The new MLS season started this Saturday. In opening, DC United gave in at home against the Colorado Rapids (1-2). Thierry Henry had a successful debut on the Impact Montreal bench (see below). The Seattle Sounders, opposed to the Chicago Fire this Sunday (9 p.m.), are putting their title at stake, in a championship turned upside down by the departure of its stars and the arrival of two new franchises.
MLS deprived of its stars
Over the years, the MLS had forged a reputation as a golden paradise for the big names in pre-retirement football. However, for this new season, the snoring names are rather absent subscribers. The retreats of stars such as Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Bastian Schweinsteiger or David Villa, had already lost some prestige in the North American league.
This trend was further accentuated with the departures of Wayne Rooney (DC United) and Zlatan Ibrahimović (Los Angeles Galaxy). After having "conquered" MLS with 53 goals in 58 appearances, the former Parisian returned to AC Milan. The biggest recruitment of the American transfer window is that of Javier "Chicharito" Hernández from Sevilla FC by Los Angeles Galaxy, for around € 9 million. If the Mexican is the highest paid player in the history of MLS (5.5 M € per year), he is far from having the reputation and impact of the Swedish giant.
Zlatan had announced his departure from LA Galaxy in a… zlatan way
I came, I saw, I conquered. Thank you @lagalaxy for making me feel alive again. To the Galaxy fans - you wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continues ... Now go back to watch baseball pic.twitter.com/kkL6B6dJBr
- Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) November 13, 2019Two new franchises, including Inter Miami by Beckham
This new MLS season will be done with 26 teams, instead of 24 the previous seasons. The new franchise for the Western Conference will be Nashville FC. Inter Miami, created by David Beckham in 2018, will be the new franchise for the Eastern Conference. The Floridian club has already been talked about a lot during the transfer window, trying to attract big names like Luka Modric, David Silva or Edinson Cavani, with juicy contracts. But, like the MLS, it is for the moment without stars that the franchise will start its very first season. David Beckham is also more than invested in this project, which he wants to make his mark: "I want to leave a mark and my children can in twenty years say: My father helped build this club". Inter Miami kicks off its season this Sunday against Los Angeles FC. The club will open its stadium, Lockhart Stadium, on March 14 in its first home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the former club of… David Beckham.
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Thierry Henry begins with a success with the Montreal Impact
After his failure in Monaco, Thierry Henry started his new experience on the Impact Montreal bench with a success in MLS. On the night of Saturday to Sunday, the Canadian franchise overthrew New England (2-1) thanks to goals from Honduran winger Romell Quioto (37th) and Argentine striker Maximiliano Urruti (80th). The top scorer in the history of the Blues (51) therefore finds in the best way a championship he knows very well, after playing there for five seasons at the New York Red Bulls. The former Gunner and his men, including his former teammates in selection Bacary Sagna and Rod Fanni, will travel to Dallas on March 7 for the second day of the championship. They will then play their first quarter final of the C1 Concacaf, scheduled for March 10 at home against another Costa Rican representative, Olimpia.
