Tag: MLS

Kaka’s inclusion in Brazil squad shows marketers still in control of the team

Orlando City midfielder Kaka has been called up to the Brazilian national team for a pair of friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States, making him the first MLS player to get a Brazil call-up.

Good for him, right? With nine goals in 22 appearances, he’s been playing well and Brazil manager Dunga justified the decision by explaining the need for experience. From ESPN FC:

“Kaka is a reference, like Robinho before him,” Dunga said during his news conference, stressing the need for youth and experience. “He gives us experience and maturity when times are difficult, when we need it off the field and on.

“We need to bring in young players to give them experience and have older players there to help them.”

But what makes the decision suspicious is the fact that 33-year-old Kaka, who has great memories but little future with the team, replaces 23-year-old Liverpool midfielder Coutinho, who could be vital to Brazil’s future. And there’s the coincidence that both matches will be played in the U.S., where Kaka is a far bigger draw than Coutinho, especially now that he plays in MLS and is coming off an MVP performance in the league’s All-Star Game.

Sadly, this information falls into line with the recent investigation by Brazilian journalist Jamil Chade that revealed the contractual influence of marketing firm ISE on team selection, removing all concern for player development in favor of pure profit generation.

It’s not just business interests damaging Brazil, though. Dunga is ensuring that personal biases play a role, too. He also excluded Thiago Silva, whom he stripped of the captaincy upon returning to the job, in favor of 24-year-old Arsenal bench warmer Gabriel Paulista.

So if you’re still wondering how a nation with so much talent can disappoint at major tournaments like Brazil have been doing in recent years, here’s your answer.

NYCFC fans mark Frank Lampard’s debut with “I love Lamp” banner

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Frank Lampard finally made his NYCFC debut a year after first being unveiled by the new MLS club, coming off the bench in the 69th minute of their 3-2 loss to Montreal. Despite the confusion and lies that led to him playing a full season for sister club Man City before reaching this day, the New York fans showed there were no hard feelings with an “I love Lamp” banner, expressing both their support of the former England international and their love of Anchorman character Brick Tamland.

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Spurs prove they’re not yet at MLS level in loss to All-Stars

Tottenham Hotspur were hoping to prove themselves against the MLS All-Stars, but a 2-1 loss only demonstrated that they aren’t yet up to the level of the U.S. top division. The MLS All-Stars jumped out to 2-0 lead by the 23rd minute with a penalty from Kaka, who then set up David Villa for the second. Spurs striker Harry Kane got one back before halftime, but the MLS side took their opponents a bit more seriously and shut them down in the second half.

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Didier Drogba gets raucous welcome at Montreal airport

Didier Drogba arrived in Montreal to begin work with the Impact and good lord are the locals excited to have him. Though Drogba is no stranger to massive airport welcome parties, he was still impressed with the one he received in Montreal — so much so that he even recorded it himself.

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Colorado Rapids defender tears up when he’s told he made the MLS All-Star squad for the first time

Less than a year ago, Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor tore his ACL and meniscus. It took him eight months to work his way back and in April, he returned to the Rapids’ lineup.

Though the 31-year-old Moor has five caps for the U.S. national team and won the MLS Cup with Colorado in 2010, he had never been selected as an All-Star. In the video above, he expresses how much it would mean to him to add that honor to his credits, especially so soon after a major injury. He is then asked to read a piece of paper as the cameras roll, and as he does, he learns that he has been selected to be in the All-Star squad that will face Tottenham on July 29.

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Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are first two players named to MLS All-Star team despite never playing in MLS

MLS has announced the Fan XI and league commissioner Don Garber’s two selections for the league’s All-Star squad, which will face Tottenham Hotspur in this year’s All-Star Game on July 29. Of those 13 players, only two are guaranteed spots on the teamsheet — the bossman’s picks. Who happen to be a couple of guys who have never appeared in an MLS match as of their selection and have spent the last 15 years proving they can’t play together. Yes, the LA Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard and NYCFC/Man City’s Frank Lampard.

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