MLS applies for trademarks for two potential USL team names

  

Last night, Massive Scoop found that Major League Soccer has applied for trademarks for the names "Lehigh Valley Steel FC" and "Bethlehem Steel FC."

Both applications were filed on September 8th, the same day the Philadelphia Unionand The Morning Call, a Lehigh Valley-based daily newspaper, launched a fan vote to decide the name of the USL expansion side set to play in Lehigh. The two above names were on the ballot, along with "Lehigh Valley Blast" and "Steel FC," neither of which have been submitted for trademark by Major League Soccer.

This news just further confirms that the fan vote was decided before it even started. Sure, this was a marketing ploy to give fans the illusion of choice, but the fanbase had been clamoring for the resurrection of Bethlehem Steel FC long before the team was officially announced. Neither side had any intention of naming the team anything else, and, if anything, applying for the trademarks as early as possible without tipping off the fan vote's big reveal was smart business by MLS and the Union.

Seattle Sounders Center Back Román Torres' Season Cut Short

Sounders Centerback and Panamanian Captain will miss remainder of the season after ACL injury sustained in first half of draw in San Jose.

Román Torres will have his season cut short after suffering an injury in the dying moments of the first half this past Saturday in a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Seattle Sounders FCdefender had just returned from national team duties with Panama, and was playing in only his third match with the Sounders.

Torres injured himself in the 42nd minute while attempting to settle an incoming Erik Friberg corner kick, landing on his left leg and immediately hitting the ground. He was stretchered off the pitch moments later, and was subbed for Zach Scott. Torres was not the only injury suffered in the match. Also requiring subs for injuries were Brad Evans (head) and Nelson Valdez (calf).

The Sounders are no strangers to the injury bug this year, missing crucial minutes from Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Osvaldo Alonso, and most recently Andreas Ivanschitz. This forced a number of lineup shuffles over a 1-8-2 (all comps) record from June 20th to August 9th. Sounders fans will not get to see all of their new midseason signings playing together this year as Ivanschitz entered the match to replace Valdez in the 2nd half.

Torres’ signing marked a shift for Evans from his season starting center back position, back to the midfield, where he’s spent his MLScareer playing. With five league matches remaining, Head Coach Sigi Schmid and crew will need to make a decision on who joins Marshall on the back line. Alonso, who recently returned from injury, is back in action next week after missing the Earthquakes match due to yellow card accumulation. With the three remaining transfer window signing all being in the midfield, it’s likely to see Evans move back to center back to make room.

Of note; the MLS Roster freeze is 5PM ET, Tuesday. Given the season-ending nature of the injury, it’s still possible the Sounders could make a move to round out their newly opened roster spot. This player would need to be a free transfer, as the official FIFA window has closed. If Evans returns to the backline, a move to bring in Jamaican International, Damion Lowe, back up from Sounders USLaffiliate, S2, may be the only negotiable option, given the short timeframe.

Seattle’s next match is this Saturday in Vancouver. Schmid, who recently returned from a health related absence, has stated he will be at the match. Sounders fans will need to wait until then to catch a glimpse of the shape of the team for the remainder of the season. At the time of this writing, there is official word on injuries sustained to Valdez or Evans. More on the Torres injury is expected from the team on Tuesday.

Toronto FC 1-3 New England Revolution: Miss-firing Toronto Shot Down By Revs

Toronto FC were left in the dust by a phenomenal New England side in an incredible match in Toronto.

Toronto FC

1 3

New England Revolution

TORONTO FC: KONOPKA; MORROW, KANTARI, PERQUIS (GOMEZ, 76TH MIN), WILLIAMS; DELGADO, OSORIO, BRADLEY, FINDLEY; GIOVINCO, ALTIDORE

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: SHUTTLEWORTH; HALL, FARRELL, GONCALVES, TIERNEY; JONES (KOBAYASHI, 81ST MIN), CALDWELL; BUNBURY (ROWE, 61ST MIN), NGUYEN, FAGUNDEZ; DAVIES (AGUDELO, 68TH MIN)

SCORE: 1-3 PERQUIS (OG, 4TH MIN) FAGUNDEZ (38TH MIN) FINDLEY (55TH MIN) ROWE (70TH MIN)

REFEREE: REFEREE: BALDOMERO TOLEDO (USA) BOOKED: JERMAINE JONES (26TH MIN), FARRELL (58TH MIN), ROWE (63RD MIN), KANTARI (73RD MIN)

INCIDENTS: MLS MATCH BETWEEN TORONTO FC AND THE NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

The New England Revolution continued their march for theSupporters' Shield after a 3-1 win away from home against an unlucky Toronto FC in a entertaining match at BMO Field.

