Brandon Vázquez to Reportedly Join Liga MX’s C.F. Monterrey

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Brandon Vázquez s headed south of the border…

The 25-year-old Mexican American professional soccer player, a forward for the United States and FC Cincinnati, is set to join Liga MX‘s C.F. Monterrey after agreeing to contract details on Wednesday, according to ESPN MX.

Monterrey and Cincinnati reached a deal last week for the player, who’ll sign a four-year contract with the Mexican club and arrive for preseason training in the coming days.

The Athletic was the first to report the story, adding that the fee for Vazquez will be in the region of $7.5 million with another $1 million in potential add-ons and a sell-on clause.

Vazquez reportedly had interest from European clubs, as well as from Liga MX powerhouses Chivas, which attempted to sign the player in 2023.

Before eventually agreeing to a contract deal with fellow Liga MX side Monterrey, the striker told ESPN last summer that he believed Cincinnati would provide “the fastest route and best route to get to Europe” after a deal was turned down for Chivas.

Thanks to his 28 goals scored in his last two seasons, the forward earned an MLS All-Star appearance in 2022 and a Supporters’ Shield titl in 2023 with FC Cincinnati, which lost to eventual champions Columbus Crew in the semifinals of the MLS Cup playoffs.

He previously played for Atlanta United FC (2017-19), where he clinched an MLS Cup title in 2018 and a U.S. Open Cup title in 2019, although Vazquez had a minimal role with just three goals in just as many MLS seasons.

A native of Chula Vista, California, Vazquez was developed as a Liga MX youth academy product across the border with Club Tijuana, but only made one appearance for the senior team through a domestic cup match.

Eligible for both Mexico and the United States at the international level, Vazquez eventually made his senior debut for the USMNT in 2022 and has gone on to collect four goals across eight USMNT appearances.

Vazquez told ESPN in 2023 that “nobody” from the Mexican federation had reached out to him before he committed his future to the U.S.

Cucho Hernandez Named MLS Cup MVP After Leading Columbus Crew Past Defending MLS Cup Champions Los Angeles FC

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cucho Hernandez has helped dethrone the reigning champions…

The 24-year-old Colombian professional footballer scored a goal to help the Columbus Crew defeat Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Saturday to give his team their third MLS Cup and earn this year’s MLS Cup MVP award.

Two of those titles have come in the last four seasons. Columbus advanced to the 2015 title game but lost to the Portland Timbers. The LA Galaxy‘s five titles are still the most for a Major League Soccer franchise.

Saturday’s win capped the Crew’s impressive turnaround this season. After winning the 2020 MLS Cup, Columbus missed the playoffs the next two seasons. The franchise has since undergone significant changes, including the hiring of Wilfried Nancy as the team’s head coach.

Hernandez scored in the 33rd minute, putting Columbus up 1-0 on a penalty kick. He deposited the ball in the lower left corner for his fifth goal in six playoff matches this season. LAFC defender Diego Palacios was whistled for a handball off his right arm at the top of the box, setting up the penalty.

Yaw Yeboah added a goal in the 37th minute, doubling Columbus’ lead when Malte Amundsen threaded a pass through to Yeboah on the left flank. From there, Yeboah dribbled to the goal box and slipped a shot past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

The objective for the Crew in the second half was to avoid the same fate as FC Cincinnati a week earlier in the Eastern Conference final. Columbus rallied in that game from a two-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes of regulation and won 3-2 in extra time.

LAFC’s Bouanga made it 2-1, scoring on his own rebound after Patrick Schulte made a save at the left post in the 74th minute. Bouanga, who led the MLS with 20 goals, has 38 goals in 49 matches in all competitions this year.

Earlier this year, Hernandez was named to the MLS Best XI, an annual acknowledgment of the best eleven players in Major League Soccer. The selection is determined by a collection of media, players and MLS club technical staffs.

Luciano Acosta Named 2023 Major League Soccer MVP

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luciano Acosta is Major League Soccer’s all-star player of the year…

The 29-year-old Argentine professional footballer and FC Cincinnati midfielder has been named the 2023 MLS MVP, the league has revealed.

Acosta received 60.37% of the vote among players, media and technical staff to easily beat LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, who received 14.97%.

Atlanta United FC‘s Thiago Almada finished third in the voting with 6.46%.

