Yankees president Randy Levine (left), MLS commish Don Garber and MCFC CEO Ferran Soriano

Starbucks? Check. Shouty caps? Check. Put on that seatbelt because it’s going to be a very bumpy ride! What’s that you say? You’ve heard it all and seen it all now! MLS’ 20th team is the love child between the New York Yankees and Manchester City that has been crowned New York City FC. That is a mouthful and some on Twitter are already calling it York City because when it comes to New York…we already have two teams (Red Bulls and the NASL’s Cosmos). Commence flailing muppet arms!

It’s no secret that MLS has been looking to expand – what’s the phrase we’ve heard for the last few years? “Grow the game” and it looks like after all the speculating that an agreement was reached between two super teams to create a team that is already creating the drama (as we’ve all come to know in this beautiful game that we love).

Here is the official word from Major League Soccer:

 In order to begin play in 2015, NYCFC will arrange for an interim venue but will also seek a permanent home in New York. The club says it will continue the discussions already under way with the City of New York, local residents, community and business leaders, and soccer leagues about a possible new stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park (FMCP) in Queens, while also continuing to look at other potential sites.

“New York City FC will have a permanent home in the City in the great traditions of New York sports and world soccer — a home that must be a sports, commercial and civic success,” Soriano said. “But in considering any stadium site, we will listen first. This is what we have always done in Manchester and what we will do in New York. Only in this way, can the Club truly represent the City whose name it will carry.”

According to Reuters, Sheikh Mansour, who has pumped hundreds of millions of pounds into Premier League club Man City since buying it in 2008, will be the “majority partner” in NYCFC while the Yankees will be an “active member of the ownership group.” A team that is ready to battle for New York is my new personal love, The Red Bulls, and while they do not play in New York proper, they do have a specially built stadium in Harrison, NJ. While the rivalry has already begun, it is currently being said that NYCFC may have to share a stadium in the interim (oh, we know how well that worked out for Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy). Stadium woes aside – some talk has begun on where the players will come from and that it may be a feeder team from Man City of young and nearly retired players. Do you hear that? Do you? I believe Vincent Kompany was spotted in New York City today…wait, what’s that you say? Joe Hart? Stop! I know the team is in the US for a summer tour but … Don’t get a girl’s hopes up.

And if you like to be ahead of the trend, you can follow NYCFC on Twitter and visit their team site for all the latest news. Let the speculation begin for players that will be selected for the first season starting in 2015. What are your thoughts? Good/bad? Let us know in the comments!

photo courtesy of New York Red Bulls facebook page

Tim Cahill did it again! With a late game goal, the New York Red Bulls held onto their first place in the Eastern Conference. Sunday’s early game on ESPN against the LA Galaxy was touted as a clash of two giant teams. It was a nice follow-up to the early morning Premiere League game where Arsenal held onto their place in the league. But the NY v. LA game was anything but blue skies and sunshine…

photo courtesy of New York Red Bulls facebook page

The first half had the Galaxy dominating the game and creating plenty of chances but New York’s defense was up for the challenge. Both teams were putting in the work. NY’s Juninho, Cahill and Thierry Henry worked hard at making plays happen but those chances never found their mark. Espindola tried to get a slow roll past LA’s Carlo Cudicini but it was an easy catch and both teams headed into the half still at 0-0. Don’t think that the Galaxy didn’t have a remarkable attempt from Robbie Keane with a curling free kick that was reminiscent of the now retired, David Beckham.

photo courtesy of NYRB’s facebook page

Both teams came into the second half locked and loaded to make things happen. With the rain falling, it seemed that the Galaxy couldn’t gain their footing. The 61st minute had Landon Donovan launching one from just outside the 18 but his attempt at the far post goes over the crossbar. Some great passing from New York still couldn’t get through LA’s defense. Fan favorite, Dax McCarty was brought on in the 77th minute. With the clock ticking, some were wondering if we would have the game ending nil for both teams. That would change in the stoppage time goal for the man we’ve started calling, King Cahill.

photo courtesy of NYRB’s facebook page

This is New York’s fourth game in a winning streak that had Jamison Olave being named Man of the Match. The New York Red Bulls will have another chance to pick up three points when at home when they play the Columbus Crew.