There was almost an opening goal in the opening minute for the Revolution when Lee Nguyen was left free outside the Toronto box, which allowed Jermaine Jones to set the American up. Yet, Nguyen fired wide. Toronto came close moments later when Robbie Findleygot on the end of a Sebastian Giovinco cross, but his header smashed off the frame of the bar,

The quick start provided the first goal as New England took the lead in the fourth minute when Damien Perquis fumbled the ball into his own net. Teal Bunbury burst down the right wing before playing a low cross into the Toronto FC box, and Perquis was at the wrong place, and tapped the ball into his own net, to give New England the early lead.

Toronto responded to the goal well. Giovinco, who had returned from injury, stepped up for a free kick a good 30 yards out in the 10th minute, and the Atomic Ant was not far off as his strike flew just wide of the post.

Giovinco continued to show what he is capable of as the formerJuventus attacker incredibly nutmegged two Revolution defenders in a matter of seconds, before teeing the ball up for Jozy Altidore, who missed a good chance to put the Reds back on level terms.

Jermaine Jones picked up a yellow card in the 26th minute, meaning that the US international will now miss Wednesday night's important match against the New York Red Bulls due to yellow card accumulation.

Just when Toronto looked to be easing into the game more, Diego Fagundez shot the Reds down as the winger made it 2-0 to the visitors. Bunbury and Nguyen linked up well down the right wing before Nguyen teed Fagundez up on the edge of the penalty box with a perfectly weighted pass. The Uruguayan attacker placed the ball neatly past Chris Konopka with a clean first time strike to make it 2-0 to the Revs in the 38th minute.

Despite Toronto dominating the half in terms of both possession and shots on target, the Reds walked off the pitch having not found the net once in the opening 45 minutes.

Giovinco nearly got Toronto off to the perfect start after the second half kicked off when the Italian found his way through the New England defence after Altidore had laid the ball off to him with a good pass. Giovinco casually chipped the ball over Bobby Shuttleworth from close range only for Andrew Farrell to clear the ball off the line.

Toronto’s promising second half continued to blossom when Findley found space down the right wing, and used it to burst toward goal. However, his final shot from close range flew wide of the far post and out for a goal kick.

Finally in the 55th minute, Findley got his reward as the striker gave Toronto a lifeline. Giovinco dribbled his way down the right wing and whipped in a short cross to the head of Findley six yards out from goal. The pacey striker leaped high in the air, and powered the ball past Shuttleworth with an easy header to put Toronto right back in the game.

The goal urged Toronto on even more to level the game up. Giovinco almost equalized for the Reds in the 59th minute when his initial free kick rebounded off the wall back to the Italian, but his follow up volley fired just wide of the post.

Giovinco went close again as Michael Bradley did well to glide through the Revolution defence, and after a sequence of bounces in the New England box, the ball fell to him again before his snapshot from just outside the box flew inches wide of the post.

After playing well all game, Bradley gifted the Revolution a goal in the 70th minute. The Toronto captain was caught sleeping with the ball in his own box, and was easily disposed by substitute Kelyn Rowe, who smashed the lose ball past Konopka, to make it 3-1 to New England in a moment to forget for Michael Bradley.

New England could have made it 4-1 when Toronto were caught out at the back as Rowe won the ball on the edge of the box. He picked Fagundez, but his shot from close range was well saved by Konopka.

Shuttleworth continued to do his part in between the sticks for Toronto as Giovinco again pounced on goal, but it was the same story as it had been for most of the game, a Shuttleworth again denied Giovinco with a great save.

Toronto’s winless streak against the Revolution now expands to seven games; however, their performance on Sunday will not be something to get mad over. The Revs now go into Wednesday’s game against the Red Bulls brimming with confidence after an impressive showing against a unlucky Toronto side.