“I’m very proud of this team,” Acosta said in a video produced by the team that was shot when he was told he had won the award. “I think everybody deserves something this year. We deserve more. We have to give it our all. Let’s go.”

He later joked, “I don’t want to go to practice. I won the MVP.”

Acosta, a Buenos Aires, Argentina, native led the league with 31 goal contributions during the regular season, with 17 goals and 14 assists, and helped Cincinnati to their first Supporters Shield.

Cincinnati remains in contention to claim the MLS Cup, as it faces in-state rivals the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final this Saturday.

Acosta is just the sixth player in league history to record three or more seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.

Acosta is the ninth South American-born player to earn the honor and first since Josef Martínez won the award with Atlanta United in 2018.

Other Argentines to win the award are Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers, 2015), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew, 2008), and Christian Gómez (D.C. United, 2006).

Acosta has been a prolific attacking player ever since he entered the league in 2016 with D.C. United, scoring 58 goals and adding 78 assists, the most goal contributions by any player in that span.

Only Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC, last year’s MVP, has made more contributions since Acosta made his Cincinnati debut in 2021.

His 43 regular-season assists since 2021 are the second-most of any MLS player during that time, and only Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro (80) has more regular-season assists than the Cincinnati playmaker since 2016.

Acosta began his professional career with famed Argentine side Boca Juniors, making his professional debut in 2014.

He spent the 2016 campaign on loan with D.C. United before making the move permanent a year later, and went on to score 25 goals in 137 league and cup appearances.

He spent 15 months with Liga MX side Atlas before joining FC Cincinnati.

Chris Armas Named New Manager of MLS’ Colorado Rapids

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Chris Armas is Rapids-ly headed to The Centennial State.

The Colorado Rapids have hired the 51-year-old Puerto Rican professional soccer coach and former player to be their next manager, according to ESPN.

Armas replaces Robin Fraser, who was dismissed in September with the Rapids languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Chris Little, who was also a finalist, took over on an interim basis, leading the club to a 2-4-2 mark.

That wasn’t enough to move the Rapids off the bottom of the table, as Colorado finished the season with 27 points and a record of 5-17-12.

Sources tell ESPN that Charlotte FC assistant Pa Modou Ka was also a finalist, as were two unnamed foreign managers.

Armas had the most managerial experience of any of the confirmed candidates.

Starting in 2015, he served as an assistant with the New York Red Bulls under Jesse Marsch, and took over as manager following Marsch’s departure midway through the 2018 campaign, leading the Red Bulls to that year’s Supporters Shield.

Armas struggled thereafter, however. He was let go by the Red Bulls midway through the 2020 season, and lasted less than a year as manager of Toronto FC as the team failed to produce results in 2021.

Armas later served as an assistant at Manchester United under Ralf Rangnick, and had a short stint with Leeds United where he was briefly reunited with Marsch.

As a player, Armas spent time in MLS with the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, the latter of which he won an MLS Cup with in 1998.

Armas also made 66 appearances with the U.S. men’s national team.

Luciano Acosta Helps Lead FC Cincinnati to Its First-Ever MLS Supporters’ Shield

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luciano Acosta has helped FC Cincinnati make history….

With a league-leading 15 goals as well as 13 assists from the 29-year-old Argentine professional footballer to make him the clear front-runner for the Major League Soccer MVP award, FC Cincinnati won the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time in club history with a 3-2 win at Toronto FC on Saturday, completing a remarkable turnaround for the former perennial MLS basement dweller.

Cincinnati has led the MLS regular-season standings for the majority of the 2023 season before its win in Toronto gave the team an unassailable lead over its rivals with three games to play.

With 65 points from 31 matches, Cincinnati can no longer be caught by its nearest challengers St. Louis City SC, Orlando City and the New England Revolution.

Saturday’s win also ensures Cincinnati will take the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs.

Cincinnati is the 16th different club in MLS’ 28 seasons to win the Supporters’ Shield and the fifth active team to do so in its first five seasons in the league.

The achievement is made all the more notable given that in its first three seasons in the league, between 2019 and 2021, Cincinnati finished as the worst team in MLS. The club’s first three seasons rank among the 10 worst in the history of MLS, with Cincinnati long seen as a symbol of dysfunction on and off the field.

