As I lay awake in the early morning hours after a long transcontinental flight in a Los Angeles hotel room in May 2007, I had an idea. The previous night I had been on a six-hour flight from Fort Lauderdale to LAX, passing the time exclusively by listening to various podcasts about the Premier League, whose season had concluded the previous weekend. My favorite team Manchester City F.C. had just escaped relegation despite having the worst goal-scoring season at home in top-flight English football history. This fact was dissected over and over again and I asked myself, why we didn’t have this level of analysis of Major League Soccer and the domestic game, including the US National Team, youth national teams, women’s game, lower divisions in the American soccer pyramid and college soccer.

The next morning without clarifying my thoughts I shot off an email to The Gaffer asking if it was possible to set up a US Soccer site that mirrored the coverage of English Football on EPL Talk. With this, Major League Soccer Talk was born and a few short weeks later we began posting and producing podcasts. The Gaffer made the sacrifice to allow his revenue producing site EPL Talk to support MLS Talk, which did not generate the type of traffic or revenue that EPL Talk did in those early days. For this, I will be forever grateful.

Six years later, I am in my fourth season working with the second division North American Soccer League, and my favorite club has gone from relegation fodder to Champions of England while hundreds of thousands of fans of American soccer and those curious about the game in this country have visited Major League Soccer Talk.

We aimed to provide a forum for fans to interact and to discuss topics and areas of the game that were not getting appropriate coverage. Six years later I know we succeeded based on the volume of coverage about topics outside of just match reports of MLS matches and the continuing depth and analysis demonstrated by American soccer writers and broadcasters throughout the spectrum.

I look back on what we accomplished at Major League Soccer Talk and am proud of everything we achieved. But ultimately the greatest thanks go to is those who visited the site, downloaded the podcast and gave each and every one of our writers the support and confidence they needed to make the difference they made.

Thank you for six great years of Major League Soccer Talk. I left the site in early 2010 when I accepted the NASL job but have continued to read the site regularly and want to thank everyone involved for making a dream of mine a reality.

Editor’s note: From time to time, when appropriate, we’ll be posting USMNT and MLS-related articles on EPL Talk, so be sure to bookmark that site if you haven’t done so already.

Farewell to MLS Talk is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

After launching in 2007, Major League Soccer Talk (aka MLS Talk) is coming to an end. In the next two weeks, we’ll be shutting down the website and consolidating all of the articles under the flagship website EPLTalk.com. When appropriate, we’ll be posting MLS- and USMNT-related articles under the EPL Talk site.

It was a difficult decision to take, but there are a number of reasons why MLS Talk will be drawing its curtains. One, when we started MLS Talk six years ago, the quantity and quality of MLS coverage in the blogosphere was few and far between. Nowadays, there’s a multitude of options to get your MLS coverage from, and — as a result — MLS Talk has become less of a differentiator. Two, the costs of running and maintaining a site are considerable, so we thought it better (and more cost-effective) to consolidate everything under EPL Talk. And third and finally, it’s more productive and easier to manage one site instead of several (the other sites in the EPL Talk Network will suffering a similar fate, such as Bundesliga Talk, Championship Talk, Champions League Talk, La Liga Talk and Serie A Talk).

Before MLS Talk officially closes its doors, we’ll take a walk down memory lane to remember the history of the site.

Last but not least, I’d like to personally thank everyone who contributed to this site — especially Earl Reed, Robert Hay and Daniel Feuerstein — as well as you, the readers.

MLS Talk Is Coming to an End After 6 Years of MLS and US Soccer Coverage is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

This also marks the end of the MLS Talk Podcast. We thank you for your support of the podcast through it’s various forms and lineups. It saddens us to be closing shop, but you can find the hosts on Twitter at the following accounts: Earl Reed (@earl_of_reed), Daniel Feuerstein (@dfeuerstein), and Robert Hay (@roberthayjr). You can also follow @epltalk and @thegaffer on Twitter to keep abreast of everything happening with MLS Talk.

