Five things we learnt from MLS Game Week 10

The New York derby may have taken centre stage, but MLS looks set to dominate the USMNT for years to come and league legends could have a new home.

Here are a few things you may have missed this week…

Klinsmann says MLS is improving

1) Klinsmann sings MLS’ praises

The USMNT boss gave an exclusive interview with FIFA this week and alongside outlining his semi-final target for Russia 2018, he also believes MLS is making progress.

With several stars of the domestic game featuring in his recent squads the German said we can expect to see the same in upcoming tournaments.

“I’m the biggest supporter of MLS – and if you look at the team I had in Brazil, there were 11 or 12 players from the league,” he said.

“MLS is growing with tremendous speed and it can’t be denied. They’re building toward the big leagues in Europe. This couldn’t be more important to us in the national team.”

2) Expansion side to be named ahead of Gold Cup

The two Gold Cup semi-final matches hosted in Atlanta in late July could mark a significant day for the state’s expansion outfit according to owner Arthur Blank.

MLS’ 22^nd expansion franchise, who have appointed former Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra as technical director, are set to unveil their name within the next two months.

They are expected to join the league in 2017, after their inclusion was confirmed in April 2014, and Blank is keen to show that progress is being made.

Kasey Keller was inducted in 2015

3) Has the Soccer Hall of Fame found a place to call home?

Since the 2010 closure of the Hall of Fame museum in New York, US Soccer’s biggest and best names have had nowhere to call home.

But that could all be about to change as rumours have surfaced that a location in Poconos, northeast Pennsylvania, has been proposed to the US Soccer Federation.

A group championing a Dallas suburb have been in negotiations with the authority but the 11^th hour Poconos bid could come up trumps.

4) What can Rapids ‘draw’ from their results?

Vancouver Whitecaps’ win sent them back to the top of the Western Conference this week, yet bottom placed Colorado Rapids have lost fewer games.

The Rapids have drawn seven of their 10 matches so far this season, losing just twice, while Vancouver have suffered three defeats already.

Colorado drew again this weekend and the match highlighted just how fine the margins are, with a bit of luck could they be dark horses for the play-offs?

5) Always play to the whistle

And away from the domestic game, USA Women’s team were warming up for the June World Cup in Canada by welcoming the Republic of Ireland to San Jose.

Wambach took full advantage of the bizarre incident

USWNT ran out 3-0 winners at the Avaya Stadium and Abby Wambach opened the scoring with one of the most bizarre goals she will ever have scored.

An Irish defender aimed to clear a deep corner but inadvertently sent the ball racing towards her own goal, only for Meabh De Burca’s face to save the day.

With the woman on the post down, the Irish keeper went to check on De Burca but the US continued playing and Wambach slotted into an empty net.
Watch the drama unfold in full here.

Images courtesy of Bongarts and AFP, with thanks.