But the tide began to turn last season with the appointment of former Philadelphia Union assistant Pat Noonan — the club’s fourth permanent head coach in MLS — and the arrival of Acosta.

A first playoff appearance followed at the end of 2022 before the team came storming out of the gates in 2023, losing just one of its first 18 matches.

Despite clinching the Supporters’ Shield, Cincinnati still has something to play for in the remainder of the regular season. Should the team win its final three games, it will eclipse the single-season MLS points record of 73 set by the New England Revolution in 2021.

New York City FC Star Valentín “Taty” Castellanos Joins S.S. Lazio on Permanent Transfer

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Viaggi sicuri, Valentín “Taty” Castellanos.

New York City FC has completed the transfer of their 24-year-old Argentine professional soccer star forward to Italian side S.S. Lazio for a team-record transfer fee, the team has revealed.

The MLS club did not disclose financial details, but multiple reports said Lazio paid about $16.7 million (€15m) to complete the transaction.

NYCFC also will receive a percentage if the Serie A side get a transfer fee in the future for the striker.

Castellanos won the 2021 MLS Golden Boot with 19 goals and added three more tallies during NYCFC’s march to their first MLS Cup.

“Taty is a legend here at NYCFC,” sporting director David Lee said. “… We all wish Taty the best and are excited to follow his journey in Italy.”

Castellanos collected 50 goals and 20 assists in 109 MLS matches (91 starts) with New York City FC from 2018-22. He set a franchise record with four goals in a game against Real Salt Lake in 2022.

“I’d like to sincerely thank everyone at NYCFC and City Football Group for always looking after me so well and for making this move possible,” Castellanos said. “It’s like being part of a family. I’d also like to thank the fans who have always believed in me and supported me every single game.

“I will always be an NYCFC fan. The Club and the amazing people there have played such an important role in my career and my life. It has always been a dream of mine to play in Europe and in the Champions League and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Castellanos left New York in July 2022 on loan to the La Liga side Girona FC, where he had 14 goals and one assist in 37 matches. He scored four goals in a match against Real Madrid.

Diego Valeri Signs One-Day Contract with Portland Timbers to Retire as a Franchise Member

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Valeri is making his way into the ring…

The 37-year-old Argentine former professional footballer has signed a one-day contract with the Portland Timbers to retire as a member of the franchise.

Valeri, who spent nine seasons in Portland (2013-21), will be honored during pregame and halftime ceremonies of Saturday’s match against Columbus Crew.

Valeri will be inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor, joining Clive Charles, John Bain, Jimmy Conway, Mick Hoban and Timber Jim.

“When I first came to Portland, the most important thing to me was to honor the club’s history and bring the highest prestige to the Timbers,” Valeri said. “Today, returning to retire a Portland Timber, I feel fulfilled about my journey and adventure with the club and am so thankful for the love the city gave to me.”

Valeri is the Timbers’ all-time leader in regular-season goals scored (86), assists (91) and points (263). He was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2013, MLS Cup MVP in 2015 and Landon Donovan MLS MVP in 2017.

“It is only fitting that Diego Valeri will officially retire a Portland Timber,” owner Merritt Paulson said.

“He gave so much to our club and we can never give back what he has given us. It will be amazing for fans to have the opportunity to recognize Diego publicly Saturday when we induct him into the Ring of Honor.”

https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/1679907203258650625

Gerardo “Tata” Martino Named Coach of Inter Miami CF

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo “Tata” Martino is returning to Major League Soccer…

The 60-year-old Argentine professional football manager and former player has been hired as the coach of Inter Miami CF, the club has revealed.

The hire comes in the wake of fellow Argentine Lionel Messi‘s announcement earlier this month that he intends to sign with the club. Martino previously coached Messi with Barcelona (2013-14) and the Argentina national team (2014-16).

“We are very happy to be able to welcome Tata to Inter Miami. We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about what we can accomplish together,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement.

“Tata has coached at the highest levels and we believe that experience will be hugely beneficial to us as we aim to compete for titles here.”

Most recently, Martino coached the Mexico national team (2019-2022) after a two-year stint with Atlanta United, where he won MLS Cup and the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year award in 2018.

“Right now, this is a team that shows an adverse picture in the standings,” Martino said of the Eastern Conference‘s last-place team. “It is also decimated by injuries and by the players called up to their national teams.