Well, it didn’t take long for the top scorer in the MLS to notch  another goal under his belt against the Chicago Fire.  With only 3 minutes into the match, Philadelphia Union’s Jack McInerney  headed in his righth goal of the year and beat the Fire 1-0.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Fire official Facebook page.

With zero goals and zero points in the last two games, the Fire need to find a line-up that can produce.  Chicago Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas is scratching is head and wondering what has happened to his team.  I am doing the same.  The Big Red is seeing red;  they are at the bottom of  The Eastern Conference with only seven points.  If they can’t get it together soon, they will be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

The Fire will have another week off until they play the lonely DC United.  The only team in the Eastern conference who has less points (4) than The Fire.  It will be the battle of last place.  At least Chicago will be at home for this match.  Home games seem to be a good omen for The Fire,  they are the only two games they have won this season.   Chicago really need this win to have an outside chance to make a run for those playoffs.  We’ll have to wait and see.

As everyone knows by now, David Beckham announced his retirement from soccer yesterday morning. At the end of the season Becks will hang up his cleats. We all knew this was coming, but not this soon. Even though he is 38, I expected he would have at least another year under his belt.. But that is not the case. Here at Aerys we love David Beckham and all that he has done for MLS. So today it is ALL about Beckham!

Even before he stepped on the field for Man United, Beckham was a part of a FA Youth club and he helped them win the FA Youth Cup in May of 1992. That same year he made his first team debut for Manchester United, and shortly after he signed his first professional soccer contract. From then on it was Beckham’s world, he was called up to the England National team (He has 115 caps and 17 goals for England) and everything was perfect… Until that monumental summer day in 1998. England was playing Argentina in a World Cup Qualifying round when things were getting chippy and Becks made a huge mistake- he was lying on the ground and kicked at Diego Simeone. This ultimately cost England their World Cup place. You can watch the whole thing over here.

All of this brought on a controversial time for Becks, and the next year he made all of the haters drink their haterade and shut their mouths. It was arguably the best season of his career, helping Man United win the Champions League Final. The World was back in the palm of Beckham’s hand. He left Man United in 2003 and played for Real Madrid where he won yet another trophy. After spending four years with Madrid Beckham made a decision that helped put American soccer on the map, he signed a deal with LA Galaxy. Not only has Beckham made a name for himself, he helped MLS soccer out tremendously. People around the World know about MLS teams, before Beckham hardly anyone knew! It is an amazing thing.

You can watch Beckham’s interview about his retirement over here. He talks about his decision, and why he feels it is the right time to retire… and do it while he is on top.

Let’s get to his trophy cabinet, because that thing is SPECTACULAR. He has won four championships in four different countries. The talent of this man knows no bounds, and it shows.

Manchester United
Premier League – 1996, 1997, 1999, 200, 2001, 2003
Champions League – 1999
FA Cup – 1996, 1999
Community Shield – 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997
Intercontinental Cup – 1999
FA Youth Cup – 1992

Beckham with the Premier League Trophy (Man United)

Real Madrid
La Liga  - 2007
Spanish Super Cup – 2003

Beckham with the Spanish Cup (Real Madrid)

LA Galaxy
MLS Cup – 2011, 2012

Beckham with the 2012 MLS Cup trophy. (LA Galaxy)

Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 - 2013

PSG hasn’t received their trophy yet, so here’s Becks in his last game with them… receiving a red card.

