MLS Newsstand - February 17, 2017

February 17, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

1. After long wait, D.C. United gets final go-ahead to build new stadium

By Steve Goff Washington Post - December 16, 2017

D.C. United on Thursday received final approval to build a soccer stadium in the District, ending more than a dozen years of frustration to replace RFK Stadium as its home and creating an economic pathway to help the team catch up to the rest of a fast-growing pro league.

Two months after giving conditional support, the five-member D.C. Zoning Commission was unanimous in approving the 14-acre project at Buzzard Point in Southwest, adjacent to Fort McNair and three blocks from Nationals Park at the confluence of the Anacostia River and Washington Channel.

The city had previously agreed to cover $150 million in land acquisition and infrastructure costs. United will spend up to $200 million on the 20,000-capacity venue, which club officials aim to open in the summer of 2018.

United has played at run-down RFK since MLS started in 1996. Since '99, 14 teams have christened new stadiums and two others are slated to move into new digs next year. Others play in renovated venues or share space in modern NFL stadiums.

Jason Levien, United's managing general partner since 2012, called it "a project that has been 21 years in the making. We've been on a mission to deliver to our fans and this community a new, permanent home. We appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into preparing for this moment and can't wait to finally put shovels in the ground."

A ceremonial groundbreaking is slated for Feb. 27, with Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and MLS Commissioner Don Garber scheduled to attend. United is on a tight construction timetable to play the inaugural match by June '18, but Levien has said the project could be completed in 14-16 months. Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium, which opened in 2012, was finished in 15 months.

Despite the vote tally, the commission had reservations about United's application.

"The responses on environmental issues and traffic issues have been adequate to make it passable, but I'm still extremely disappointed," member Peter May said. "It just kind of barely makes it. It's been a disappointment all the way through, so I hope it turns out better than I fear it will."

The zoning decision came one day after United announced a long-term deal worth multimillions annually for naming rights to the stadium, Audi Field.

RFK - built in 1961 and lacking modern amenities to generate adequate revenue - was supposed to fill a short-term need until the team built its own venue.

There were tentative plans for a project at Poplar Point (across the Anacostia from Nationals Park) and then in Prince George's County. There were flirtations with Baltimore and Northern Virginia. Financial losses mounted, and fears grew of relocating outside the capital region or shuttering the team altogether. Investors came and went.

As MLS blossomed, doubling team membership, sprouting new stadiums and growing attendance, United was left behind - a dial-up relic in a high-speed era. While several teams began spending large sums on famous players from abroad, such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Kaka, United's technical staff was forced to shop for value.

D.C. has had one of the lowest payrolls in the league for years. MLS allows each team to sign up to three stars at salaries beyond normal restrictions, known as "designated players." United will have none this year.

With revenue flowing from a new stadium - 31 private suites, higher demand for tickets in a smaller structure, the Audi contract for naming rights - United plans to begin charting a more ambitious course. The organization's next board meeting is in July.

Levien has suggested in recent years that, once the club's financial outlook brightened, United would increase spending on players.

Coach Ben Olsen, whose affiliation with United dates from 1998, said he did not want to speculate on what stadium approval will mean for the roster in 2018 and beyond.

"The city stuff is a huge piece to it and a necessary step, but I want to see some digging and some building," he said, smiling. "That's what is going to get me really excited."

A new venue, however, does not guarantee success on and off the field.

The New York Red Bulls did not win an MLS Cup title between 1996 and 2009 while stuck at Giants Stadium and, since christening Red Bull Arena in 2010, haven't advanced to the final. FC Dallas has struggled to draw fans since opening its complex in 2005, though the exurban location in Frisco, Tex., is at the root of the problem.

A venue with fresh revenue streams, however, would help United compete for more expensive players in the world market. As it stands, D.C. is a thrifty shopper. A sparkling new stadium filled to, or close to, capacity every match will also play a role in attracting players; cavernous RFK had become a tough selling point.

Designed with soccer in mind, Audi Field promises to enhance the fan experience and United's home-field advantage. The seating sections are closer to the field and offer improved sightlines.

Audi Field will also secure United's place on the local sports scene. Despite the team's two-decade presence, failure to finalize a stadium deal had left the perception of temporary residence. MLS moved past questions about its future about eight years ago; a new stadium two miles south of the Capitol will allow United to do the same.

2. D.C. United receive zoning approval to build stadium

By Julia Brouillette Washington Times - February 16, 2017

D.C. United cleared the final hurdle in a decade-long push to build a Major League Soccer stadium in the District, receiving unanimous approval from the city's zoning commission.

United executives and attorneys celebrated Thursday as the five-member panel voted to approve the club's 19,000-seat, $300 million project at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington.

"This is a project that's been long in the making," Vice Chairman Robert Miller said.

The decision came one day after United struck a deal with automaker Audi of America, officially naming the venue Audi Field.

With the zoning commission's permission, United can move forward with construction on the 14-acre site, which sits three blocks from Nationals Park at the confluence of the Anacostia River and Washington Channel.

A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Feb 27, with Mayor Muriel Bowser and MLS Commissioner Don Garber scheduled to attend. Club officials aim to open the venue in the summer of 2018.

In October, the city handed over the Buzzard Point location, allowing United to begin clearing and preparing the plot of undeveloped land. The zoning commission gave the team's plan preliminary action approval in December, but also asked the city and team to address additional transportation and neighborhood issues.

The milestone comes a little more than two weeks before the team's season opener on March 4 against Sporting Kansas City. Since the MLS's inception in 1996, United has played at RFK, the 55-year-old, deteriorating venue two miles east of the Capitol Building on the banks of the Anacostia River.

Despite the unanimous vote tally, the commission had lingering concerns about aspects of United's application related to transportation and the environment.

"The responses on environmental issues and traffic issues have been adequate to make it passable, but I'm still extremely disappointed," member Peter May said. "It's been a disappointment all the way through, so I hope it turns out better than I fear it will."

Revisions to the application are still on the table, as commission member Michael Turnball voiced reservations over language in the application he claimed "put words in the commission's mouth."

He argued the application shouldered the commission with finding solutions to the community's concerns over increased traffic, when "the onus of responsibility should be with the applicant."

United is counting on revenue from the new stadium - which will have 31 private suites, and 500,000 square feet worth of mixed residential and retail space - to usher in a new, more ambitious era for the team.

