46 h. ago MLS Year 30: A league at a philosophical crossroads as World Cups loom

America’s top circuit has grown and thrived thanks to mechanisms it now no longer needsEver since its foundation in 1996, Major League Soccer has faced questions about its place within the world of American sports and global soccer. What is the relationship between MLS and the top football leagues of Europe? Is it a retirement league for aging superstars, a development league for those on their way to bigger things, or a home for the lateral career move, a kind of footballing purgatory? Where should it sit in the American sporting calendar, and what should be the competition’s relationship to the surrounding culture: is MLS an American sporting league whose sport happens to be soccer, or a soccer league that happens to take place in America?There are questions of direction as well. What is the correct tempo for the competition’s growth, and what kind of league should expansion aim to create? Is this a league that wants to compete with the best of the best, or simply seeks to serve a...

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53 h. ago Inter Miami's 'evil empire' jibe as MLS rivals LA Galaxy opt for different approach

LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup last season, ending a 10-year wait to land Major League Soccer's top prize - and their approach has been revealed in the new Apple TV+ docuseries Onside: Major League Soccer

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54 h. ago David Beckham's bid to find the next Lionel Messi as he draws up ambitious MLS plan

In the new Apple TV+ docuseries Onside: Major League Soccer - which provides unprecedented access to players, coaches and clubs during the 2024 season - David Beckham revealed his future Inter Miami plans

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67 h. ago Could Messi do it on an inhumanely cold night in Kansas City? Of course he could

Temperatures dipped to 0F (-17C) for Inter Miami’s match on Wednesday. The Argentinian still found a way to make a differenceThe question, which in time has become less of a question and more of a cliche meme, is a variation of Andy Gray’s comment: Sure, Lionel Messi is an all-time great. But can he do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke?This question is ridiculous and annoying. Of course he can – he’s done it on rainy nights in Fort Lauderdale multiple times in just the last year and half. There are whole compilations of him doing all of his usual Messi things in terrible weather throughout his career. Even the dialog the question/meme supposedly replaces – let’s see if Messi can overcome this piece of weather-based adversity! – seems pointless when the player in question has already, for all intents and purposes, completed football at the highest level. Continue reading...

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2 d. ago MLS 2025 predictions: Messi and Inter Miami’s outlook, top newcomers and more

The 2025 MLS season kicks off this week. We convened a panel of writers to discuss what they’re most looking forward to this yearSeeing more really good soccer in 2025. Over the last few years, it feels like the quality of the average coach in MLS has noticeably increased. Only a handful of MLS teams are still holding on to the “let’s play a 4-2-3-1 and defend in a mid-block” era with both hands. Pretty much every team has a distinct, observable style. JW Continue reading...

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2 d. ago Lionel Messi plays 'coldest game of his career' and defies rumours with Inter Miami supershow

Reports had suggested the World Cup winner wasn't keen on playing in the extreme weather conditions

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5 d. ago Lionel Messi 'suffers' in cold snaps as Inter Miami pal points out flaw that could see superstar skip sub zero clash

The good friends know each other well from their time at Barcelona and now in the MLS

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