MLS: Around the League March 23, 2016
By R.J. Clark
MLS like every other league constantly has things going on. This week has been full of signings, talk about bad calls, and international duty announcements. Here are some of the headlines you should know about.
Tim Howard
If you’ve been living under a rock you might not have heard that Tim Howard is coming back to the MLS. Tim Howard has signed a DP contract with the Colorado Rapids and will be coming to America after the conclusion of the Premier League season. Good or bad deal from Colorado Rapids? Over paid or not enough? I’ll let you decide.
Júlio Baptista
The Brazilian striker is also coming to MLS. Kaká hinted at it on social media that he was coming, Orlando SC officially announced it today.
The Brazilian attacking mid or forward has played for the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Roma. It should be exciting to watch him and Kaká in the midfield, and I have to imagine Cyle Larin is excited for all the delightful balls he’ll receive.
Boatengs to MLS?
Both Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boating have been linked with moves to MLS. Jerome is 27 and plays for german power house Bayern Munich, as well as the most recent World Cup winners Germany. Kevin-Prince has bounced around in Europe form playing with Tottenham, Schalke, and AC Milan. Kevin-Prince was also part of the Ghanian team that broke U.S. soccer fans hearts during the 2010 World Cup. Let the speculation begin on where these two could play in MLS.
Calls Over the Weekend?
Were Seattle handed a loss by referee Mark Geiger? Brad Davis wins over the hearts of the fans that once despised him, but did the new Sporting Kansas City winger get away with a foul in the process? These were some of the story lines, on the field, from the weekend in MLS. MLSsoccer.com’s Brian Dunseth does a excellent job of compiling these calls, slowing them down, as well as breaking them down.
More from MLS News
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- The Chicago Fire does not deserve your support anymore
- Heading to America: Alexis Sanchez Aims for New Horizons in American or Mexican Soccer
- Ethan Horvath: The Bridge Between Two Worlds in Soccer
International Call-Ups
With World Cup Qualifying and Olympic qualifying going on this weekend as well as next week, many players will be missing from the 3 MLS games that are taking place over the weekend. Dallas will miss Acosta and Zimmerman and New York City FC will be missing Mix Diskerud and Khiry Shelton just to name a few. One of the struggles for MLS teams is having to play during these kinds of call-ups.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
One other player to keep an eye on though is a player who does not play in MLS. Christian Politic, 17 years old, plays for Dortmund in Germany, he has been sick and will miss the first World Cup Qualifier for the U.S. but if he’s healthy enough could make it for the second leg in Columbus against Guatemala. We’ll see how the 6 teams fair this weekend missing players for international duty, and if the 17 year old wonder kid makes his debut for the senior team.