#major-league-soccer

#major-league-soccer

"It is a brain gym," explains Konstantin Sonkin, whose work initially helping stroke victims and patients with cerebral palsy is now benefitting elite footballers.Neuroscientist Sonkin is the founder of i-BrainTech, which provides clubs and athletes with a method of improving their concentration and accuracy without the risk of physical injury.

John Brooks has been replaced as the VAR operator for Liverpool's game against Everton on Monday and Arsenal's game with Manchester City on Wednesday.Brooks made a mistake when he was in charge of VAR for Brighton's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.Brighton had a goal disallowed for offside after the VAR guidelines were wrongly drawn.

Major League Soccer will keep on pushing the sport's international rules-makers to allow a trial of temporary substitutes for players suspected of concussions.The International Football Association Board, which decides rules, said Saturday that it will continue with trials of permanent substitutions for players suspected of head injuries.

The game's lawmakers have rejected a temporary concussion substitute trial in the Premier League and two other competitions next season, a move which has been criticised by players' unions, leagues and campaigners.Here, the PA news agency looks at the key issues.What's the background to this? World players' union FIFPRO has been calling for a trial of temporary concussion substitutes for the best part of a decade.

Premier League video assistant referees have made six incorrect interventions this season - and also missed another six incidents when they should have stepped in.A five-person independent panel was introduced this season to conduct a weekly review of Key Match Incidents (KMI) for all top-flight games.

In the wake of the Soccer Mom Scandal that continues to be a major source of embarrassment, this was a victory U.S. Soccer desperately needed.Alejandro Zendejas was in camp with the men's national team this week in Los Angeles.Zendejas, 24, is a star.If he is not one of the best players in North America, he is certainly one of the most famous, a signature player on one of Mexico's signature teams, Club América.

The 'bring back Lionel Messi' campaign by the media, fans and even the manager at Barcelona is growing by the day.And while the heart tells everyone the homecoming of their greatest son is written in the stars, the head says there are many hurdles to overcome before it becomes reality.No-one knows this better than the decision-makers at Barcelona - especially president Joan Laporta, who decided two seasons ago that Messi was unaffordable despite having assured him a deal was in place to keep him.

ST. LOUIS - Bradley Carnell knows full well how fickle an MLS soccer season can be.The St. Louis City SC coach has seen his share of Major League Soccer as a coach with the New York Red Bulls to know there will be plenty plenty of downs to go with the ups.So far, the ups outnumber the downs considerably following St. Louis City's 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd on a frigid night at CityPark soccer stadium.

Feb 23, 2023



Jeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent

CloseJeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) announced on Thursday that it has become an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 by Jonathan Lee
The Zoning and Platting Commission recommended approval of a zoning change last Tuesday that would allow Austin FC to charge admission to games for its minor league affiliate, Austin FC II.The request would change the zoning at St. David's Performance Center, where Austin FC II will play when it debuts in the MLS NEXT Pro league this year.

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Apple's rolling out Business Connect, a new tool that lets companies add more information to their listings across Apple's services, including photos, hours, and special promotions.Apple will soon start displaying more detailed and accurate business listings, all thanks to the company's new Business Connect tool.

The debate over whether Pelé, who died on Thursday at 82, was the greatest soccer player ever will never be settled.(For what it's worth, I think that title belongs to Leo Messi.)But there can be no question that he was the most important player in the history of the world's most popular sport.

Sporting Kansas City's season has not started the way that the club or its fans had hoped.Sporting is winless in its first five matches and has just two goals to show for the second-most shots - and shots on target - in Major League Soccer.Concerns are mounting that this start feels all too similar to the beginning of the 2022 season, when Sporting started 2-5-0 and finished 7-16-11, missing the playoffs.

LA Galaxy's Major League Soccer season-opener against crosstown rivals LAFC has been postponed due to a winter storm that has battered the West Coast, the clubs have confirmed.Initially scheduled for Saturday at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, a new date has yet to be determined for the El Trafico rivalry match.

Striker Evan Ferguson, 18, will turn down a move to Manchester United because the Republic of Ireland international thinks staying at Brighton will be better for his development.Meanwhile, Manchester United will consider Brentford's Spanish goalkeeper David Raya, 27, as an alternative to his compatriot David de Gea, 32, who is yet to agree a new contract.

