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With the Main League Soccer All-Star Sport set for Wednesday after which Rivalry Week to observe, listed below are a few of the high storylines across the league coming into an enormous stretch on the finish of the month.
Atlanta now truly united
With Gabriel Heinze’s departure got here Josef Martinez pledging his loyalty to Atlanta United, regardless of the star striker being mainly exiled from the crew with no actual clarification from the then-coach. Below interim supervisor Rob Valentino, the Venezuelan has scored 4 objectives in 5 video games as Atlanta has drastically modified the trajectory of its season.
Miles Robinson, who scored the extra-time winner for america within the Gold Cup closing, rejoined the crew. Marcelino Moreno and Ezequiel Barco appear to be taking part in a bit extra free and assured. Brad Guzan even turned again the clock a bit. The 5 Stripes are near their finest type but, but it surely’s an enormous step in the appropriate course at a dire time.
Now new head coach Gonzalo Pineda will take over Atlanta and hope to proceed the playoff push. Look out, Jap Convention.
Sounders’ good week on the highway
Many issues have modified all through the season, however a continuing has remained: Seattle continues to be the perfect crew in MLS.
Coming off a 3-0 win over Liga MX’s Tigres within the Leagues Cup, Brian Schmetzer had his work lower out for him as three highway video games within the span of seven days loomed. The primary was a rivalry match in Portland, the place the Sounders embarrassed the Timbers 6-2. Three days later they have been down in Dallas, the place MLS-leading purpose scorer Raul Ruidiaz got here off the bench and scored the winner 20 seconds later. The week wrapped with a visit to Ohio to tackle the Crew in an MLS Cup rematch. Down 1-0 within the closing moments, Xavier Arreaga and Will Bruin scored within the 88th and 89th minutes, respectively, to shock the defending champs and take 9 of 9 factors again to the Pacific Northwest.
And only for good measure, the Sounders bought key gamers like Nicolas Lodiero and Nouhou again from harm.
Fast rise
For those who haven’t been taking note of what’s occurring in Colorado, this could be an excellent time to start out. Head coach Robin Fraser has quietly helped elevate the Rapids to one of many high groups in a particularly aggressive Western Convention. The commerce to accumulate Mark-Anthony Kaye on July 27 has rapidly begun to repay as he tallied an important tie-breaking help and game-winning purpose in simply 4 video games. The names on the roster may not bounce out at you, however their potential to struggle in powerful moments is what has them unbeaten within the month of August and sitting comfortably in third place, with a pair of video games in hand excessive two spots.
“When the going will get powerful, they actually simply dig in,” Fraser mentioned. “You will have to have the ability to grind to achieve success. They’re studying that, gaining an appreciation for that — recognizing what their onerous work can convey. Because of this I’m extraordinarily happy with them.”
Cobi Jones’ high three gamers in MLS
As a part of preparation for All-Star festivities in Los Angeles, former USMNT and LA Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones spoke with Yahoo Sports activities about an array of subjects, together with his three favourite gamers within the league to observe:
Daniel Salloi, Sporting KC — “I don’t assume he will get as a lot credit score as he deserves.”
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, LA Galaxy — “When he’s again, he’s all the time thrilling to observe. All of us noticed these 10 objectives in 10 video games, which was unimaginable.”
Raul Ruidiaz, Seattle Sounders — “That man, he’s an murderer within the field. He places defenders, and defenses as a complete, on their heels. He’s such a harmful attacker.”
Extra from Yahoo Sports activities:
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