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5 Potential Expansion Sites for Major League Soccer with Team Names PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 02 February 2012 17:58

Ever since Real Salt Lake and CD Chivas USA both began play in 2004, Major League Soccer has had a surge in expansion franchises, with one or two coming in every year. Last year, it was the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers. This year, it will be the Montreal Impact. 

With Major League Soccer growing at the rate it is, I thought about five possible sites where the MLS boom could expand to. 

Here are the five options that should be considered for expansion franchises, as well as possible names for the teams. 

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MLS Signing: Toronto FC Make Eckersley Move Permanent PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 27 January 2012 10:52

After a few terrible seasons without any real quality in the full-back positions, Toronto has locked up a mainstay starter to secure this position.  

Last season, English full-back Richard Eckersley was signed on loan from League Championship side Burnley.  In his first season with The Reds, Eckersley showed competence at right-back, a desire to push forward and attack from the back, as well as great heart and desire on the pitch.  

However, after finally finding the right-back the team needed, it became evident that retaining Eckersley from his loaner team would not be an easy task due to finances and league policies.  In fact, there were several instances in this short offseason where it appeared as though this signing would not be possible.  

On Thursday, January 26, Toronto FC officially announced the re-signing of the former Manchester United youth defender Richard Eckersley.  

At only 22 years of age, Eckersley holds and has already proven a great deal of potential to be successful in the MLS.  Both team and fans alike can breathe one deep sigh of relief that this deal has been finalized.  Per Toronto FC, club manager and technical director Aron Winter stated:

“Signing Richard was a very high offseason priority, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure he would be returning. This signing represents another successful step in our off season progress as a club. Richard is an important player for our club. We know our fans will be excited to see Richard on the pitch.”

No contract information has been released to date, but this is a permanent move to secure Eckersley.

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2012 MLS Power Rankings: Preseason PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 28 January 2012 00:04

Another year of Major League Soccer is dawning on the world. It seems as if the Los Angeles Galaxy lifted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, that chalice of footballing glory in the United States and Canada, only yesterday.

But yesterday seems like two months ago, and a clean slate awaits the defending MLS Cup and Supporters Shield holders. Now L.A. finds itself in a race with 18 other teams hunting for hardware, the newest side being the Montreal Impact, who have an intention of living up to their moniker.

As part of Bleacher Report's continuing coverage of the 2012 MLS season, we bring you the preseason power rankings for the league's 17th season. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

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MLS SuperDraft: The Best Draft Picks Since 2000 PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 27 January 2012 12:15

After a busy 2012 MLS SuperDraft, this article takes a look back at the best players to come into Major League Soccer from the NCAA ranks.  

Some teams place very little importance to this drafting process and the quality that can be gained from subsequent drafting. This article will give a little life to this process and show just how important a good draft can be to the success of an MLS franchise.  

Counting down the best MLS picks of the past decade.

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Real Salt Lake's Jamison Olave Injured in 4-0 All-Star Loss to Manchester United PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 28 July 2011 09:23

The Major League Soccer All-Star Game outing for Real Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave ended in the 32nd minute when he was injured while sliding in to defend a ball at midfield.

After executing a good sliding tackle to stop a ball on the ground intended for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, Olave jumped up to play the ball and seemed to have felt the pain at that time as he fell back to the turf.

Initial reports on the ESPN2 broadcast indicated that he suffered a mild left knee sprain.

In what might be a bit of good news, Olave walked off of the field on his own, and remained on the bench rather than going to the locker room. He will be evaluated by team doctors when he returns to Utah.

Although it is an honor to be selected to participate in the All-Star game, the risk of injury for players is a fear that players, coaches, and fans have as they play.

For Real Salt Lake, if the injury to last year's MLS Defender of the Year causes him to miss any time with the club, it will be another in a line of injuries they have dealt with this season.

Early in the season, midfielder Javier Morales went down with a broken ankle after a cheap tackle from Marcos Mondaini of Chivas USA. His return this season is questionable.

Forward Paulo Jr. has also missed significant time due to injury.

If Olave is unable to play, fellow defender Chris Schuler will no doubt take his place in the central defense. Shuler has played very well in the opportunities he has had this season, but the team will miss Olave's size, speed, and presence along the back line.

The rest of the game was uneventful for fans of Major League Soccer as the All-Stars endured another embarrassing match at the hands of Manchester United. The result was a 4-0 loss for MLS, and the first time the team has failed to score in an All-Star game.

The brightest moment of the night was a surprise entrance into the match of American soccer legend and 19 year veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller in the 83rd minute. Keller was named to the All-Star team First XI players but was not expected to be available due to playing a CONCACAF match in Panama the previous night.

Real Salt Lake and the rest of Major League Soccer now returns to regular season play. Hopefully Olave will not miss any matches due to this injury.

 

Chris Johstoneaux is a Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @JazzRSLExaminer.

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