MLS

LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and DC United striker Wayne Rooney will headline a 26-player MLS all-star roster for their game against Atletico Madrid at Orlando City's Exploria Stadium on July 31:

The two former Manchester United strikers are part of a squad that also includes Orlando City's Nani and Chicago Fire's Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Ibrahimovic's Galaxy team-mate Jonathan dos Santos also made the cut as did veteran United States stars Graham Zusi and Brad Guzan.

Supporters were able to vote for their favourites to make the list, and the first 11 names selected by fans were announced on Friday:

All-Stars coach James O'Connor then selected a further 13 players, while MLS commissioner Don Garber picked the last two stars.

Garber went for 19-year-old FC Dallas starlet Paxton Pomykal and veteran Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season:

Atlanta United have the most players in the roster with Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Ezequiel Barco and Gonzalo Martinez joining Guzan, while Los Angeles FC are next with three.

A number of players took to social media to offer thanks for being selected:

The team will take on 10-time La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and will hope to improve on recent results against top European sides.

The All-Stars lost to Juventus on penalties in 2018 after a 1-1 draw and were also beaten by Real Madrid on spot-kicks after another stalemate in 2017.

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Atletico Madrid have a squad packed full of star names such as Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Marcos Llorente but will be without Antoine Griezmann after he announced he would leave the club in the summer transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has suggested he would be open to a Major League Soccer move later in his career.

The 20-year-old spoke to ESPN and mentioned some of the high-profile European players to make the switch in recent years:

"We don't know what happens in football," he said, according to Goal's Peter Lynch. "Now in the USA, a lot of great players come after their careers in Europe, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo...great players.

"You don't know what can happen; maybe when I'm a little older I can think about this."

Mbappe has been in the United States on holiday since his season drew to a close:

The Frenchman has enjoyed a meteoric rise since he burst onto the scene with a breakout 2016-17 campaign with Monaco. Mbappe only turned 18 midway through that season, but he helped Monaco beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

The forward subsequently joined PSG and has won back-to-back league titles among other honours, and he also lifted the FIFA World Cup with France last year.

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In the 2018-19 campaign, he plundered a remarkable 39 goals and 17 assists from just 43 appearances.

Per Lynch, the precocious star has been linked with a departure from the Parc des Princes amid interest from Real Madrid.

However, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has shut down talk of Mbappe leaving in the immediate future, per ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson:

As Mbappe noted, a possible MLS move would not come until later in his career anyway. Given his age, it could be a decade or more.

Most high-profile players from Europe, including those he mentioned, did not head there until they were well into their 30s.

As Ibrahimovic has shown most recently with 33 goals and 10 assists in 39 games for Los Angeles Galaxy as a 37-year-old, it's possible for top players to continue to make an impact in MLS even when they're past their prime.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has set a new salary record in Major League Soccer this season thanks to his $7.2 million wage at Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Per Goal, MLS Players Association's (MLSPA) salary guide has revealed Ibrahimovic has surpassed Sebastian Giovinco's record. The Italian earned $7.1 million at Toronto FC in 2017 and 2018.

Here's a look at how the Swede's pay compares with the rest of the league's top earners:

Ibrahimovic is one of L.A. Galaxy's three designated players allowed to earn more than the club's salary cap, a rule that was introduced in MLS in 2007, the year David Beckham joined the Galaxy.

Non-designated first-team players in MLS earn an average of $345,867 per year. That figure is a 13.3 per cent increase on 2018 and a rise of more than 150 per cent from 2014, when the average salary stood at $138,140.

MLSPA executive director Bob Foose said:

"We are encouraged by the continued salary growth that has occurred over each of the last five years. As the league grows and revenues increase, it's critical that we see this kind of continued investment in player compensation up and down the roster.

"Players are the heart of MLS, and if MLS is to become the league of choice that it aspires to be, it needs to keep pace in an increasingly competitive market for players, both domestic and international. We feel good about these trends, and we expect to see them continue."

For Ibrahimovic, he has enjoyed a 380 per cent increase on the $1.5 million salary he took home in 2018.

The 37-year-old played 27 times in MLS last year and racked up 22 goals and seven assists, so it's little wonder he was rewarded with a bumper new contract.

He has continued to be prolific with 11 goals and three assists in 12 games this season, including this stunning effort against New England Revolution in his most recent outing:

Thanks in part to his efforts, it has become exceedingly rare for Galaxy to fail to find the net each week:

Despite his age, the striker is showing little sign of slowing down and could remain an asset for the club for some time to come.

L.A. Galaxy are second in the Western Conference after 16 matches this season, though they're 11 points behind local rivals Los Angeles FC.

Major League Soccer and Liga MX have announced the creation of the Leagues Cup tournament that will begin in the United States on July 23:

The tournament will feature four teams from each league and will be a knockout competition, with the final scheduled for September 18.

Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy are the MLS teams involved, while Club America, Tigres, Cruz Azul and Club Tijuana are the Liga MX sides competing.

