Latest news with #MLSMVP
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Lionel Messi deserving of MVP?
Yahoo Sports contributors Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros discuss whether or not Lionel Messi is deserving of MLS MVP and highlight Tai Baribo as another strong candidate. Hear the full conversation on the 'The Cooligans' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript For the midseason, it feels a little weird to pick Messi because he hasn't really, he he didn't do what he did last season. Advertisement They've had really long stretches. uh, he, he has had really long stretches without like goal contributions. So it's odd because last season he missed a lot of games through injuries, still won MVP, but this season he is playing in those games and he's not getting all the stats. Yeah, but. We have to decide what do we mean by valuable. Valuable to the team, valuable to the league, valuable as in he's in the league and so the fans are watching, valuable in the sense that when he's on the pitch, defenders are drawn to him naturally, and he creates space for everyone else. To me it just doesn't make sense to say anyone other than Messi, and I don't care if people think like, oh, attack or whatever, he's just valuable in every shape or every time. Advertisement Camera hits him, I hear cha ching. So as far as I'm concerned, he's the most. Yeah, there's not much we can do to change your mind if that's gonna be your barometer. I understand the argument for someone else. Who do you have? Uh, I have Tyribo. 13 goals, 1 assist. Uh, yeah, the numbers are better for uh for Messi, but It it it's looking like just moving forward, uh, that he's just gonna be um an important part to almost every single goal that is scored by the Philadelphia Union, and I, I had seen him on pace to what, like scored 30 to like to break the record, right? He's got a goal per start. Sure, yeah, I think they were asking him like, well, like how many, how many goals do you have it like in mind every every season? Advertisement And he's like, I have a I have a there's a certain amount of goals I have in mind. And they're like, alright, well how many is it? He's like, I'm not telling you it's just it's just like a little just a little secret personal number, um, but, but he's been fantastic.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLS Midseason Awards + USMNT lose another star! How will they cope in the Gold Cup?
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros give us their MLS midseason awards including Team of the Season, MVP, Newcomer of the Year and more! Does Messi deserve MLS MVP so far? If not, who's the frontrunner? Advertisement Christian and Alexis finish up their MLS midseason awards. Who is their Young Player of the Year? Have the LA Galaxy or Atlanta United been the bigger disappointment so far? Later, Christian and Alexis react to the latest USMNT roster change that sees Sergiño Dest join a group of USMNT stars that will be missing this Gold Cup. What does this mean for the UMSNT in the competition and can some of the fringe players on the team step up and a make a claim for their spot? The USWNT also has their international break. Did any newcomers stake their claim for a spot in 2027? (6:00) - MLS team of the midseason choices (13:00) - Who's the MLS MVP frontrunner? Advertisement (16:00) - Coach of the Year, Newcomer of the Year & more (32:00) - Young Player of the Year, Best Moment & more (44:00) - USMNT Gold Cup roster update: who's going to step up? (50:45) - USWNT international break round-up🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela announces retirement
Los Angeles FC legend Carlos Vela, who set the MLS single-season record with 34 goals in 2019, announced his retirement on Tuesday. Vela was the MLS MVP in 2019 and helped Los Angeles FC to the 2022 MLS Cup title. He is the franchise's all-time leader in goals , assists and matches . "Throughout my career, I've experienced very special moments, but the time has come to officially retire from professional ," Vela wrote on Instagram. "There are not enough words to express the gratitude that I have for my family, all the clubs that gave me the opportunity, and the fans for their support and affection. It has been an honor and a privilege to share my career with all of you." Vela was a four-time All-Star, three-time MLS Best XI and a two-time Supporters' Shield winner for LAFC, notching the best regular-season record in 2019 and 2022. "Helping to build LAFC and winning trophies for the club is a highlight of my career," Vela said in a news release. "This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together with the great fans of Los Angeles. I am excited to begin this next chapter in my journey here in L.A." Vela was the first player signed by LAFC prior to its 2018 expansion season. On Tuesday, the team named Vela a club ambassador while saluting him career. "From the beginning, Carlos has been more than just a player he has been the heartbeat, the captain, and the face of LAFC," general manager John Thorrington said in a news release. "Carlos arrived in Los Angeles with a shared vision of building something truly special, and he delivered on that promise in every way. From unforgettable goals to historic victories, Carlos helped make LAFC what it is today. "While his time on the pitch for LAFC has come to a close, we are thrilled to announce that Carlos will continue to be a part of the Black & Gold as an official ambassador for the club. In this new role, he will help us grow the LAFC brand, strengthen our connection with supporters, and continue to inspire the next generation of players." Vela's final appearance for LAFC came on Oct. 27, 2024 when he played four minutes as a reserve late in a victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-1 victory in the first round of MLS playoffs. Vela, 36, flirted with continuing to play this season but the two sides didn't come to financial terms. Vela also starred for the Mexican national team and played in the 2010 and 2018 World Cups. He scored 19 goals in 72 matches for Mexico, including one in the 2018 World Cup. Vela's career also included international stops with Arsenal of the English Premier League and Real Sociedad of La Liga in Mexico. Field Level Media
