Analysis

MLS kicks off its 28th season this weekend with a full slate of games all available on Apple TV. News of the Apple TV deal and MLS playoff format have dominated MLS offseason discussions, so some MLS transfer news has flown under the radar. Because of this, we’re here to catch you up on some of the biggest MLS transfers of the offseason, so that you’re ready for MLS’s glorious return this weekend. Evander - FC Midtjylland​ to Portland Timbers for $10m The Portland Timbers made the biggest signing of the MLS offseason by signing Brazilian midfielder Evander for $10m. Evander’s transfer is a surprising one considering his standing in Europe. Evander led the Europa League in assists, and many expected him to leap to a bigger European club. Instead, Evander left Europe altogether and w...

Barcelona have been involved in numerous scandals and controversies in past years. Going to court on two separate occasions over lawsuits that arose from the signing of Neymar. Neymar himself suing Barcelona for unpaid bonuses, with the club then counter-suing for breach of contract. The previous board under Josep Maria Bartomeu's presidency were said to have hired several companies and paid some journalists to discredit Barcelona players while favoring the board. Something which led to Bartomeu's resignation. However, the latest scandal could not only have serious consequences for Joan Laporta's presidency, but the whole club as well. As reported by Cadena SER Catalunya, Barcelona paid a total of €1.4 million (£1.2m; $1.3m) to a company that belonged to then-referees committ...

Rumors have been quietly rumbling all throughout the MLS off-season that league executives were considering changing the MLS playoffs' structure. First, there were reports that the league was looking to capitalize on the World Cup’s popularity and introduce a postseason tournament with a group stage and knockout competition to decide the league's winner. Then, there were reports of a best-of-three series to replace the win-or-go-home one-game playoff format MLS fans have grown to love over the last four years. Now, reports have emerged that MLS is closing in on changing its playoff format to the best-of-three format originally discussed along with the addition of a play-in game for the 8th and 9th best team in each conference. The result of these changes would lead to more team...

It’s remarkable how drastically Sevilla has changed in only a year. Last season, Sevilla were seen as outside title contenders to win LaLiga. Now, the six-time UEFA/Europa League winners are currently fighting to stave off relegation. Julen Lopetegui, who won them their last Europa League title and qualified 3 consecutive seasons for the Champions League, was sacked midseason and replaced by Jorge Sampaoli. Sampaoli has not made much of a difference since taking over and the team is still in the realms of the relegation battle, which is making Sevilla fans even more on edge. If that wasn't bad enough, their cross-city rivals (Real Betis) are battling to get into the Champions League and won the Copa del Rey last season. It's hard times for Sevilla, but how did a side competing for the lea...

To many, Rayo Vallecano is just one of the “other teams” in Madrid. The club isn’t as glamourous as their neighbors Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, but it’s arguably more interesting. You might not believe us now but keep reading and see for yourself what makes this working-class football club so special. Rayo Vallecano’s rise back to LaLiga Rayo Vallecano were promoted from the Segunda Division in 2021 through the division’s promotion playoff. Rayo were the lowest-seeded team in that playoff after finishing sixth in the league that year. Rayo defeated Leganés and Girona in successive two-legged ties to gain promotion. They accomplished this without one of their most important players. Starting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was busy representing North Macedonia at the 2020 Euros, ...

In the few days since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his shock move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, numerous rumors have followed about who will join him in his new team. Early reports have suggested that the club is pursuing deals for an old friend of Ronaldo’s, former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, and an old foe in current Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets. Recent headlines have linked the Riyadh side to possibly making a move for Luka Modrić. Fans have also been quick to point out that other stars such as Marcelo and Isco are free agents at the moment as well and are worthy candidates to reunite with Ronaldo. Right now, however, Al-Nassr are at the top of the table in the Saudi Pro League, and their squad already possesses a few familiar faces who Ronaldo can feel confident wil...

Sevilla have been one of the premier clubs in Europe over the past decade, and yet they are looking at a relegation battle this season in LaLiga. So, how did a team which finished 4th last season end up in such a predicament? A brief history of Sevilla Sevilla are historically not super successful, at least not compared to other clubs who have won major European competitions. Their only LaLiga title was in 1946, yet they have six Europa League titles in the modern era.  The Nervionenses spent the majority of their history until the 2000’s flirting with relegation at best and financial catastrophe at worst. A revolving door of club presidents and a disastrous affair with Diego Maradona in the 1990s did nothing to help the situation. Things had to change.  The 2000/01 season saw Sevi...