"We are extremely excited to break ground on this site, a project that has been 21 years in the making," said Jason Levien, who has served as United's Managing Partner since 2012. "We appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into preparing for this moment and can't wait to finally put shovels in the ground at the site of our new home, Audi Field."

3. Audi Field: D.C. United inks naming rights deal with automaker

By Thomas Floyd Washington Times - February 15, 2017

For the past three-and-a-half years, D.C. United fans have referred to their team's future home as "Buzzard Point" - a moniker given to a swath of undeveloped land at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.

Now, with the Major League Soccer team poised to secure final approval from the D.C. Zoning Commission on Thursday, the United faithful have an official name for their soccer-specific stadium: Audi Field.

United announced Wednesday that Audi of America will be the naming partner for the club's 20,000-seat venue, scheduled to open in mid-2018.

"We are thrilled to partner with such an incredible brand that is not only recognized in North America but throughout the world," United co-owner Jason Levien said. "Audi has transcended the automobile industry and fully embraced the culture of soccer, especially in MLS. We couldn't think of a better partner to name our stadium and we look forward to forging extraordinary memories for years to come at Audi Field."

The team did not share financial details on the sponsorship, but Sports Business Journal, a sports news website, called the deal one of the most lucrative in the MLS.

According to the SBJ report, which cited unnamed sources, the United-Audi deal runs for more than 10 years and will cost Audi about $4 million annually.

Audi already partners with MLS, sponsoring an index that ranks players based on advanced statistics. Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, served as United's jersey sponsor from 2008 to 2013.

With MLS annually kicking off in March, United expects to play exclusively on the road in the opening months of 2018 before christening Audi Field in the late spring or early summer.

"We are excited to work with D.C. United and to continue our commitment to soccer in America as well as here in our own backyard," said Loren Angelo, vice president of marketing at Audi of America. "This commitment allows Audi to connect with passionate soccer enthusiasts of all ages and the greater community through unique experiences that further elevate their excitement in America's fastest growing sport."

The Buzzard Point proposal was announced by then-Mayor Vincent C. Gray in July 2013, and the D.C. Council unanimously passed legislation for the stadium in December 2014. The city was authorized to pay roughly $139 million on land acquisition and preparation, while United expects to spend more than $150 million on construction.

United will kick off its final season at RFK Stadium, where the team has played since its inception in 1996, with a match against Sporting Kansas City on March 4. The club has dealt with waning attendance over the past decade at the crumbling, 56-year-old stadium, which is too large for the team's purposes and lacking in modern amenities.

Although United loses $7 million to $10 million per year while paying rent at RFK Stadium, the club will control Audi Field. The venue also will boost monetization by featuring 31 luxury suites, as well as 500,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and residential space.

Pending final approval Thursday, United hopes to break ground on Audi Field - located less than a mile from Nationals Park - in the coming weeks.

"We enthusiastically welcome Audi of America to their new home in the District of Columbia," Mayor Muriel Bowser said. "With a globally recognized brand putting their stamp on the new D.C. United stadium, we move that much closer to more jobs and economic opportunity along the Anacostia - and further cement our status as the nation's sports capital."

4. Jordan Morris has a friend in Cristian Roldan as he adjusts to MLS life

By Geoff Baker Seattle Times - February 16, 2017

For once, homegrown Sounders striker Jordan Morris wasn't hanging with his best soccer friend.

Morris leaned on midfielder Cristian Roldan, the former Huskies star, quite a bit during a hectic rookie season that culminated with the highest of personal and team accomplishments. About the only time the pair didn't prove inseparable was during their abbreviated offseason, when Morris vacationed in Costa Rica with his parents and Roldan headed to his Los Angeles-area home.

Last week, when Morris was done with his January training with the U.S. men's national team in Carson, Calif., he popped back home to Mercer Island for a day to attend a local sports gala. The next morning, he boarded a plane back to California again to visit some friends.

"I've been trying to get out of Seattle, get away a little bit, see my friends and focus on my life outside of soccer," Morris said by phone from California during that brief trip. "Because during the season, your life is so demanding and so focused on soccer that you're always doing that. I think you can definitely hit a wall. So, when you have these times to get away, I think it's important to do that."

Three days later, Morris was back here, entering the locker room at CenturyLink Field to join the Sounders for his first preseason workout with them. Among the first to greet him was Roldan, the friend he mostly counts on to get his mind off soccer once the season begins.

After the workout, they headed off the field together, with Roldan continuing on to the locker room while Morris stopped to chat briefly about their friendship.

They'd played against each other in college and hit it off quickly last season, with Morris, 22, eight months older than Roldan, 21, then entering his second pro campaign alongside the rookie. Though Morris, a highly decorated Stanford grad, had already played with the USMNT while still in college, the transition to the pro game still took adjustments.

"You get nervous to come in to a new environment and a new team, and it's always nice to have someone you can be close to and rely on," Morris said. "Cristian and I bonded pretty quickly. So, having him to hang out with and go through the ups and downs with was awesome."

And in the beginning, at least, the "downs" were multiplying quicker than the "ups" for Morris. He went scoreless through the first five games, missing a handful of good chances.

As happens during such stretches, particularly when the team struggles, the usual chatter focused on Morris' propensity for using his right foot far more than his left. For an athlete already facing pressure to perform in his hometown, the queries about his missing left foot - Morris says he's "pigeon toed" and it's easier to go with his right - gradually became more irksome than they should have been.

"It can be frustrating at some point," Morris said of the critiques. "But every player goes through it with different things. (Roldan) makes fun of me for the same stuff, but it's lighthearted. He's really good with stuff like that. He doesn't let it get to him."

Morris knew better than to let the small stuff get to him as well. He'd spent his formative years alongside soccer pros courtesy of his father Michael, the Sounders' team doctor the past 15 years.

But watching pros, even up close, isn't the same as being one. Especially not one as touted as Morris, a Mercer Island High School and Eastside FC product expected to perform right away for his hometown team.

Roldan had been through some of that during his rookie season in 2015, having been known locally from his University of Washington days. He was quick to remind Morris there was a reason he'd been so highly coveted.

"I told him to not really care about what people say and play his game honestly," Roldan said. "Once he figured out what he was good at and our team figured out what he was good at, things started going really well. I think him not really letting the pressure and people affect him was really key."

