Tag: MLS

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Wrexham: How to watch friendly, TV channel, live stream

It will be a homecoming for Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds on Saturday night

Wrexham’s preseason tour of North America will conclude with a homecoming for owner Ryan Reynolds.

Reynolds, who was born and raised in Vancouver, will be present as his team takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Saturday.

Wrexham is preparing for life in League One following its second straight promotion last season.

Preparations have been encouraging so far, as the Red Dragons have secured draws against Premier League sides Bournemouth and Chelsea during its tour.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Vancouver vs. Wrexham FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24″]

More than 30,000 fans are expected at BC Place on Saturday as the MLS side faces the massively popular side from Wales.

For the Caps, there will be a quick turnaround as they open the Leagues Cup on the road against LAFC on Tuesday.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Wrexham (club friendly)

  • When: Saturday, July 27
  • Where: BC Place (Vancouver, BC)
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: truTV (Watch FREE on Fubo), Max

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Garber: MLS expansion on hold ‘for a period of time’

Commissioner Garber’s declaration may be bad news for Indianapolis

MLS is just months away from fielding its 30th team, but after years of constant growth, that number may be in place for a little while.

Addressing reporters at a press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s MLS All-Star Game, MLS commissioner Don Garber said that expansion — a near constant for a league that has added at least one team in seven of the last eight seasons — may be paused for an unspecified period of time.

“It’s going to be the end of expansion for a period of time, until we’re ready to expand again,” Garber said. “Right now there isn’t a specific plan to expand.”

Later asked if he could clarify how much future expansion might cost an incoming team, Garber laughed before stating that “it’ll be more than $500 million.” That figure was reported as the price San Diego FC’s ownership group paid to gain its place in MLS.

Garber did not close the door on expansion, conceding that if the right situation presented itself, MLS would continue adding teams.

“If there’s a good market for us to expand in, if that market makes sense, if we have the right owner and the right city — like any league — we would consider strongly expanding beyond 30 teams that we have now,” stated the commissioner.

MLS to Indianapolis? Not so fast

Garber’s declaration will be bad news for Indianapolis. Mayor Joe Hogsett declared in April that he had discussed the city’s expansion prospects with Garber, causing a local uproar over a related decision impacting a planned stadium project for USL Championship club Indy Eleven.

The commissioner acknowledged that Hogsett is in Columbus and has been seen at events relating to the All-Star Game, but did not further clarify the status of the city’s bid to get itself an MLS team.

MLS will become a 30-team circuit in 2025 when San Diego FC begins play, which — despite being the norm across U.S. sports — is uncommon in soccer. Global standards for larger countries skew towards 18- or 20-team top-flight leagues.

The only modern example of a 30-team league is Argentina’s three-season experiment with a 30-team Primera Division from 2015-17, which saw multiple competitive formats used. That league scaled down to 24 sides in the seasons that followed, only to expand back up to 28 from 2022 to today.

MLS started the 2016 season with 20 teams, but has moved aggressively to grow since then. San Diego FC will be the 10th team to join the league over that timespan.

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2024 MLS All-Star Game: How to watch, live stream

The best of MLS will take on a team of stars from Liga MX in Columbus

The 2024 MLS All-Star Game is here, and once again a team of MLS stars will take on the best that Liga MX has to offer.

The MLS All-Star team faced Arsenal last year in a game it lost 5-0. This time around, the All-Star Game will return to its previous format, which saw MLS stars take on Liga MX stars in 2021 and 2022.

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy will lead the MLS stars at his home stadium of Lower.com Field in Columbus. While Inter Miami pair Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi have been ruled out, Nancy still has plenty of star power at his disposal.

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The Liga MX stars will be coached by André Jardine, who has led Club América to consecutive league titles. Jardine will be able to call upon a formidable team that includes Andre-Pierre Gignac, Pachuca striker Salomón Rondón and rising Mexico star César Huerta.

Following the All-Star Game, every team from MLS and Liga MX will move to the Leagues Cup, which kicks off on Friday.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.

