What is it? It's it.

After the AppleTV-pleasing win for Inter Miami over Real Salt Lake last Wednesday, MLS proper kicked off on Saturday with reigning champions  Columbus Crew  beating  Atlanta United  1-0 thanks to a goal from Cucho Hernandez, who also had a VAR-given penalty saved by Brad Guzan. Last year's runners-up  Los Angeles FC  then welcomed a depleted  Seattle Sounders  to BMO Stadium, dominating the first half but only managing to grab a goal right on the break from Tim Twellman. Mateusz Bogusz added a second ten minutes into the second-half and Seattle's only reply came from a VAR-given penalty from lively newcomer Pedro de la Vega, who will either set up and score lots of goals this season or throw petulant strops when he can't.  Charlotte FC got off to a winning start under new manager Dean Smith, an eighth-minute goal from Adilson Malanda enough to beat a lacklustre  New York City  side, while  Philadelphia Union  needed a late...

Canada's last team standing -  Cavalry FC  from Calgary, Alberta - got off to a bad start at "home" to MLS side  Orlando City  on Wednesday. The difference between the top leagues of Canada and the US was stark, with Orlando's superior quality showing throughout, even if Cavalry did try and take it to the visitors in a match played at the home of Pacific FC on Vancouver Island to avoid the harsh winter in Alberta. City won 3-0 thanks to two goals from Facundo Torres and an opener from Duncan McGuire.  Philadelphia Union  began their 2024 campaign away in Costa Rica on Tuesday and came from 1-0 down to take a lead into the home leg after Julian Carranza scored a hattrick. A late second goal for Saprissa keeps the tie alive into next week's second leg. In an all-MLS clash,  St Louis City  made the most of their continental debut at home to  Houston Dynamo , despite some profligacy from Klauss in front of goal. Tim Parker opened the scoring for ...

Two-thirds of Canada's entrants into this year's competition were knocked out in the first round this week as Forge and Vancouver Whitecaps both lost in Mexico.  Forge  travelled to Zapopan more in hope than expectation and were beaten handily 2-1 by a relaxed Chivas side. The inexperience of stand-in goalkeeper goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo showed and Forge really need to sort out whatever is happening with Triston Henry soon. Still, a 2-1 defeat isn't a terrible result and they can at least content themselves with a decent consolation goal from Kaughan Tavernier, even if the shitty Chivas fans didn't show their appreciation. Vancouver went to Monterrey with everything to play for but were undone by a patient Tigres side that wore them down and scored three without reply. Canada's final entrant, Cavalry, start their campaign on Wednesday, at "home" to MLS side  Orlando City  on Vancouver Island. As well as Orlando, six other MLS sides start their quest f...

CONCACAF Champions Cup Forge  kicked off the 2024 North American senior season on Wednesday, entertaining Chivas Guadalajara at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton, Ontario. The game started tentatively but Chivas took the lead through former San Jose Earthquakes man Cade Cowell after 26 minutes, only for the home side to force an equaliser 5 minutes later from Terran Campbell, much against the run of play. Cowell set one up for Ricardo Marin in first-half stoppage time to restore the Mexicans' lead, and the American finished the job midway through the second-half to give Forge a mountain to climb in Zapropan on Tuesday.  Vancouver Whitecaps  also took on Mexican opposition in the shape of UANL Tigres and actually went ahead through new signing Damir Kreilach on the half-hour. The game was played at Pacific's Starlight Stadium on Vancouver Island because of - it says here - a Home & Garden Show and a crowd of under 6,000 saw the Mexicans claw back a draw with a goal 2 minu...

CONCACAF Champions Cup It's February and competitive soccer is back! While the USL doesn't start until March, and the Canadian Premier League waits for April, the CONCACAF Champions Cup gets underway on Wednesday with MLS's Vancouver and the CPL's Forge playing their first round games. The Whitecaps are at home to UANL Tigres, currently third in Liga MX, while Forge welcome Chivas Guadalajara to Hamilton with the Goats currently fifth in the league. One of these games will be more competitive than the other. USL Championship transfer round-up Charleston Battery  look good for another tilt at the Eastern Championship, further adding striker MD Myers from New York II and defender Nathan DosSantos from Pittsburgh to a good haul so far. Detroit City  have reuinted new manager Danny Dichio with Mexican goalkeeper Carlos Saldana from Sacramento. Indy Eleven  signed midfielder Tyler Gibson from Louisville and defender Josh O'Brien from the Scottish third division. Las Vega...