Season 17 of MLS is among us! Will it always feel like this?

Without letting idealism and false pretenses or perceptions of a golden age overwhelm my faculties responsible for reasoning, MLS is now too stable and too promising to ignore. While most of the European leagues end their respective seasons in about two months, this weekend brings us the First Kick for MLS’ 17th season. While doubters were aplenty in 1995, the league continues to make its product, on and off the pitch, more and more appealing. Though the future may look exquisite, the present is providing an ever-emanating platform for MLS and (North) American soccer’s self-actualization. From the Timbers Army creating an unrivaled atmosphere in Portland to L'Impact supplying a vibrant new cultural experience in Montreal, I hope it’s always like this. If you’ve been hesitant to give the league a chance, just watch a match this weekend. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

But without further ado, here are my essential, all-informing reads for the weekend:

Beckham’s passed out on the roof of the Bellagio? Oh wait, The Shin Guardian’s unparalleled and heavily pop culture-influenced MLS preview just has Zach Galifianikis backseat driving.
The 10 Players to watch*, by Jason Davis *with a distinct lack of pop culture references (boooo)
The New York Times tackles Don Garber. Not with two feet, but rather in the form of five key questions.
40k+ fans attending a game on a weekday? The Guardian focuses on how the INCONCEIVABLE(!!!) has come into being
Making use of the offseason is how good sides become great (if you don’t have the money to go out and buy any player you’d like) *cough* LA & NY *cough* - here’s The Yanks Are Coming on who succeeded in business ~~without really trying~~.
Grant Wahl’s interview with all nine managers in MLS’ (powerhouse of a) Western Conference captures the perceptions of the league’s ongoing changes and challenges.
It’s nice to see the league moving forward one step at a time, and Brian Straus writes for Sporting News that there’s simply too much at stake in Year 17 to ignore.

We didn’t have time to put together an MLS Fantasy League this year. However, I’ll be dueling it out with my team in the leagues hosted by TSG and TBSS. Enjoy First Kick everyone, and if you’re of age enjoy the perks of the FBM!