Latest news with #MLSGoldenBoot
Calgary Herald
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Which Vancouver Whitecap could return to Austin for the MLS All-Star Game?
Article content Even in June 2018, when he was just 17, Alphonso Davies was already a star. He was being connected to teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, an electric young talent whose speed and skills had the biggest clubs in the world taking notice. Article content And two weeks before his ground-shaking transfer to Bayern, Phonzie got recognition of another kind — being named to Major League Soccer's all-star team. Article content Players were chosen by fan vote and the all-star coach. But neither of them selected Davies, who has been arguably the biggest talent to come out of the North American league. He got in as the commissioner's pick, with Don Garber tabbing the teen and two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls for the exhibition game against Italian icons Juventus. Article content Including Davies, only six Whitecaps have been selected to the showcase event since the team came into MLS in 2011: Jay DeMerit (2012), Camilo (2013), David Ousted (2015), Kendall Waston (2016), and Ryan Gauld (2024). The only player ever selected by fans was DeMerit, who was recognizable to the domestic fan base as a U.S. international who started for the Americans at the 2010 World Cup, and whose inspirational story had begun to reach folklore levels thanks to an indie film. Article content Article content And none of those Whitecaps teams that produced the all-stars had as much success as this current edition, which sits atop the MLS standings and is playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup title game for the first time in team history. Article content The team — finally — has the attention of the rest of MLS. As the club heads to Austin, site of the 2025 All-Star Game in July, for a Saturday night league fixture, the question becomes: Can this translate into all-star selections? Article content 'We've got a lot of guys on this team that definitely deserve a shout,' said midfielder Ali Ahmed. 'Vancouver is not the most attractive market to watch; late games, people kind of forget about us. But I think we've made it hard this year not to put a name for the team. A lot of players have stepped up and shined, and definitely deserve to be there for sure.' Article content Article content One player tops the list of potential all-stars for 2025: Brian White. Austin will be game-planning to defend him Saturday, after he torched them for four goals — that's a 'haul,' in soccer lingo — in April. His eight goals is third-most in the league, only trailing Philadelphia's Tai Baribo (10) and San Jose's Cristian Arango (nine). Article content Article content But the U.S. international has only played nine league games compared with Baribo's 12 and Arango's 13, as White has been busy in the CCC tournament, where's he's banged in six goals, second only to Cruz Azul's Ángel Sepúlveda. Article content White was asked Friday, as the team prepared to travel to Austin, if he would like to head back there for another game: the All-Star Game. In his usual infallibly humble manner, he replied: 'Recognition is always nice, but that's not really something I'm focused on. Honestly, I haven't really thought about it at all. There's a lot of games, lot of things coming up before then. So if it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, I'll have a couple days off to chill.'
Vancouver Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Which Vancouver Whitecap could return to Austin for the MLS All-Star Game?
Even in June 2018, when he was just 17, Alphonso Davies was already a star. He was being connected to teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, an electric young talent whose speed and skills had the biggest clubs in the world taking notice. And two weeks before his ground-shaking transfer to Bayern, Phonzie got recognition of another kind — being named to Major League Soccer's all-star team. Players were chosen by fan vote and the all-star coach. But neither of them selected Davies, who has been arguably the biggest talent to come out of the North American league. He got in as the commissioner's pick, with Don Garber tabbing the teen and two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls for the exhibition game against Italian icons Juventus. Can't wipe that smile! 😁 The moment @AlphonsoDavies found out he was a #MLSAllStar commissioner's pick. #VWFC Including Davies, only six Whitecaps have been selected to the showcase event since the team came into MLS in 2011: Jay DeMerit (2012) , Camilo (2013) , David Ousted (2015) , Kendall Waston (2016) , and Ryan Gauld (2024) . The only player ever selected by fans was DeMerit, who was recognizable to the domestic fan base as a U.S. international who started for the Americans at the 2010 World Cup, and whose inspirational story had begun to reach folklore levels thanks to an indie film . Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. And none of those Whitecaps teams that produced the all-stars had as much success as this current edition, which sits atop the MLS standings and is playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup title game for the first time in team history. The team — finally — has the attention of the rest of MLS. As the club heads to Austin, site of the 2025 All-Star Game in July , for a Saturday night league fixture, the question becomes: Can this translate into all-star selections? 'We've got a lot of guys on this team that definitely deserve a shout,' said midfielder Ali Ahmed. 