Thanks for downloading and listening to the MLS Talk Podcast!

Conclusions (MLS Talk Podcast) is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

These are the adjectives that were thrown at the New York Red Bulls as they started with two draws and two losses this season. But there was no loss of confidence with this side as they felt the bounces didn’t go their way.

With some players injured and a Brandon Barklage Suspension the Red Bulls were facing a Philadelphia Union side that was looking to add some points to their early season and it was all New York with possession and chances.

Subbing on for Tim Cahill was Thierry Henry in the 59^th minute and he made sure the full three points came to the home side. A nice cross from Peguy Luyindula to Henry in the area with two defenders on him settled and smashed it inside the near post in the 81^st minute.

With his sprained right MCL Henry showed well along with Tim Cahill who was coming back from Australia Duty for World Cup Qualifying, but originally it was thought that he wouldn’t play because of the cross country trek. That was not the case and started the match.

But the first goal of the game was very important to the Red Bulls as they were facing a 300+ minute scoreless streak and it broke thru by Dax McCarty in the 55^th minute. Fantastic cross from Jonny Steele who was on the far side of the field and as the ball got to McCarty a strange slice went off the inside of the near post and past MacMath for the early lead.

“Out of all the previous games, beside the second half of Portland we didn’t play well, but we got the result and I’m very happy about that.” Said Mike Petke, “But there is more work to be done and now we move on.”

When asked about getting his first win as a head coach, he just shrugged it off and decided to move on, but he felt that getting the win was important and felt it wasn’t as such of a must win as many have reported in the New York press.

But just when you thought a win wasn’t going to happen, it came from a Conor Casey Equalizer in the 63^rd minute. Sheanon Williams made a long throw in towards the area and out of nowhere Casey leapt in the air and headed the ball past Luis Robles. While that was an amazing goal, there was some controversy.

Markus Holgersson felt he didn’t touch the ball over the far touch line and felt it was a throw in for New York, but the flag went the other way. To be honest the officiating crew with Silviu Petrescu was horrible all match long to both sides. Doesn’t matter if they are Canadian or American all sides suffer with horrible officiating.

But with Philadelphia trailing by a goal and fighting to equalize it was inside 2^nd half stoppage time where Casey attacked the ball and as he leapt for it gave Luis Robles a flying hip check and took him down. Robles after the game was alright and joked about it after the match.

But at the end of the day the Red Bulls broke two streaks, a scoreless drought and a winless streak. They get ready for last place Chicago at the fire house.

Henry’s Winner Earns Petke’s Red Bulls First Win is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

After a terrible second half down in Honduras in February and the article by Brian Straus in the Sporting News before these last two qualifiers, many were thinking that the USA’s precious record of qualifying for consecutive World Cup’s were about to come to a close.

But when you think about it, everything seemed to come together when the blizzard of Commerce City came to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and a one goal win over Costa Rica started the cohesive process. Then you have the terrible Azteca up next and how they came out of that with a point was fantastic.

What we saw from Omar Gonzalez in these two games was that he was able to shake off that horrible road tilt at San Pedro Sula in Honduras and put on two fantastic defensive games in two different and difficult conditions at home and on the road. The backline was solid and a change that we didn’t know till the end of the game that proves a rookies metal down in Mexico.

Clarence Goodson played very well against Costa Rica, but just finding out that he had a hamstring issue went to Jurgen Klinsmann and told him honestly he wasn’t available for the Azteca. That bit of honesty led to Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler to start this big game and even though he was booked in the 20^th minute, it never bothered him and performed very well.

When you are down several big time players for your national team due to injury, you will need those that are considered backups or substitutes off the bench. When you start for your club side in the net, but are considered a back up for the National Team you need to be ready to have your name called and Brad Guzan has done so brilliantly.

While he has never played in a Stadium the size of the Estadio Azteca, Brad Guzan’s positioning and making several big saves proved that he is ready to take over for Tim Howard when he gets a break or when Howard calls it quits on his international career. Taking a hard challenge from Javier Aquino and standing on his feet proved he was ready to play in these big time road games.

