Friday's soccer news starts with a simple concept. What does a super coach look like without a super team? It works for any sport, asking how tactics and strategies adjust without the elite player advantage. Since super coaches regularly lose jobs with super clubs, we already know that those advantages might not necessarily make the difference. They're also not necessarily enough to . . .
Marcelo Bielsa defends his approach
It's been an interesting few days for Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. In a press conference, Bielsa defended his approach that includes scouting other Championship clubs training sessions by showing the media exactly what he does. The easy takeaway is that he does a lot, focusing on a level of preparation that he has no problem dismissing as excessive when it doesn't work. What's at question . . .
MLS makes Austin FC official
The soccer news starts with MLS officially announcing Austin FC will join the league in 2021. As everybody with even a moderate interest in MLS already knows, Austin was going to be the new home of the relocated Columbus Crew. Instead, Crew supporters pushed for a new investor/operator, with the team remaining in place. Former Crew investor/operator Precourt Sports Ventures is now the . . .
Frank de Boer’s job in Atlanta
The soccer news starts with Atlanta United officially introducing new coach Frank de Boer to the media. As expected, the mood was upbeat with de Boer saying all of the right things about the club. Easy enough when the club in question is the defending MLS champion. De Boer's job role is clear. He can't allow the club to noticeably drop off from last season's form. That he could be doing that . . .
Premier League losses for Newcastle and Fulham
The soccer news starts with the USMNT players in Europe and Mexico. In the Premier League, DeAndre Yedlin subbed out in the 82nd minute for Newcastle United's 2-1 loss at Chelsea. Failing behind in the 9th minute, Ciaran Clark equalized in the 40th. Chelsea scored their winner in the 57th minute. "We’ll look at that performance and take belief out of it," Clark said. "We’ve come away to Stamford . . .
The Philly way: The Philadelphia Union plant their flag
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - A famous movie maker once opined that 80 percent of life is just showing up. Sometimes the most striking way to make a statement, however, is not showing up at all. That’s what the Philadelphia Union did this week. It’s no secret that the MLS SuperDraft has steadily drifted towards the periphery of Major League Soccer’s player . . .
Indy Eleven and MLS expansion
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Jan 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - The list of leading candidates for the next MLS expansion franchise might need another adjustment. On Thursday, USL club Indy Eleven relaunched stadium talk in that city with an audacious plan that includes a 20,000-seat soccer venue. The proposed $550 project will include business and residential components in addition to the . . .
Gaming the MLS SuperDraft
The soccer news starts with the Philadelphia Union's intriguing approach to the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. They opted out entirely, trading all five of their picks to expansion club FC Cincinnati in return for an immediate $150k in general allocation money and the potential for $50k more. FC Cincinnati now enters the draft with 10 picks. Whether or not this was good business for either team is the . . .
Things change again in Carson
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jan 9, 2019) US Soccer Players - The city of Los Angeles is the home of smog. A blanket of unsightly gray air drapes over LA and its surrounding metropolitan area. Getting rid of it is not likely to happen soon or easily. However, around Carson, some 12 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the poor-quality air has given way. Specifically around Dignity Health Sports . . .
Osvaldo Alonso moves on
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Jan 9, 2019) US Soccer Players - Osvaldo Alonso is out-of-contract after 10 years manning the midfield for the Seattle Sounders. The likelihood is very high that the Cuban will move on this winter, departing Seattle and landing in another MLS lineup for the 2019 season. To lean on a well-worn cliche, it’s truly the end of an era. The mechanics of the Sounders . . .
