MLS preview, February 24 & 25 (plus US Open Cuo news, USL transfers, NISA news & Champions Cup round-up, February 20-22)

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 City, only for Sebastian Kowalczyk to equalise for the Texans, but superdfratee Hosei Kijima was on hand to give the league's newest franchise a lead ahead of next week's return tie in Houston.

New England Revolution travelled to Panama on Wednesday to face that country's top side, Independiente, and came away with a 1-0 win thanks to Tomas Chancalay, while FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC both made short work of their first opponents in continental competition, with goals from Sergio Santos and Malik Pinto giving the Garys a win away at Cavalier in Jamaica, and Hani Mukhtar, Stuart Surridge, and Tyler Boyd lining up to give the Coyotes the victory at Moca in the Dominican Republic.


The negotiations between US Soccer and MLS continue, with the latest deal on the table being that some MLS sides will take part in the 2024 US Open Cup while discussions continue for 2025 and beyond. MLS had hoped to inveigle the USL into their rebellion but that league confirmed on Wednesday that all its teams will compete in 2024, further expressing concern at the way US Soccer had allowed MLS to dictate to the competition. There is further talk that MLS have demanded a 60/40 financial split in their favour for all games that don't take place at MLS stadiums, and that CONCACAF have threatened to take away the continental qualification spot for the winners if MLS doesn't compete. It's still a massive mess and needs a strong hand to guide things to an acceptable conclusion.


The season opened on Wednesday night with everyone's new favourites Inter Miami hosting Real Salt Lake at the newly renamed Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. All four of Miami's star players started the game, including new signing and bitey racist Luis Suarez. Real seemed content to sit back and hit Miami on the break in the first half, which allowed for some attacking play from Lionel Messi and company, but a breakthrough only came when veteran goalkeeper Zac MacMath allowed Robert Taylor's shot to slip past him just before half-time. Miami added a second in a much more open second half through Diego Gomez to give AppleTV a dream start to the season.

Everyone else kicks off this weekend, with champions Columbus Crew leading the way on Saturday, a 7pm kick-off against Atlanta United perfect for UK viewers (as long as you stump uo the cash for MLS Season Pass). Those on a budget can see Los Angeles FC versus Seattle Sounders for free on AppleTV at 9.30pm, with New England's visit to DC United at 0.30am also on the freebie list for Saturday. The other 0.30am kick-offs are Charlotte FC versus New York City FC, Philadelphia Union against Chicago Fire, and CF Montreal away at Orlando City. There are four kick-offs at 1.30am, with Austin FC opening their season at home to Minnesota United, St Louis City welcoming Real Salt Lake to the Gateway City, Houston Dynamo taking on Sporting Kansas City, and FC Dallas at home to San Jose Earthquakes. Saturday's final game comes from Oregon, where Portland Timbers host Colorado Rapids.

That leaves three games for Sunday and you can see FC Cincinnati at home to the Toronto FC - former Canada national team manager John Herd's first game in charge of the previously woeful Ontario club - for free on AppleTV at 7.30pm. Nashville SC versus New York Red Bulls follows at 10pm, with the weekend's action completed by the visit of David Beckham's Inter Miami to his former club Los Angeles Galaxy, who have bought well over the winter. Vancouver Whitecaps are the odd men out this weekend.

The bookies make Inter Miami favourites for the MLS Cup this season, followed by Los Angeles, Columbus, and Cincinnati.


A number of USL Championship sides have revealed new kits for this season, part of a hook-up with kit manufacturer Charly. The season starts in two weeks and there are still some deals being done to complete squads, with El Paso Locomotive bringing in Mexican goalkeeper Ramon Pasquel on loan from over the border in Juarez. The rebuilding of Las Vegas Lights continues with Dominican Republic international midfielder Edison Azcona, signed on loan from Inter Miami, and Swiss goalkeeper Nicholas Ammeter from FC Wil, while Willamette college standout Pierce Gallaway has signed for Monterey Bay having played for their reserve side in USL-2. New Mexico United have released all-time leading scorer Chris Wehan due to injuries but have signed Trinidadian international defender Anthony Herbert from top Finnish side Haka, and another goalkeeper on the move is Antonio Carrera, joining North Carolina on loan from Dallas. Rhode Island have added goalkeeper Nate Silveira from Crown Legacy, as well as free agent midfielder Kevin Vang, and San Antonio have acquired the services of Jamaican international Kevon Lambert on loan from Real Salt Lake. Costa Rican midfielder Damian Rivera has joined Tampa Bay Rowdies on loan from New England, while St Louis 2 goalkeeper Michael Creek has moved to Tulsa.


It's less busy down in USL League One - which also starts in two weeks' time - but Greenville Triumph have signed Swiss defender Pascal Corvino out of Missouri State, and former DC United prospect Kimarni Smith has signed for Spokane Velocity after scoreless seasons for both San Antonio and Crown Legacy last season.








After the drama of the last few weeks, it's been relatively quiet in the other third-tier division, although there's still no news on just when the season will start. Champions Flower City Union have confirmed they will play in the semi-pro (at best) NPSL this season.​

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