Jurgen Klinsmann has proved that he can game plan for these big time games and as of right now, he has a win and a draw at the Estadio Azteca. But the bigger questions will come on the road at Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama if he can steal a point or the full three.

But after three games in the Hexagonal the big surprise is already glaring. The Mighty El-Tri, the mighty Mexico has earned three points out of nine in their first three games and the media has already passed level of squirming. The Mexican media has started to yell and it’s very loud and looking at the table, they are in 5^th place, just ahead of Jamaica but; if it ended all today. No Brazil for Mexico.

Three games down & seven more to go with three games in June coming soon, we shall see what fate has in store for these two sides and who will advance to Brazil, face New Zealand, or stay home.

USMNT Battles Through Squabbles For Solid March Results is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

In 2012, the Whitecaps improved significantly, managing a fifth place finish in the Western Conference, but there was still a lingering problem from 2011: their away form. They only scored 1.06 goals on average, but their attack suffered the most on the road. They only bagged 10 in 17 matches away from home, averaging around 8.94 shots, but only two to three of those found the target. However, in Houston, the Caps mustered 10 on Tally Hall’s net and five of them forced a save out of them (one resulted in Darren Mattocks’ marker).

Mattocks, from jamaica-gleaner.com

A player the Whitecaps missed in the second half of last season was Davide Chiumiento. He was someone who was capable of changing the tempo of a match. His technique opened up defences and his playmaking ability was breathtaking. It’s no wonder that when he left for Switzerland, the Caps’ offence dried up in both goals and shots. Now that Daigo Kobayashi has filled that role, the team looks much more like the one that started the 2012 campaign. They’re fast, entertaining, and create chances whilst maintaining defensively responsible.

Speaking of the back line, one thing that head coach Martin Rennie wanted out of his team was resilience in defence. They achieved that last season and have continued that into Rennie’s sophomore year as Whitecaps boss, but the game in Houston showed some worrying signs. Jay DeMerit is missing and Johnny Leveron is trying to gain fitness as he’s been off for a few weeks due to work visa complications, but Brad Rusin showed moments of weakness. Whenever the ball was played along the ground, he looked uncoordinated and troubled. Since both he and Andy O’Brien are bigger defenders and are commanding in the air, Rennie will be itching for Leveron to be match ready.

One talking point coming out of Texas is the controversial comment made by Nigel Reo-Coker towards Darren Mattocks. The Jamaican striker opted to shoot rather than pass to an open Erik Hurtado, who could’ve scored easily as Hall was out of position in his area.

“With the level we’re at now, those are the small margins that we can’t let pass us by.We take our second chance, the game’s 2-0. It would have been very difficult for them to come back being 2-0 down at home with the [32-game home unbeaten streak] they had,” said Reo-Coker

“That’s the difference between being playing a higher level of football and a lower level of football. You take your chances. You might only get one chance away from home and you must learn to take that one chance that you may get.”

Reo-Coker was named as the stand-in captain with DeMerit out injured. The former England U-21 international captained that side and has taken leadership roles at his former clubs West Ham and Aston Villa. Many fans are worried that his “criticism” of Mattocks’ decision will spark Barry Robson 2.0, but it shouldn’t escalate into a dressing room conflict.

Mattocks is 23 years old and is playing his second season in MLS, he’s still learning and that was one moment that’ll force him to think twice when he’s in that situation again. Reo-Coker is only trying to help the youngster because he wants Vancouver to be the best and if he feels that a player needs to be given advice, he’ll be more than happy to provide it. The words are a bit strong, but Reo-Coker is a passionate individual and surely his experiences in Europe will garner him respect from teammates and coaches. If there’s anyone who wouldn’t let that get into his head, it’s Reo-Coker. As for Mattocks, there have been no reports of any bust up, so obviously he understands and isn’t going to make a big deal about it.