“But there are great expectations around the new players that are going to come soon. They are really important. I hope that they can help us to make the team better from an emotional and playing point of view so we can have a season-ending more in line with what is expected of this club.”

Martino is the third permanent head coach Inter Miami has had since joining the league in the 2020 season. Former Uruguay national team coach Diego Alonso coached the team during its expansion season before Phil Neville was hired prior to the 2021 season.

Miami qualified as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season but was eliminated in the first round. Neville was fired earlier this month with the team in last place.

Mas told media outlets last week he expects Messi to play his first game for the club on July 21 in the Leagues Cup against Liga MX‘s Cruz Azul. The club also announced Messi’s longtime teammate at Barcelona, Sergio Busquets, will also make the move to South Florida and Inter Miami this summer.

Seattle Sounders FC Acquire Heber from New York City FC

Posted on December 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Heber is sounding off…

Seattle Sounders FC have acquired the 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer from New York City FC on Thursday for at least $400,000 in General Allocation Money.

NYCFC can receive an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met. Heber is under contract for 2023 with a club option for 2024.

Heber recorded 24 goals and six assists in 70 matches (38 starts) over the past four seasons for NYCFC.

“I’d like to welcome Heber to Seattle and look forward to seeing him in preseason camp,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said in the news release. “You always need players that can score, and Heber has been goal-dangerous throughout his entire career. I can’t wait for him to get to work with our coaches and his new teammates to add another strong piece to our attacking group.”

Heber spent nine-plus seasons in overseas leagues before joining NYCFC on a permanent transfer from Croatian club NK Rijeka in March 2019. He was an immediate force, scoring 15 regular-season goals in his first MLS campaign.

Heber played in just 12 games in 2020 as he tore the ACL in his right knee during a match against Toronto FC on September 23, 2020. The recovery and rehab process limited him to seven regular-season matches in 2021.

NYCFC won the 2021 MLS Cup, but Heber saw action in just one of the four postseason matches. He did not play in the title-winning match against the Portland Timbers.

Last season, he scored eight goals in 29 matches (nine starts) before NYCFC was eliminated from the playoffs by the Philadelphia Union in the semifinals.

Heber said he was sad to leave NYCFC but eager for a new opportunity.

“I love this Club and this City, since I arrived in 2019, I’ve felt completely at home,” Heber said through NYCFC. “Despite the ups and downs, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here for what we have been able to accomplish as a team. Being able to win trophies for New York City and its amazing fans is something I will always treasure.

“I would like to thank my teammates, the medical team and everyone at the Club for all the support you gave me while I was returning from injury. I couldn’t have done it without you and I now feel as fit and strong as ever. I am excited by the new challenge in Seattle and am very happy to be staying in MLS, which is a league I now love. I will always remember my time in New York very fondly and it will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Ilie Sanchez Hits Game-Winning Penalty Kick to Give Los Angeles FC Its First MLS Cup Title

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ilie Sanchez has helped lead the Los Angeles FC to its first Major League Soccer championship…

The 31-year-old Spanish professional footballer hit the game-winning goal in an epic championship match at Banc of California Stadium against Philadelphia Union to give the LAFC the teams first MLS Cup title

Sanchez and his LAFC teammates beat the Philadelphia Union on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw for the ages – and also making the hosts the first team to complete a Cup-Supporters’ Shield double since Toronto FC in 2017.

Gareth Bale’s thunderous 128th-minute equalizing header sent the game into penalty kicks, showing exactly why the Black & Gold signed the superstar forward this summer as he left Real Madrid. That canceled out a possible man-of-the-match performance from Philly center back Jack Elliott, whose first equalizer booked extra frames, and then his go-ahead 124th-minute strike pushed the Union on the verge of a first MLS Cup trophy.

But Bale came up huge with the final whistle nearing, and back-up goalkeeper John McCarthy took the hero’s cape in the PK shootout by saving two Union efforts – from Jose Martinez and Kai Wagner – after Daniel Gazdag sent the Eastern Conference champions’ first attempt over the crossbar.

LAFC first got scores from Denis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead in PKs, then Ilie Sanchez’s game-winner from the spot sealed a 3-0 advantage for the Black & Gold from 12 yards out.

From there, celebrations ensued for the Western Conference champions before their 3252 supporters’ section – all in a final that pitted the league’s top two teams against each other for the first time since 2003.

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