A full day of preseason action in MLS, highlighted by NYCFC's second friendly in the UK and the final matches of the ATX Pro Challenge in Austin, Texas.
- New York City FC vs. Brondby (7 am ET, Manchester, England)
- Columbus Crew SC vs. Austin Aztex, ATX Pro Challenge (2 pm ET, Austin, Texas)
- FC Dallas vs. D.C. United, ATX Pro Challenge (4:15 pm ET, Austin, Texas)
- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. University of Victoria (5 pm ET, Victoria, British Columbia)
- Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Las Vegas Pro Soccer Challenge Cup (10 pm ET, Las Vegas, Nevada)
Follow all of today's news and updates from MLS training camps below, and for the entire preseason schedule, click here.
UNITED TAKE THE ARMADILLO
What some observers have called the best trophy in sports will now reside in Washington, DC, for the foreseeable future. D.C. United won the ATX Pro Challenge and its armadillo trophy with a 1-0 win over FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas (WATCH FULL REPLAY). Chris Rolfe scored the lone goal in the 54th minute, a 25-yard curler into the upper 90.
In the consolation game of the ATX Pro Challenge, Crew SC took 3rd place with a 1-0 win over the tournament hosts (REPLAY). Chad Barson -- a.k.a. @DoctorOfDefense -- provided the offense on the day, notching the 81st-minute winner from a cross by Justin Meram. Listen to what head coach Gregg Berhalter had to say after the match.
CAPS VS VICTORIA: LIVE!
It's become an annual thing for the Vancouver Whitecaps to take on the University of Victoria each preseason. This year's edition wasn't much of a competition, as the MLS side thumped the collegians, 6-0.
Pedro Morales and impressive new forward Octavio Rivero both found the net, but it was a volley from Canadian U-20 star Marcos Bustos in the 19th minute that got the ALL CAPS treatment from the team Twitter handle.
THE START OF SOMETHING IN COLORADO?
The Colorado Rapids had a season to forget in 2014, missign the playoffs again and suffering a 0-12-2 streak down the stretch. But as they prepare for Sunday evening's "barometer" game against the San Jose Earthquakes in Las Vegas Pro Soccer Challenge Cup (10 pm ET), head coach Pablo Mastroeni is feeling optimistic about things.
“I think we’re on the right track,” Mastroeni told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Last year was difficult for everyone. We came in late as a staff and didn’t have time to get everyone comfortable with our system and had some tough losses. . . . But it’s a fresh start, and I like what we’ve done with our roster."
THANKS FOR COMING
NYCFC may have lost their second preseason friendly in the UK (see below), but Sebastian Velazquez showed off some slick moves, including juking a couple of defenders on the right flank.
NGUYEN, FAGUNDEZ REJOIN REVS
Provided the latest "snow-maggedon" doesn't derail their travel plans, the New England Revolution are heading to Tucson for this week's Desert Diamond Cup. The group will include Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez, who have been with the US national team and the Uruguayan U-20 national team, respectively. They're set to re-join their teammates in Arizona. And, hey, Fagundez is no longer a teenager.
MEANWHILE, DOWN IN THE ACADEMY
The Generation adidas Cup regional tournaments have been taking place over the weekend in various locations. Looks like the kids are alright.
KLINSI DIGS IT!
Jurgen Klinsmann was in the San Jose area on Sunday and did a fly-by past the Earthquakes' new home, Avaya Stadium. He likes it, obviously. We imagine he'll like it even more if US forward Chris Wondolowski can bang in lots of goals there.
NYCFC DOWNED BY DANISH SIDE BRONDBY
Coming off their win over St. Mirren in Scotland in midweek, New York City FC had a stiffer test on Sunday afternoon in Manchester, England. Danish club Brondby IF, who currently sit in 4th place in the SuperLiga, ran out 2-0 winners. Mix saw his first action for the side as part of NYCFC's first-half starting XI: Saunders; Williams, Mendoza, Wason-Siriboe, Wingert; Diskerud, Jacobson, Grabavoy, Velasquez; Nemec, Villa. (Second-half XI.)
Goalkeeper Josh Saunders had some thoughts on the game after the final whistle. "It helped us to see a few of our weaknesses and things that we need to improve on," he said.
LONGEST UNBEATEN STREAK IN MLS?
A little bit of random trivia to celebrate 19 days 'til MLS.
