Friday's soccer news starts with the ongoing problem that is trying to predict the short-term future of professional soccer. Each day that passes without an obvious end to the stay at home policies now in place in countries all over the world only adds to the discussions about the eventual return to normal. The expectation is of a date that counts, but that doesn't seem reasonable right now. In . . .
What happens with the 2019-20 Champions League?
Thursday's soccer news starts with more on the economics of suspended seasons. European soccer is in a situation where there may or may not be a hard June 30 deadline to complete the current seasons, with leagues and governing bodies reportedly considering options past that point. Finishing the 2019-20 season appears to be a priority across European soccer, pushing against the scenarios that have . . .
The four perfect MLS teams
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - Despite the aborted start to Major League Soccer's 25th season, there's data to go on when looking at how the landmark campaign might play out. Two games aren't much. Still, if it's possible to impress in just 180 minutes of soccer, there are a few candidates for the most promising teams of 2020. Predicting how a season might go . . .
The potential transfer disruption
Wednesday's soccer news starts with another issue once the games resume. How does the transfer window work if leagues need more time to complete the current season? According to a report from The Telegraph's Mike McGrath FIFA may address that by keeping the summer window open until January. Though individual leagues determine when their transfer windows open and close, the thought is that an . . .
How good were the ’77 Cosmos?
The 1977 Cosmos normally get the nod as the best version of that club and, by extension, the best team in the history of the North American Soccer League. The NASL existed in a different era for the sport. Watching footage should reveal a few things. More time and space on the ball, legal back passes to reset through the goalkeeper, and the 35-yard offside rule used by the NASL. Those combine to . . .
Olympics pushed to 2021
Tuesday's soccer news starts with the latest rescheduling of a summer tournament. The Tokyo Olympics will move to next summer, with the International Olympic Committee making the announcement earlier today. Concacaf Men's Olympic qualifying would've already been underway in Guadalajara. The USMNT U-23s would be playing Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic in Group A. With the official . . .
5 USMNT players in the Eredivisie
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 23, 2020) US Soccer Players – The USMNT was supposed to be preparing for a Thursday friendly against the Netherlands in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. It was supposed to be a big test for the Americans as they prepared for the Concacaf Nations League and World Cup Qualifying. Instead, none of this seems to matter at the moment. The USMNT last played on February 1 . . .
La Liga will wait for government approval
Monday's soccer news starts with Spain's domestic leagues now turning toward the government to approve an eventual restart. Though international soccer is well on record for not wanting government interference in a country's soccer operations, Spain is moving ahead with a common sense move other countries should follow. "The Monitoring Commission established by the current RFEF-LaLiga . . .
The pandemic reminds us what matters, and what doesn’t, about soccer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 20, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a matter of weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has transformed lives across the planet. From the relatively modest sacrifices of working from home and other social distancing to the nearly 9,000 and counting who've died from the illness around the world, people are facing fears and challenges with little to no precedent in our . . .
Stadium construction continues in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 18, 2020) US Soccer Players - The game is on hiatus, and most of the fans are stuck at home waiting for regular life to return. Meanwhile, preparations for the future of soccer continue in several MLS cities. Soccer-specific stadium construction pushed MLS from unwanted houseguests in arenas not built with the game in mind to the chief tenant in glittering, . . .
