a year of action after tearing his right ACL during Seattle's CONCACAF Champions League match at El Salvador's Santa Tecla on Feb. 22, 2018.
MLS and players reach agreement on new CBA
FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks during the leagues 25th Season kickoff event in New York. Major League Soccer has extended its deadline for negotiating adjustments to the existing collective bargaining agreement until Feb. 4 and warned it is prepared to lock out players if a deal isn't reached by then. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)Major League Soccer and its players struck and agreement Friday night on a reworked collective bargaining agreement that will run through the 2027 season. The agreement reached Friday night gives the players their full salaries this season and extends the current CBA for two seasons. Major League Soccer had warned it's teams to prepare for a lockout if a deal wasn't struck.
MLS sets new negotiation deadline, warns of possible lockout
The league set the new deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST, Feb. 4 after the Major League Soccer Players Association submitted a proposal just hours ahead of the original deadline. The union proposed extending the current collective bargaining agreement with the league through the 2026 season. The league's proposal includes paying players their full salaries in 2021 in exchange for an extension through the 2027 season. The league's new season is set to open April 3 with preseason training camps allowed to begin on Feb. 22. The MLSPA noted that any work stoppage would be “catastrophic for the standing of MLS, both domestically and internationally."
Blend it with Beckham: Neville hired to coach Inter Miami
The Football Association has released Neville from his contract immediately after being informed he was in talks to become coach of Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer franchise partly owned by David Beckham. They’re teaming up again with hopes of winning more trophies with Inter Miami. Neville was hired Monday as Inter Miami’s coach, reuniting with Beckham — a co-owner of the MLS club. He will formally start at Inter Miami once he gets a work visa. Alonso got Inter Miami to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2020, marking the seventh time an MLS newcomer reached the postseason.
MLS celebrates 25th anniversary with release of 25 Greatest
Jones, one of the league's original players who spent his entire 11-year career with the Galaxy, was named one of the MLS 25 Greatest on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. When MLS contracted by two teams in 2002, Jones and his fellow players wondered if the fledgling domestic league was in trouble. MLS is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, commemorating it Wednesday with the release of the MLS 25 Greatest. “In the early days, (teams had) like 11 quality players and then all of a sudden there was a significant drop off. I think now you see that there’s 11 quality players and then you go beyond and there’s other quality players as well," he said.
Garber recounts MLS successes, but acknowledges losses
Garber gave his annual State of the League address Tuesday in advance of the MLS Cup final Saturday between the Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew in Ohio. Garber first projected in June that league losses would be $1 billion, and with the season nearing a close he said lost revenues were indeed approaching that number. We had the expense of managing the MLS is Back tournament,” Garber said. The league and the MLS Players' Association agreed to the new CBA in February, but it was never ratified and the deal was reworked to address coronavirus concerns before the MLS is Back tournament. "As you know, the Royals (of the National Women's Soccer League) announced that they will move to Kansas City.
Orlando City qualifies for MLS playoffs for first time ever after 1-1 tie against New York Red Bulls
HARRISON, N.J. – Brian White scored in stoppage time, helping the New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 tie with Orlando City on Sunday night. Orlando City clinched its first playoff spot when Toronto beat Atlanta United 1-0 later Sunday. Luís Carlos “Nani” Almeida da Cunha scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute after New York's Daryl Dike conceded a foul in the area. New York (7-8-4), which has just one win in its last five games, outshot Orlando City 14-9 and had 58.8% possession. Orlando City (8-2-8) is unbeaten in 12 games, yet has only one win in its last five.
Orlando City’s match against Columbus Crew SC postponed following COVID-19 cases among Crew staff
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City’s match against Columbus Crew SC has been postponed by Major League Soccer following two confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the Crew staff, Orlando City Soccer Club announced Saturday. Orlando City’s match against Columbus Crew SC was originally scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11 at Exploria Stadium. According to Orlando City Soccer Club, the match has been postponed to “ensure the health and safety of all players and staff, allowing for further testing and evaluation prior to travel and competition.”[TRENDING: Reward doubled for information leading to missing Belle Isle mother | Trump to hold first rally since COVID-19 diagnosis in Sanford on Monday | Orlando’s iconic Lake Eola could be getting a facelift]According to Orlando City Soccer Club, tickets for Sunday’s match will remain valid for the rescheduled date, which will be announced at a later time. A representative from the club’s Member Services team will reach out to season ticket members and fans who purchased tickets for the match once more information is available for the rescheduled date, according to Orlando City Soccer Club.
Orlando City player back with team after testing negative for COVID-19
ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando City player who received an inconclusive COVID-19 test result earlier this week and was held out of the team’s match against Nashville is now back with the team. The player, whose name has not been released, received negative test results as part of Major League Soccer’s protocol and will be available for the Lions’ match Saturday in Atlanta, the team announced Friday. [RELATED: Fans allowed to attend Orlando City match]Orlando City added that the entire team tested negative Friday morning.