Hot ticket alert: The annual MLS All-Star match will happen at DC's Audi Field on Wednesday, July 19.The American team, made up of top players from throughout Major League Soccer, will face off against English club Arsenal F.C.. Wayne Rooney will coach the roster of American League players.In 2021 and 2022, the MLS All-Stars played and won against LIGA MX All-Stars, players from the top professional league in Mexico.

Premier League leaders Arsenal will provide the opposition for the Major League Soccer ( MLS) All-Stars who will be managed by D.C. United head coach Wayne Rooney at the midseason showcase in July, MLS said on Tuesday.It will mark the second appearance in the All-Star game for Arsenal, who could arrive at Washington, D.C.'s Audi Field for the July 19 match as newly crowned Premier League champions.

TikTok has signed a new, multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), which will see MLS share exclusive content and in-app programming, while also incorporating in-stadium activations and TikTok sponsorship of various MLS events and tournaments."As an 'Official Partner' of MLS, TikTok will be integrated into every MLS game throughout the season through various in-stadium branding, TikTok & MLS content across stadium videoboards, and more.

Bayern Munich have just started a partnership with Major League Soccer club LAFC through the Munich-based venture that they jointly own (Red&Gold Football).Bayern's bosses (CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan "Brazzo" Salihamidžić) and their LAFC counterparts (Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington and Co-President and Chief Business Officer Larry Freedman) react to this huge announcement; let's see what they have to say:
(Quotes are from Bayern's official website)
Oliver Kahn:

"FC Bayern will expand its youth development with the Los Angeles Football Club.

Thierry Henry has turned down the chance to coach the France women's national team following the dismissal of Corrine Diacre last week, French federation (FFF) committee member Jean-Michel Aulas has said.Henry, who is second on the France men's team all-time scoring list with 51 goals, was most recently an assistant coach with Belgium before departing along with manager Roberto Martinez at the end of the 2022 World Cup.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "I personally asked [Henry] the question, but the response was not positive," Aulas told Le Figaro.

U.S. women's coach Vlatko Andonovski earned 27% as much as Gregg Berhalter in the year ended last March 31, down slightly from 28% in the previous year.Andonovski earned $446,495, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation's tax filing released Monday, including $50,000 in bonuses for the Americans' third-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

Portland Thorns FC head coach Rhian Wilkinson resigned Friday following one season and a National Women's Soccer League title.In a lengthy message posted to Twitter, Wilkinson said the players asked for her resignation following an investigation into her conduct as head coach -- conduct she said she self-reported to the team's human resources officials.

All-Star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso has been suspended without pay by Major League Soccer for failure to report to preseason training with Minnesota United FC, the club announced Friday.Minnesota United's statement provided no further details on the situation.The 27-year-old Reynoso has remained in his native Argentina since the Loons opened camp more than a month ago.

Apple has made a notable hire that could signal its intent to move into ads on Apple TV Plus.The company has hired advertising exec Lauren Fry to "to help build a video advertising business for its Apple TV Plus streaming service," according to The Information.Apple has been turning more to ads to help grow its revenues; it added new ad placements in the App Store last year and reportedly wants to bring ads to apps like Maps, Books, and Podcasts, so it's not surprising that it's looking at ads for TV Plus as well.

"Putting ads within sports broadcasts is likely just the beginning for Apple."From Sahil Patel's " Apple Hires Ad Executive for Apple TV+, a Sign of Apple's Video Ad Ambitions" ($) posted Friday by The Information:
Apple has hired Lauren Fry, a TV and digital video advertising executive, to help build a video advertising business for its Apple TV+ streaming service, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

You might someday see this message on Apple TV+.Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac Apple reportedly hired someone to grow the advertising business on its streaming video service.This is likely for ads shown during sporting events.But it also raises the possibility that Apple TV+ might get an ad-supported tier some day.

Referees will explain VAR decisions to stadium crowds and television audiences in a 12-month trial in international tournaments starting at next month's FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, soccer's law-making body said on Wednesday.The International Football Association Board (IFAB) failed to agree, however, on trialling rugby-style temporary concussion substitutes.

