Because I promised Landon Donovan
MLS starts NOW with an excellent marquee game: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders. In fact, it starts in a few minutes, so tune into ESPN (notice now it's not ESPN2 or ESPN3!! :D).
ETA: Final whistle has blown. Looking forward to a better season for the Dynamo.
Welcome to Major League Soccer, the top level of professional soccer in the US.
It's also where European soccer players go to retire and American talent grows before it moves overseas.
Western Conference
Seattle Sounders FC
This team has hands-down the most amazing fanbase in soccer. Their fans are very dedicated people, and it's lovely to see people so excited about soccer. As for the team, they've been progressively doing well and are making themselves a team to be reckoned with. Notable young talent: forward Fredy Montero.
Fans march to the stadium before each home game.
Since the rodeo is still in town here
Los Angeles Galaxy
Probably the best known MLS team featuring Landon Donovan, David Beckham (when he's not in Europe), Juan Pablo Angel (yoinked from New York), and Chris Birchall. A solid team.
It is quite difficult to find a photo of the Galaxy that isn't solely focused on David Beckham.
Chivas USA
Another team based in LA. I admit I don't know much about Chivas except Jonathan Bornstein, Brad Guzan, and Sacha Kljestan used to play for this team, and they made me feel better during the Dynamo's worst season ever by keeping the Dynamo from last place in the conference. Sorry Chivas.
The goat creeps me out.
Colorado Rapids
Just won the 2010 MLS Cup.
FC Dallas
Plays El Capitán each year against the Houston Dynamo for ownership that year of a Civil War-era cannon.
Real Salt Lake
Was a black horse when it won the MLS Cup in 2009, and I loved their goalkeeper, Nick Rimando. I'll admit I haven't kept up with them much in the past season.
San Jose Earthquakes
This team moved to Houston to become the Dynamo in 2006 but started back up again in 2008. Chris Wondoloski made a huge splash last season, and he used to play for the Dynamo before he was traded to San Jose, so I guess there's a bit of a full circle there. Sort of.
Portland Timbers
New team.
Vancouver Whitecaps
New team.
First pick of the Super Draft.
Eastern Conference
I haven't kept up with this conference as much because the Dynamo used to be in the western conference. Let's see what I can think up.
Houston Dynamo
In case you couldn't tell already, I'm a Dynamo fan. We just got moved to the Eastern Conference with the addition of Portland and Vancouver to the Western Conference, so this will be interesting. The Dynamo moved here from San Jose in 2006 and promptly won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. Last season sucked, but so far, things are looking pretty promising with a 3-1-1 record preseason (counting only the games with other MLS teams). For those who follow the EPL, Stuart Holden used to play for the Dynamo and was a sweetheart who volunteered at the local children's hospital as an elf.
Our lovely captain from Hawaii. He's been with us since the move from San Jose, and hopefully, he'll finally get to play in the promised stadium. :D
Those ears!
Cutest goal celebration. :D
Chicago Fire
Brian McBride recently ended his soccer career with the Fire. He was honored in Lego form in the kit of the team for which he played for most in MLS, Columbus Crew. He used to play for Fulham where you can also find fellow compatriot, Clint Dempsey. I will forever remember him for bleeding in the 2002 World Cup match against Italy.
Although Ljungberg doesn't play for the Fire anymore.
Columbus Crew
Had a decent season last year. I don't have much to say on them.
D.C. United
They didn't do so well last season either. Of note, Charlie Davies, the USMNT player with the stanky leg celebration who plays for Sochaux in Ligue 1 but was involved in a horrific car accident, is currently on loan here.
New England Revolution
Like the Patriots in NFL, New England comes together as a collective to form one team. They didn't do so well this past season in the regular MLS season, but they made it to the Super Liga final.
New York Red Bulls
Probably the better known MLS team along with the Galaxy. Its current marquee players are Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, and John Rooney (yep, of that Rooney family). They did decently well this past season, and Wiki tells me they're the only MLS team who hasn't won a cup since its inception. Ouch.
Philadelphia Union
A relatively new team in its second year. I don't know much about this team except that I followed Sebastian Le Toux from the Sounders over here, and he seems to be an important player for team.
Sporting Kansas City
Formerly known as the Kansas City Wizards, this team has rebranded itself. I think I like its new design better.