Morris finally scored in his sixth contest, flicking in a 71st-minute pass from Andreas Ivanschitz against the Philadelphia Union at home. He'd add goals in each of the next three games, and a Seattle star was en route to being born.

Still, his first-season tribulations weren't done. The Sounders won just four of their first 15 games, leading to the firing of longtime coach Sigi Schmid.

In June, Morris was left off the Copa America tournament roster by since-fired USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Irked, he headed off for some day hiking in the mountains near Snoqualmie.

Roldan was there to help him through it.

The pair would hang out at his place, or at Morris' parents' house, playing video games. "It helps us not think about what's going on in our lives," Roldan said. "Just having a buddy around, obviously, is what you need."

But eventually, they'd also chat about how things were going, what to watch out for and how they could improve things for themselves and the team.

"I thought he handled the pressure a lot better towards the middle of the season, and it shows," Roldan said.

Morris continued to improve under newly installed coach Brian Schmetzer, bettering his touch around the net enough to finish the regular season with 12 goals - five of them game-winners. That goal total was an MLS rookie record for an American-born player and helped Morris clinch Rookie of the Year.

But he wasn't done yet, adding two more goals in the playoffs, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Colorado that propelled the Sounders into the championship game. Roldan could sense his friend's confidence building, right on through the title win over Toronto and into USMNT camp a month later.

They exchanged texts throughout the winter, as Morris hit the beach in Costa Rica for 10 days, then returned to Seattle for Christmas. All told, Morris had three weeks off - getting his wisdom teeth pulled in the process - before joining the national team's camp.

Even after only a couple of Sounders workouts together, Roldan noticed a difference in his pal.

"It seems like he's more assertive." Roldan said. "Not necessarily selfish, but he'll take more shots."

Sounders veteran Brad Evans, who had been in USMNT camp with Morris, agreed his play took on a more aggressive look.

"He came in demanding a lot of himself," Evans said. "He demanded the ball, which is something that, early on, I don't think Jordan was that guy."

Morris says he's never been a particularly "loud" personality on or off the field. But he sensed his confidence growing as last season progressed and feels it carried into the national camp.

He scored the lone goal of a 1-0 win over Jamaica in a friendly that closed camp out. Roldan was among the first to text him that night.

Now, back in Seattle and glancing off to the CenturyLink Field tunnel Roldan had just exited, Morris quipped: "I'm sure we'll get together later and talk about it. We have some catching up to do."

5. LA Galaxy winger Sebastian Lletget out to prove he's a star

By Nick Green LA Daily News - February 15, 2017

Only a few weeks into the new year California native Sebastian Lletget already senses the next 12 months could be the most pivotal of a soccer career that so far has been more about overcoming adversity off the field than enjoying success on it.

The 24-year-old Galaxy midfielder is entering the prime of his career, is fitter than ever having shed some pounds in the offseason, just made his U.S. men's national team debut under his former club coach Bruce Arena and is penciled in as a consistent starter on a young MLS team.

Highly touted as a youngster, the Northern California native moved to London as a teenager to play for storied West Ham United, a club with a deserved reputation for successfully developing youngsters into solid pros.

But a stamina-sapping illness set back his promising career for years; during his five years at United Lletget managed just one senior appearance for the Hammers and never played in a regular season league game.

In 2015 he returned to the U.S. with the Galaxy, making 20 appearances that season and clocking up another 31 last year.

Eye-catching runs up the wing at opposing defenders - an all-too rare commodity in MLS - made him a fan favorite on an inconsistent team. Now Lletget has accomplished the offseason work to put himself in position for a breakout year.

"Its unbelievable," he said after training this week. "The tables have really turned for me. It took a year and a half to two years (in MLS), but it's amazing how fast things have changed.

It's definitely a big year," Lletget added. "This is going to be the one which separates me from my past years as far as really establishing myself in the big leagues, especially with the national team. Hopefully that keeps on going and I'm confident that it will."

And it doesn't hurt that for once Lletget found himself in the right place at the right time with Arena reassuming the helm of the USMNT just as he found the peak form of his career and finally started to fulfill the undoubted potential United saw in him as a kid.

"It's not like he gifted me anything, but every player needs an opportunity and sometimes that's all you need," Lletget said. "As I've said in the past you need that bit of luck. I don't think you can name one player that didn't need that one person who believed in them to really get them going."

That said, expectations for Lletget are now higher than ever.

With all the high-profile departures from the Galaxy,he is now one of the more experienced pros - and most highly-paid players - on the LA roster.

And Lletget is up for the challenge.

"Playing quick, playing with less touches, but still getting in the final third and getting in good spots, just mixing it up and being unpredictable is what my game's about," he said. "As the years have gone by I've gotten better and I think it's really going to take off now."

Indeed, Lletget is one of a number of Galaxy players coach Curt Onalfo is challenging to prove themselves with breakout years.

That includes Mexican playmaker Giovanni Dos Santos who many feel still has the untapped potential - if he feels like it - to become an even more dominant and potent attacking force in MLS.

And that means shooting more, dropping back into midfield less and shouldering additional responsibility.

"He's a fantastic player, Lletget said. "In front of goal he's lethal. We want him up more to really finish things off in the final third. We have enough players to dominate games in the midfield. We want him up the field. I know there's a lot of pressure on him, but he can handle it."

And so it appears can Lletget after suffering through the stuttering start to his pro career.

"I wouldn't change anything," he said. "I learned so much and it really prepared me. The standards were high (in England), the pressure (was big). I was really molded by that mentality and it was embedded in me when I came. I took it here and I used it and I incorporated it into this team."

Now the Galaxy are poised to reap the rewards.

6. NYCFC invest in attack with marquee Argentine playmaker

By Kyle Schnitzer New York Post - February 15, 2017

While the Red Bulls practically gutted their midfield this offseason, New York City FC continue to bolster theirs.

NYCFC announced Wednesday they have signed attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez from Club Leon to a three-year deal as their third Designated Player.

Moralez, who turns 30 later this month, looks to provide NYCFC their first true playmaker (often referred to as a number-ten role) behind David Villa, something the team hasn't had in their first two seasons in MLS. He's played for clubs in Argentina, Russia and Italy as well as Mexico with Leon.

Moralez said the opportunity to play in MLS this season, which begins March 5, is something he couldn't pass up.

