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Category Archives: MLS

New York City Football Club Names Claudio Reyna Director of Football

New York City Football Club (New York City FC) has named Claudio Reyna as the club’s Director of Football and its first employee.  Reyna will be responsible for building the soccer elements of the New York City FC organization, including the recruitment of players, coaches and trainers, and other support staff, in preparation for the team’s inaugural MLS season in 2015.

The announcement took place at PS 72 (Lexington Academy) in East Harlem, which boasts New York City’s only rooftop soccer field and was donated by Manchester City Football Club in 2010. This facility provides quality soccer instruction and programming to thousands of children in 20 NYC public schools each year.

New York City FC, the Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team was unveiled yesterday as part of a partnership of global sports powers — Manchester City FC and the New York Yankees.  The Club will become MLS’s 20th team.  In announcing the appointment of Reyna, Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City, noted Reyna’s significant contributions to soccer in the US – both as a player and as the Youth Technical Director of the US Soccer Federation.

“Finding the right person for this role and getting him in place from the start was a priority,” said Soriano.  “The football culture of New York City FC will be built from this decision, and we believe Claudio is the man who uniquely understands what New York soccer should mean, and how it can benefit from the relationship with Manchester City FC.”

“Having had the privilege of playing both for my country here in the US and for Manchester City FC in England, I could not have hoped for a more tailored-made opportunity in soccer,” said Reyna. “I am incredibly excited to again wear City’s ‘Sky Blue’ as part of the expansion of the MLS and the growth of soccer in the United States, and am honored to have been offered this opportunity. With a large fan base through the New York area, prime television rights and distribution, sponsorship commitments, and the Yankees as a US partner, the New York City Football Club has everything in place to succeed.”

New York City FC will be an independent club that mirrors and benefits from its relationship with Manchester City Football Club, allowing both organizations to collaborate on community programs and other team aspects, such as global youth development and scouting, coaching, sports science and first team football operations.  In that regard, Reyna will work closely with Manchester City’s Brian Marwood, Managing Director of City Football Academy, Txiki Begiristain, Director of Football, and World Cup Winner Patrick Vieira, Head of Elite Development Squad, as the New York City FC organization takes shape, and operating philosophy takes hold.

Reyna had an illustrious professional career having played in Europe and the US for more than 12 years, including at Manchester City FC from 2003-2007.  He represented the United States National team in four World Cups from 1994 through 2006 and was team captain in 2002 and 2006.  He is also a two-time Olympian. Since 2010 Reyna has served as the US Soccer Federation’s Youth Technical Director.

His coaching curriculum revolutionized youth soccer in America, providing standards and procedures for improving player development for young Americans.

Major League Soccer Announces New York Expansion Team

Photo Credit: Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today that a partnership of global sports powers, Manchester City Football Club and the New York Yankees, has acquired the League’s 20th expansion club. The new team will be named New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and expects to begin play in 2015.

“We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people­, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.”

“New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base,” said Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City Football Club, who will oversee the process of filling top New York City FC leadership positions in the weeks to come. “We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City Soccer. In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organization and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride.”

Manchester City will be the majority owner of the new club. As an investor, the Yankees will be an active member of the ownership group. The New York Yankees and Manchester City Football Club have an existing commercial relationship through Legends Hospitality, LLC, an international entertainment, hospitality and marketing organization. Yankee Stadium is pleased to be hosting Manchester City on Saturday, May 25 for a friendly against Chelsea FC, giving New York area fans a rare opportunity to see two outstanding English Premier League clubs up close.

“We are pleased to be associated with this major move by MLS to increase its presence in the New York market and to enhance the opportunity for New York soccer fans to enjoy high-level play in their own city.  We look forward to the opportunity to work with Manchester City to create something very special for the soccer fans of New York — and to bringing another terrific team to this city for all sports fans to enjoy,” said Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the New York Yankees. “Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, will be the point person in leading the effort to launch and establish the team on behalf of the organization,” Mr. Steinbrenner added.

With millions of residents watching soccer every week and nearly two million people actively playing the game, the New York/New Jersey area is one of North America’s most vibrant and proud soccer communities. The region has filled stadiums for countless marquee soccer events including the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, three MLS All-Star Games and numerous international exhibition matches. NYCFC becomes the first MLS club whose home will be located within the five boroughs, joining the Red Bulls as the second MLS club in the metropolitan area.

“Soccer is one of the world’s most exciting and popular sports, and it should be played on the world’s biggest stage — in New York City,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “New Yorkers are the greatest sports fans in the world, and they will welcome a Major League Soccer franchise with the full-throated and loyal support they are famous for. Manchester City has a great reputation for both winning teams and serious community investment, and that will help them fit in well with the excellent leadership of New York City’s other professional sports teams. Increasingly, sports events and activities — from the NHL playoffs to the MLB All-Star game to the Super Bowl — are spurring economic growth, as our investments in new arenas and infrastructure are paying off.”

Crew Victorious over TFC

A 42nd-minute strike by Dominic Oduro was enough to give the Columbus Crew (4-4-3, 15 points) a 1-0 win over Toronto FC (1-6-4, 7 points) on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field.