Toronto FC
Another relatively new team going into its second year.
All photographs taken somewhat at random from Daylife.
ETA: Final whistle has blown. Looking forward to a better season for the Dynamo.
Welcome to Major League Soccer, the top level of professional soccer in the US.
It's also where European soccer players go to retire and American talent grows before it moves overseas.
Western Conference
Seattle Sounders FC
This team has hands-down the most amazing fanbase in soccer. Their fans are very dedicated people, and it's lovely to see people so excited about soccer. As for the team, they've been progressively doing well and are making themselves a team to be reckoned with. Notable young talent: forward Fredy Montero.
Fans march to the stadium before each home game.
Since the rodeo is still in town here
Los Angeles Galaxy
Probably the best known MLS team featuring Landon Donovan, David Beckham (when he's not in Europe), Juan Pablo Angel (yoinked from New York), and Chris Birchall. A solid team.
It is quite difficult to find a photo of the Galaxy that isn't solely focused on David Beckham.
Chivas USA
Another team based in LA. I admit I don't know much about Chivas except Jonathan Bornstein, Brad Guzan, and Sacha Kljestan used to play for this team, and they made me feel better during the Dynamo's worst season ever by keeping the Dynamo from last place in the conference. Sorry Chivas.
The goat creeps me out.
Colorado Rapids
Just won the 2010 MLS Cup.
FC Dallas
Plays El Capitán each year against the Houston Dynamo for ownership that year of a Civil War-era cannon.
Real Salt Lake
Was a black horse when it won the MLS Cup in 2009, and I loved their goalkeeper, Nick Rimando. I'll admit I haven't kept up with them much in the past season.
San Jose Earthquakes
This team moved to Houston to become the Dynamo in 2006 but started back up again in 2008. Chris Wondoloski made a huge splash last season, and he used to play for the Dynamo before he was traded to San Jose, so I guess there's a bit of a full circle there. Sort of.
Portland Timbers
New team.
Vancouver Whitecaps
New team.
First pick of the Super Draft.
Eastern Conference
I haven't kept up with this conference as much because the Dynamo used to be in the western conference. Let's see what I can think up.
Houston Dynamo
In case you couldn't tell already, I'm a Dynamo fan. We just got moved to the Eastern Conference with the addition of Portland and Vancouver to the Western Conference, so this will be interesting. The Dynamo moved here from San Jose in 2006 and promptly won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007. Last season sucked, but so far, things are looking pretty promising with a 3-1-1 record preseason (counting only the games with other MLS teams). For those who follow the EPL, Stuart Holden used to play for the Dynamo and was a sweetheart who volunteered at the local children's hospital as an elf.
Our lovely captain from Hawaii. He's been with us since the move from San Jose, and hopefully, he'll finally get to play in the promised stadium. :D
Those ears!
Click to viewCutest goal celebration. :D
Chicago Fire
Brian McBride recently ended his soccer career with the Fire. He was honored in Lego form in the kit of the team for which he played for most in MLS, Columbus Crew. He used to play for Fulham where you can also find fellow compatriot, Clint Dempsey. I will forever remember him for bleeding in the 2002 World Cup match against Italy.
Although Ljungberg doesn't play for the Fire anymore.
Columbus Crew
Had a decent season last year. I don't have much to say on them.
D.C. United
They didn't do so well last season either. Of note, Charlie Davies, the USMNT player with the stanky leg celebration who plays for Sochaux in Ligue 1 but was involved in a horrific car accident, is currently on loan here.
New England Revolution
Like the Patriots in NFL, New England comes together as a collective to form one team. They didn't do so well this past season in the regular MLS season, but they made it to the Super Liga final.
New York Red Bulls
Probably the better known MLS team along with the Galaxy. Its current marquee players are Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, and John Rooney (yep, of that Rooney family). They did decently well this past season, and Wiki tells me they're the only MLS team who hasn't won a cup since its inception. Ouch.
Philadelphia Union
A relatively new team in its second year. I don't know much about this team except that I followed Sebastian Le Toux from the Sounders over here, and he seems to be an important player for team.
Sporting Kansas City
Formerly known as the Kansas City Wizards, this team has rebranded itself. I think I like its new design better.
Toronto FC
Another relatively new team going into its second year.
All photographs taken somewhat at random from Daylife.