Franco Panizo
Major League Soccer
Mount Vernon, NY, United States
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Past articles by Franco:
Nashville minority owner Mark Wilf hoping to build "best soccer stadium"
MLS's newest expansion team could one day have "the best soccer stadium" in the league. At least that is what Nashville minority owner Mark Wilf envisions. In a Q&A with Minnesota's Star Tribune, he stated his desire to build MLS's premier soccer venue in the Music City. Wilf is part of the → Read More
Orlando City land Jose Villarreal via trade, sign fullback Mohamed El-Munir
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade, Signing For the second week in a row, Orlando City has brought in a pair of reinforcements. For the second week in a row, those reinforcements consist of a player familiar to MLS circles and one that is more of an unknown commodity. Orlando City announced on Wednesday → Read More
Sorting through the top 10 transfer stories of the week
If one thing was made clear this week in MLS, it is that the offseason is well underway. MLS teams continued to wheel and deal over the past few days in an effort to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2018 campaign. Some moves were made official while others continued to simple be part of the rumor → Read More
Panizo: Five teams that killed it on international market in 2017
The introduction of Targeted Allocation Money has seen MLS teams tap into the international market like never before. The 2017 season was proof of that. MLS clubs continued to scour the globe for talent this year, and they did well in that regard as there was no shortage of players from the → Read More
Houston Dynamo ink Eric Bird from USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing The Houston Dynamo have tapped into their USL affiliate to bolster their midfield depth. The Dynamo announced on Friday that they have signed midfielder Eric Bird to a first-team contract. Bird, 24, spent the past two seasons with Houston's USL side, Rio Grande → Read More
Columbus Crew SC looking forward to much-needed break before TFC showdown
BRONX, N.Y. – Two things made Columbus Crew SC happy on Sunday: Their advancement to the Eastern Conference Championship, and the fact that they are headed for a much-needed break. Crew SC survived their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against New York City FC on Sunday night, winning, 4-3, → Read More
How the USMNT can secure a top-three finish in on final matchday of Hex
The US national team's path to an automatic berth for Russia 2018 just got a little clearer. With Costa Rica tying Honduras, 1-1, on Saturday, the Americans now have better odds of qualifying for next summer's World Cup. The easiest way remains picking up three points in Tuesday's road game against → Read More
Kendall Waston's last-gasp equalizer sends Costa Rica to 2018 World Cup
Costa Rica salvaged a result very late at home on Saturday to qualify for the World Cup, and it was the Vancouver Whitecaps' Kendall Waston came through in the clutch for them. New York City FC winger Rodney Wallace played a key role in the build-up before Bryan Ruiz found Waston for the 95th-minute → Read More
Kaka impresses with brace in Orlando City's rout of New England Revolution
Talk of Kaká's demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Kaká showed he still had something left in the tank while making his first start in four matches for Orlando City SC, as he bagged a bace on Wednesday night in a 6-1 home rout of the New England Revolution. The Brazilian superstar did more → Read More
Preview: Colorado Rapids vs. New York City FC 09/17/2017
Colorado Rapids vs. New York City FC 2017 MLS Regular Season Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado Saturday, September 16 – 9 pm ET WATCH: MLS LIVE Nine points separate New York City FC from the top spot in the Supporters' Shield race, and → Read More
USMNT captain Michael Bradley unfazed by Alexi Lalas' pointed comments
Alexi Lalas' recent pointed comments towards the US national team may have caused quite a stir, but they did little to faze Michael Bradley. Lalas called out several US national team players by name, including Bradley, over the weekend during a halftime rant that has both spread like wildfire on → Read More
Diego Valeri aims to break record vs historically stiff foe Real Salt Lake
If Diego Valeri is to make history this weekend, he will have to do so against an opponent that has proven quite stingy against him. Valeri tied the MLS record for consecutive matches with a goal by netting the winner in the Portland Timbers' 1-0 road victory vs. New York City FC this past Saturday. → Read More
Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Philadelphia Union 09/10/2017
Minnesota United vs. Philadelphia Union 2017 MLS Regular Season TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota Saturday, September 9 – 8 pm ET WATCH: MLS LIVE The Philadelphia Union's playoff hopes are dwindling, and they need a win in order to restore some faith in their ability to make → Read More
Tim Howard, Bruce Arena confident in USMNT defense despite absences
NEW YORK – It's a familiar refrain for the US national team these days: a crucial game is just days away, but the backline is littered with question marks. Nonetheless, the Americans remain confident in their chances, just as they've always been in these situations. The US are set to host Costa → Read More
LA Galaxy transfer team captain Jelle Van Damme to Royal Antwerp FC
The reports were true. Jelle Van Damme is no longer a member of the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy announced on Friday that they have completed the transfer of Van Damme, who joins Royal Antwerp FC in his native Belgium. LA received $235,000 from Antwerp FC for the 33-year-old central defender. “Jelle came → Read More
Did Ignacio Piatti ask for more money with his goal celebration?
It may have been intentional or coincidental, but Ignacio Piatti sure picked an interesting way to celebrate his stunning curler on Wednesday. Piatti led the Impact in their impressive 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire with a brace, and he celebrated the second goal by putting his hands behind his ears. → Read More
Toronto FC's Michael Bradley saddened by events in Charlottesville
Michael Bradley may be a Princeton, New Jersey native, but he spent plenty of time in Charlottesville, Virginia, while growing up. As a result, he was deeply affected by what transpired there this past weekend. Bradley opened up about his feelings towards the acts of violence and racism that took → Read More
Colorado Rapids front office says club needs to evolve
The ouster of Pablo Mastroeni may be the first of many changes coming to the Colorado Rapids. Colorado sporting director/interim general manager Padraig Smith and interim chief business officer Wayne Brant penned an op-ed to fans in the Denver Post on Wednesday saying that "The Rapids Way" must → Read More
Preview: Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls 08/19/2017
Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls 2017 MLS Regular Season Providence Park - Portland, Oregon Friday, August 18 – 10 pm ET WATCH: FS1 | MLS LIVE in Canada The Portland Timbers are eager to bounce back from last week's shellacking at the hands of Toronto FC, and they caught → Read More
Colorado Rapids part ways with Pablo Mastroeni, Cooke named interim boss
The Colorado Rapids have endured a rough season, and head coach Pablo Mastroeni has suffered the consequences as a result. The Rapids announced on Tuesday that they have parted ways with Mastroeni, and that assistant coach Steve Cooke will take over on an interim basis. The Rapids are currently in → Read More