Whom You Know: MLS Peachy: Happy New Year, from MLS Commissioner Don Garber

Thursday, January 7, 2016

MLS Peachy: Happy New Year, from MLS Commissioner Don Garber

Dear MLS Supporters:

Led by our great players and your incredible support, the 2015 Major League Soccer season was arguably the best in the League’s history.

On behalf of everyone associated with MLS – from our ownership to our players and league-wide staff – we are grateful for your dedication and commitment to helping build MLS into a League we can all be proud of.

The 20th MLS Season opened with the exciting anticipation of our two newest clubs, Orlando City SC and New York City FC. Both teams attracted record crowds with passionate supporters and set a new bar for the successful launch of an MLS expansion team.

Our regular season started with perhaps the most active signing period in history, led by Toronto FC signing Landon Donovan MVP Sebastian Giovinco, NYCFC signing Spanish star David Villa and Orlando City signing former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaká. These signings, as well as those of other international stars who joined the league during the summer transfer window, showed that MLS is becoming a “League of Choice” for some of the world’s biggest names.

As importantly, our clubs are continuing their commitment to player development, with significant investments in their academy programs. This past year, a Canadian player was the first pick in the MLS SuperDraft: Orlando City selected Cyle Larin, who went on to become the AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year as well as score the most goals ever by a Canadian player. And LA Galaxy Academy product Gyasi Zardes tied a record for most appearances by a player in his first year with the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Our 20th Season also featured the inaugural year of our eight-year partnership with ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision. And, for the first time, our games were broadcast in 170 countries, including live in many of the most important markets around the world. It also was our first year of Decision Day, which concluded the regular season in dramatic fashion.

The Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs kicked off as 12 Clubs began their quest to win MLS Cup. For the first time in MLS history, all three Canadian teams qualified for the postseason. The weeks leading to Cup featured incredible drama, last-minute goals, saves and penalty shootouts. Columbus Crew SC and the Portland Timbers were worthy finalists and I want to congratulate the Timbers and their passionate fans on winning their first MLS Cup!

Our 21st season is upon us, as the complete 2016 season schedule will be unveiled January 7, the adidas MLS Player Combine begins later that day, and the MLSSuperDraft, presented by adidas, on January 14. Preseason training kicks off the following week.

We are proud of our progress, and yet we know that MLS’ best days are still ahead. During the next few years, our league will expand even further and add new stadiums, providing fans the opportunity to support a local club in a great environment.

With your support, MLS will continue its march towards becoming the League of Choice for soccer fans in North America and around the globe.

I want to wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2016!

—Commissioner Don Garber

http://www.nycfc.com/

https://twitter.com/NYCFC

https://www.facebook.com/newyorkcityfc

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/