Gary Smith
FILE - Leicester's Timothy Castagne, left, and West Bromwich Albion's Kieran Gibbs vie for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between West Bromwich and Leicester City at the Hawthorns in West Bromwich, England, in this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, file photo. The newcomers joining Major League Soccer for the 2021 season lack some of the panache of previous years. In terms of recognizable names, Inter Miami may have landed the biggest by nabbing England left back Kieran Gibbs from West Bromwich Albion. (Tim Keeton/Pool via AP, File)
Defending champ Columbus, Philadelphia again tops in East

By Anne M. Peterson Apr. 13, 2021 05:14 PM EDT

File-Portland Timbers' Diego Valeri, center, shoots for a goal against Nashville SC in an MLS soccer match in Portland, Ore., Sunday, March 8, 2020. Having watched the MLS is Back tournament from afar because of coronavirus cases, FC Dallas and Nashville SC are grateful for the chance to play when they meet Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, for the resumption of Major League Soccer's regular season.(Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP, File)
FC Dallas, Nashville SC prepare to restart the MLS season

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 11, 2020 06:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 24, 2018, file photo, Sporting Kansas City's Peter Vermes acknowledges fans as he takes the pitch to lead his team against the Colorado Rapids in an MLS soccer match in Commerce City, Colo. Major League Soccer coaches are welcoming the opportunity to use five substitutes when play resumes in Florida next month, out of concern for both player fitness and the summertime heat. The adoption of the rule and the expansion of game-day rosters are especially important given the relatively short preparation time teams have had for the MLS Is Back Tournament, which starts July 8, 2020, at the sports complex at Walt Disney World. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
MLS to kick-start season in July with 5 subs, bigger rosters

By Anne M. Peterson Jun. 20, 2020 02:30 PM EDT