Orlando beats Nashville in lone MLS game played Wednesday
ORLANDO, Fla. Rookie Daryl Dike scored two goals in the second half and Orlando City SC beat Nashville SC 3-1 in the only game played in Major League Soccer on Wednesday night. 5 overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, gave Orlando a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute. Mauricio Pereyra led a two-on-one breakaway and found Dike near the penalty spot for a simple finish. Dave Romney opened the scoring in the 15th for Nashville (1-4-1) by heading home Hany Mukhtars free kick. Orlando (3-2-2) tied it six minutes later on another header, with Chris Mueller sending in Joo Moutinhos cross for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Orlando City Soccer prepares for first home game since February
ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando City Soccer Club is set to host Nashville for their first home game since February, at reduced capacity for phase one of continuation of play for Major League Soccer. Orlando SC leaders told News 6 they anticipate the stadium to be around 20-25% full for Wednesdays game against Nashville, with several tickets still available online. I dont believe that now is the time to relax any of those restrictions, Demings said when asked about Orlando City Soccer at his weekly press briefing on Aug. 10. A day after the Orlando City announcement Demings again expressed concerns. To buy tickets to the Orlando City match against Nashville, click here.
Orlando City will allow fans to attend matches in person at reduced capacity
ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando City announced fans will be allowed at three upcoming games at Exploria Stadium at reduced capacity for phase one of continuation of play for Major League Soccer. The exact amount of fans allowed into games was not specified in the news release from the MLS. The matches will be the first to have fans in-person since the pandemic caused cancellations across all major league sports. Fans will be required to wear masks in the stadium. No bags will be allowed inside the stadium.
MLS fans boo players kneeling for national anthem
There was a smattering of boos when players from FC Dallas and Nashville SC collectively took a knee during the national anthem before their MLS game on Wednesday night in Frisco, Texas. Dallas defender Reggie Cannon said he was disgusted by the boos at Toyota Stadium when players and officials knelt to call attention to racial injustice. Dallas and Nashville had not played a game since the season was suspended on March 12 because of the coronavirus. The death of George Floyd has spurred a number of MLS players to form the group Black Players for Change, which seeks to address systemic racism in soccer and society. At the opening game of the MLS tournament in Florida, members of the group collectively stood in silence, fists raised, for more than eight minutes.
Kathryn Nesbitt breaks ground as MLS is Back final referee
When the Portland Timbers play Orlando City in the MLS is Back tournament championship on Tuesday night, assistant referee Kathryn Nesbitt will become the first woman to work a Major League Soccer title game. We all came into this tournament under really unusual circumstances, Nesbitt said. And it's not just MLS, she was also a referee for the Women's World Cup last year in France. Nesbitt counts her World Cup debut, in a group-stage match between the Norway and Nigeria in Reims, as one of her favorite career moments. Nesbitt was a chemistry professor at Towson University before she decided last year to focus on refereeing in advance of the World Cup.
Orlando, Portland vie for MLS championship like no other
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. In a year like no other, this will be a championship like no other. Orlando City and Portland will meet in the MLS is Back tournament finale Tuesday night, with the winner hoisting a trophy less than 24 hours before the league resumes its revised regular season in home markets. The World Cup-style format included 51 matches over 45 days at ESPNs Wide World of Sports complex at Disney World. Orlando and Portland emerged as the best of the bunch, both relying on staunch defense to get to the championship match. Defenders, sometimes, they dont get the credit when youre winning games, said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja, whose team hasnt allowed more than one goal in any tournament game.
MLS navigates resuming the season in local markets
FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks during the Major League Soccer 25th Season kickoff event in New York. Major League Soccer said Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, it will resume its season once the MLS is Back tournament in Florida wraps up. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)In light of Major League Baseball's trouble with its season, Major League Soccer's plan to resume play in its local markets is under scrutiny. The USL Championship, the tier below MLS in American soccer, has been playing in local markets since July 11 but there have been more than a dozen games postponed because of positive tests. 'Garber said that if circumstances merit it, he won't hesitate to pull the plug on the rest of the season.
MLS to resume season minus 1 team amid growing virus concern
Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Vela will not accompany Los Angeles FC to the league's return tournament in Orlando this month. Vela announced his decision Monday, July 6, 2020, citing his concern for the health of his family, including his pregnant wife. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)Major League Soccer is about to resume its season in a state that has seen a huge spike in coronavirus infections, with one team absent because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and with plenty of worry about what will happen next. FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament on Monday after 10 players and a coach tested positive for the virus. We are proud of Major League Soccer, and we want to show our game to the world, Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said.
FC Dallas withdraws from the MLS is Back tournament
FC Dallas has withdrawn from the MLS is Back tournament in Florida after 10 players tested positive for coronavirus. FC Dallas announced last week that six players had tested positive upon arrival in Florida for the tournament, and the entire team was quarantined. Upon arrival, two players tested positive. In consultation with MLS medical officials, FC Dallas took proactive steps to isolate the newly affected players as well as all FC Dallas players and staff in Orlando out of an abundance of caution. The league said no other team was in contact with the FC Dallas delegation.
