This year’s MLS season has come to a close, with the LA Galaxy winning the title over the New England Revolution 2-1 after extra time. The new champions finished second overall in the regular season, and beat Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders in the playoffs to reach the finals and ultimately win it all.
This MLS season has seen the retirement of USA legend Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy. Donovan set the all-time MLS goal
scoring record and all-time assist record this season, both of which he has with the U.S. national team. This season also saw the retirements of Logan Pause of the Chicago Fire, Marco Di Vaio of the Montreal Impact, Jay DeMerit of the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Carlos Bocanegra of the now folded Chivas USA.
This season has also seen young talent bought by teams overseas. DeAndre Yedlin of the Seattle Sounders, who greatly impressed during the World Cup for USA, was bought by Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. Also, 17 year old Josh Daughty of Real Salt Lake’s youth academy was bought by Manchester United of the English Premier League. Daughty has the eligibility to play for the U.S., Canada, or England for his national team. Also, French legend Thierry Henry has announced his decision to leave the New York Red Bulls, but hasn’t decided if he will continue his career or retire.
This season has also seen the addition of players bought by MLS teams. Frank Lampard of England and David Villa of Spain were both bought by new club New York City FC, who will begin play next season. Another new club that will begin play next season, Orlando City SC, made international headlines after the announcement of signing Brazilian international Kaka from AC Milan. Other notable purchases by MLS teams were Jermaine Jones going to the New England Revolution, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Defoe going to Toronto FC, along with others. MLS teams will be looking to add to their rosters in the upcoming January Transfer Window, in which teams from around the world try to buy players from any other team in the world.
The MLS has also welcomed four new clubs for the next upcoming seasons. New York City FC and Orlando City SC will be joining the league next season, and Los Angeles FC and an unnamed Atlanta franchise will be joining the league in 2017. MLS is looking for one more expansion site, and the cities that are competing for the spot are Sacramento, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Miami, Austin, and San Antonio.
Each year, the MLS keeps improving and working towards the goal of being one of the world’s best leagues by 2022. The next step for the MLS could be having a team compete in the FIFA Club World Cup or signing a big name young star.
