Phil Neville fired as Miami’s coach in MLS after 2 1/2 seasons
June 1, 2023 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Phil Neville was fired Thursday halfway through his third season as coach of David Beckham's Inter Miami with the team last in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Miami also fired assistant coach Jason Kreis and promoted Javier Morales, another assistant, to interim head coach.
San Diego to receive 30th Major League Soccer franchise
May 18, 2023 GMTMajor League Soccer has awarded San Diego its 30th franchise, which is set to join the league in 2025.
The expansion team announced Thursday is owned by billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in a professional soccer team.
Struber out at Red Bulls, Lesesne 19th coach in 28 seasons
May 8, 2023 GMTHARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Gerhard Struber is out as coach of the last-place New York Red Bulls and was replaced Monday by Troy Lesesne, the team’s 19th coach in 28 seasons.
The Red Bulls said Struber’s departure was mutual and assistant coach Bernd Eibler also had left.
Arsenal in MLS All-Star Game at Washington, DC, on July 19
March 21, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Arsenal will play Major League Soccer's All-Stars at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on July 19, the first European opponent in the game since before the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gunners, pursuing their first Premier League title since 2004, also were the All-Star opponent in 2016.
Expansion St. Louis City goes for 4th win in MLS start
March 17, 2023 GMTFor Kyle Hiebert, St. Louis City’s success is nothing short of surreal for Kyle. Expansion teams simply aren't supposed to make such a first impression.
The young defender scored his first Major League Soccer goal last weekend when St.
MLS pushing for temporary substitutes for head injuries
March 7, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — 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.
James Sands returns to NYC after loan to Scotland’s Rangers
March 1, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Midfielder James Sands returned to New York City FC from Glasgow Rangers on Wednesday and agreed to a five-year contract.
The 22-year-old from Rye went on loan to Rangers in January 2022 in a deal that gave the Scottish club an option to buy.
Jordan Morris scores twice as Sounders topple Rapids 4-0
February 27, 2023 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — The disappointment of a quick exit from the FIFA Club World Cup didn't linger into the start of the MLS season for the Seattle Sounders.
Jordan Morris scored a pair of goals via header, Cristian Roldan also scored on a header and the Sounders overwhelmed the Colorado Rapids in a dominating 4-0 win Sunday night in the season opener for both teams.
MLS union criticizes FIFA, league over concussion subs
February 24, 2023 GMTBETHESDA, Md. (AP) — The union for Major League Soccer players criticized FIFA, its rules-making body and the league for failing to allow trials of temporary substitutes to replace players suspected of sustaining concussions.
Snow in Portland leads to postponement of Timbers opener
February 24, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Timbers' Major League Soccer season opener against Sporting KC has been postponed because of severe winter weather in the Portland area, the teams announced Thursday.
MLS, Apple have high expectations with launch of Season Pass
February 23, 2023 GMTDon Garber smiled as he showed off Major League Soccer’s new state-of-the-art facility, which will host studio shows for the Apple TV Season Pass package.
While flashy studios and graphics work to produce a wow factor, the longtime MLS commissioner knows the importance of this weekend’s season launch.
Longtime soccer hotbed St. Louis finally gets MLS team
February 23, 2023 GMTST. LOUIS (AP) — When season tickets sales began for Major League Soccer's newest team, St. Louis City SC leaders figured they'd be a hot ticket in a city with a deep love for the sport.
Almada, Chicharito among MLS players to watch this season
February 23, 2023 GMTThe biggest winner in the Major League Soccer offseason transfer market ended up being the rumor mill.
Whether it was the apparent flirtation between Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, or the interest that Los Angeles FC had for Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, neither came to fruition and the MLS offseason was devoid of a splashy incoming international move.
MLS says San Diego, Las Vegas top candidates for 30th team
February 22, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — With opening day approaching Saturday, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber expressed hope to pick a 30th team by the end of the year and defended an expanded playoff format in which 18 of 29 clubs make the postseason.
Year 3 could be blast or bust as Austin FC chases MLS title
February 22, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — From frustration to elation, Austin FC’s first two seasons were quite a ride.