"I know that the league is growing a lot," Moralez said in a press release. "I'm looking forward to playing with players like David Villa and Andrea Pirlo who are two world-class champions."

Before his move to Mexico, Moralez was considered one of the more skilled players in Italy's Serie A while playing for Atalanta. He spent four years there, appearing in 109 games, scoring 16 goals with 17 assists.

But since his big-dollar move to Mexico in 2015, the Argentine has struggled to find playing time. He appeared in just eight of Leon's 17 games this season with a lone goal to his ledger.

NYCFC must think Moralez will find his old form if they awarded him a coveted Designated Player slot, which opened up when oft-absent midfielder Frank Lampard departed after last season. Head coach Patrick Vieira believes Moralez's experiences at the highest level will translate well to MLS.

"[Moralez's] quality is completely different from what we have," Vieira said. "We didn't have many players who were really direct, really strong and really good in small spaces. He's technically really good. He has really good pace and is really good at playing between the lines. He'll bring a different quality to [NYCFC]."

Moralez becomes the fourth midfielder NYCFC has brought in this season, and the move is telling. It gives NYCFC short-term support for Villa up front, and also shows they are preparing for life after Villa, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The reigning MVP, 35, recently told The Post he remains in negotiations for a possible extension.

The Red Bulls traded midfielder Dax McCarty, their captain, to Chicago Fire and essentially replaced him with unproven homegrown players - while leaving a Designated Player spot open.

7. Gressel, Kratz working Atlanta United's midfield

By Doug Roberson Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 15, 2017

Before January's MLS SuperDraft, Julian Gressel scanned the rosters of league teams looking for fellow natives of Germany.

There weren't many.

About 30 minutes after the midfielder was selected by Atlanta United with the eighth pick, he re-checked the expansion team's roster.

Bingo, Kevin Kratz.

Though Gressel's hometown of Neustadt an der Aisch is at least a three-hour drive from Kratz's hometown of Eschweiler, the two have gravitated toward each other during the preseason camp.

"We've connected," said Gressel, who is seven years younger than Kratz.

Kratz is one of several players that Gressel has connected with in his desire to develop into a good pro. Everything about the team and league is new to him, but Gressel said he is pretty adaptable. He may have learned that playing everything from a wide midfielder to central midfielder to forward while in college at Providence.

Gressel also watches and talks with veterans Michael Parkhurst, Jeff Larentowicz and Greg Garza, observing their habits before and after practice.

"You want to perform every day and give it your all every day," Gressel said said. "Not just two practice sessions a week, but every day. You just try to soak in as much as you can."

Kratz, who was a pro in Germany before coming to MLS with Philadelphia last season, is impressed by what he has seen from Gressel and shared his wisdom gleaned from spending more than 10 years in the academy system of Bayer Leverkusen, where he said "his heart is still a little bit there." The two speak German when they are alone and will switch to English when they are with teammates.

"He's doing pretty good so far, from what I've seen," Kratz said. "What I've learned is preparation before training and recovery time after training. Take a few minutes on your own, every day a little bit, and it will make you feel better. Be yourself on the field, but stay in the system."

Both are midfielders and played in the second half of last week's 4-0 win over Chattanooga. Gressel played all 45 minutes, while Kratz played 30. Gressel contributed an assist on a goal by Josef Martinez. The two worked well together in the middle of the field, pulling the strings on the attack or breaking up counter-attacks by Chattanooga.

"Still some pieces we need to work on, like when to go forward at the right time or just to keep the ball," Kratz said. "But I think the support was amazing. I think we showed what we are capable of, but still have a lot of work to do before the next game."

Atlanta United's next game will come against MLS-side Columbus on Saturday in Charleston, S.C. in the Carolina Challenge Cup. It will be the preseason's first test. The team will play Seattle on Feb. 22 and Charleston on Feb. 25.

Gressel, pointing out that it's the first cup tournament that Atlanta United will compete in, said the team is going to go for it.

"We want to be competitive," he said. "We want to win. Why not go out there and try to win some games -

8. Martino wants more from Atlanta United

By Doug Roberson Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 16, 2017

FLOWERY BRANCH Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino wants to see his team improve its execution of tactics in Saturday's preseason game against Columbus in Charleston, S.C.

He said the team performed well in its 4-0 win over Chattanooga in last week's preseason debut. But Columbus, an MLS team that two years ago played for the league title, will offer a different test.

"It's a team from the first division, from MLS, with some really important players," he said. "The demand is higher in this game. I'm expecting more in this game."

Martino said the team will use the same 4-2-3-1 formation Saturday that is used against Chattanooga. A difference in personnel may be Josef Martinez starting in the left side of the midfield in place of Yamil Asad, who Martino said picked up a minor injury in practice this week.

Asad and Martinez scored in last week's win. Miguel Almiron also had a minor injury last week, but he played against Chattanooga.

Martino said Martinez is versatile enough that he can play as a lone striker, second striker, left wing or in the midfield.

The formations and personnel may change in the remaining two games Atlanta United will play in Charleston as part of the Carolina Challenge Cup. The team will play MLS champs Seattle on Wednesday and Charleston on Feb. 25.

Columbus has yet to play a preseason game, so Martino said he and his staff are scouting the Crew's players and trying to predict how they will play.

Atlanta United centerhalf Michael Parkhurst is very familiar with Columbus, its players and tactics because he was the team's captain as part of 100 appearances.

"I'm excited," Parkhurst said. "It will be our first real challenge as far as another MLS team."

Columbus may offer a perfect test for Atlanta United in its goal of improving its press. Parkhurst said team has been working to improve it in practice and that the Crew will work hard to try to break the press.

"It will be a true test of things we will do well and things we don't do well," Parkhurst said.

9. Nick Rimando relishes return to USMNT picture under Arena

By Christopher Kamrani Salt Lake Tribune - February 16, 2017

Always just a phone call away.

That's how it was for Nick Rimando under Jurgen Klinsmann.

And that's how it remained for Rimando under Bruce Arena.

It'd been nearly two years since his last start in goal sporting the U.S. men's national team crest, and one of Major League Soccer's most-decorated goalkeepers was in sort of an awkward limbo, not knowing if he'd already seen the final phase of his USMNT career.

"I didn't know if that call was going to come or if it wasn't," said Real Salt Lake's 37-year-old goalkeeper. "I didn't know what direction that Bruce wanted to go in."