Fox Sports
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
LAFC great Carlos Vela retires, played two World Cup tournaments with Mexico
Carlos Vela has announced his retirement, officially ending a career that included stops at Arsenal and Real Sociedad before becoming a cornerstone playmaker for MLS side LAFC. Vela, who represented Mexico at the 2010 and 2018 World Cup tournaments, became one of the most decorated players in MLS history. Joining LAFC as its first Designated Player when the club began play in 2018, Vela would win numerous team and individual accolades with the Black-and-Gold. He led LAFC to the 2022 MLS Cup, the 2019 and 2022 Supporters' Shields, and the 2024 US Open Cup . In a team release, Vela said: "This club means so much to me and my family, and I am proud of everything we have accomplished together with the great fans of Los Angeles." The Cancún native won the 2019 MLS MVP, setting the league mark for most goals (34) and most goal contributions (49) in a single season. Additionally, Vela retires as LAFC's all-time leader in games played (152), minutes (11,194), goals (78) and assists (59). The 36-year-old will be named an ambassador for LAFC. He last played for the team in October 2024 on a short-term deal. "From the beginning, Carlos has been more than just a player—he has been the heartbeat, the captain, and the face of LAFC," Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. Vela scored 19 goals in 72 caps for Mexico. Along with starring for El Tri at South Africa 2010 and Russia 2018, he helped the squad win two Concacaf Gold Cup titles. Prior to signing with LAFC, Vela played for LaLiga side Real Sociédad from 2011-2017, making over 200 career appearances in all competitions and scoring 72 goals. After rising through the youth ranks of Liga MX's Chivas de Guadalajara, he joined Arsenal in 2005 and appeared with Salamanca, Osasuna, and West Bromwich Albion. Get more from Mexico Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Will Lionel Messi travel with Inter Miami to play Minnesota, San Jose? Here's the latest
Will Lionel Messi travel with Inter Miami to play Minnesota, San Jose? Here's the latest Show Caption Hide Caption 'You get to play with the greatest player in the world' - Picault explains what makes Inter Miami special Fafa Picault says Messi is 'the greatest player in the world' and working with him makes Inter Miami unique Stats Perform Video FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi is healthy, rested, and expected to travel with Inter Miami for two road games in the next five days. But he'll be missing one of his longtime teammates for the trip. Inter Miami's Luis Suarez is away from the club for personal reasons, coach Javier Mascherano said before a training session on May 9. Inter Miami will visit Minnesota United at Allianz Field on May 10 at 4:30 p.m. ET for the first match. Then, Inter Miami will visit the San Jose Earthquakes inside PayPal Park on May 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET. Suarez won't be with Inter Miami for the first match, and it's unclear whether the MLS MVP finalist from a season ago could join the club for the second road match. The two matches will be the last trips to the Midwest and West Coast for Messi and Inter Miami for the rest of the 2025 MLS regular season. So, soccer fans in Minnesota and San Jose were eagerly awaiting word whether Messi will make the trip. Inter Miami will depart from South Florida on Friday afternoon, then travel to California after the Minnesota match. Both matches will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. May 10: Minnesota vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET May 14: San Jose vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET Mascherano says Messi is 'fine' after recent walkoffs Messi has been seen abruptly leaving the pitch when recent matches, including a 4-1 win on May 3 against the New York Red Bulls, have gone final – leading to some concern about his mood or spirit. 'Well, Leo is a competitive person, that's normal. Those of us who have known him for a long time know how demanding he is – not only with himself, but with everything around him,' Mascherano said of Messi. 'But yes, he's fine.' Inter Miami has six remaining matches to play in May before turning its attention to participating in the Club World Cup. While the looming tournament is significant, Inter Miami knows it must get through this stretch of MLS games – especially after being eliminated in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals by Vancouver in late April. Minnesota is second in the MLS Western Conference with 19 points from five wins, two losses and four draws – trailing Vancouver (26 points). Inter Miami is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 21 points, trailing Columbus Crew (24), Philadelphia Union (22) and FC Cincinnati (22) in the standings. 'Minnesota is a rival that is going through a great moment. They have started the season very well,' Mascherano said. 'We expect a tough opponent, as most opponents are here in MLS, especially when you have to play away from home. But anyway, I think we will be well prepared.' May 10: Minnesota United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET Minnesota United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET May 14: San Jose vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET San Jose vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET May 18: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City, 7 p.m. ET Inter Miami vs. Orlando City, 7 p.m. ET May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
