Newsworthy notes from all Major League Soccer teams every Thursday. MLS transfers, player announcements.
The teams are busy reviewing their Summer calendars this week as Leagues Cup games and dates were announced today. In Toronto, the league’s star is close to a return, and a Brazilian scored his first goal in front of 45,000 passionate fans.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United played to a 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 42,817 fans. The Brazilian Matheus Rossetto scored his first goal for the club, while Thiago Almada registered his first assist of the season. The Greek Giorgos Giakoumakis also made his club debut when he entered the game as a substitute in the second half.
First career @MLS goal for Matheus Rossetto ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/xTJf9TOYlT
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 5, 2023
Atlanta United returns to action when it travels to face Charlotte FC on March 11 at Bank of America Stadium.
Austin FC
Austin FC fell in a 3-0 defeat to Violette AC, a small Haitian club, on Tuesday night in one of the most embarrassing moments of the young club’s history and let’s face it, the league. The game had significant implications as it was in the first leg of a Concacaf Champions League Round of 16. The match occurred at Estadio Cibao FC in Santiago, Dominican Republic because the Haitian side had no field to play the game. Many of its players were in danger of traveling to the US to defend their 3-0 lead in a game that may eliminate the Verdes from their first CCL.
Austin fell behind in the first half after a pair of goals from Miche-Naider Chéry. The Violette striker scored with headers in the 13th and 39th minutes to put the hosts ahead at halftime. The Haitian side extended its lead to three early in the second half via another bizarre touch by an Austin defender, which once again resulted in an own goal.
Primeiro aquele gol bizarro em casa contra o #StlouiscitySC e aquele gol de virada do Joao Klauss. E agora esse gol contra aqui do zagueirao. O que anda acontecendo com a nação #Verde ? #ccl https://t.co/sqhY20SdkD
— Território MLS🇧🇷 (@territoriomls) March 8, 2023
Now Austin has 90 minutes to reverse a dire scenario. The Round of 16 second-leg match between Austin and Violette is set for a 7:00 p.m. CT kickoff at Q2 Stadium on Tuesday, March 14.
JUST IN: Statement from @Concacaf:
“Concacaf has received assurances from AC Violette that the club has obtained more than the required number of visas for first-team players to travel and compete in the SCCL R16 2nd Leg match against #AustinFC on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.”
— Eric Goodman (@Goodman) March 9, 2023
CF MONTRÉAL
Following Thursday’s joint MLS and LIGA MX announcement, CF Montréal will host Pumas UNAM (LIGA MX) and D.C. United (MLS) on July 22 and 26 respectively, at Stade Saputo, to kick off the Group Stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup. The way things are going for the Canadian club in the league, this tourney can’t come soon enough.
- Saturday, July 22 – CF Montréal vs. Pumas UNAM – Stade Saputo
- Wednesday, July 26 – CF Montréal vs. D.C. United – Stade Saputo
Chicago Fire
The Fire will kick off Leagues Cup 2023 on the road against Minnesota United FC on Thursday, July 27 at Allianz Field. Four days later, the Club will host Puebla, the former club of Fire legend DaMarcus Beasley, at SeatGeek Stadium on Monday, July 31. The kickoff times for both matches will be announced at a later date.
The complete Leagues Cup 2023 schedule can be found here.
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids announced today the club’s match schedule for the Leagues Cup 2023 Group Stage. Colorado will travel to GEODIS Park to face Nashville SC on July 23 before hosting LIGA MX side Toluca at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on July 31.
The Rapids also announced today the club had recalled defender Michael Edwards from his loan with USL Championship side San Antonio FC, effective immediately.
Edwards, 22, is available for selection ahead of the club’s weekend clash against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 11, at PayPal Park.
FC Cincinnati
The club announced today that FC Cincinnati has signed defender Nick Hagglund to a contract extension through the 2024 season. Hagglund is FC Cincinnati’s all-time leader in appearances, games started and minutes played.
FC Cincinnati sign Nick Hagglund to a contract extension https://t.co/hPHgYHwqf4
— Micheal Soriano (@Soriano310ms) March 9, 2023
“We are proud to extend Nick and have him with us through 2024,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “His leadership within our group is invaluable, and his connection to our community and fans embodies the spirit of our organization.”
FC Cincinnati returns to TQL Stadium for Matchday 3 as they take on Seattle Sounders FC this Saturday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Orange and Blue will look to stay unbeaten by going up against the top team in the Western Conference after opening the season with a win against Houston Dynamo FC and a draw at Orlando City SC.
Saturday’s matchup is the only fixture across MLS on Matchday 3 between two clubs unbeaten through two games played. It also marks the first time the Orange and Blue will play host to the Sounders in the third all-time matchup.
LA Galaxy
Today’s Leagues Cup 2023 Bracket Announcement revealed the LA Galaxy’s group schedule for the inaugural edition of Leagues Cup 2023. In the Galaxy’s group (West 3), LA will square off against LIGA MX side Club León at Dignity Health Sports Park on Tuesday, July 25, before playing host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at home on Saturday, July 29. Kickoff times and broadcast assignments will be announced at a future date.
LAFC
The MLS reigning Cup and Supporter Shield champions LAFC kicked off their 2023 MLS campaign on a high note after defeating the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Saturday, March 4 but will now shift their focus and prepare for the first leg of their Round of 16 Concacaf Champions League matchup against Costa Rican side L.D. Alajuelense.
NYCFC
The Boys in Blue welcome Inter Miami CF to Yankee Stadium, gracing home turf for the first time in the new campaign, having started with successive road trips to Nashville SC and Chicago Fire. “It will be a tough test, and it doesn’t surprise me that they’ve started 2-0. Not only are they an improved team, but they’ve had the opportunity to play twice at home, and they’re powerful in front of their fans, said head Coach Nick Cushing.
NY Red Bulls
Real Salt Lake
RSL returns home to America First Field for MLS Matchday Three, welcoming Austin FC.
Real Salt Lake kicks off the home portion of its 19th campaign in Club history with what is expected to be a highly-charged playoff rematch from last October in Austin, as Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni’s side now commences a run that sees RSL at home for five of its next seven MLS matches and seven of its next overall 10 contests.
St Louis City
St. Louis CITY SC’s Group Stage matches in the Leagues Cup will be at the Columbus Crew SC on July 23 and home against Club América on July 27.
Toronto FC
Big ups to our #1, @SeanJohnGK 👊
Johnson cracks the @MLS Team of the Matchday bench #TFCLive
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) March 6, 2023
Coach Bob Bradley and Goalkeeper Sean Johnson offered thoughts on the state of things with the Canadian club. The legendary coach seems confident his Italian superstar will be ready to play in the next game.
Q. Is Lorenzo still good to play next week?
“I’m hopeful for next week. He was back on the field doing a little bit before this game”
Cover: Toronto FC