The phone rang, after all. And it's clear now Rimando's national team career has more chapters ahead under Arena's second go as USMNT boss. The RSL shot-stopper was named to the annual U.S. January camp last month, along with four other MLS-based keepers. Rimando beat out the lot to earn the first start in a scoreless friendly against Serbia last month, his first since April 15, 2015, against Mexico.

With longtime starter Tim Howard rehabbing an injury suffered in World Cup qualifiers last November and Brad Guzan not seeing much time with Middlesbrough in the English Premier League, Rimando has a shot to start the upcoming pressure-packed home World Cup qualifier against Honduras at on March 24 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.

"It's a must-win," Rimando said. "It's a very important game for U.S. Soccer. It's in the States, in San Jose, in front of our home crowd, we have to win that game - no ifs, ands or buts about it. We have to get three points in that game."

The "have to" is due to the severe stumble the U.S. had in its first two CONCACAF qualifiers in the fall: A 2-1 home loss to Mexico and later a 4-0 drubbing at Costa Rica that ultimately cost Klinsmann his job as U.S. coach after five years at the helm. Rimando, the third goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has 22 career national-team caps and has been the starter in goal for CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies. So when the call came, the RSL keeper again wanted to prove himself.

"It was a no-brainer to go into camp and to kind of show Bruce that I want to be there and I want to be considered as a goalkeeper for these qualifiers," Rimando said.

Arena said in a recent conference call with reporters that Rimando's January camp performance stood out. But the U.S. coach said because Guzan, who is set to join MLS expansion franchise Atlanta United this summer, isn't getting starting minutes in England, that doesn't rule him out of the No. 1 goalkeeper spot for the upcoming qualifiers.

"I think Brad has shown enough that he's still a strong candidate to be our No. 1 goalkeeper," Arena said.

Rimando said he's remained in contact with Howard this offseason as the Colorado Rapids starting keeper rehabs from leg surgery in mid-November. Arena said Howard also could be in the picture for the March qualifiers, but it still remains to be seen if he'll be part of the equation for the Honduras match in the Bay Area.

"I know if I'm not playing in that game, I'm going to push Timmy, Brad or whoever it is playing in that game," Rimando said. "I know if I do get that game, they're going to push me if they're in camp. ... It's such an important game, but when you wear that crest, you want to do well as a team and you want to help that person that's playing."

Thrust into a must-win scenario with a new, yet familiar coach against Honduras and later at Panama on March 28, the qualifiers will be a test of Arena's ability to quickly gel a group that fell apart against Mexico and Costa Rica a few months ago.

"We put ourselves in this position in not getting the results in the first two games dug us a little hole, so this is not the journey I think we all wanted in the beginning," Rimando said. "But again, we put ourselves in this position and we have to dig ourselves out and to get two victories will help that."

10. Omar Holness looks forward after challenging first year

By Austin Facer Deseret News - February 15, 2017

2016 was an interesting year for Real Salt Lake midfielder Omar Holness. To begin the calendar year, the Jamaican national was selected in the first round, fifth overall in the MLS SuperDraft by RSL. Holness honed his skills at the University of North Carolina, one of the top soccer programs in the country, had already made an international appearance for his homeland's senior national team, and was lauded by general manager Craig Waibel as his favorite player in the draft pool.

With such lofty expectations and high praise, you might think that Holness springboarded seamlessly into a highly productive rookie season, free of setback or drama. You'd be wrong. The drama came right away for Holness. In his professional debut, with the Real Monarchs, Holness went down with a seizure in the 33rd minute. The game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes while emergency services attended to him. RSL's heir-apparent to captain Kyle Beckerman's center midfielder position was taken off the field by ambulance.

"Last year never really started the way I would have wanted or would have hoped," Holness told reporters at RSL's media day. "God works in mysterious ways and you can't really question that.

"I'm back for my second year, I've learned a lot from last year. I've set goals, I've set accomplishments that I want to achieve, but at the end of the day, the team comes first, the team is the star, and whatever happens I want this team to be successful and I want this team to win a championship."

One thing that Holness has really made a priority is his fitness.

"I worked vigorously on being fitter. I learned that from Kyle as well. As a midfielder, you need to be the fittest on the pitch, and if you're not you're just not going to cope with the game and the rigors of the game."

As for that inauspicious start to his career, Holness doesn't worry about a reoccurring injury.

"In all honesty, it's in the past for me. I don't think about it, I wish to not speak about it really. As I said, God works in mysterious ways, and that one-off thing is just that, a one-off thing."

Being on an RSL team with a blend of young and veteran talent, Holness thinks that the squad has limitless potential.

"I definitely like the mix of young players like myself and the experienced vets like Kyle in the locker room. ... I think that the young players bring that tenacity to compete and that hunger and desire to improve. It'll keep those older, those more experienced guys on their toes. And once we have those bottom, younger guys growing with the older guys, the sky is the limit."

11. Is Fredy ready to strike for Whitecaps' anemic offence?

By Ed Willes The Province - February 15, 2017

In 2013, Vancouver Whitecaps striker Camilo Sanvezzo won the Major League Soccer scoring title with 22 goals, then promptly headed to Queretaro in the Mexican league.

Since then, the Caps have tried mightily to fill the void created by his departure. Suffice to say Van Halen had better luck replacing David Lee Roth.

In 2014, they went young and tried Darren Mattocks, Omar Salgado, Erik Hurtado and Kekuta Manneh, all who offered promise but little in the way of results. The next year Octavio Rivero came in amid much fanfare, scored five goals in his first six games, then dried up like a prune.

Last year there was Masato Kudo and Blas Perez, who came to Vancouver with something of a track record as goal scorers and produced two apiece in the Whitecaps' kit. Giles Barnes then came over from Houston midway through last season and contributed two goals of his own. At least they were consistent.

I mean this tells you all you need to know about last three Whitecaps' seasons. Manneh was here when Camilo was lighting up MLS, then became part of the first wave of Camilos-to-be, then the second wave with Rivero, and the third and is still here as the Caps again try to solve the great and enduring mystery which has vexed this franchise, this time with Fredy Montero.

"If anyone thinks signing players is easy they're wrong," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said during a conference call which announced Montero's signing. "If we had $5 million to throw at David Villa or Robbie Keane, we wouldn't have to do anything else. But we don't have that luxury. We have to be shrewd with our money."