'Vancouver is not the most attractive market to watch; late games, people kind of forget about us. But I think we've made it hard this year not to put a name for the team. A lot of players have stepped up and shined, and definitely deserve to be there for sure.' One player tops the list of potential all-stars for 2025: Brian White. Austin will be game-planning to defend him Saturday, after he torched them for four goals — that's a 'haul,' in soccer lingo — in April. His eight goals is third-most in the league, only trailing Philadelphia's Tai Baribo (10) and San Jose's Cristian Arango (nine). But the U.S. international has only played nine league games compared with Baribo's 12 and Arango's 13, as White has been busy in the CCC tournament, where's he's banged in six goals, second only to Cruz Azul's Ángel Sepúlveda. White was asked Friday, as the team prepared to travel to Austin, if he would like to head back there for another game: the All-Star Game. In his usual infallibly humble manner, he replied: 'Recognition is always nice, but that's not really something I'm focused on. Honestly, I haven't really thought about it at all. There's a lot of games, lot of things coming up before then. So if it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, I'll have a couple days off to chill.' The first rule of White, it seems, is to never talk up White. So it was put to him who else on his team should join him in Austin, and he proceeded to list every player on the roster, including rookies and NextPro call-ups. That exceedingly long list has been pared down to players who have a realistic shot of joining White in Austin, along with the White scouting report to help fans (or all-star coach Nico Estévez, who will see them Saturday) make their decisions. Whitecaps deserving all-star recognition Andrés Cubas, MF One of the best No. 6s in the league, he stifled and frustrated Lionel Messi and Inter Miami , but rarely gets much recognition for the defensive work he puts in. He's been a big part of the Caps' aggressive repressing and transition success this season. White: 'He's super-important for us as that little engine in the middle. Breaks plays up, starts the counters, a workhorse all around the field, and probably one of the most underrated players in the league.' Sebastian Berhalter, MF The box-to-box No. 8 has made 33 tackles, ninth most in the league, but the 23-year-old is younger than every player above him on the list, save NYC FC phenom Jonathan Shore (18). His 48 tackles/interceptions is fourth-most in the league, plus he's chipping in offensively — a goal and three assists in MLS, and three more goals in CCC play. White: 'Sebastian has been great. Similar to Cubas, he gets in the box as well. Can finish off plays. He finds that pass in the end, crosses the ball. He just does everything for us. He's another one of the engines in the team, and we wouldn't be as successful as we are without him.' Pedro Vite, MF The Ecuadorean midfielder has taken his game to another level this season, chipping in with three goals and four assists in just 773 MLS minutes. Vancouver is working hard to retain him, as his five-year contract expires this year, but Vite has been in the middle of several rumours linking him to a move to Europe at season's end. White: 'Pedro's been fantastic. He's getting on the ball. He's creating. He's dynamic when he gets it, he can find the parents, he can finish all plays. So he's another very good piece that we have this year, and he deserves all the attention that he's getting.' Tristan Blackmon (and Ranko Veselinovic), CB The centre-back pairing has been dynamic and defensive, as Vancouver has given up just 10 goals in league play — fewest in MLS. They only give up 8.8 shots against per game, and have an xG-against of 13.75, again the lowest in MLS. Veselinovic has been an exceptional passer from the back line, connecting on 431 of 434 medium distance passes and 180 of 190 of short passes; his 95.1 completion percentage is second in MLS only to Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Blackmon isn't far behind in his passing and defensive statistics, but gets the nod because he's scored twice this year in league play — not to mention having one of the biggest goal's in the team's history against Pumas. He's made several end-to-end charges from the backline with the ball at his feet, showcasing his offensive ability as well. White: 'Week in, week out, you see how (Blackmon) is able to defend, and what he brings going forward. He does all the little things around the field and team, he's just been an engine for the team from the backline.' Yohei Takaoka, GK The team's 8-1-3 record is the best in MLS, and Takaoka has been a big part of that. His five shutouts rank second in the league, a number he had been tied with, except for an unlucky 97th-minute penalty kick given up to RSL. His goals against per 90 minutes (0.83) is also best in MLS. White: 'We have one of the best defences in the league, and that starts with him. That save he made at the end of the game against LAFC shows how good he is. On the ball, he can do it all as a goalie, especially in this modern era of goalkeepers. I think he's one of the best.' Postmedia News's alternate picks Ali Ahmed, F Ahmed has five assists in 573 minutes this season. Of the four players ahead of him with six assists, two have played twice his minutes, one is a US$2.2 million DP with Charlotte (Pep Biel) and the other is Luis Suarez. Not bad company to be in. Jayden Nelson, F Nelson's speed has been a game-changer for the Caps on the wing, especially in transition. His 1.17 g+a/90 is the highest in MLS. He has two goals and four assists in 466 MLS minutes, and has been hampered by injury. The caveat to his stats is that a goal and three assists came in his debut game.