MLS teams arriving in Florida, tournament schedule set
Major League Soccer will open its World Cup-style return tournament in Florida on July 8 with a double header. The league released the schedule Wednesday, the first day teams could arrive at the complex near Orlando for the tournament. MLS will be the second pro team league in the United States to return to the field. The National Womens Soccer League will play a tournament in Utah starting Saturday. The teams and select staff members will be sequestered during the tournament at two Disney resorts for the duration of the tournament.
Black MLS players form coalition to fight systemic racism
A group of black Major League Soccer players has formed a coalition that seeks to address racial inequities in the league and across soccer, and to positively impact local communities. Started by Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow, the group grew to some 70 MLS players, who formed the Black Players Coalition of MLS. And when I reached out to my black soccer player peers, they all felt the same way, Morrow said. Major League Soccer proudly recognizes and supports the Black Players Coalition of MLS -- a group of players who today, on Juneteenth, have established themselves as influential change leaders, MLS said in a statement. The league looks forward to continued and longstanding collaborations.The MLS Players Association also vowed to work with the coalition.
MLS to restart its season with tournament starting July 8
Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that its season will resume starting July 8 with a tournament in Florida. Teams had played just two games to start the season when the league suspended play on March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Each team will have three group matches, played over 16 consecutive days with multiple games a day. The group matches will count toward the regular season. Following the tournament, teams will resume the season in their home markets.
Players left with bitter feelings after deal to restart MLS
When Major League Soccer and its players came to agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement back in February, there was a genuine feeling of accomplishment on both sides. Those pre-pandemic positive vibes are now gone, at least in how the players feel toward the league and ownership. The Major League Soccer Players Association ratified a revised CBA this week that will allow the league to resume this summer with a tournament in Florida but they did so with bitter feelings about the strategies used by MLS. FC Cincinnati player rep Nick Hagglund told reporters the lockout threat didnt create panic but was taken seriously by the vast majority of players. MLS players had a median salary of $163,750 in 2019, according to the union salary survey.
MLS, players reach new labor deal; season to resume with tournament in Orlando
Major League Soccer and its players' union reached an agreement that allows play to resume with a summer tournament in Florida following the break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The deal was announced by the Major League Soccer Players Association early Wednesday following tense talks that led to some players skipping voluntary workouts and the league threatening a lockout. The union said players had ratified the deal. MLS and the union had been negotiating cuts, and some teams had said they were resuming small voluntary group training sessions outdoors. Players from Atlanta, Miami, Minnesota and Vancouver did not report to voluntary training Monday.
Orlando City players are able to return to training fields for individual workouts
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City soccer players are able to return to training fields for individual workouts, according to Major League Soccer. Major League Soccer officials said all individual workouts are voluntary and the workouts can’t conflict with public health policies and government policies. Each MLS team has to submit a club-specific plan showing how the team will implement health and safety protocols, league officials said. League officials said players will not be able to access club facilities. Team officials said only players receiving post-operative and rehab treatment will be able to go into the gyms and training rooms, according to MLS.
Orlando City SC announces preseason schedule ahead of 2020 MLS season
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC announced its preseason schedule ahead of the 2020 Major League Soccer season. Team officials said the Lions, led by head coach Oscar Pareja, will begin preseason training at the Orlando City SC Training Ground in Kissimmee on Monday. Season ticket members can receive up to four complimentary tickets to Orlando City’s two open preseason matches at Exploria Stadium by clicking here. Orlando City SC Training Ground; 9 a.m. Orlando City SC Training Ground; Closed-doorMonday, Jan. 27: Depart for MexicoSaturday, Feb. 1: Columbus Crew.
Orlando Pride roster for inaugural season released
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Pride announced its complete season roster during the opening week of the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League, according to Major League Soccer's website. "Pride has signed midfielder Sam Witteman, the Club’s first-ever selection in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. A versatile midfielder, Witteman made at least one start in seven different positions in her senior season at Berkeley. Defenders: Laura Alleway (INT’L-AUS), Josée Bélanger (FP-CAN), Steph Catley (INT’L-AUS), Kristen Edmonds, Monica Hickmann Alves (INT’L-BRA), Cami Levin, Toni Pressley. Midfielders: Becky Edwards, Maddy Evans, Kaylyn Kyle (FP-CAN), Lianne Sanderson and Sam Witteman.
ESPN Wide World of Sports to host Orlando City Soccer games
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club announced Tuesday that the team will play its home games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the 2014 season. The complex will serve as a temporary home to the team while the Citrus Bowl undergoes renovations and they await their entry into Major League Soccer, which they expect to happen in 2015. The change of venue comes as the soccer club waits for Major League Soccer to announce Orlando has cinched the newest franchise, which could come in the next few weeks. When that happens, work is expected to begin on a new soccer-specific stadium in the city's Parramore area. The ESPN complex can hold up to 5,200 spectators while the Citrus Bowl undergoes $200 million in renovations.