1. MLS to Cincy
FC Cincinnati is now officially the 24th MLS soccer team, MLS announced Tuesday. FC Cincinnati Technical Director Luke Sassano, a former Sporting Kansas City midfielder, is on the team-building clock but is excited for the team’s debut in 2019. Cincinnati is a city on the rise as being a top destination for young professionals, and it made an ideal location for the growing league. Recently finalizing a partnership with the largest hospital system in Ohio, Mercy Health, FC Cincinnati is set to rep the organization as they head into their first year in the MLS.
2. Vote for favorites for the MLS All-Star Game
With the fresh new MLS App, you can now vote for any of your favorite MLS stars from your smartphone. From now until Friday, June 8, voting is exclusively in the free MLS app. Sporting Kansas City has eight players in the running eligible for voting:
- Goalkeeper: Tim Melia
- Defenders: Matt Besler, Ike Opara and Graham Zusi
- Midfielders: Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez
- Forwards: Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi
Beginning June 8, fans can vote on MLSsoccer.com. The MLS All-Star coach will then select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players determined by the media, fan voting, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s two selections.
3. MLS Players in the World Cup
With only 14 days remaining until the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, it is time to start scoping out some MLS players making appearances for international duty. Click here to view the full list of MLS players who made the roster of their specific country.
4. Next USMNT Friendly
Coming off a 3-0 win against Bolivia on Monday, the U.S. Men’s National team prepares for their next matchup against Ireland on Saturday (2 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Four members of the 25-man roster – Tyler Adams and Tim Parker (New York Red Bulls), Zack Steffen and Will Trapp (Columbus Crew SC) – represent MLS clubs.
Monday’s 3-0 win over Bolivia was definitely a positive step, as six players made their senior national team debuts. Can this group of young players build off their Memorial Day performance? Interim boss Dave Sarachan believes these baby steps will begin to add up as the team moves forward. Walker Zimmerman, Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah all had goals in the match. Headed to Europe for the team’s next two friendlies, the team has a lot of room to get better.
5. SKC playing without Russell
Sporting KC forward Johnny Russell has been selected to the Scotland Men’s National Team for a friendly match on Saturday against Mexico (7 p.m. CT, FS1).This will be the first match Sporting KC is playing without him on the pitch. Russell has started all 13 matches for Sporting KC, which holds a lead in the Western Conference and will battle against Minnesota United FC on Sunday. Tune in to FS1 at 7:30 p.m. CT to catch the rematch from a tie with Minnesota earlier in May.