The Province
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Which Vancouver Whitecap could return to Austin for the MLS All-Star Game?
The Whitecaps play in Austin on Saturday, the same site as the 2025 MLS All-Star Game. Apart from Brian White, which Caps are best-bets to return there in July? Get the latest from J.J. Adams straight to your inbox Brian White of the Vancouver Whitecaps scores the team's second goal during their MLS match against the L.A. Galaxy at B.C. Place on March 2. Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images Even in June 2018, when he was just 17, Alphonso Davies was already a star. He was being connected to teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, an electric young talent whose speed and skills had the biggest clubs in the world taking notice. And two weeks before his ground-shaking transfer to Bayern, Phonzie got recognition of another kind — being named to Major League Soccer's all-star team. Players were chosen by fan vote and the all-star coach. But neither of them selected Davies, who has been arguably the biggest talent to come out of the North American league. He got in as the commissioner's pick, with Don Garber tabbing the teen and two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls for the exhibition game against Italian icons Juventus. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Including Davies, only six Whitecaps have been selected to the showcase event since the team came into MLS in 2011: Jay DeMerit (2012), Camilo (2013), David Ousted (2015), Kendall Waston (2016), and Ryan Gauld (2024). The only player ever selected by fans was DeMerit, who was recognizable to the domestic fan base as a U.S. international who started for the Americans at the 2010 World Cup, and whose inspirational story had begun to reach folklore levels thanks to an indie film. And none of those Whitecaps teams that produced the all-stars had as much success as this current edition, which sits atop the MLS standings and is playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup title game for the first time in team history. The team — finally — has the attention of the rest of MLS. As the club heads to Austin, site of the 2025 All-Star Game in July, for a Saturday night league fixture, the question becomes: Can this translate into all-star selections? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We've got a lot of guys on this team that definitely deserve a shout,' said midfielder Ali Ahmed. 'Vancouver is not the most attractive market to watch; late games, people kind of forget about us. But I think we've made it hard this year not to put a name for the team. A lot of players have stepped up and shined, and definitely deserve to be there for sure.' One player tops the list of potential all-stars for 2025: Brian White. Austin will be game-planning to defend him Saturday, after he torched them for four goals — that's a 'haul,' in soccer lingo — in April. His eight goals is third-most in the league, only trailing Philadelphia's Tai Baribo (10) and San Jose's Cristian Arango (nine). But the U.S. international has only played nine league games compared with Baribo's 12 and Arango's 13, as White has been busy in the CCC tournament, where's he's banged in six goals, second only to Cruz Azul's Ángel Sepúlveda. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. White was asked Friday, as the team prepared to travel to Austin, if he would like to head back there for another game: the All-Star Game. In his usual infallibly humble manner, he replied: 'Recognition is always nice, but that's not really something I'm focused on. Honestly, I haven't really thought about it at all. There's a lot of games, lot of things coming up before then. So if it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, I'll have a couple days off to chill.' The first rule of White, it seems, is to never talk up White. So it was put to him who else on his team should join him in Austin, and he proceeded to list every player on the roster, including rookies and NextPro call-ups. That exceedingly long list has been pared down to players who have a realistic shot of joining White in Austin, along with the White scouting report to help fans (or all-star coach Nico Estévez, who will see them Saturday) make their decisions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Whitecaps deserving all-star recognition Andrés Cubas, MF One of the best No. 6s in the league, he stifled and frustrated Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, but rarely gets much recognition for the defensive work he puts in. He's been a big part of the Caps' aggressive repressing and transition success this season. White: 'He's super-important for us as that little engine in the middle. Breaks plays up, starts the counters, a workhorse all around the field, and probably one of the most underrated players in the league.' Sebastian Berhalter, MF The box-to-box No. 8 has made 33 tackles, ninth most in the league, but the 23-year-old is younger than every player above him on the list, save NYC FC phenom Jonathan Shore (18). His 48 tackles/interceptions is fourth-most in the league, plus he's chipping in offensively — a goal and three assists in MLS, and three more goals in CCC play. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. White: 'Sebastian has been great. Similar to Cubas, he gets in the box as well. Can finish off plays. He finds that pass in the end, crosses the ball. He just does everything for us. He's another one of the engines in the team, and we wouldn't be as successful as we are without him.' Pedro Vite, MF The Ecuadorean midfielder has taken his game to another level this season, chipping in with three goals and four assists in just 773 MLS minutes. Vancouver is working hard to retain him, as his five-year contract expires this year, but Vite has been in the middle of several rumours linking him to a move to Europe at season's end. White: 'Pedro's been fantastic. He's getting on the ball. He's creating. He's dynamic when he gets it, he can find the parents, he can finish all plays. So he's another very good piece that we have this year, and he deserves all the attention that he's getting.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tristan Blackmon (and Ranko Veselinovic), CB The centre-back pairing has been dynamic and defensive, as Vancouver has given up just 10 goals in league play — fewest in MLS. They only give up 8.8 shots against per game, and have an xG-against of 13.75, again the lowest in MLS. Veselinovic has been an exceptional passer from the back line, connecting on 431 of 434 medium distance passes and 180 of 190 of short passes; his 95.1 completion percentage is second in MLS only to Columbus Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Blackmon isn't far behind in his passing and defensive statistics, but gets the nod because he's scored twice this year in league play — not to mention having one of the biggest goal's in the team's history against Pumas. He's made several end-to-end charges from the backline with the ball at his feet, showcasing his offensive ability as well. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. White: 'Week in, week out, you see how (Blackmon) is able to defend, and what he brings going forward. He does all the little things around the field and team, he's just been an engine for the team from the backline.' Yohei Takaoka, GK The team's 8-1-3 record is the best in MLS, and Takaoka has been a big part of that. His five shutouts rank second in the league, a number he had been tied with, except for an unlucky 97th-minute penalty kick given up to RSL. His goals against per 90 minutes (0.83) is also best in MLS. White: 'We have one of the best defences in the league, and that starts with him. That save he made at the end of the game against LAFC shows how good he is. On the ball, he can do it all as a goalie, especially in this modern era of goalkeepers. I think he's one of the best.' Postmedia News's alternate picks Ali Ahmed, F Ahmed has five assists in 573 minutes this season. Of the four players ahead of him with six assists, two have played twice his minutes, one is a US$2.2 million DP with Charlotte (Pep Biel) and the other is Luis Suarez. Not bad company to be in. Jayden Nelson, F Nelson's speed has been a game-changer for the Caps on the wing, especially in transition. His 1.17 g+a/90 is the highest in MLS. He has two goals and four assists in 466 MLS minutes, and has been hampered by injury. The caveat to his stats is that a goal and three assists came in his debut game. Read More Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Celebrity
Associated Press
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Murrell scores on bicycle kick in stoppage time to help DC United tie Fire 2-2
