Category: MLS

by Matt Windsor (US)

New York City FC Secures Future Talent with Zidane Yañez’s Signing Through 2028

New York, NY – New York City Football Club has made a significant move in securing its future talent by signing 15-year-old homegrown forward Zidane Yañez through the 2028 MLS season, with an additional option for 2029. Announced on Friday, this strategic signing marks Yañez as the 13th homegrown player to join the club’s ranks.

NYCFC’s Sporting Director, David Lee, expressed his enthusiasm about Yañez’s addition to the team. “We are thrilled to have Zidane, a product of our academy, step up to a professional level with NYCFC,” Lee said. He praised Yañez for his well-rounded skill set as a forward, highlighting his technical ability, tactical understanding, and exceptional work rate, which are crucial in today’s fast-paced game. Lee also emphasized Yañez’s proven record as a clinical goal scorer across various age groups.

Yañez’s journey with NYCFC started in 2021 when he joined the academy and quickly became a regular feature in the U17 team. His talent shone through during his participation in the MLS NEXT Fest Tournament earlier this month, showcasing his potential at a national level.

Apart from his contributions to NYCFC, Yañez has gained international experience at a young age. He has been capped at the youth level for both Chile and Puerto Rico’s U15 national teams and was recently invited to a U.S. U16 training camp this year, indicating his growing prominence in the youth soccer circuit.

Upon signing his first professional contract, Yañez expressed his gratitude and excitement. “It’s an honor to start my professional journey with NYCFC. This is a dream come true, and I am committed to working hard to realize my full potential both on and off the field,” Yañez stated. He acknowledged the opportunity as just the beginning of his professional career and is determined to continue his development.

This move by NYCFC not only secures a promising talent for the club’s future but also reinforces its commitment to nurturing and integrating homegrown players into its professional setup. Yañez’s signing is a testament to the effectiveness of NYCFC’s youth development program and its potential to produce high-caliber players for the first team. As the young forward embarks on his professional career, all eyes will be on his development and contribution to NYCFC in the upcoming seasons.

by Abhishek Shukla

Luis Suárez Joins Inter Miami CF: A Striker of World-Class Pedigree

MIAMI, FL — In a significant move that has stirred excitement in the Major League Soccer (MLS) landscape, Inter Miami CF announced the signing of celebrated Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez. The contract, which extends through the 2024 MLS season, sees Suárez join the team after a stellar stint in Brazil, where he was named Best Player and Best Striker in the Brazilian league.

Suárez’s arrival at Inter Miami is not just a transfer but a statement of intent. With 26 goals and 17 assists over 53 appearances for Grêmio, leading them to win the Campeonato Gaúcho and Recopa Gaúcha, Suárez has shown he remains a formidable force in front of goal.

Inter Miami’s Managing Owner, Jorge Mas, expressed his elation, stating, “Luis is a fierce competitor whose winning drive embodies what we want out of our players.” Mas emphasized the club’s commitment to pursuing world-class talent to compete at the highest levels.

David Beckham, Co-Owner of Inter Miami, also shared his enthusiasm about Suárez’s quality and passion for the game, highlighting the positive influence he would have on the squad and the club’s youth players.

Suárez himself expressed excitement about his new challenge, stating, “I’m ready to work to make the dream of winning more titles with this great Club a reality.”

The striker’s illustrious career includes triumphs in the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and multiple LaLiga victories. He has been a top scorer in various competitions and has earned numerous individual accolades, including European Golden Shoe honors and the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball.

Xavier Asensi, Chief Business Officer at Inter Miami, remarked on this as a monumental moment for the club, highlighting Suárez’s incredible skill set and the impact he will bring.

Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, praised Suárez as an outstanding striker with a proven track record at the top levels of the sport, adding, “We’re looking to build on the successes of last season in 2024 and think Luis will be an important addition for us.”

Suárez’s tenure at FC Barcelona (2014-2020) was particularly noteworthy, where he secured numerous titles and scored an impressive 195 goals. His time at Liverpool and Atlético Madrid further cemented his status as a top-tier striker.

A native of Salto, Uruguay, Suárez began his career at Club Nacional de Fútbol, making his professional debut and later securing an Uruguayan Primera División title. His national team record is equally impressive, holding the record for most goals and contributing significantly to Uruguay’s 2011 Copa América victory.

At Inter Miami, Suárez will reunite with former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, with whom he shared considerable success in Spain.

The signing of Luis Suárez is a clear indication of Inter Miami’s ambition and commitment to excellence. His proven track record, experience, and hunger for success are expected to make a significant impact on the club’s performance in the upcoming MLS seasons.

by Matt Windsor (US)

Major League Soccer Announces Historic 2024 Season Schedule

Major League Soccer (MLS) has unveiled its complete schedule for the 2024 regular season, marking the league’s 29th season. The season will commence with a historical early start, featuring a standalone match on Wednesday, February 21, where eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi and the reigning Leagues Cup champions Inter Miami CF will host Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium.

The opening week, dubbed “MLS is Back,” will continue with 14 matches scheduled for Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25. A notable matchup includes the LA Galaxy hosting Inter Miami CF on Sunday, February 25 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The 2024 season will see all matches broadcasted on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, making it the first global streaming service to offer every match of a professional league in a dedicated destination. This service is available in over 100 countries and regions, offering expansive and accessible programming without blackouts. Additionally, MLS Season Pass will feature exclusive on-demand content, including MLS 360 and MLS Wrap-Up, providing comprehensive matchday coverage in English and Spanish.

Moreover, select MLS matches will also be available on FOX Sports in the U.S., and on TSN and RDS in Canada. FOX Sports will air 34 games in the U.S., including matches in both English and Spanish on FOX Deportes.

The format for the 2024 season involves each team playing 34 regular season games, evenly split between home and away matches. Eastern Conference clubs will face each Eastern Conference opponent twice, along with six matches against select Western Conference teams. Similarly, Western Conference teams will play each opponent in their conference twice, with additional matches against one or two intra-conference opponents, and six to seven matches against Eastern Conference teams.

The 2024 MLS All-Star Game, presented by Target, is set for July 24 in Columbus, Ohio. This event promises a week full of soccer events, music, interactive fan experiences, and community-focused activities.

The 2024 MLS Rivalry Week will span from May 11-18, featuring key matchups like the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew hosting in-state rival FC Cincinnati, and the Portland Timbers facing Seattle Sounders FC. Other rivalry matches include Orlando City SC against Inter Miami CF and the Canadian Classique between Toronto FC and CF Montréal.

Another highlight of the season is the El Tráfico match between LA Galaxy and LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, following its record-setting attendance in the previous season. Additionally, a rematch of the 2023 MLS Cup will see Columbus Crew facing LAFC on July 13.

The Leagues Cup will return in 2024, featuring a World Cup-style competition between all LIGA MX and MLS teams. The tournament, which begins on July 26 and concludes on August 25, will maintain three berths to the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion directly qualifying for the Round of 16.

MLS Decision Day 2024, marking the final matchday of the regular season, is scheduled for October 19. This day will feature crucial matches with postseason implications, with Eastern Conference matches starting at 6 p.m. ET and Western Conference matches at 9 p.m. ET.

Finally, the season will culminate with the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, leading to the MLS Cup on December 7. The championship match hosting rights will be awarded to the team with the better regular season record.