And hope, finally, they've found an answer.

With their MLS season-opener now, yikes, less than three weeks away, the Whitecaps introduced Montero to this market on Wednesday and while he isn't the brand-name signing Robinson referenced with Villa or Keane, he's likely the most significant acquisition the Caps have made since Camilo blew town.

Among other things, the Colombian striker is a three-time MLS all-star with the Seattle Sounders where he scored 60 goals in four seasons; an impact player with Sporting CP in the Portuguese league where he scored 37 goals over three seasons; and a big-money signing with Tianjin in China where he scored nine goals in 29 games last year.

In other words, dude scores goals and he's scored them wherever he's played. At 29, he now comes to the Whitecaps in the prime of his career, seemingly a perfect fit for a team that boasts some quality in goal, the back end and in midfield but has struggled to score goals.

"We're not bringing in him to be the messiah," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. "He's a piece of the puzzle. But if he can score 15 goals, it gives us something we haven't had since Camilo."

That would also be miracle enough for the Whitecaps.

While his resume might tell you differently, Lenarduzzi feels Montero offers more to his team than the goal-scoring dimension. He'll play the No. 9 position as the classic striker but he's also a playmaker who should make his teammates more dangerous.

He'll lend a veteran presence to a team that lacked leadership last season. And his mere presence will ease the pressure on players like Manneh who haven't always looked comfortable as a leading man.

Montero's wife, moreover, is from the Pacific Northwest and he wants to be in Vancouver.

"He ticks a lot of boxes for us," said Lenarduzzi.

But he was brought here to tick that one big box.

"We had a number of other players on the go but we weren't ready to pull the trigger," Lenarduzzi continued. "Then Montero's name came up.

"The question became do you take a gamble or go with the proven commodity? We decided to go with the proven commodity. It's no different than hockey. If you're scoring goals on a regular basis you'll get the money."

Which is what the Whitecaps are counting on. Before Montero popped up on their radar, Robinson allowed his team was headed down a familiar road. They had Barnes, whose had some success in MLS. They had Manneh who might yet develop into an impact player. They had young Alfonso Davies who could be a star.

But add it all up and, again, they had a bunch of maybes. Now they feel they have a sure thing, a player who can deliver more than promise and hope.

"He's a top player," said Robinson. "It was a no-brainer for me."

And in a complicated game sometimes it's that simple.

12. Rosales connection helped Whitecaps add Fredy Montero

By Patrick Johnston The Province - February 15, 2017

The noise had been there for a couple days, now it's official: the Vancouver Whitecaps have signed striker Fredy Montero on a one-year loan from Chinese club Tianjin TEDA.

He comes with a strong goal-scoring record: last season he found the net nine times in 29 appearances for Tianjin. He played three seasons before that for Sporting in Portugal, scoring 37 goals in 94 league and European appearances.

The origin of the move sits with former Caps' winger Mauro Rosales, "two or three weeks ago," Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said. "We thank him for that.

"He got in contact with me, knew I was looking for a number 9," Robinson said. Rosales pointed out that Montero, who he played with in Seattle, was needing a new club as the Chinese league was placing a tight cap on foreign players and he looked to be losing his spot.

As soon as Robinson realized Montero could be brought in on loan, the Major Soccer League coach sprang into action.

"It felt like a year," Robinson joked about the length of the process, before saying everyone involved, from Montero himself, to his agent, to the Tianjin management had been good to work with.

"It's about relationships," he said of the Rosales connection.

"It's a hard job as a coach," he said of building trust with players and then sometimes having to tell a player they don't fit anymore. "Honesty and openness stands you in good stead."

Robinson's players "were delighted" when he finally was able to reveal to them he'd found the striker he'd been searching for all winter.

"You can see it in everyone," he said. "There's a big spring in the steps."

Montero will be a Designated Player - meaning most of his salary does not count against the team's salary cap - and while he's a Colombian citizen, because he holds a U.S. green card, he counts as a domestic player.

There's also an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, something Robinson hoped to see play out.

Robinson said the first question he sought to answer when contemplating a transfer: "Does he want to play for me -

"He wanted to come," he said of his new signing, who played for the Seattle Sounders from 2009 to 2012, scoring 60 goals in 160 total appearances over those four seasons.

He met his wife Alexis, a Tacoma native, in that time.

The chance to return to the area had great appeal.

With Montero subject to MLS allocation rules, the Whitecaps had to make a trade with Minnesota, who held the first spot in the allocation order (the Whitecaps were fifth). To do so, the Caps sent the Loons $100,000 in General Allocation Money in 2018, $125,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018, and an international roster spot through 2017.

With the departure of Octavio Rivero last summer and Pedro Morales over the winter, the Whitecaps had two Designated Player spots available. Montero fills one of those and Giles Barnes technically sits in the other because of his salary.

Robinson acknowledged the team could use Targeted Allocation Money to buy down the cap hit of Barnes' contract, opening up a DP spot for another player.

The club would like to add a DP midfielder, but they would also have to make a roster move to open up further cap room. There's certainly been interest in Atiba Hutchinson in the past, and while MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league would be willing to help acquire a player of Hutchinson's quality, last summer Hutchinson extended his contract to June 2018, meaning the Whitecaps and MLS would have to pay a substantial fee to bring him over from Besiktas in Turkey.

13. Can Fredy Montero be the difference-maker the Whitecaps need?

By Naolo Asano SportsNet.ca - February 15, 2017

VANCOUVER - After starting the pre-season with a work-in-progress roster, the Vancouver Whitecaps finally made a big splash.

On Wednesday, Vancouver announced the acquisition of Colombian striker Fredy Montero on a one-year loan from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda. Montero's arrival seems to answer a nagging question: Just whom will the Whitecaps rely on to score?

Montero is well-known to fans of Major League Soccer for his four-season stint with the Seattle Sounders. He is Seattle's all-time leading scorer, having tallied 60 goals and 42 assists across all competitions between 2009 and 2012. The 29-year-old was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009, and is a three-time MLS all-star.

But just what does Montero's arrival mean for a Vancouver side that so thoroughly disappointed in 2016? Can the Whitecaps' newest designated player be the difference-maker they need?

First, the obvious: Montero is a fantastic talent. He's exciting to watch, so his presence should make for riveting viewing, at the very least.