Given how close the club came to playing for the 2022 championship and the burden of new expectations it created, Year 3 could be a blast, or a bust.
MLS expands playoffs to 9 teams from each conference
February 22, 2023 GMTMajor League Soccer is expanding its playoffs to include the nine top finishers from each of its two conferences, 62% of the league's teams.
An opening “wild-card” round will feature matches between the eighth- and ninth-seeded teams in the Eastern and Western conferences at the stadium of the higher seed.
MLS opens 28th season, build up to World Cup starts now
February 20, 2023 GMTThe push toward the World Cup in 2026 begins now for Major League Soccer.
The league, entering its 28th season this year, has a new team in St.
Top goal scorer Driussi signs new deal with Austin FC
February 14, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Austin FC signed forward Sebastian Driussi, one of the top goal scorers in Major League Soccer, to a new contract that keeps him with the club through the 2025 season with an option for 2026, the team announced Tuesday.
No-show Reynoso suspended by MLS in absence from Minnesota
February 10, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — 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.
Greek F Giorgos Giakoumakis signs with Atlanta United
February 8, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — After cutting ties with Josef Martinez, Atlanta United bolstered its front line Wednesday with the signing of Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The 28-year-old Giakoumakis comes to Major League Soccer from Celtic FC, where he led the Scottish Premiership in goals and helped the team win both the league title and Scottish Cup.
Al Ahly’s late goal ends Seattle debut 1-0 in Club World Cup
February 4, 2023 GMTTANGIER, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Afsha scored on a deflected shot in the 88th minute and sent Al Ahly into the Club World Cup semifinals by beating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday.
Afsha scored after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd.
Mark Geiger replaces Howard Webb as head of MLS referees
February 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Mark Geiger will take over from Howard Webb as the head of referees in Major League Soccer.
The 48-year-old Geiger, who retired as a referee after the 2018 season, was promoted Friday to general manager of the Professional Referee Organization that supplies MLS match officials.
A further look at Apple’s deal with Major League Soccer
February 1, 2023 GMTApple made its biggest entry into the sports streaming marketplace Wednesday when Major League Soccer's “Season Pass” debuted on Apple TV+.
Here’s what we know about the service:
HOW DO I FIND THE MLS GAMES BEING STREAMED BY APPLE TV+?
Apple embraces potential of sports streaming with MLS deal
February 1, 2023 GMTCUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — After taking its first dip into sports streaming last year, Apple is now immersing itself.
The tech giant kicked off a 10-year partnership with Major League Soccer on Wednesday with the launch of Season Pass on Apple TV+.
European king Real Madrid out to rule Club World Cup again
January 31, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Few would have expected Real Madrid to be competing for the Club World Cup title before the team's unlikely run to Champions League glory last season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team needed dramatic comebacks to defeat Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City before beating Liverpool in the final last May.
Almada relishes World Cup win, looks forward to MLS season
January 27, 2023 GMTFirst, he cried with joy and shared the news with his family. Then, Thiago Almada needed to catch a plane. Quickly.
The Atlanta United midfielder was called up to Argentina's World Cup squad as an injury replacement mere days before the team's opening game.
Claudio Reyna moved out of Austin sporting director role
January 26, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Claudio Reyna was moved out of his leadership role as sporting director of Austin FC on Thursday, the latest job change that followed the Reyna family's spat with U.S.
Vazquez scores for youthful US lineup in 2-1 loss to Serbia
January 26, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Interim head coach Anthony Hudson saw tenacity, bravery and attacking excitement from the youngsters and newcomers he sent out for the United States' first match since the World Cup.
Mihailovic gets 1st Dutch Eredivisie goal after MLS transfer
January 25, 2023 GMTAmerican forward Djordje Mihailovic scored his first goal in the Dutch Eredivisie, helping AZ Alkmaar to a 4-1 win at Go Ahead Eagles on Wednesday night in Deventer, Netherlands.
With AZ ahead 1-0, Jens Odgaard intercepted a clearance on the Eagles' side of the midfield stripe and passed to Vangelis Pavlidis, who dribbled toward the corner.
