MLS: Martins, Drogba Fail To Win Goal Of The Season

Didier Drogba and Obafemi Martins have lost out on the MLS Goal of the Season despite being among the top scorers in the league. None of their goals was good enough to win the best goal award but the two players were key in the success of their both teams this season.

Drogba of Montreal Impact and  Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins had their goals nominated for the 2015 MLS Goal of the Year.

‘Oba’, for one, had four of his goals initially nominated for the award.

MLS: Fanendo Adi Fires Portland Timbers To Record Final As Tesho Akindele Bows Out With FC Dallas

Fanendo Adi can't stop scoring for Portland Timbers has he ensured that his club qualified for the MLS Cup final for the first time ever. The Nigerian scored in the encounter where he helped to push out FC Dallas.

Nigerian striker Fanendo Adi was among the goals for Portland Timbers as they drew 2-2 at FC Dallas to reach the MLS Cup final for the first time in their history.

Adi won the Western Conference title with Portland Timber on 5-3 aggregate win over Tesho Akindele's FC Dallas.

Montreal Impact 4-2 Chicago Fire: Didier Drogba Nets Hat-Trick

Didier Drogba still looks strong and goal hungry. After loosing his first Debut as a substitute the prolific ex-chelsea striker has come back with a statement after hitting an hat-trick against Chicago Fire.

Didier Drogba launched his Major League Soccer career in style on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick on his first start for new club Montreal Impact in a 4-2 win over Chicago Fire.

The former Chelsea striker opened his goalscoring account on 21 minutes before Chicago battled back into the contest to take a 3-2 lead early in the second half.

MLS Match Report: Drogba Looses Debut Match, Toronto FC Trash Orlando & More

Sebastien Le Toux scored in the 78th minute and the Philadelphia Union beat Montreal 1-0 on Saturday night to spoil Didier Drogba’s debut for the Impact.

Drogba, the former Chelsea and Ivory Coast star, went into the game to a standing ovation in the 59th minute, but was unable to provide the spark for Montreal (8-10-4).

On the goal, Sapong lofted a pass to Eric Ayuk, whose shot was redirected in front by Le Toux for his sixth goal of the season.

Drogba's MLS Debut Match Tickets Sold Out

With Didier Drogba set to make his Major Soccer League debut for Montreal Impact this weekend, reports suggest that tickets are already sold out.

According to MLS Soccer website, the match between Montreal Impact and Philadelphia Union this coming Saturday will be played in front of a sell out crowd of 20, 801 spectators.

The Cote D’Ivoire legend left Chelsea at the end of the 2014/15 EPL season and is set to continue to scoring goals for the MLS outfit.

Obafemi Martins Hits Double For Seattle Sounders Against Orlando City

Obafemi Martins marked his return from injury by netting a brace in Seattle Sounders’ 4-0 defeat of Orlando City in the American topflight.

Martins suffered an adductor injury during the Sounders' U.S. Open Cup match against the Portland Timbers on June 17 – which kept him out for two months.

He gave the Sounders the lead in the 17th minute after a one-two with Lamar Neagle left him all alone with only Orlando keeper Tally Hall to beat. The striker rifled his attempt past Hall for his eighth goal of the season, taking over from Clint Dempsey as the side's leading scorer this season and giving the Sounders the early advantage.

MLS: DC United Defeat Real Salt Lake In Ten-Goal Thriller

DC United came from behind, scored six goals and conceded four in a remarkable match against Real Salt Lake in MLS action on Saturday.

Former United States international forward Chris Rolfe scored twice as Eastern Conference leaders DC United rallied past Real Salt Lake 6-4 in a topsy-turvy encounter.

Goals either side of the interval from Rolfe levelled proceedings, after RSL raced out to a 2-0 lead inside the first 21 minutes at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, before Perry Kitchen and Nicholas DeLeon broke the tie and secured victory for United on Saturday.

Drogba Looking Forward To The Beautiful MLS Challenge

Didier Drogba said he is looking forward to the "beautiful challenge" of finishing his career in Major League Soccer after being unveiled before hundreds of Montreal Impact fans on Thursday.

The veteran Ivory Coast and former Chelsea icon addressed a crowd of fans at Montreal's Saputo Stadium, a day after jetting into the Canadian city after wrapping up his MLS move earlier this week.

"I am a man of challenges and there is a beautiful one before me," Drogba said alongside Impact President Joey Saputo.

My Next Move Will Be A Very Big Surprise - Ibrahimovic

Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has no plans to leave the French champions for now, but claims his next club will raise eyebrows.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed his next move will be "a very big surprise" but reiterated that he plans to remain at Paris Saint-Germain this season.

The Sweden captain is in the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 champions and there has been frenzied speculation over his future.

Drogba Perfect For Montreal

Didier Drogba's winning mentality is not the only reason Montreal Impact went after the former Ivory Coast international. Montreal Impact sporting director Nick De Santis declared Didier Drogba "the perfect fit" for his club after signing the former Chelsea striker.

Under MLS's unique transfer rules, Drogba first joined Chicago Fire on Monday but was immediately traded to the Impact for "general and targeted allocation money".

Having only qualified for the MLS play-offs in one of their three previous seasons, De Santis made it clear that Drogba's history of success - four Premier League titles and the 2012 UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, plus the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray - would be key for Montreal.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Wants Future MLS Move

The big center forward desires to play in the MLS before he retires. If Zlatan moves he could get a bigger deal than that of David Beckham or something close. A lifestyle of pleasure could also be a part of the reason why he is attracted to the MLS.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he would like to play in MLS in the future.
The Sweden international, 33, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes this summer, with AC Milan keen to lure him back to San Siro.