Some Positive Signs For Whitecaps In 2-1 Loss To Houston is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

-US plays football for a decent portion of the first half,
-US holds its own (with an optional goal to lift the spirits of American fans and players alike),
-US bunkers in after the intermission,
-US has breaks go against them,
-US goes down,
-US departs the opposing nation without points (or a disappointing draw).

From http://www.incondicionales.com.mx/

But on Tuesday night, those last three lines went off script. Mexico did not get breaks, the US was able to maintain its grasp on the nil-nil scoreline, and they traipse back to their respective domains with a point to show for their effort.

There were elements of this game that show promise for Klinsmann in this grueling competition. Last week, the well-publicized Sporting News article written by Brian Straus aired the criticisms of Klinsmann conveyed by a number of players and people close to the team. Anyone who had watched the recent qualifiers had drawn most of those conclusions anyway, but Straus did the work to verify those weaknesses within the camp.

It may be difficult to gauge the article’s true effect, but there are some signs of adaptation. For instance, regarding the idea of not knowing the lineup until matchday, Doug McIntyre tweeted on Monday that the team was already aware of Klinsmann’s selections.

There may also be some hints that Klinsmann has realized his deficiencies when it comes to tactical planning – especially when entering a hostile arena. Here are some observations of changes in the way the US approached this match, compared to some previous attempts to steal points on the road in WCQ’s:

- He abandoned the notion of high attacking mids in the wide play. Graham Zusi and Herculez Gomez aren’t by nature sturdy defending midfielders, but their posture was always to fall in with the “2 banks of 4″ mentality that helps maintain some spatial sanity in the insanity known as Estadio Azteca. And unlike the match in Colorado, Zusi had some good defensive moments – one being a tackle just outside the 18 on Andres Guardado, the other a running intervention of a ball Angel Reyna was ready to head into goal late in the 2nd half.

- Because of wide midfield tactics, rather than advanced wingers, it allowed Klinsmann to maintain the dual central mid combo that worked well against Costa Rica. This time it was Maurice Edu partnering with Michael Bradley, due to the injury to Jermaine Jones. Edu had a decent match defensively, but did have two iffy moments. First he committed an ill-advised challenge of Javier Aquino near the 6 which often invites CONCACAF referees to point to the spot; the second, a set piece where he allowed two Mexican players to have an opportunity to attack a far post ball unchallenged (Chicharito miscued the volley wide to bail out the mistake). Aside from his defense, Edu was also ineffective in finding routes out of danger. His failed attempts to escape with the ball became a difficulty, and meant pressure from El Tri was nearly constant from the 70th minute on.

- The two forwards, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey (and later Eddie Johnson) were quite often on an island. That didn’t seem to be a huge deal. I was unimpressed early by Altidore’s ability to be a target forward, but then when Johnson came on, I realized that Jozy had been doing a much better than the Seattle Sounders’ forward could provide.

- The bad challenges in the final third were kept to a minimum. There were a couple, highlighted by substitute Brad Davis’ ill-disciplined hackdown of Guardado in stoppage time. There were some tactical fouls, yes. But in recent friendlies those conceded free kicks have often been their undoing, and they limited the Mexicans to 4 free kicks on the night.

- And lastly, there were some standout performances by players who were required to step up. Omar Gonzalez had his best match so far in the US kit. Matt Besler was also strong around the area. DeMarcus Beasley proved the serviceable fill-in at left back that Bob Bradley hoped for in 2009. He wasn’t perfect, but he largely got the job done. And at long last, Brad Guzan had his chance to shine. While only asked to make 3 saves, his command and organization were evident throughout. The fact Gonzalez and Besler were able to play confidently speaks to Guzan’s role in this result.

Having said all of that, did anyone really feel as though the US had this salted down? I know I didn’t. Mexico lost some hope around the intermission, and the Americans’ willingness to bunker in only served to heap more pressure on the shoulders of El Tri.

Make no mistake though, luck was involved in this result. Javier Hernandez typically buries his chances at Manchester United, but couldn’t profit from some good opportunities in this one. Giovani Dos Santos floated in and out of this match, often frustrated. And Guardado and Javier Aquino had their dangerous moments, but could never couple a good cross with the necessary finish by the forwards.