Oduro scored his team-leading fifth tally of the season just before halftime as he chased down and finished a perfectly slotted pass from Federico Higuain, who earned his third assist on the year. With the win, the Crew remains unbeaten (3-0-5) in eight visits to Toronto dating back to 2007.

The victory for Robert Warzycha’s side gives the Crew a leg up in the regular-season series in its quest for defending the Trillium Cup – presented by Scotts – as the two teams are set to play two more times in 2013.

“I thought it was a very physical game but fair,” Warzycha stated. “I think we looked sharp today. It was a good performance in the first and second half. We gave them a couple of chances in the first half, most of them on second balls. The second half was very clean and I’m happy with the win.”

Playing their first road match since April 20, the Black & Gold earned their third away win of the season and will close-out the month of May with the second test of their two-match road swing next Sunday when they travel to face the New York Red Bulls (5:00 p.m. ET / Unimas, FOX Sports Ohio).

A Night of Disappointment for the Crew

For the second straight match the Columbus Crew played on the front foot for most of the night, but came away empty handed after a 2-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids.

On the night the Rapids (4-4-3) only registered four shots, and only one in the first half, but found the back of the net twice and managed to keep Columbus from scoring despite 22 shots, including seven on goal.

Things almost got started before even a minute had passed with a chipped ball from striker Jairo Arrieta that caught the Colorado keeper off his line. Unfortunately for the Crew the ball sailed just wide of the mark, a regular occurrence on the night.

In the eighth minute the Rapids got things underway with a wonderfully worked goal from striker Edson Buddle. A pass over the top from Atiba Harris found Danny Mwanga in the box and the striker did just enough to fight off Crew defender Tyson Wahl to lay a pass to a streaking Buddle.

Over an hour later in the 69th minute Colorado put the game away when a Dillon Powers shot was deflected off the legs of Josh Williams and caught keeper Andy Gruenebaum out of position for the second goal of the match.

It was unfortunate for the Crew who had been threatening to score for a majority of the match, but couldn’t find the quality in the final third to get that breakthrough opportunity.

“I felt like the team actually played pretty well at times tonight but like you said it was that last pass and the last shot that just seemed to let us down time in and time out,” Columbus Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven stated. “Getting punished for it, they get two or three chances and they put both away and there’s the game.”

Back to back losses dampened a three-game home stand that started well with a 3-0 win over D.C. United and leaves Columbus with 12 points on the season. Now the Crew (3-4-3) take to the road to face Toronto FC in next Saturday at 5 pm ET.

Subside Sports Man of the Match: Forward Atiba Harris, Colorado Rapids

Even though he was not credited with either of the goals, Harris was the man for Colorado who made the difference in a night devoid of offensive chances. Putting the ball into Mwanga to help set up the first goal was his most notable contribution, but his runs pushed the Crew backline more than any other player and he was a part of most of the chances the Rapids created on the night.

Sounders Dominate Quakes

The Seattle Sounders FC won their third straight game after crushing the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.  Seattle looked the stronger team early on with a handful of shots and close calls in the first ten minutes. In front of 38,880 spectators, Seattle climbed to 3-3-3 on the season.

In the 24th minute, defender Brad Evans floated a pass into the box and midfielder Mauro Rosales barely missed the net with a wild, diving header.  Just before the one third mark, Eddie Johnson crossed to Rosales in the middle who fumbled it and struggled to control. Meanwhile, striker Lamar Neagle came flying down the middle and essentially stole the ball from his teammate as he smashed the ball right at San Jose keeper Jon Busch and into the back of the net.

At the end of the half, Evans was fouled within free kick range by opposing player Rafael Baca, who was issued the first caution of the match. Seattle captain Rosales curled the free kick over the wall of defenders and hit the inside of the near post as it gently settled in the goal. The goalie never stood a chance as the kick was one of the nicest this spectator has witnessed in some time.

Alan Gordon looked to be the strongest player for the Earthquakes. In the 37th,  a well-taken free kick set him up for a strike on goal which went just over the bar. San Jose mainly played with little aggression and pace. Their left midfield and attacking unit did not communicate effectively and continually made bad passes. The non verbal communication from midfielder Walter Martinez made it clear that San Jose was frustrated with their own decision making.

In the second half, Neagle received a ball in open field from Servando Carrasco and juked two San Jose defenders before going near post to beat the keeper. Neagle, a young player, is one of those guys whom when they are in the zone will make other teams pay for errors. Neagle finished with two goals. The match marked his first time scoring since his hat trick in August of 2011, which is exactly why he deserves the designation as the Subside Sports Man of the Match.

Eddie Johnson, the top scorer for Seattle last year, had a particularly flat performance. He missed a handful of shots, could not keep down passes, had poor vision and appeared lazy. The three or so chances he had on goal were poorly struck and his best chance during the game was forfeited for a pass to the far post where no one was waiting. Johnson also needs to work on his attitude problem as he and Chris Wondolowski were issued cations for their last minute scuffling and shoving.

The match ended with more excitement when Obafemi Martins collected a lame clearance from San Jose and easily scored the fourth goal for Seattle.