2024 MLS All-Star Game

  • When: Wednesday, July 24
  • Where: Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (WATCH LIVE)

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Miles Robinson: 5 facts about the USMNT defender heading to the Olympic Games in Paris

He’s one of three senior USMNT players heading to Paris.

For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We’re highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Miles Robinson.

For the first time since 2008, the U.S. men’s national team has qualified for the Olympic Games. But unlike the women’s tournament — which includes senior national teams — the men’s tournament will be comprised of U-23 teams competing in a non-FIFA event. Every team is allowed to call up three overage players for the Olympics, and Miles Robinson is among the USMNT’s overage selections.

Here are five facts about the USMNT defender.

1. He is among the most experienced players on the U.S. roster

Jul 13, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson (12) passes the ball during the first half against Charlotte FC at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned above, the men’s Olympic soccer tournament is a junior competition. So, you won’t see USMNT stars like Christian Pulisic or Jedi Robinson suiting up in Paris.

Miles Robinson, though, does have plenty of senior team experience. He’s one of four players on the roster with double-digit caps for the senior USMNT — only 31-year-old defender Walker Zimmerman has more. Robinson almost certainly would have been named to former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter’s 2022 World Cup roster had an Achilles injury not kept him out for extended time just months before the World Cup.

2. He scored the go-ahead goal in the USMNT’s 2021 Gold Cup final win over Mexico

Though Robinson is a defender, he has shown the ability to get involved with the attack — particularly off set pieces. He scored the winning goal against rival Mexico in the 117th minute of the 2021 Gold Cup final. It was his third goal with the senior national team and by far his biggest moment with the program.

3. He was also included on the Copa America roster

Despite the poor showing at the Copa America, the USMNT’s talent has never been stronger. Nearly the entire senior roster was comprised of players at top European clubs. Robinson was the exception as one of just three MLS players on the 26-man Copa roster. His MLS club FC Cincinnati is allowing the defender to extend his time away from the squad to compete in both tournaments.

4. Robinson had garnered strong interest from European clubs before staying in MLS

Oct 13, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; the United States defender Sergiño Dest (2) celebrates his goal with defender Miles Robinson (12) during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Before his Achilles injury, Robinson was one of the brighter prospects with Atlanta United in MLS and had attracted strong interest from Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven. Instead of joining USMNT teammates Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman at PSV, Robinson opted to sign with FC Cincinnati in January.

5. He will be the first FC Cincinnati player to compete in the Olympic Games

Jul 13, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson (12) goes up for a header against Charlotte FC midfielder Brandt Bronico (13) during the first half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season was in 2019, so it only went one Olympic cycle with a chance to send a player to the Games. But Robinson still will make club history as FC Cincinnati’s first-ever Olympian. He described the call-up as a dream come true in an interview with the club.

“Growing up, I always watched the Olympics, whether it was track or swimming or anything. So I was a fan of the Olympics, but to be a part of a team… I’m just excited to be a part of this group. I’m so excited. It’s definitely a dream come true. I’m excited to get going.”

Men’s soccer at the 2024 Paris Olympics begins July 24 — a couple days before the Opening Ceremony — when the USMNT will take on France in the Group A matchup at 3 p.m. ET.

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2024 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge: How to watch, live stream

Both MLS and Liga MX will feature 10-player rosters taking part in five separate challenges

The 2024 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge is set for Tuesday night, as some of the best players from MLS and Liga MX test their abilities in five different challenges.

The Skills Challenge will serve as the appetizer for the main event, as the MLS All-Stars will face Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night.

Both MLS and Liga MX will feature 10-player rosters, with the addition of two special guests for each side.

Players will participate in five different challenges:

  • MLS All-Star Shooting Challenge
  • MLS All-Star Touch Challenge
  • MLS All-Star Cross & Volley Challenge
  • MLS All-Star Passing Challenge
  • MLS All-Star Crossbar Challenge

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For the MLS team, former MLS and U.S. men’s national team star Sacha Kljestan will join as a special guest, as well as Houston Dash and Mexico women’s national team forward Diana Ordóñez.

