The 2013 MLS schedule is now out, and right off the bat we can see some exciting matchups for the coming domestic soccer season. We have Philadelphia Union playing Sporting Kansas City at PPL Park on Saturday, March 2, but it’s the much-anticipated “Rivalry Week” coing up in mid-March that everyone has their eyes on. MLS Rivalry Week will feature no less than eight games on March 16-17 between local rivals. Among the soccer “derby” games will be LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA and Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders, two atmosphere-charged clashes that will sort out the men from the boys. MLS soccer games are becoming passionate affairs, with fans of teams such as Seattle and NY Red Bulls turning their stadiums into frothing crazy bowls during big games. The new Rivalry Week will come in a season where every single game will be televised live, but why miss out on all the fun? You can buy tickets to MLS games at Ticket Liquidator, and you will see we have an extensive inventory covering games from New England to Southern California. Soccer tickets will be selling faster now the MLS schedule has been announced so be sure to buy yours ASAP. Other MLS rivalries taking place on Rivals Week include the so-called Rocky Mountain Cup, traditionally fought out by Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. There will also be a Canadian soccer game between Montreal Impact and Toronto FC. An all-Texas grudge game between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo is also scheduled. With the departure of LA Galaxy star David Beckham, MLS might be in need of a new luminary to lead the way. The caliber of footballer being attracted to the MLS in recent years has certainly rose precipitously so who knows, maybe we’ll see a Frank Lampard, a Didier Drogba or even a Ronaldo coming soon. The Brazilian Ronaldo, probably…

Rival fans at Premier League games have mocked one another with chants of “Sit down, shut up!” for many years, but now it appears the clubs have started issuing similar instructions to their own paying customers.
Due to an “increasing number of complaints,” Sunderland has suspended the season tickets of many supporters who ruin the match day experience by standing throughout the game.
The club issues a warning on its website — mainly directed at those who stand at the Stadium of Light’s South Stand — and persistent offenders have now have their seats taped up. Punishing those who stand too often by reducing their chances of sitting down, after all, makes perfect sense. It is fair enough to ensure that fans of all ages and abilities get a good view of the game, but would it not make more sense to ensure the elderly and disabled are not seated behind areas where the more “boisterous” fans prefer to sit/stand?
Most stadia have seating blocks or stands where the fans who prefer to stand and chant tend to congregate. If those who are not vertically inclined are encouraged to sit in different areas of the ground, there will be no need for fan suspensions or killjoy antics.
Regardless of health and safety issues, punishing passionate fans for creating a lively atmosphere does not seem like a very smart move — particularly at a club like Sunderland, where this season’s average attendance is around 9,000 below capacity.