However, he has stressed that a return to Italy is by no means a guarantee as he aims to ply his trade in the United States at some point, too.

Didier Drogba In MLS Link

Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba might be on is way to the MLS where most successful players around his age have moved to. With speculations around two things will certainly facilitate this move, money and the rich American lifestyle which suits Drogba.

Chicago Fire coach Frank Yallop was coy on growing speculation that former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is bound for the MLS franchise.

Drogba is a free agent after leaving Stamford Bridge on the back of Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign last season, and the former Ivory Coast international is now reportedly in discussions with the Fire.

David Beckham Gets Approval For 25000 Capacity Stadium In Miami

David Beckham's group plans to build a 25,000-seat stadium next to Marlins Park, where it will serve as the home of an MLS expansion team. David Beckham's plans to lead an MLS franchise in Miami have been boosted by long-awaited firm plans for a stadium to home the team.

A group led by the former England captain has reached an agreement with the city to build a 25,000-seater arena next to Marlins Park, home of the city's baseball team, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado announced on Friday.

MLS: Gerrard, Lampard Named In All Stars Team

New recruits Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard headline the 2015 MLS All-Star team. They are yet to make their MLS debuts, but former England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have both been included in the MLS All-Star team set to face Tottenham in Colorado on July 29.

Gerrard and Lampard were on Monday named as Commissioner Don Garber's picks for the All-Star match. Gerrard made his competitive bow for Los Angeles Galaxy in the opening match of the International Champions Cup on Saturday, while a calf strain delayed Lampard's highly anticipated New York City debut against Toronto FC on Sunday.

MLS: Gerrard In Winning Start

Steven Gerrard launched his post-Liverpool career with a low key cameo for new club Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, playing 45 minutes for the Major League Soccer side in a 2-1 win over Mexican giants Club America.

Just under two months after bidding an emotional farewell in front of 44 000 fans at Anfield, the former Liverpool talisman showed one or two glimpses of class before being substituted at halftime to applause from a 27 934-strong crowd.

Gerrard's full MLS debut is expected to come next Friday in a home fixture against the San Jose Earthquakes. Gerrard, 35, who has signed an 18-month deal with the Galaxy after spending his entire 17-year professional career with Liverpool, almost secured a fairytale debut goal in his best chance of the night.

MLS REVIEW: Charles Eloundou Inspires Colrado Comeback, Martin's Poor Form Continues

Colorado Rapids pulled off a 3-1 comeback win over Real Salt Lake, while Seattle Sounders' poor form continued. Substitutes Charles Eloundou and Juan Edgardo Ramirez turned the game for Colorado Rapids on Saturday, while an early blitz set up New York Red Bulls' third win in four MLS matches.

Eloundou set up all three goals for the Rapids, including one to Ramirez, as Colorado overturned a goal deficit in the final 10 minutes to triumph 3-1 over Real Salt Lake, who finished the match with 10 players.

After spending most of the match in defence, RSL looked on track for a shock win at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver but goals to Drew Moor, Jared Watts and Ramirez saw Colorado prevail at home.

Martins Hits Brace Over New York City FC

Obafemi Martinsgot two goals for Seattle Sounders in their 3-1 victory against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. A goal in each half of the encounter ensured Seattle secured their third consecutive win and fourth in five, while their hosts remain winless in seven matches.

Obagoal put his side in the 23rd minute after he ran down a through ball and slotted a breakaway goal in the 23rd minute that gave his side a half time lead. Nine minutes on restart of the second half, Mehdi Ballouchy pulled the hosts on level times before Clint Dempsey put Seattle in the lead again four minutes later.

Obafemi Martins Scores Brace Against Chivas In MLS League

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins was the hero for Seattle Sounders as they crushed hosts Chivas 4-2 in a MLS game on Wednesday. Martins has now scored 12 goals in 23 matches this season for Seattle Sounders. The Western Conference leaders scored four goals in the opening 42 minutes of the game as the Sounders recorded a comfortable win at the StubHub Center. Obafemi Martins and Andy Rose both netted braces for Seattle, who are five points clear atop the table.

The former Newcastle forward Martins started what proved to be a devastating first half for the Sounders when he tapped in from a close range, connecting Chad Marshall's header off Brad Evans corner. Five minutes later, Martins doubled the lead and completed his brace tapping into empty net off Lamar Neagle's pass.

JUST IN: Kaká To Join Orlando City As First MLS Designated Player

Orlando City is set to enter Major League Soccer with a major international star on its roster. Orlando City is set to sign Brazilian midfielder Kaká as its first designated player, a source with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel.

The 2007 World Player of the Year has long been linked to the Lions because of his ties to Orlando City’s Brazilian owner Flávio Augusto da Silva. The club will loan Kaká to his home club São Paulo for the remainder of the year before it begins play in MLS in 2015, the source confirmed.

The agreement is in place, however Kaká has not yet put pen to paper, the source said. That is expected to be completed in the near future.

Obafemi Martins Scores Brace In Pre-Season Friendly

The Nigeria international has regained his scoring form after finding the back of the net twice for his MLS club in an exhibition match. Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins only required two minutes to rediscover the missing scoring touch in Seattle Sounders' pre-season friendly 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in mid-week.

Two first-half goals by rejuenated attacking potential Martins provided the important confidence booster for the MLS side at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Seattle started several of its newcomers from a wild off-season against the Earthquakes, including goalkeeper Stefan Frei, defender Chad Marshall and forward Kenny Cooper.