Analysis
By James Nalton. Cristian Espinoza is one of the best players in Major League Soccer, but last season his San Jose Earthquakes team were the worst. What a pickle. The Earthquakes finished bottom of the Western Conference and bottom of the overall MLS standings in 2024, nine points behind the
Analysis
By James Nalton. New York City FC will be hoping new head coach Pascal Jansen can get more out of existing players, but to get real high-level output to match the best of MLS, it might also need new signings. The departure of James Sands on loan to FC St.
Analysis
By James Nalton. For the previous five seasons, Philadelphia Union has been one of the more consistent teams in Major League Soccer, regularly finishing in the top three of the Eastern Conference and among the best teams in the overall MLS standings. Some might say the Union under Jim Curtin
Analysis
By James Nalton. If you can win your headers when all about you are losing theirs, yours is The MLS and everything that’s in it. And—which is more—you’ll get a call-up to the MLS All-Star team two seasons running. This has been the experience and the
Analysis
By James Nalton. In the 2023 MLS regular season, only Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids -- the bottom teams in each conference -- scored fewer goals than New York City FC. It raised questions about how a team from a multi-club group that generally favors an attacking philosophy could end
Analysis
By James Nalton. New York City FC succumbed to a ruthless Philadelphia Union side in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference final, eventually falling to a 3-1 defeat having gone a goal ahead. It was the end of an optimistic run of games as the regular season drew to a
Analysis
By James Nalton. A little over two minutes had gone in the United States' Concacaf U20 semifinal against Honduras when centre-back Brandan Craig stepped up to swing in a free-kick from the left-wing. It was unusual to see a 6ft1in central defender taking free-kicks. Even the defenders who do
Analysis
By James Nalton. New York Red Bulls’ 2-1 win at home to Atlanta United was an interesting game when it comes to assessing the Red Bulls’ pressing tactics. It saw them come up against a side with players, and a goalkeeper, with the technique to work their way around such
Analysis
By Mike Rice. Two defeats in a week is tough to take for New York City FC, especially when those losses came against two of its biggest rivals. The 3-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls showed cracks in their mentality -- unable to manage the game as well as
Analysis
By Mike Rice. The Red Bull franchise has a clear philosophy across its soccer teams around the globe and, like its drink, it is full of energy. New York Red Bulls are showing this desire for quality of possession over quantity; not slowing the game with extended possessions, but hitting