Whether or not this deal ends up a success mostly depends on two things: how well he fits in with coach Carl Robinson's style of play, and whether his performance is enough to justify what the team gave up.

Because Montero was transferred out of MLS to Portuguese side Sporting CP in 2014 - where he scored 37 goals and 12 assists over 94 appearances, starring in UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches - he was subject to the MLS Allocation Ranking Order upon his return to the league. In order to acquire him, the Whitecaps traded with Minnesota United FC to obtain the top spot in the order. Vancouver agreed to send $100,000 in General Allocation Money to Minnesota in 2018, as well as $125,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018. The 'Caps also gave up an international roster spot for 2017.

As part of the Whitecaps' deal with Tianjin Teda, they'll retain Montero's MLS rights, but there's no purchase option in place, which means that should the Colombian have a blazing season in 2017, the price to buy him will go through the roof.

But while bringing in Montero was costly, the deal could prove a turning point for a team that struggled amidst big expectations last year. In 2015, Vancouver hosted its first ever MLS home playoff match, and in 2016, many expected the team to contend for MLS Cup. Instead, last season, the Whitecaps finished eighth in the Western Conference. They led the league in shots on goal with 175, yet they were in the bottom half in goals scored (with 45), which is a decent indicator that they lacked that finishing touch.

Consider that the Whitecaps' most prolific scorer in 2016 was Pedro Morales, who managed nine goals (six of them penalties) across 27 appearances and is no longer with the team, and it's easy to see why fans were concerned about the lack of an elite striker. Erik Hurtado, while he put in some good performances toward the end of last season especially, has yet to prove that he's the sort of striker a team can rely on to consistently score in this league.

Of course, scoring wasn't the only problem last year. Vancouver struggled with defensive issues, and right fullback in particular was a problem area. The team has addressed those issues by bringing on veteran defender Sheanon Williams from the Houston Dynamo. Behind him is newcomer Jake Nerwinski, whom the Whitecaps took with the seventh pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft (he signed his MLS deal last week).

But goal scoring remained a concern, and Montero should provide a creative spark. As Robinson said in a press release announcing the signing, the five-foot-nine forward "has proven throughout his career to be an elite attacking player and consistent goalscorer, and he is already familiar with the league and environment."

That wealth of experience - and his proven success scoring in top leagues - suggests that Montero could well prove instrumental in reversing the Whitecaps' fortunes after last year. It helps that he's comfortable playing not just in MLS but on the west coast, which means he'll be prepared for the gruelling travel that clubs like Vancouver face.

There are questions, though, which won't be answered until Montero takes the field. How will he fare if Robinson sticks with his beloved 4-2-3-1 formation? Can he adapt to a league that has undergone significant changes since he left?

It will be interesting to watch what Montero can do if partnered with Yordy Reyna, a speedy winger/forward acquired by the 'Caps during the off-season.

As much as Montero's signing is a boon to Whitecaps fans, the news will likely sting for Sounders supporters who remember Montero's dazzling performances for Seattle. But that backstory will only make Cascadia Cup matches more intriguing this year.

Just as intriguing is the question of what comes next: With Montero on the books, is Robinson is done, or might there be another signing still to come?

Whatever happens, there's no question that Montero's arrival makes the Vancouver Whitecaps a team to watch in 2017.

14. Toronto FC fullback remembers those that helped him chart his unlikely course

By Neil Davidson The Canadian Press - February 16, 2017

CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla. - One of the top fullbacks in Major League Soccer, Toronto FC's Steven Beitashour remembers all too well the people who helped him chart his unlikely course. And those that didn't.

Beitashour, 30, could be the poster boy for things happen for a reason.

Coming out of Leland High School in San Jose, Calif., the then-central midfielder drew little attention from colleges despite being a two-time offensive player of the year there. Leland High eventually retired his number _ the second player to be so honoured after Pat Tillman, who gave up the NFL to fight and sadly die for his country in Afghanistan.

Beitashour won the inaugural Pat Tillman award, given to a Bay Area student for outstanding achievements in athletics and academics.

Still he arrived at San Diego State, which plays in the Pac-12, as a walk-on with a chip on his shoulder.

"I just wanted to prove to the UCLA's, Stanford, Berkeley's (to) at least take a look at me," he recalled.

Cal-Berkeley took notice of him after his second year and suggested he transfer. Beitashour pointed out the email he had sent them as a high school senior, saying he didn't want a scholarship just a chance to play for the Golden Bears.

Then he declined their offer.

Converted to fullback at San Diego State, Beitashour was not a flashy player with eight career assists. But he did the little things right, helping his team. And he was mighty motivated.

He had a tryout during college with a Belgium team, which wanted to keep him. But Beitashour's father, a now-retired electrical engineer with Apple, wanted him to finish school. So Beitashour got his degree (major in communications, minor in biology), buoyed by the knowledge that he had the goods to play professionally.

Now it was a question of convincing everyone else.

As his college career came to a close, Beitashour was once again on the inside looking in. Ultimately it took a friend of a friend to help open the door to pro soccer.

His best friend's little brother was playing for a club team that had Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes come in as a guest coach for a day.

Beitashour took in the session and found out later that Salinas had been invited because the team's coach, Mark Schrick, knew San Jose coach Frank Yallop. Beitashour asked whether the coach could put in a good word for him with Yallop, a former Canadian international who went on to coach Canada.

So his best friend's little brother talked to Schrick, the coach Beitashour didn't know. And Schrick, on the advice of his player's scouting report, called Yallop to tell him about Beitashour.

The next day, Yallop phoned Beitashour to invite him for a trial.

For a local boy who had served as ball boy for the then-San Jose Clash in the league's inaugural game in April 1996, it was something very special. Beitashour was so excited he took a picture of himself the first time he put on the uniform to go to the training ground.

The trial eventually turned into an offer to stay. Beitashour, honouring his father's wish, noted he was one semester away from finishing school and that the MLS SuperDraft was coming. The Earthquakes waited and took him in the second round (30th overall) in the 2010 SuperDraft, two picks after selecting Justin Morrow who now mans the left fullback spot in Toronto.

Given the chance, Beitashour did his part to impress on the field. But he has never forgotten Schrick and his best friend's brother for their roles.

"It was pretty remarkable," said Beitashour. "The belief and trust of a complete random stranger, to give me an opportunity like that.