Personally Becks turned me on to the MLS. Sure I watched the USMNT play but it wasn’t until 2008 that I actually sat down and watched a MLS game. From then on I was hooked, and I have not missed a LA Galaxy game to this day. In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to DC and see LA play. It was the greatest day of my life. Not only was I watching my favorite team live for the first time, I was watching the Demi-God of soccer make incredible passes and take breathtaking corners. At one point I almost cried because I was in such awe at Becks, then it happened. At the end of the game he pointed right at me and waved. I will never forget it, ever.

Some people might be thinking that is weird but to me it was like he had asked for my hand in marriage. It meant that much, and it still does. So I would just like to thank Becks for everything, and he has an open invitation to stay at my house if he ever comes to North Carolina! I’m still crossing my fingers he’ll pull a Brett Favre and when next season rolls around he’ll announce his un-retirement. You never know…

Everyone here at Aerys wishes Becks the best of luck in whatever his next adventure is. We all love him no matter what he does, as long as he keeps making the shirtless commercials.

Going into tonight’s game, both LA Galaxy and the Philadelphia Union were in the middle of a three game stretch in eight days. Keane and Dunivant were back in the starting XI, while Sean Franklin was out of the starting lineup. Both teams were looking for a win, and LA pulled out all the stops in order to secure the three points.

First half started off perfectly for LA. In the 3rd minute LA Galaxy made a play that resulted in a corner, Donovan sent the ball in and it seemed as though the ball went off of Omar’s head and into the goal. But that was not the case, the ball went off of Philadelphia’s keeper Zac MacMath’s head and into the goal, resulting in an own goal for Philadelphia. But hey, anyway LA can get it goal, I’ll take it! From then on it was an interesting game from both ends of the field.

courtesy MLS Facebook

In the 10th minute, Robbie Keane got passed two defenders and was about to take a shot on goal when he saw AJ DeLeGarza running in the box. AJ ALMOST had a goal but MacMath made a good save that resulted in a corner. At this point LA was beginning to lose their footing and started making the same mistakes they made last week. In the 23rd minute it happened, Okugo evened the game and put Philadelphia back in the game.

This season the guys have had a tough time marking corner kicks, and that is exactly what happened tonight. Villaarreal lost his Okugo in the box and he ended up scoring… It was terrible. Union then gained control for the majority of time remaining, taking eight shots to LA’s two. In the 44th minute LA had a chance, and the ball went in the back of the net but Keane was “apparently” offside. Who knows. The first 45 ended 1-1.

The second half was all about some LA Galaxy. It took them about 20 minutes to get going, but when they did it was phenomenal. In the 71st minute, Robbie Keane proved he was back as he slid the ball into the back of the net to give LA the 2-1 lead. From then on LA looked like they were back into the swing of things. In the 80th minute Hector Jimenez brought it home for LA, he put the ball into the back of the net and made it 3-1. Just as you were thinking the game was over, the main man Landon Donovan proved why he should be called up to USMNT camp. He beat two defenders and it was GAME OVER as he made it 4-1.

This was a nice change for LA from the last two weeks. Having Keane and Dunivant back made a difference, and Landon Donovan also had something to prove to Jurgen. All of this made for a good game on LA’s behalf, not a [erfect game… but it was close enough!
LA’s next game will be May 19th against New York! It’s an early game; 1 p.m. EST/ 10 a.m. PST.

Okay … Saturday was rough for the Columbus Crew in the match against the Colorado Rapids. Almost like a repeat of last weekend when the Crew took on the New York Red Bulls. And I honestly have no idea what is going on with this team. And let’s admit it, it’s a pretty damn curious case. It’s getting to be pretty excruciating to watch this team play. The talent is there, the want is there, but what is missing from this set up that head coach Robert Warzycha is playing? The goals!!!! Where the hell are the goals?!?!?!?!?!?!

Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew’s official Facebook.

It’s absolutely driving me nuts! Watching the match and looking at the stats sheet, I could scream. Because it’s clear the Crew are doing things right, … right? They hold the majority of the possession. They get lots of shots on goal to pressure opposing defenses. The midfield is funneling balls through. But they just cannot finish for anything.

