Former MLS & Iraq National Team player. University of Michigan, Will dominate anyone in Backgammon. @Nike Athlete. عراقي انا ✞
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Articles by Justin Meram
Pablo Ruiz, Justen Glad score as Real Salt Lake tie Seattle Sounders
1h ago The Canadian Press Justin Meram , The Canadian Press SANDY, Utah — Pablo Ruiz scored his first MLS goal, Justen Glad also scored and Real Salt Lake tied the Seattle Sounders 2-2 on Wednesday night. Real Salt Lake played for the first time since owner owner Dell Loy Hansen decided to sell his soccer teams in the wake of reports that he made racist comments.
Why I Play for Iraq
I was checking my Facebook page when the message popped up. “Are you Iraqi?” it read. Nothing else. This was in 2013. I honestly didn’t know what to think at first. Being someone of Middle Eastern descent who was born and raised in the United States, and living in a post-9/11 America, can be tough. And I can’t ignore that while playing in MLS I’ve had a few fans of other teams call me a “smelly terrorist” and shout racial slurs at me during games.
Why I Play for Iraq
I was checking my Facebook page when the message popped up. “Are you Iraqi?” it read. Nothing else. This was in 2013. I honestly didn’t know what to think at first. Being someone of Middle Eastern descent who was born and raised in the United States, and living in a post-9/11 America, can be tough. And I can’t ignore that while playing in MLS I’ve had a few fans of other teams call me a “smelly terrorist” and shout racial slurs at me during games.
Why I Play for Iraq
I was checking my Facebook page when the message popped up. “Are you Iraqi?” it read. Nothing else. This was in 2013. I honestly didn’t know what to think at first. Being someone of Middle Eastern descent who was born and raised in the United States, and living in a post-9/11 America, can be tough. And I can’t ignore that while playing in MLS I’ve had a few fans of other teams call me a “smelly terrorist” and shout racial slurs at me during games.
D.C. United acquires Deshorn Brown through allocation
The Jamaica international will likely play a big role right away for an anemic DCU offense in desperate need of reinforcements D.C. United has acquired Jamaican forward Deshorn Brown after trading for the No. 1 overall spot in the MLS allocation order with the Houston Dynamo. In order to get to the top spot, DCU traded Houston its No. 9 position in the allocation order, $100,000 in general allocation money, $75,000 in targeted allocation money and a 2018 international roster spot.
VIDEO: Cyle Larin drives on wrong side of road, charged with DUI in Orlando
Police released a video of the former MLS first-overall draft pick driving recklessly while intoxicated on his way back from a club early Thursday Orlando City striker Cyle Larin was arrested early Thursday morning on a charge of driving under the influence, and police released a video of the incident.
MLS Spotlight: Justin Meram having breakout season with Columbus Crew amid plenty of challenges
The Columbus Crew midfielder has been one of the league's top players in 2017, despite several factors that could have derailed his campaign There were plenty of reasons Justin Meram could’ve had a down year in 2017. The Columbus Crew winger was given a big raise in a new contract signed in March, before fears over the new U.S. administration’s policy forced him to pull out of Iraq national team duty.
Christos FC: Liquor store-sponsored amateurs put scare in D.C. United
Baltimore-based club Christos FC gave the four-time MLS Cup champions all they could handle in last-32 U.S. Open Cup clash BOYDS, Md. — When D.C. United took the field for its U.S. Open Cup clash Tuesday, the reserve-heavy side still featured a former MLS Defender of the Year, a Costa Rica international, two U.S. national team prospects and the tournament's all-time leading scorer. As for United's opponent?
Teen phenom Davies gains Canadian citizenship
The 16-year-old passed his citizenship test and took the oath Monday, paving the way for an international career with Octavio Zambrano's side It shouldn't be too long before we see Alphonso Davies suit up for Canada's national team, following the teenager's confirmation as a Canadian citizen on Monday. “I am overwhelmed and I am glad I can make my parents proud by becoming a Canadian citizen,” Davies told CanadaSoccer.com.
MLS Review: Seattle Sounders edge Houston Dynamo, nine-man Orlando City holds on for draw
Will Bruin's header was enough for the Seattle Sounders to beat the Houston Dynamo in MLS action Sunday The Seattle Sounders overcame the Houston Dynamo in MLS action Sunday, while a nine-man Orlando City side earned a draw against the Chicago Fire. Takeaways from the USA's draw with Venezuela A 69th-minute header from Will Bruin proved to be enough for Brian Schmetzer's Sounders to record a 1-0 win over the Dynamo at CenturyLink Field.
MLS Talking Points: Benches to be tested, Fire take hot streak to Orlando, and more
International call-ups have several MLS teams turning to their benches to pick up the slack, and while some are equipped, not all teams can handle it The absence of stars like Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley Jozy Altidore and Tim Howard might have been enough to grind MLS to a halt during an international break in year's past, but the league's wealth of talent, and the improved depth of many teams makes coping with international call-ups a more manageable proposition.
