C.J. Sapong
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 - In this Nov. 13, 2019, file photo, Toronto FC soccer player Justin Morrow speaks to the media during an end of season availability in Toronto. A group of African American Major League Soccer players have formed a coalition to address systematic racism in their communities and bring about change within the league. The coalition is the result of an Instagram group formed after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, which spawned a wave of nationwide protests against racism and policy brutality. Started by Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow, the group grew to some 70 MLS players, who decided to act and the Black Players Coalition of MLS was born. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Black MLS players form coalition to fight systemic racism

By Anne M. Peterson Jun. 19, 2020 10:32 AM EDT