Meanwhile, former Mexico men’s national team and Liga MX great Luis Hernández will be a special guest, as well as Chivas Femenil and Mexico women’s national team forward Alicia Cervantes.

MLS Skills Challenge roster: Luciano Acosta, Jordi Alba, Federico Bernardeschi, Sergio Busquets, Roman Bürki (GK), Evander, Diego Luna, Cucho Hernández, Maarten Paes (GK), Riqui Puig, Sacha Kljestan, Diana Ordóñez

Liga MX Skills Challenge roster: Andre-Pierre Gignac, Juan Brunetta, Maximiliano Meza, Jonathan Dos Santos, Andrés Guardado, Cesar Huerta Luis Malagon (GK), Kevin Mier (GK), Gonzalo Piovi, Salomón Rondón, Luis Hernández, Alicia Cervantes

2024 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge

  • When: Tuesday, July 23
  • Where: Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (WATCH LIVE)

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USMNT left back Wiley joins Chelsea from Atlanta United

The 19-year-old is expected to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan this season

Atlanta United has confirmed the transfer of left back Caleb Wiley to Premier League power Chelsea.

The Blues paid a reported £8.5 million ($11m) fee for the 19-year-old, who is expected to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan for the upcoming season.

Wiley will join up with Chelsea following his participation in the Olympics with the United States.

“Caleb epitomizes the pathway that we envisioned when we started this club,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a club release.

“Born and raised in Atlanta, he joined our Academy at 11 years old, played for ATL UTD 2 and went on to earn every step in his path up to signing as a Homegrown. Over that time, he debuted for the U.S. men’s national team and was chosen to represent our country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Now he can continue his career at a top club in Europe. We wish Caleb the best in this next challenge of his career and look forward to following his journey.”

Wiley made his pro debut for Atlanta United 2 in 2020 when he was just 15 years old, and made the jump to the first team as a regular in 2022.

Overall, Wiley made 85 appearances for Atlanta’s first team in all competitions, recording six goals and nine assists.

Wiley has earned two caps for the USMNT so far, making his debut in April 2023. He has also represented the U.S. at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.

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Chicago Fire (again) offer fans credit if Messi no-shows

Fans in Chicago could miss out on the Argentina star for the second year running

For the second year in a row, fans in Chicago could miss out on seeing Lionel Messi. And for the second year in a row, the Chicago Fire are set to offer them something for their trouble.

Inter Miami announced this week that Messi is out indefinitely with an ankle ligament injury he suffered during the Copa América final against Colombia on Sunday.

Inter Miami’s visit to Soldier Field is set for August 31, giving the Argentine star around six weeks to recover in time to face the Fire.

Though the game is still off in the distance, the Fire announced on Friday that they are taking preventative steps to mitigate the damage from a Messi-less match.

If Messi is unavailable, the Fire will offer all single-match buyers $250 off two or more new 2025 season ticket memberships, or $100 off two or more single-match tickets for the game against Inter Miami.

For fans who already had tickets to the game, the Fire will offer the opportunity to claim two free tickets to an October 19 match against Nashville SC.

“As the club looks forward to filling Soldier Field with fans to cheer on the hometown Chicago Fire, it does recognize that a player of Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi’s caliber always helps to draw a larger crowd and attract new fans to the beautiful game,” the Fire said in a statement.

Deja vu for Fire fans?

The Fire are getting used to dealing with this very situation, having seen Messi miss Inter Miami’s October 2023 match at Soldier Field with an injury.

The club took similar measures in that case, offering a $250 credit toward new season ticket memberships, or a $50 account credit for anyone unable to use the new member credit.

Though the Fire said they “are confident that [Messi] will be back on the pitch for next month’s match-up,” the club added that there would be plenty of attractions for fans beyond the match, including a post-match performance by Jason Derulo.
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Teenager Cavan Sullivan makes historic MLS debut, is congratulated by Freddy Adu

Cavan Sullivan is the youngest player in MLS history.

Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player in MLS history, entering in the 85th minute of the Philadelphia Union‘s 5-1 win over DC United on Wednesday night. The American midfielder is being hailed as the next big thing in MLS and the national team.

At 14-years old, Sullivan eclipses the record previously set by Freddy Adu for the youngest debut in MLS history. Adu set the record in 2004, making his much-heralded debut at 14 years and 307 days old.

Sullivan turns 15 years old in September.

The debut came with the game well in hand for the Union. Sullivan is a member of the United States U-15 national team and is considered one of the top players in the world in his age group.

Becoming the youngest player in league history is something Sullivan says he didn’t necessarily aim for.

“Obviously it’s pretty cool to have. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to reach for it,” Sullivan told reporters after the game.

“It’s about where you finish. If I didn’t make it today or if I didn’t make it Saturday and I was the second youngest or the third youngest…As long as I make my debut and start my career here – it doesn’t matter to me.”

Sullivan said the buzz from the fans every time he was on the ball stood out to him.

Following the debut of Sullivan, the now-retired Adu posted on social media a congratulatory message for the Union debutant.

 

“It was pretty cool to have some words from someone like him. He really paved the way for young guys like me,” Sullivan said of Adu’s post.

“I only have respect for him because he held the record for how many years – it was pretty awesome to hear from him.”

Adu would play 17 times for the United States national team. His club career saw him play for DC United and Real Salt Lake (as well as three seasons with the Union) in MLS along with European stops that included the likes of Benfica and Monaco.

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Freddy Adu congratulates Cavan Sullivan for breaking his MLS record

The Union phenom broke a record that had stood for 20 years

Freddy Adu has congratulated Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan for breaking his record as the youngest player in MLS history.

Sullivan entered Wednesday’s game against the New England Revolution late in the second half, setting the new record at age 14 years and 293 days.

Adu was 13 days older than Sullivan when he set the record in 2004, making his debut as a much-hyped prospect for D.C. United.

Just minutes after Sullivan took the field at Subaru Park in the Union’s 5-1 win, Adu posted a message on X.

“Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record-breaking debut today,” Adu said. “That’s a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man.”

In the post-game press conference on Wednesday, Sullivan said he had already seen the message from the former U.S. men’s national team forward.

“I already re-posted it on my Instagram,” Sullivan said. “It was pretty cool to have some words from someone like him. He really paved the way for young guys like me. I only have respect for him.”

In May, Sullivan signed the most lucrative Homegrown Player deal MLS has ever seen. The deal includes a clause that will see him join Manchester City in 2028 when he turns 18.

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Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest MLS player ever, breaking record set by Freddy Adu

Arguably the top young prospect in American soccer is now an MLS record holder

Cavan Sullivan may have just started his pro soccer career, but he’s already made history.

The Philadelphia Union midfielder, aged 14 years and 293 days, became the youngest player in MLS history on Wednesday.

When Sullivan entered as a substitute for Tai Baribo in the 85th minute of the Union’s 5-1 rout of the New England Revolution, he surpassed Freddy Adu, who was a mere 13 days older than Sullivan when he debuted for D.C. United in 2004.

On Tuesday, Union coach Jim Curtin announced that Sullivan would be named to Philadelphia’s gameday squad of 20 on merit.

“He will be in the 20 because he’s earned it, if you look at his performances in the Union II games and the goals that he scored,” Curtin said.

“We are missing a few guys, obviously that goes his way when you have [Jack] McGlynn and [Nathan] Harriel away as well [with the U.S. Olympic team], but Cavan’s earned the right to be in the 20 if you just go through the numbers and he’ll get that opportunity now.”

Sullivan, whose older brother Quinn scored a brilliant goal seconds before his sibling made his league debut, has been biding his time on the club’s MLS Next Pro side, where he has scored in two straight games.

In May, the Philadelphia native signed the most lucrative Homegrown Player deal MLS has ever seen. The deal includes a clause that will see him join Manchester City in 2028, when he’ll be a grizzled veteran at 18 years old.

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