The word frustrating comes to mind at this point, but I’m not even sure if that can cover it completely. I know Arrietta would probably agree with me at least. A lot of Crew fans would too. It seems like the team has what is needed. There is a potential in the attacking force. There is a promise in the defense. Things should be adding up. But they just aren’t.

The call from some now is that it is time for Warzycha to be replaced. He’s been coaching the Crew since Sigi Schmid’s departure in 2008 and, admittedly, it’s been a rough road for Columbus. I think several fans – including myself – thought maybe this year, we would finally see some stability in the team. We were hoping to see an unbeaten streak at Crew Stadium well into the latter parts of the season. We wanted goals. So many goals we wouldn’t know what to do with them.

So would getting rid of Warzycha solve the problem? I can’t say that for sure. I admit, over the years, I’ve been ready to see him replaced and get new ideas into the Crew. But it’s easy to think a coach replacement would solve all a team’s problems.

And really, what problems exist for the Crew? The fact the team relies heavily on Federico Higuain to create things all over the pitch? That Dominic Oduro isn’t entirely consistent in his play up front? That Jairo Arrietta seems to always be off sides when headed toward goal? Chad Marshall’s fading physical presence in the back?

I can’t say a coaching change at this point would fix those and other ailments. But something needs fixing and fast. I want to see the Crew get past the first round of playoffs. Hell, I want to see them make a run to be in the final. I don’t think it’s too ambitious for them either. They just have to find the goals and find the rhythm as a team.

Crew players are touted as the hardest working team in MLS. I’ve always believed that for many reasons. Now they need to show it. They have to push for that missing piece right now at this point in the season. Because not only do I want to start believing in their playoff chances …. I want to start writing about them scoring a hell of a lot of goals.

Topps and Major League Soccer have signed an exclusive trading card deal with product rolling out July 15, 2013. Topps brand manager Jeff Heckman was quoted as saying, “I just think it’s a league that is really on the rise,” Heckman said. “Soccer is an interesting place for us right now. As far as professional leagues, it’s always a bit slower. But with fan support and adoption, I think you have seen it grow in the last five to 10 years.”

Topps has been known to market other leagues from Europe but noted that with MLS growth also comes interest for collectibles. We’ve all become familiar with “bobblehead” night at recent LA Galaxy games so why not a trading card?

Beckett Media got a first preview of the player cards and let’s just say they are very impressive. Each hobby box will have 24 packs with 10 cards in each pack. In addition, there will be two autographs and three relic cards in every box. Autographs will include players from the MLS SuperDraft and top stars from the league on cards called MLS Maestros Autographs. Each autograph will feature four different parallels, including a Golazo parallel numbered 1-of-1. Other autographs include Golden Boot Die-Cut Autographs with current and former goal scorers.

Something to note, Heckman mentioned that Topps was looking to create a brand of collectible cards. So, the Landon Donovan card could be worth something later on…maybe the decks with Thierry Henry or Tim Cahill will fetch a good amount of dough one day in the future.

Chris Pontius’ DC United trading card

Graham Zusi’s Sporting Kansas City trading card

Now, I know it is slightly disappointing when we have mini images but I can say they are very nicely done and will definitely be something to grab when they hit the store shelves. I, for one will be collecting all the Dax McCarty cards and I’m sure players will no doubt love signing cards for fans and supporters alike.

After defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 Wednesday, Real Salt Lake traveled to Canada to take on the Montreal Impact. RSL got off to a bright start with lots of high pressure on Montreal’s defense, and led to an early own goal. Full back Lovel Palmer hit a long range shot that deflected off Ferarri, over his goal keeper’s head, and into the back of his own net. 1-0 RSL.

RSL had multiple chances through Devon Sandoval, Sebastian Velasquez and Olmes Garcia, but good saves from Troy Perkins or firing their shots just wide kept them up just one goal. Sandoval and Garcia gave the Impact defense fits with their runs off the ball and physical play, leaving room for Javier Morales and Sebastian Velasquez in the midfield. Olmes Garcia in particular never stopped running on any chance making it hard for the Montreal’s defenders to keep track of him.

