By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 18, 2022) US Soccer Players – We interrupt your focus on MLS and preseason tours this summer with talk about the upcoming World Cup. The tournament, now just four months away, remains on the horizon as fans around the world await the start of Qatar 2022. For those with an eye on Concacaf, the confederation will have four representatives at the tournament in the . . .
Costa Rica in group E, losses for USMNT World Cup opponents
Wednesday's soccer news starts with Costa Rica beating New Zealand 1-0 in Doha to advance to the 2022 World Cup. Joel Campbell scored the game's only goal in the 3rd minute with Keylor Nevas making four saves to keep the clean sheet. Costa Rica becomes the fourth Concacaf team to advance and will play Spain, Japan, and Germany in group E. Concacaf last won a playoff in 2015 when Mexico knocked out . . .
Mexico’s MLS options
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (June 8, 2022) US Soccer Players - After getting an early start with a 2-1 win over Nigeria on May 28, Mexico faced two CONMEBOL teams in international friendlies. El Tri was no match for Uruguay on June 2, losing 3-0 in Glendale, Arizona. They played out a scoreless draw against Ecuador on Sunday in Chicago. Concacaf teams will now turn their attention to the Nations . . .
The difference in the Nations Leagues for World Cup group B
Tuesday's soccer news starts with a comparison between the Concacaf and UEFA Nations Leagues, focusing on the teams in World Cup group B. While the USMNT prepares for Grenada and El Salvador, England and Wales face a different level in Europe. England is in action later today in the UEFA Nations League at Germany and hosting Italy on Saturday. They opened Nations League play at Hungary on . . .
Group B set, trophy for Toronto, Tenerife in promotion final
Monday's soccer news starts with Wales joining the United States, England, and Iran in group B, opening against the USMNT on November 21 at Khalifa International Stadium. Wales took the final UEFA World Cup spot with a 1-0 shutout of Ukraine at Cardiff City Stadium. A 34th minute own-goal put Wales through to the 2022 World Cup. "It's the greatest result in the history of Welsh football," Wales . . .
The USMNT faces an interesting June schedule
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, . . .