Several MLS stars were hoping to impress their respective
international managers this weekend and be rewarded with a place in their
latest squads, but who were the real winners and losers?
Flying High:
1) Klinsmann makes
the call
The US face Denmark tomorrow night in Aarhus, before jetting
off to Switzerland for a friendly in Zurich on Tuesday March 31.
And manager Jurgen Klinsmann has selected six MLS based
players in his 23-man squad, alongside four English-based stars.
Toronto FC’s Designated Player pairing of Michael Bradley
and Jozy Altidore have made the cut, along with former Fulham man Clint Dempsey.
LA Galaxy versatility man Gyasi Zardes, Orlando City’s Brek
Shea and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando have also been included.
New Tottenham Hotspur signing DeAndre Yedlin, Tim Ream of
Bolton Wanderers, Reading’s Danny Williams and Southampton goalkeeper Cody
Cropper will boost the squad.
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| Doyle signs for Rapids |
2) Coming to America
Yet another former Premier League hit man will join the MLS
after Republic of Ireland international Kevin Doyle has agreed to move to
Colorado Rapids in the summer.
The 31-year-old striker has signed a two-and-a-half year
deal that begins on July 1, to become just the club’s third Designated Player
in their history.
And the Wolverhampton Wanderers front man says he is looking forward to following last season’s MVP and international team mate Robbie Keane
to the US.
3) San Jose feel at
home
MLS founding members San Jose Earthquakes have finally moved
into their very own soccer-specific home after investing $100 million to
make the dream a reality.
The 18,000 capacity Avaya Stadium was sold out as the Earthquakes
registered a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire, to end years of frustration and hard
work.
Team president David Kaval told MLSsoccer.com that the historic
moment was: “kind of like a wedding/bar mitzvah/anniversary all wrapped up into
one.”
A view from our broadcast booth of brand new @AvayaStadium. Airport is close. #SJvCHI pic.twitter.com/UFIDRXhUHE
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 22, 2015
In the pits:
1) Drifting off course
On a day that will be forever remembered fondly by most
connected with San Jose Earthquakes, for one individual that won’t quite ring
true.
While fans were unveiling this impressive ‘tifo’ and making rapturous noise to play their part in the celebration, someone was
left on the outside looking in.
High winds on the day meant that one member of a skydiving
team had to land in the car park instead of on the field after he was pushed
off course.
2) Shooting blanks
On a weekend dominated by stout defences, with nine clean
sheets in just eight games, it’s unsurprising that one of those front lines
makes it on here.
But New England Revolution have taken it to the extreme and
have failed to hit the back of the net in any of their opening three games this
campaign.
Revolution even had an extra man for the last 30 minutes against
Montreal Impact, but have worryingly made the same start in front of goal as in
2014.
3) Chicago yet to get firing
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| Yallop's side are still without a point |
Chicago made several squad changes in the off season and
Yallop is hoping that their winless run is just the result of trying to
integrate several new faces in the squad.
They host Philadelphia Union next Sunday and British fans
will be able to see how they get on at 10pm on Sky Sports 1.
Images courtesy of Ben Hoskins and Steve Dykes, with thanks.
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