By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 23, 2022) US Soccer Players – It’s going to be an unusual soccer summer. With the World Cup pushed to the winter, the countries that have qualified for the finals need to use this window. In the case of the United States, that means a June schedule with two friendlies and the start of the Concacaf Nations League. The USMNT begins camp for a key period as . . .
Chicharito Hernandez, the Galaxy, and El Tri
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 13, 2022) US Soccer Players - When the World Cup rolls around, Major League Soccer will have a presence in the tournament. It's not just the United States and Canada highlighting the league. Various national teams from South America, Europe, and beyond should also showcase MLS talent. The league's clubs cast a wide net for players, especially in the new era of . . .
The United States and Canada at the 2022 World Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 4, 2022) US Soccer Players – It’s an event that will help fuel speculation for the next seven months. It will trigger predictions, many of them ending up being wrong, about who will or won’t win the planet’s biggest sporting event. The World Cup draw, which was conducted this past Friday, brought into focus the tournament’s eight opening-round groups and . . .
2022 World Cup draw: The USMNT in group B
While the United States may have avoided the toughest group at the 2022 World Cup, it's an open question if there really is a toughest group this time around. Playing England, Iran, and the UEFA playoff winner isn't exactly straightforward. The other three now wait until June to see if it's Wales, Ukraine, or Scotland taking the final spot in the group. Drawing the toughest of the playoff slots . . .
Finally: USMNT navigate Octagonal path back to World Cup
By Charles Boehm – SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (Mar 31, 2022) US Soccer Players - The Costa Rica supporters came from miles around. Many arrived long before kickoff, grooving to the music created by drummers and brass players as carnival-style dancers performed. Others hurried under their national stadium's swooping arched roof at the last minute after a long day at work. However they managed to make it, . . .
The Octagonal ends, North American zone advances
Thursday's soccer news starts with Canada, Mexico, and the United States directly qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Canada finished top of the table on goal difference over Mexico, with both teams on 28 points. The USA was in 3rd-place on goal difference, tied on 25 points with 4th-place Costa Rica. It's Costa Rica playing New Zealand in the playoffs. None of the Concacaf teams are in pot 1 for . . .
Costa Rica 2 – USMNT 0, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
The USMNT advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 loss at Costa Rica. The United States finished in 3rd-place in the Octagonal, tied on points with 4th-place Costa Rica. Juan Pablo Vargas put Costa Rica up in the 51st and Anthony Contreras doubled the lead in the 59th. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas subbed out with an injury in the 79th with Esteban Alvarado sharing in the . . .
What will the winter World Cup mean for club seasons?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 13, 2021) US Soccer Players - Everyone knows the feeling. Way off in the distant future is something you need to plan for: attending a wedding, visiting family, maybe getting some important maintenance done on a house or car. There's not going to be anything surprising about it when it arrives, and so there will be no excuse if you're not ready. But then . . .
Champions League final set, Concacaf’s calendar
Thursday's soccer news starts with the Champions League final. Europe will finally close the door on the 2019-20 season on Sunday with PSG hosting Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions advanced with a 3-0 win over Lyon, ending the underdog story. Instead, it's PSG trying to show value for all of that money spent and Bayern trying to close out a remarkable winning streak. "We knew it would be a . . .
Concacaf’s new 2022 qualifying format sets expectations in the region
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 30, 2020) US Soccer Players - This week Concacaf rolled out its grand new plan for the 2022 World Cup qualifying cycle. On Monday, the confederation unveiled a revised format and timetable for the road to Qatar in the wake of the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it released the rescheduled dates for the final phase of the inaugural . . .
