The soccer news starts with the proof of concept for the latest revision to the MLS playoffs. 14 teams become 7 over the weekend, with the expectation that at least a couple of upsets will have teams revising the relative success of their seasons. Both conferences had movement on Decision Day, with clubs rising and falling in the table. The East may have had all of their playoff spots accounted . . .
The top of the Bundesliga table
The soccer news starts with the end of the October international window and the return to the club schedule. Specifically in the Bundesliga, where a league table without Bayern Munich at the top is a surprise. Bayern is in 3rd-place on 14 points after 7 games, a point behind 2nd-place Wolfsburg and two behind of leaders Gladbach. Fabian Johnson's Gladbach has lost just once this season, 3-1 at . . .
Being the best in MLS requires lifting the Cup
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 16, 2019) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer has seen some amazing players compete in the league and defend one of its clubs' colors. Ask ten different people, and you will get ten different Best XI lineups. Trying to narrow all those players down to one all-time best MLS player? Nearly impossible. There is one person, though, who seems quite certain about . . .
MLS needs to fix the Rookie of the Year award
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 16, 2019) US Soccer Players - It's awards season in Major League Soccer. With the regular season wrapped up and the playoffs looming, the league has begun handing out individual recognition for the best of 2019. First up, the Rookie of the Year Award. Colorado's Andre Shinyashiki took home the trophy for the best first-year professional player in the league . . .
The Nations League A, group A moves to November
The soccer news starts with an unexpected scenario for the USMNT in the November window. Canada sits atop Nations League A, group A with 9 points and a +9 goal difference from three games played. After their 2-0 loss to Canada in Toronto, the USMNT has 3 points and a +5 goal difference from two games. The USMNT and Canada meet on November 15 in Orlando with Canada in position to take group A with . . .
Nations League: Canada 2 – USMNT 0
Canada took the lead in Nations League A, group A with a 1-0 shutout of the USMNT at BMO Field. Needing to make an injury substitution for Mark-Anthony Kaye just 7 minutes in, Canada regrouped and forced the offense in both halves. Alphonso Davies scored the game's only goal in the 63rd minute. Lucas Cavallini doubled the lead a minute into stoppage time. Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan kept the . . .
Preview: USMNT vs Canada
The soccer news starts with the USMNT closing out the October international window at Canada in the Nations League (7:30pm ET - ESPN2). Due to starting their Nations League schedule in the September window, Canada has 6 points and a +7 goal difference from two games played. The USMNT is in 2nd-place with 3 points and a +7 differential from Friday's win over Cuba. While Canada is looking at this . . .
The USMNT’s Nations League win
The soccer news starts with job done for the USMNT in their Nations League opener. Shutting out Cuba 7-0 at DC's Audi Field didn't highlight any issues for coach Gregg Berhalter's tactics, answered a potential goal difference tiebreaker, and kept the squad healthy. That last one might be the most important as the USMNT counts down to their toughest league A, group A in the Nations League. How . . .
Nations League: USMNT 7 – Cuba 0
The USMNT opened play in league A group A of the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League with a 7-0 shutout of Cuba at Audi Field in Washington, DC. Weston McKennie opened the scoring 32 seconds into the game, doubling the lead in the 5th minute. Jordan Morris scored in the 9th with McKennie finishing off his hat-trick in the 13th minute. An own-goal made it 6-0 USMNT in the 37th with Josh Sargent scoring . . .
MLS teams in need of a Cup run
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - The MLS Cup playoffs are mostly about crowning a league champion. Fourteen teams, eleven games, one group of players showering in confetti with Queen blasting from the speakers. The culmination of a long campaign decided by a knockout tournament played over barely three weeks. If only one team can win the title, that means 13 . . .