"My best friend's little brother, he didn't have to say anything to his coach. ... I did my part. But without their part, i couldn't have gotten to my part."

His part continues. Beitashour excelled with San Jose and Vancouver before, in December 2015, joining Toronto where he and Morrow have become ever-present bookends.

"You know what you're going to get from him every single day," Toronto coach Greg Vanney said of Beitashour. "He comes out and he just puts his work boots on and he plays and he competes."

It's a compliment to say Beitashour is the kind of player you don't really notice. He just does his job.

Excellent at reading the game as a defender, Beitashour will also "give you an honest day's up and down all day long" on attack, Vanney added.

Beitashour is also a team player, helping organize club functions off the field.

"He's just a honest working guy, every single day, and gives you everything he has," Vanney said. "Those are the guys you love to have on your team."

But not every team.

Called up by the U.S. in the summer of 2012 prior to a game against Mexico at Azteca stadium, Beitashour watched in street clothes on the bench. He was summoned again for a camp in January 2013 but had to leave early because of a past hernia surgery that wasn't right.

When another invitation didn't come from U.S. Soccer, he accepted the latest in a series of offers from Iran, his parents' homeland. Welcomed by fans and players alike, he made his debut in October 2013 against Thailand coming off the bench after the Tehran crowd chanted "Put Beitashour in" in Farsi.

Beitashour was part of Iran's team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but, much to his pain, did not see action. He is not ready to discuss why that happened but hopes the door remains open to international play.

It is one of many chapters in his past he has questioned. And then grown to accept.

"One of my cousins always says 'Never question your past, because you're here because of that path you took.' He's a wise guy. I try to listen to him," Beitashour said. "He's someone that I respect a lot ... He always says things happen for a reason and you make the best out of every situations.

"I've tried to do that so far."

15. Ethan Finlay seeks bounce-back season on offense

By Andrew Erickson Columbus Dispatch - February 16, 2017

Crew SC has several goals heading into the season.

Winning the Carolina Challenge Cup isn't one of them.

Instead, coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said, preparations made during the trip to Charleston, South Carolina, during which the team will play three exhibition matches in eight days starting Saturday, will be geared toward getting the Crew ready for its opener March 4 against the Chicago Fire.

"What I'd say is no team is going to have the finished product on match day 1 in the MLS, and we don't expect that, either. What we expect, though, is to have made progress," Berhalter said. "We expect to be building toward something pretty good, and I think on both sides of the ball it takes time to finally get to where you want to be."

For different players in the Crew offense, "where you want to be" means different things. To attacking midfielder Federico Higuain, it's continued health so he can be a consistent cog. For forward Ola Kamara, it's a test to see whether one of the league's highest goals per 90 minutes averages (0.77) can be sustained for the length of a season.

And for midfielder Ethan Finlay, who is entering his sixth season with the club, it will be an attempt to regain a feeling that he's making an impact in each game. The goal, Finlay added, is not statistical beyond the wins column and has involved a lot of film study and reflection to years past, especially his breakout 2014 season. After having played barely 800 minutes in his first two Crew seasons, Finlay emerged as a regular in 2014, making 21 starts and playing nearly 1,900 minutes. He scored 11 goals and added seven assists.

"In '14 I was still grinding and trying to fight for everything," Finlay said. "I was fresh to it and I said, 'Why is that?' I think it was just absolute relentlessness."

Finlay backed up his strong season in 2015 with an even better statistical year, scoring 12 goals and adding 13 assists as the Crew made the MLS Cup final. But he slipped to six goals and nine assists last season, which had him seeking his earlier mindset.

"That's kind of where I try to go back three years and start from there," he said.

The model of success in any league is year-to-year consistency, which is why Finlay was his own harshest critic in 2016. Not that self-criticism was the only criticism.

"A little bit is internally you start to think, 'OK, so people think that maybe it was a fluke year in '15 and '14, and now he's really just an average six (goals) and nine (assists) guy,' " he said. "I know that that's not the truth. So it's continuing to push myself and exceeding those expectations."

Along with reduced goals and assists totals in 2016 were plenty of chances left on the table, which partly generated Finlay's optimistic approach to 2017.

"That doesn't mean I'm happy (with 2016)," Finlay said. "It does mean that there is room to grow."

16. Erick Torres scores again in Dynamo preseason victory

By Corey Roepken Houston Chronicle - February 15, 2017

Erick Torres' 2017 preseason redemption tour continued to build steam on Wednesday night.

Torres' fifth preseason goal stood as the winner as the Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution, 2-0, in the opening game of the Desert Diamond Cup in Tucson, Ariz.

Both of Houston's goals came in the second half with Alberth Elis adding the second tally in the 89th minute.

Torres scored in the 54th minute when he faced up to a New England center back and deflected the ball into the open field toward the goal. Torres ran onto the ball all alone.

He hesitated at the top of the penalty area to get the goalkeeper flat-footed then finished at the near post. Torres now has scored five goals in 185 preseason minutes. His first four goals came in intrasquad scrimmages and against UT-Rio Grande Valley.

Scoring against an MLS team likely felt great for the Designated Player who has not scored in 22 appearances over two seasons with the Dynamo. He arrived in Houston with great fanfare in the summer of 2015 after scoring 22 goals in 44 appearances over two years with Chivas USA.

Torres lined up at the No. 9 in Houston's three-forward attack on Wednesday. He was flanked by Hondurans Romell Quioto and Elis.

Together they looked dangerous throughout the second half with much of the pressure resulting from quick transition on long diagonal passes from the midfielders.

New England tested the Dynamo goalkeepers only twice in 90 minutes. The Revolution had one other shot go off the far post in the second half.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from February 17, 2017

• NEWS: Earthquakes Shine Spotlight on Fans in 2017 Billboard - San Jose Earthquakes
• After Red-Hot End to 2016 - New England Revolution
• Impact Takes on D.C. United this Saturday in Florida - Club de Foot Montreal
• Aron Mkungilwa and Thomas Meilleur-Giguere Join Ottawa Fury FC - Club de Foot Montreal
• More Than 32,000 Tickets Sold for Home Opener at Olympic Stadium - Club de Foot Montreal
• MLS Newsstand - February 17, 2017 - MLS
• Sounders FC 2017 Single-Match Tickets Now On-Sale - Seattle Sounders FC
• WATCH: the Best of the Preseason - Vancouver Whitecaps FC

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