Scandal-plagued Portland Timbers and Thorns hire new CEO
January 25, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Heather Davis has been hired as chief executive officer to lead Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers and the National Women's Soccer League's Thorns amid the fallout from a series of scandals.
With Berhalter in limbo, US men begin camp under Hudson
January 22, 2023 GMTCARSON, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Hudson's first practice in charge of the U.S. men's national team would have been a career milestone for the veteran coach in ideal circumstances.
The actual situation is no cause for celebration, Hudson admits.
Sounders land health system as new jersey sponsor
January 20, 2023 GMTRENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Sounders have partnered with the Washington-based Providence health system as their new jersey sponsor.
The Providence name will appear on the front of Seattle’s jerseys beginning with the FIFA Club World Cup next month in Morocco.
Christian Ramirez joins MLS’s Columbus from Aberdeen
January 19, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Forward Christian Ramirez is returning to Major League Soccer with the Columbus Crew.
He transferred from Scotland’s Aberdeen on Thursday and agreed to a two-year deal with the Crew that includes a team option for 2025.
Sounders ink Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan to 5-year deals
January 19, 2023 GMTTUKWILA, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Sounders have signed forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan to five-year contracts that will likely keep the pair with the club for the remainder of their MLS careers.
Soccer rules panel says no to new trials for concussion subs
January 18, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Soccer’s law-making panel on Wednesday rejected a request by the Premier League and MLS for trials with temporary substitutes to replace players with suspected concussion.
The panel, known as IFAB, said “no consensus was reached” on the debate, with FIFA’s opposition proving a key barrier to change wanted by the leagues, who are supported by France’s Ligue 1 and the global players’ union FIFPRO.
Atlanta United star Josef Martinez heads to Inter Miami
January 18, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — There was a time when Josef Martinez wanted to play the rest of his career in Atlanta.
Now, he's eager to make his mark in South Florida.
Martinez, the 2018 Major League Soccer MVP and centerpiece of Atlanta United's rise to prominence, was released by the club on Wednesday so he could sign with Inter Miami.
Soccer laws panel gets leagues’ request for concussion subs
January 17, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A request by the Premier League and Major League Soccer to use temporary substitutes for players with suspected concussion will go to a meeting Wednesday of the game’s lawmaking panel.
Study: MLS posts more gains in hiring women for 2022 season
January 12, 2023 GMTA diversity report examining racial and gender hiring in Major League Soccer reported another boost in scores for the hiring of women, marking a second straight year of significant gains after four years of declines.
Montreal fires U-23 coach over controversial 2012 remarks
January 10, 2023 GMTMONTREAL (AP) — Sandro Grande was fired as coach of Montreal's under-23 team on Tuesday — a day after his hiring was announced — because of comments he made following a 2012 election-night shooting outside of a Parti Québécois gathering that leader Pauline Marois attended.
MLS, Apple TV announce first group of league pass announcers
January 10, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Twellman, Marcelo Balboa, Danielle Slaton and Liam McHugh will be the announcers for the first season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, the league and Apple announced Tuesday.
Beckham’s son Romeo joins Brentford B on loan
January 6, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — David Beckham's son Romeo has joined the B team of English Premier League club Brentford on loan to the end of the season.
Romeo Beckham has been training with Brentford B for a couple of months to keep fit in the Major League Soccer offseason.
Ronaldo the latest star to end career in soccer outpost
January 6, 2023 GMTCristiano Ronaldo is not the first soccer superstar to head off to one of the world’s supposed minor leagues in the latter years of his career.
Reyna family flagged Berhalter incident; interim coach named
January 5, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. soccer team was plunged into public turmoil Wednesday when the family of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna said it notified the U.S. Soccer Federation of a decades-old incident involving Gregg Berhalter and his wife in response to the coach’s disparagement of Claudio's son, young star Gio Reyna.
Atlanta United cuts ties with midfielder Emerson Hyndman
January 4, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United and midfielder Emerson Hyndman have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, the team announced Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Hyndman joined Atlanta in 2019 and made 51 MLS appearances with 35 starts across four seasons.