Despite their offensive chances, the defense lacked leadership with the absence of Nat Borchers, who was out with the flu. Chris Schuler and Kwame Watson-Siriboe starting along side each other, and Lovel Palmer started in place of Tony Beltran with Chris Wingert starting on the other side. Justin Mapp fired a cross into the box and picked out a wide open Felipe who powered it home, drawing the teams on level terms just before half time.

From a corner, Javier Morales found Olmes Garcia, who headed it backwards to a probing Kyle Beckerman who passed it past Troy Perkins to put the away team up 2-1.

The lead was short lived, however, as Marco Di Vaio controversially scored three minutes later. In the run of play Di Vaio seemed onsides, but after looking at the replay it was clear that he was almost half a body off.

It looked like Joao Plata, who came on as a late sub, would score the game winner in the 85th minute as Morales played a perfectly weighted pass to him, but Plata fired it straight at the keeper.

Montreal then earned a corner in one of the last plays of the game which found an unmarked Ferarri who made no mistake in scoring the game winner in the last minute of stoppage time. The game ended 3-2 for Montreal despite RSL’s control of the majority of the game.

The Chicago Fire have been licking their wounds from their last defeat from the Montreal Impact and Fire head coach Frank Klopas had yet another new staring line-up Saturday to try and find a mix of players that can gel together.  The Fire have only led for an astonishing 14 of the 720 minutes in the 8 matches so far this season.  The Big Red definitely needed a win today if they hoped to keep their playoff hopes alive and had to stop the young  20-year-old who is tearing up the MLS, Jack Mclnerney.  The Union star leads his team with 6 goals.  The entire Fire team had 6 goals collectively.

“Jack McInerney got a chance last year to come in and be a starter,” Union manager John Hackworth said. “He was ready for that opportunity and he took that opportunity. He hasn’t relinquished that role since then. Anytime a professional player, who works so hard in training, has a chance to present himself as a starting player, it’s fantastic. In my experience, things can change once players get these chances.”  Chicago could only hope somebody, anybody, can do the same for this desperate team.

From only 7 yards out, Chicago Fires midfielder, Daniel Paladini, missed a golden opportunity to put the Big Red on the board during the first half.  A couple of spectacular saves by Philadelphia goal keeper Zac MacMath during the first 45 minutes  kept the game scoreless as well. MacMath is another young upcoming star for The Union.  (He’s only 21 years old.)

The second half began with high intensity from both teams, but at the 75 minute mark,  Philadelphia’s young gun Jack Mclnerney scored his seventh goal of the season. Around the midfield area, a quick free kick by Philadelphia’s Sebastien Le Toux caught Chicago asleep.  Le Toux lobbed a beautiful long volley right to speedy Mclnerney, who got behind the Fire’s defenders to score the only goal of the game.  It was the only opportunity the Union needed to capitalize.  The game ended 1-0 in favor of the Union.

Next week, the Fire will travel to Philadelphia and play this same team again.  The season looks like it’s slipping away from Chicago.  Maybe another new starting line up from head coach Frank Klopas might ignite some goals next week and The Fire can escape Philly with a win.  Maybe.

Keep up with all Major League Soccer news right here on Aerys Soccer. 

It was a late Friday night for me and Danielle and our podcast kind of reflected that I think! But, as always, we had a great time talking about soccer!

This week, Danielle and I talked about Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Juan Agudelo’s move back east and what we really think about players’ rights in Major League Soccer.

So check it out here! -> http://bit.ly/19apIDR

Remember, you can follow Aerys Soccer on Facebook and on Twitter at @AerysSoccer! And Chicks & Free Kicks is also free on iTunes; just search for “Chicks & Free Kicks” or “Aerys Soccer Talk”!