This tended to feel more like a wasteful Mexico rather than a staunch and sturdy American stonewall. That shouldn’t take too much away from the feat – it was a team without natural fullbacks, an experienced center back pairing, and it’s captain and goalkeeper. But it should serve to temper any idea that Klinsmann has got it figured out yet. On another night one might have seen a quite lopsided result based on the flow of the play.

And so this result may be a percentage result – sometimes the chances fall your way, other times you end up on the wrong end of a scoreline. In the end the gameplan was carried out. It may not be the way Jurgen Klinsmann envisaged back in July of 2011, but it’s one that puts the US a point closer to Brazil.

Pragmatism Or Luck In USMNT’s 0-0 Draw With Mexico? is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

Daniel Feuerstein and Lisa Erickson join host Earl Reed as they also go through the weekend of MLS action, since the league did not break for the international dates. Montreal continues to rise, while Chicago struggles to even score. It’s been an interesting first month in Major League Soccer, so join us for this episode of the MLS Talk Podcast!

Weather Report (MLS Talk Podcast) is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

From US Soccer Facebook stream

But this was Denver, Colorado. It was 2013, and that year’s month of March was particularly intense as far as winter storms go. And it was an era of US Soccer that was proving to be particularly troublesome to the team and its supporters.

What transpired was a scene that should be burned into the minds of American soccer fans. One could argue the match should have been postponed before it even started. But you have to wonder if both parties involved knew it favored them both for the match to carry out on the evening of March 22nd.

- For the United States, between a disappointing road loss to Honduras, a multitude of  injuries, and the public airing of personal gripes from 11 anonymous players on the team, the best way to quell the growing discontent was to get it out of the way. It was going to go down on Friday night, one way or the other.

- And as far as Costa Rica was concerned, what better time to face a better team than when turmoil is raging? The US had crumbled on the road with leads recently, and while they were at home they were still fielding second or third choice players (such as Demarcus Beasley at left back). All of the negativity that had embroiled the Americans made this a ripe opportunity to prey upon their vulnerability.

And so the whistle blew, and it snowed. And snowed. And snowed some more. The grounds crew grabbed their shovels and cleared the lines, and the accumulation quickly returned. Their effort on the night was remarkable, trying to facilitate the completion of the match. Jermaine Jones’ looked more like an old man with the snowflakes dusting his dark hair. The fans on hand were reveling in this stadium turned winter wonderland.

As for the players, they simply gutted it out. They went to ground in shorts and short sleeves, unfazed by the chilly powder. When the Match Commissioner had determined that enough was enough, the players converged on referee Joel Aguilar and convinced him to play out the remaining 35 minutes.

The scoresheet shows a 16th minute goal from Clint Dempsey and a few yellow cards. But that fails to paint the true picture. The tapestry of red, white, and blue – with a great bit more white than usual – leaves an indelible image of a defining moment in U.S. Soccer history. On the surface it was a pedestrian 1-0 victory over a CONCACAF Hexagonal rival; but those who held out for the final result were treated to a match to remember.

March 22nd: A Memory That Will Persist is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.

2014 World Cup Qualifying USA Vs Costa Rica
Friday, March 22nd Guests: Earl Reed, Chris Webb, Robert Hay
9:30 PM EDT – 6:30PM PDT Pre Game 30 Minutes
Midnight EDT(WED) – 9:00PM EDT Post Game 1 Hour

Saturday, March 23rd Special Red Bull Review At Montreal 8PM EDT – 5PM PDT

2014 World Cup Qualifying USA At Mexico
Tuesday, March 26th Guests: Earl Reed & John Jagou
10PM EDT – 7PM PDT Pre Game 30 minutes
12:30AM EDT(WED) – 9:30PM PDT Post Game 1 Hour

Feuerstein’s Fire USMNT And Red Bull Shows is a post from MLS News from Major League Soccer Talk.