MLS Spotlight: Raheem Edwards humbled by quick rise with Toronto FC
The young Canadian has thrived in his first season in MLS, adapting to a new position and excelling on the league's top team TORONTO — Speed has always been a big part of Raheem Edwards' game, but even he couldn't predict how quickly he'd integrate himself into Toronto FC's first team. The 21-year-old ran the gamut of the TFC pyramid in relatively short order.
WATCH: Tim Howard furious as Rapids concede free-kick goal
The Colorado keeper was visibly angry with his teammates after conceding a goal to Haris Medunjanin off a free kick The Colorado Rapids season has not gone according to plan thus far, and that frustration may have boiled to the surface for Tim Howard Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union. After the Rapids jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage against their hosts, things slowly went downhill in the second half.
MLS Review: Dallas suffer first loss, Dynamo beaten
The San Jose Earthquakes ended the Texas side's unbeaten start to the season, while FCD's in-state rival took a beating on the road Dallas' unbeaten start to the MLS season was ended, while the Houston Dynamo were thrashed on Saturday. An 81st-minute goal from Jahmir Hyka saw the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 win which marked Dallas' first defeat. Hyka's goal was a stunner as he jumped to take a touch over a defender before calmly placing a finish in off the post.
WATCH: Hyka stunner sends FC Dallas to first loss of 2017
The Earthquakes midfielder managed to flick the ball over a defender and then hit it on the volley to score the only goal of the contest FC Dallas has proven to be arguably the best team in MLS in 2017, so it’s fitting it would take a top-class finish to finally hand the club its first defeat of the season. Jahmir Hyka delivered just that, with a late stunner at Toyota Stadium to hand the San Jose Earthquakes a shock 1-0 road victory over Dallas.
New York RB 1 - 1 Toronto Match report - 5/19/17 MLS - Goal.com
Toronto FC rallied to earn a point at Red Bull Arena thanks to Benoit Cheyrou, who cancelled out Bradley Wright-Phillips' first-half opener. New York Red Bulls ended Toronto FC's winning streak after Jozy Altidore missed a penalty for the visitors in Friday's 1-1 MLS draw. Amid a six-game winning run, Toronto rallied to earn a point at Red Bull Arena thanks to Benoit Cheyrou, who cancelled out Bradley Wright-Phillips' first-half opener.
MLS Spotlight: Barcelona product Ilie Sanchez is now Sporting KC's invaluable man
The Spanish midfielder hasn't drawn much attention outside Kansas City, but he has been a key reason for the club's early success in 2017 ORLANDO, Fla. — Peter Vermes had three players in mind to sign this winter to help fill a void in Sporting Kansas City's deep-lying midfield role, but before he could decide on any of them he received word that a player he had his eye on five years earlier was suddenly available. Just that quickly, the coach's shortlist was reduced to one name.
Toronto FC claims top spot - Goal's Week 11 MLS Power Rankings
TFC is red-hot, riding a six-game winning streak to the top of the heap. On the flip side, prolonged losing skids by NYRB and RSL have seen them drop It took 11 weeks and a historic winning streak, but we finally have a new No. 1! Unfortunately for another team, there's also a new No. 22. (Our MLS Power Rankings are voted on by Goal's editors and writers. Comments written by Rudi Schuller ). TFC has the most points in MLS and has established the fastest six-game winning streak in MLS history.
Late acquisition Hernan Grana outshining FC Dallas’ big-money winter buys
The Argentine wasn't the Supporters' Shield champion's first choice at right back but has adapted to the league more quickly than other additions FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas was all set this offseason at a position of need. Just a few weeks after an earlier-than-expected exit from the MLS playoffs, the team signed right back Jose Salvatierra. He looked like a perfect fit, an experienced Costa Rican international who at 27 could still give the team several years of production.
The MLS Wrap: Once-floundering Union on a roll, Sporting KC's Blessing in disguise and more
After starting out as the last MLS team to record a win, the Philadelphia Union have suddenly posted a pair of blowout victories and three shutouts It was blowout week in Major League Soccer, with five different teams posting multi-goal victories while scoring three or more goals. Some of the teams you might expect to be pummeled — like Real Salt Lake — were, but then some others you wouldn't have pegged for beatdowns — like Seattle and the New York Red Bulls — also fell victim.
D.C. native Oguchi Onyewu turns back the clock at RFK Stadium
The defender continued to put his injury woes in the past, marking his 35th birthday with a goal in the Philadelphia Union's 4-0 win over D.C. United WASHINGTON — Oguchi Onyewu played it cool, for a moment at least. As his header settled in the net at RFK Stadium, the Philadelphia Union defender pointed to the sky and casually jogged toward midfield.
MLS: Goals galore as Toronto FC wins sixth straight
Sebastian Giovinco was on target as the Canadian side extended its winning streak to a club record six games after edging Minnesota 3-2 Toronto FC stayed hot in MLS, while the Chicago Fire, New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union enjoyed big wins. Sebastian Giovinco was on target as Toronto extended its winning streak to a club record six games after edging Minnesota United 3-2.
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