Major League Soccer has announced a new, expanded playoff format that will see nine teams from each conference qualify for the postseason, with the addition of a "wild card" round and a best-of-three series in round 1.The new format will take effect for the 2023 season, which begins on Saturday.

Austin FC Since making his Austin FC debut, Driussi has scored 30 goals and tallied 12 assists.Published: 4:16 PM CST February 14, 2023 Updated: 6:27 PM CST February 14, 2023 AUSTIN, Texas Austin FC has agreed to a new multi-year contract with midfielder and Designated Player Sebastian Driussi.The new deal includes three guaranteed years through the end of the 2025 season, with an option for the 2026 season.

Feb 22, 2023 Can the Red Bulls reach the Playoffs again?/ Image: Matthew Burt.The New York Red Bulls enter the 2023 season looking to maintain their incredible MLS Cup Playoffs record.Mastering the regular season like no other, RBNY have reached the Playoffs in each of their last 13 attempts, winning three Supporters' Shield titles during that time - though they've never progressed further than the Conference Final.

Dec 20, 2022



Jeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent

CloseJeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.Major League Soccer released its regular season schedule on Tuesday, revealing the full slate of games for opening day on Feb. 25, and setting the date for Decision Day on Oct. 21.

Victor MatherReporting for the Sports desk Victor MatherReporting for the Sports desk Andrea Ellen Reed for The New York Times It isn't every weekend that the most anticipated TV event is essentially people sitting around a desk.But if brackets aren't your thing, check out the baseball, golf, soccer and track and field on TV this weekend.

Let's go back in time to the long-ago period of fifteen years ago.Nobody knew what "streaming" was, but this company called Netflix was about to start.Fast forward to today and "regular" tv seems to be becoming a thing of the past.Cable is going out of style, just like bell-bottom jeans, pet rocks, and the "trap" defensive style of hockey.

Real Madrid have paid tribute to former superstar Gareth Bale after the Wales international called an end to his playing career on Monday.Bale joined Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 and spent nine years in Spain, albeit he headed back to Spurs on loan in 2020-21.The 33-year-old won three LaLiga titles, a Copa dey Rey, five Champions League titles and three Club World Cups in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

OAKLAND  With a raucous and devoted fanbase, a professional soccer team known as the Roots has emerged as a new sports phenomenon in Oakland and a rare source of pride in a city that could be on the brink of losing its last major sports franchise.Now, amid the afterglow of what's being called the World Cup's greatest final, the team is looking to put down more solid roots in Oakland.

Major League Soccer 7:45 PM GMT Jimenez offers experienced depth at full-back./ Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports Austin FC have signed veteran defender Hector Jimenez to a new contract, the club announced Thursday.Jimenez was a free agent after the Verde and Black declined the option in his previous contract, but will now return to Q2 Stadium through the 2023 MLS season with an option for 2024.

Major League Soccer 9:30 PM GMT Austin FC sign goalkeeper Brad Stuver to contract extension./ Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages Austin FC has signed goalkeeper Brad Stuver to a new contract, keeping him at the club through the 2025 Major League Soccer season with an additional option for 2026.Stuver joined the expansion side ahead of their 2021 MLS debut, arriving via free agency after previous stints with New York City FC and the Columbus Crew.

5:00 PM GMT Austin FC finished second in the West during their second MLS season./ Image: Matthew Burt.Austin FC head into the 2023 MLS season with expectations through the roof.After laying the foundations in their expansion year, the Verde and Black enjoyed more success than they could have dreamed of last campaign, finishing second in the Western Conference and making it through two rounds of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

In today's ExchangeWire digest: YouTube close to NFL streaming deal; Tremor reportedly exploring sale; and US lawmakers plan to curb TikTok.YouTube to take NFL screening rights?The National Football League is close to agreeing a deal with Google's YouTube exclusive rights to NFL's Sunday Ticket subscription-only package, according to the WSJ.

Former Wigan Athletic midfielder Shaun Maloney is set to return to the Championship club to replace the sacked Kolo Toure as manager.Maloney was part of the Latics side that beat Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final.The 40-year-old made 91 appearances in four years before leaving for Major League Soccer.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from international football after his country's World Cup exit at the hands of Morocco in the round of 16.Busquets, 34, was the only remaining survivor of the Spain side that won the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and he had spoken of his desire to become the first Spaniard to win the competition twice.