Here's a look at the first round of fixtures:

Houston Dynamo vs. Club America

Real Salt Lake vs. Tigres

Chicago Fire vs. Cruz Azul

LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana

The winners of the four matches will progress to the semi-finals to be held on 20 August. The final will then be played in September at a venue still to be confirmed.

ESPN FC's Tom Marshall shared the full schedule of Leagues Cup:

MLS commissioner Don Garber spoke of his excitement about the new tournament in a statement, per Marshall:

"We are excited to take our partnership with Liga MX to the next level with Leagues Cup. We have an intense rivalry between our national teams, and Leagues Cup provides a terrific opportunity to increase the growing rivalry between MLS and Liga MX clubs."

Liga MX Executive President, Enrique Bonilla, offered his view on what the tournament will bring, per MLSSoccer.com.

"We are aware that there are a great number of fans around the region who follow the leagues and we believe that Leagues Cup will allow us to bring Liga MX and that great fanbase closer together, while fortifying our sport in the region, which is already the most important in the continent in regards to infrastructure, media impact and the quality of the competition. This great event will mark a new start in this relationship moving forward, with a long-term vision."

Yet the Leagues Cup has already attracted criticism:

Meanwhile, Marshall offered some arguments in favour of the new tournament:

The idea of a competition between MLS and Liga MX sides is hardly a new one. The two leagues came up with the SuperLiga in 2007, featuring four teams from each competition, but it only lasted until 2010.

San Jose Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowski became Major League Soccer's all-time leading scorer on Saturday, scoring his 146th career goal to break the record previously set by Landon Donovan. He celebrated in style, with his first-ever four-goal match.

It was the second goal that handed him the record:

Here's a look at the first, which was also his first goal of the season:

Wondolowski decided to celebrate in style, adding a third to take his total up to 147: 

And things got even crazier, as he added a fourth for No. 148:

Per sportswriter Paul Carr, it was a record-setting day for the striker in more ways than one:

He now sits one spot and three goals ahead of Donovan.

According to Goal, the veteran forward already owned the all-time record for goals for a single club, having spent the majority of his playing career with the Earthquakes. He also played for Chico Rooks and Houston Dynamo.

Originally drafted by San Jose, Wondolowski scored his first MLS goal for Houston in 2006, also against Chicago. He returned to Earthquakes via trade in 2009, spending the rest of his career with the team.

The American has scored double-digit goals in every season since 2010 and was the team's leading scorer for eight straight seasons. Danny Hoesen led the way with 12 goals last season.

Donovan scored most of his 145 goals with LA Galaxy but also had a lengthy stint with Earthquakes.

Wondolowski's club success never translated to the international level, where he has 11 goals in 35 appearances. He did finish the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup as the joint top-scorer, however, helping the Stars and Stripes win the title.

Former USMNT manager Bruce Arena has been appointed as the new head coach and sporting director of MLS side New England Revolution. 

The Revolution announced the news via their official website. Investor/operator Robert Kraft discussed his appointment:

"Bruce is one of the most successful coaches in American soccer history, and we feel his commitment to excellence, track record of winning championships in Major League Soccer, as well as his success at the international level, makes him the best person to bring the Revolution back to MLS Cup contention. We have known Bruce dating back to the advent of MLS, and we have full confidence that he will raise the level of our club to the standard we all expect and demand."

Arena will immediately start his job as sporting director, while an exact date for his first day as manager is still unknown. The current technical staff will remain in place. New England host Chelsea in a charity match to help combat antisemitism on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution sacked their previous manager, Brad Friedel, following an embarrassing 5-0 defeat away to Chicago Fire on Wednesday. At the time, the team had won just two of their first 12 MLS matches of the season and were bottom of the Eastern Conference, per BBC Sport. 

Sports writer Ives Galarcep believes the club is rectifying a mistake by hiring Arena now, and his struggles with the national team shouldn't overshadow everything else he has accomplished:

Fox Sports' Keith Costigan is also a fan of the move:

The 67-year-old Arena has won the MLS Cup five times during his career, twice at D.C. United and three times with L.A. Galaxy. He also guided the USMNT to three Gold Cup victories, but his second stint with the Stars and Stripes was not successful.

Returning in 2016 as Jurgen Klinsmann's replacement, he failed to guide the team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the USMNT's elimination confirmed after a disastrous 2-1 loss away to Trinidad & Tobago. He resigned shortly after the defeat.

David Beckham has been disqualified from driving for six months after being caught using his mobile phone at the wheel.

According to BBC News, the former England captain previously pleaded guilty to the charge after being photographed using the device while driving his car in London on November 21.

The 44-year-old received six points on his licence for the offence, taking his points total to 12, which is the threshold for a ban.

Beckham was also ordered to pay £925 in fines and costs.

The prosecutor said: "Instead of looking straight forward, paying attention to the road he appeared to be looking at his lap."

Beckham's defence explained the ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy star had "no recollection of the day in question or this particular incident."

It is the second time in quick succession Beckham has been accused of a driving offence. The former midfielder and current president of upcoming MLS franchise Inter Miami accepted a speeding notice in September but avoided prosecution because the notice arrived a day late.

Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha refused to accept an apology from L.A. Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his trash talk, which he said was "unacceptable."

Ibrahimovic clashed with Onuoha during Galaxy's 2-1 win over Real on Sunday.

KSL's Jeremiah Jensen relayed Onuoha's comments to Real Salt Lake reporter Samantha Yarock and footage of a confrontation between the pair after the match:

Per Goal's Chris Burton, the 32-year-old said:

"He came here to apologise after the game because from 60 minutes in, he's saying to me he's going to do me, he's going to hurt me for that game and this is the guy who's the face of the MLS as he calls himself, but this is the way he plays on the field.

"So I don't care. You don't say that on the field. I'm not going to accept his apologies. It's unacceptable."

Ibrahimovic scored the winner on Sunday after Donny Toia had cancelled out Uriel Antuna's opener at the Dignity Health Sports Park.

The win reduced the gap on Western Conference leaders Los Angeles FC to one point.

However, rather than celebrate, he immediately went to shout at former Manchester City centre-back Onuoha:

Per Burton, the 37-year-old, who joined Galaxy from Manchester United last year, told reporters after the match:

"What happens on the field, stays on the field. 

"I like to feel alive. I like when it becomes duels and that because sometimes, not that I fall asleep, but I don't feel alive if they don't activate me.

"They need to activate me or else it becomes too easy. I know me. When I get angry I feel good."

The Swede has started the 2019 season like he ended the 2018 campaign, in superb form.

His strike was his eighth in seven MLS matches this year and took his tally overall to 30 goals in 34 appearances for Galaxy.  

Anybody still doubting the growth of soccer in America may want to keep an eye on Major League Soccer. 

On Thursday, MLS announced the league is planning an expansion to 30 teams "in the coming years." The announcement came after MLS owners made the decision official at Board of Governors meetings in Los Angeles.

While no new expansion cities have been confirmed, the commissioner's office has been authorized to explore the possibilities further with Sacramento and St. Louis. 

MLS commissioner Don Garber released a statement addressing the news, per MLS: 

"Professional soccer at all levels is thriving in the United States and Canada and we believe there are many markets that could support a successful MLS club. Expansion during the last 15 years has been enormously successful and a key driver behind the league's continued rise, and we are pleased that some of the top business and community leaders representing great markets in North America are aggressively pursuing MLS expansion clubs."

Since 1998, MLS has added 17 clubs with only two (Miami Fusion and Chivas USA) no longer functioning. The league's best case for continued expansion came in Atlanta United FC. 

Atlanta United joined MLS in 2017 and won the MLS Cup last season. 

FC Cincinnati is in its inaugural campaign, becoming the league's 24th club. The David Beckham-owned Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC are set to join MLS in 2020 with Austin FC following one year later.

Per MLS, the expectation is for the 28th and 29th expansion teams to be selected by the All-Star Game on July 31, and expansion fees for the two anticipated clubs have been set at $200 million. The expansion fee and timetable for the 30th club, the league added, have been deferred.

As for which cities will be gifted MLS clubs, St. Louis seems to be strong in the running. While residents voted down a proposal to build an MLS stadium in 2017, Garber visited St. Louis in March and said it "really checks off a lot of boxes" as a hosting city. 

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben reportedly prefers the thought of a move to Major League Soccer over joining Italian giants Inter Milan when his contract in Germany expires this summer.

Robben, 35, is approaching the end of his 10th and final season at the Allianz Arena, and Calciomercato.com (h/t Sports Illustrated) reported the veteran is more in favour of a switch to the United States.

His former Bayern team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger has found success with Chicago Fire since joining the club in 2017.

The Nerazzurri may be disappointed to learn Robben would shun them for MLS, where the level of competition would be considerably lower. Sportswriter Nebojsa Markovic noted the havoc Robben could wreak if he was able to rediscover his old ways in North America's top competition:

Robben told reporters in December that this would be his last season with Die Roten, which came as little surprise given the recurring injuries that have restricted him to just 15 appearances in all competitions this season.

Five separate injury and illness absences have resulted in an underwhelming sendoff season for the player, per Transfermarkt. That's after the seven separate absences he endured in 2017-18.

Therein lies the concern in signing the 96-times capped former Netherlands international, as FOX pundit Alexi Lalas highlighted when Robben was linked with a similar move in 2018:

Despite making only 15 appearances this term, Robben has five goals and two assists to his name, equating to a little less than one direct goal involvement every other game.

The rigours of Major League Soccer might allow for the wizened winger to play under fewer pressures, but potential suitors may also expect their headline name to feature prominently.

Bayern's other stalwart wide man, Franck Ribery, is also expected to leave Bayern when his deal runs out in June, with young guns Kingsley Coman, 22, and Serge Gnabry, 23, expected to take over the reins.

In an ideal scenario, MLS would provide Robben with a stage on which to launch a late career revival, having carved out a reputation as one of the best to play his position, via BT Sport (UK only):

Bayern have travelled to the United States for pre-season contests in the past, but fans across the pond may look forward to getting a closer look at Robben's talents in the near future.