US men’s coach Berhalter admits kicking future wife in 1991
January 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Soccer Federation revealed Tuesday it is investigating men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter for a 1991 confrontation in which he kicked the woman who later became his wife.
Pelé invigorated US soccer, paved way for ’94 World Cup, MLS
December 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Clive Toye traveled to Jamaica and walked unannounced into the hotel where the Brazilian club Santos was staying ahead of a friendly against the Reggae Boyz in January 1971. Pelé was sitting by the pool, and the New York Cosmos general manager began the cold call that changed U.S.
Kevin Payne, former executive for 2 MLS teams, dies
December 25, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Payne, who was an executive with two Major League Soccer teams and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, died Sunday. He was 69.
Hernán Losada hired to coach Montreal in Major League Soccer
December 22, 2022 GMTMONTREAL (AP) — Hernán Losada was hired as coach of Montreal in Major League Soccer following his firing by D,C. United in April.
Losada, 40, was introduced Thursday, a day after team announced a two-year contract that includes an option for 2025.
Newest MLS franchise to make home debut March 4
December 20, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The newest Major League Soccer expansion franchise will begin its inaugural campaign on the road when St. Louis City SC plays at Austin FC on Feb. 25 before making its home debut in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
MLS renews with Fox for 4 years, ends run with ESPN
December 13, 2022 GMTFox will keep on broadcasting Major League Soccer games in the U.S. as part of a four-year agreement, ending the run of ESPN and ABC, which had carried matches since the league launched in 1996.
MLS also announced linear television agreements on Tuesday with TSN and RDS in Canada and TelevisaUnivision.
Forward Gyasi Zardes signs 3-year deal with MLS’s Austin
December 12, 2022 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Forward Gyasi Zardes and Major League Soccer's Austin team agreed Monday to a three-year contract.
Zardes, 31, has 97 goals in 267 regular-season games for the LA Galaxy, Columbus and Colorado, including nine in 26 games after the Rapids acquired him from the Crew in April.
Stadium sensory rooms allow fans World Cup games experience
December 12, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Away from the roaring noise, lights and fireworks of World Cup games, there’s a safe space for fans who might get overwhelmed in a stadium environment.
After World Cup, US men recede to background for 3 1/2 years
December 7, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Now the United States men’s soccer team recedes into the background of American sports for the next 3 1/2 years.
While the Americans' four World Cup matches averaged 12.2 million viewers on Fox, their 27 games on rated English-language networks from the start of 2020 through this fall averaged 668,000, according to Nielsen.
Nancy hired as coach of MLS’s Columbus, leaves Montreal
December 6, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Wilfried Nancy was hired Tuesday to coach Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew, replacing Caleb Porter.
Nancy was born in France and spent the last two seasons as coach of CF Montreal, which agreed to release Nancy and some of his assistants in exchange for compensation.
Bobby Wood signs with New England Revolution
December 5, 2022 GMTFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Former U.S. national team forward Bobby Wood agreed Monday to a one-year contract with Major League Soccer's New England Revolution.
LA Galaxy president suspended, team fined for hidden pay
December 2, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — LA Galaxy President Chris Klein was suspended and the team fined $1 million by Major League Soccer on Friday for undisclosed payments involving Argentine winger Cristian Pavón in 2019.
Jill Ellis voted to US Soccer Hall of Fame, won 2 World Cups
December 1, 2022 GMTFRISCO, Texas (AP) — Jill Ellis was voted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame after coaching the American women to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.
The 56-year-old British-born coach was picked on 20 of 24 ballots in the builder voting that included only coach candidates for the 2023 class.
Atlanta United signs free-agent midfielder Derrick Etienne
December 1, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United has signed free-agent midfielder Derrick Etienne, who scored a career-best nine goals for the Columbus Crew this past season.
The three-year deal announced Wednesday includes options for 2026 and '27.
Seattle Sounders promote Craig Waibel to general manager
November 30, 2022 GMTRENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Sounders have promoted Craig Waibel to general manager and chief soccer officer, the team announced Wednesday.
Waibel steps into the role that was held by Garth Lagerwey before he left last week to take over as the president and CEO of Atlanta United.