CHICAGO (AP) — Jacob Murrell scored on a bicycle kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time on Saturday night to help D.C. United to a 2-2 tie with Chicago and spoil the scored multi-goal game in MLS for the Fire's Hugo Cuypers. Aaron Herrera played in a corner kick that was cleared by the Fire but D.C. United retained possession. Matti Peltola passed the ball back to Herrera on the right wing, where he chipped a ball-in to Murrell for an arcing finish that slipped under the crossbar, but over the outstretch hand of goalkeeper Chris Brady, to make it 2-2. Christian Benteke, the 2024 MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals, tapped in a one-touch shot — off a pass from Gabriel Pirani — from near the penalty spot to give D.C. United (0-0-2) a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. Philip Zinckernagel played in a corner kick that was headed at the near post to the back post by Jack Elliott before Cuypers slammed it home from point-blank range to make it 1-1 in the 30th minute. Then, in the 71st, deja vu struck. Cuypers again scored after Elliott flicked a header, off a corner kick to the front post by Zinckernagel, slipping a one-touch finish inside the back post. Kim Joon-Hong had two saves for D.C. United. Brady had four saves for Chicago (0-1-1). D.C. United had 57% possession and outshot the Fire 19-11, 6-4 on target.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLS Preview: LAFC
Los Angeles has always been an US soccer mecca, with the demographics and size to support multiple professional clubs. From 2005 through 2014, in addition to the MLS-founding LA Galaxy the city hosted Chivas USA, a subsidiary of the hugely popular Mexican club C.D. Guadalajara. Chivas played their final match on Oct. 26, 2014. Four days later, the MLS announced a new team would grace the City of Angels: LAFC. It would take four years before LAFC took the pitch, during which time the club built a new stadium in downtown Los Angeles, founded a youth academy for player development, hired coach Bob Bradley and tirelessly worked to build their fanbase. Their grassroots outreach and community-focused initiatives have resulted in one of the most vibrant and dynamic supporter groups in the MLS. BMO Stadium is recognized as one of the most electric atmospheres in MLS. It doesn't hurt that the team has been outstanding since year one. In their seven years in the league, they have only failed to qualify for the postseason once, won the Supporters Shield twice (2019, 2022), won the US Open Cup once (2024) and the MLS Cup once (2022). Savvy recruitment focused on young dynamic players and sharp coaching have produced a dynamic, exciting team that plays electric soccer. LAFC has three managing owners: Brandon Beck, Larry Berg and Bennett Rosenthal. Additionally, there are some big-name part-owners that include: Actor/comedian Will Ferrell USWNT legend Mia Hamm L.A. Dodger baseball player Nomar Garciaparra L.A. Laker all-star Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Carlos Vela (Mexico) – Forward LAFC's first superstar and former captain. Won the 2019 MLS MVP . Leads the club in all-time goals (93) and assists (54). Diego Rossi (Uruguay) – Forward Key player during LAFC's early years. Won the 2020 MLS Golden Boot before moving to Europe. Eduard Atuesta (Colombia) – Midfielder A vital part of the midfield during LAFC's dominant 2019 season. Denis Bouanga (Gabon) – Forward Current DP & MLS Golden Boot winner in 2023. LAFC's primary rival is the LA Galaxy, with their matchups known as 'El Tráfico'. Their black and gold color scheme symbolizes strength and prestige, while the winged LA logo is inspired by the city's rich history. Their supporter groups are collectively known as 'The 3252' The number refers to the official capacity of their stadium section. The sum of the numbers = 12, a reference to their role as the '12th man' of the team. The club shares BMO Stadium (pictured above) with Angel City FC of the NWSL. Only the second club in MLS history to win two Supporters Shields in their first five years (D.C. United was the first). Record: 16W – 10D – 8L. 4th in the Western Conference; 7th overall The team made it to the Western Conference Finals but lost to Real Salt Lake in a tight contest. LAFC also competed in the CONCACAF Champions Cup but fell in the quarterfinals to Monterrey. Denis Bouanga continued his strong form, leading the team with 17 goals and 9 assists. It's been a somewhat tumultuous transfer window. The club parted ways with Carlos Vela, veteran midfielder Ilie Sánchez and Polish international Mateusz Bogusz. They still have an open DP slot (the rumor is they are courting Atlético Madrid's Antoine Griezeman). Mark Delgado (United States) – Midfielder A veteran player who came from rivals LA Galaxy, he also spent seven seasons with Toronto FC. Olivier Giroud (France) – Forward (DP) The big man only scored twice in 19 games. Given his DP status, folks will want to see more. Odin Thiago Holm (Norway) – Midfielder On loan from Celtic, where he's struggled to earn minutes. Leading up to the Feb. 22 start of the MLS season, Hooligan staff have prepared some previews of your favorite club. February 10, 2025 Leading up to the Feb. 22 start of the MLS season, Hooligan staff have prepared some previews of your favorite club. February 8, 2025 Leading up to the Feb. 22 start of the MLS season, Hooligan staff have prepared some previews of your favorite club. February 7, 2025
