Wednesday's soccer news starts in the Concacaf Champions League, where Philadelphia advanced 4-0 on the night and by the same score on aggregate over Alianza. Playing a man up from the 40th minute, the Union's Damion Lowe scored a minute into stoppage time at Subaru Park. Daniel Gazdag converted a 62nd minute penalty and Andres Perea added goals in the 81st and 84th minutes. Philadelphia . . .
The Olympic angle at this January camp
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2023) US Soccer Players - Ready or not, the USMNT's next World Cup cycle officially begins this week as the 2023 January camp convenes in Carson, California. Early analysis of the road to 2026 has centered on the likely absence of a qualification process, part and parcel of co-hosting that tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. That's often seen as a . . .
Q&A with MLS and FIFA World Cup referee Ismail Elfath
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 19, 2022) US Soccer Players – Ismail Elfath has been an MLS referee for the past decade. He has been a FIFA referee since 2016. He has a resume that includes an Under-20 World Cup, Gold Cup, Summer Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations. He will be adding the World Cup to that list come November. Born in Morocco, Elfath moved to the United States at age 18. . . .
Sporting Kansas City in MLS is only part of the story in 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 11, 2022) US Soccer Players – Sporting Kansas City and its fans have experienced an interesting few months, about more than Sporting's position in the Western Conference table. The recent announcement that Arrowhead Stadium would be one of 11 US venues to host games at the 2026 World Cup was an indication that Kansas City is now a world-class soccer market. . . .
26 players on World Cup squads, MLS on ABC
Friday's soccer news starts with the Bureau of the FIFA Council officially allowing for three extra players on rosters for the 2022 World Cup. The wording here is important, with FIFA specifying that, "The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26." Naming the three additional players is not a requirement. The long-rumored tweak to . . .
Kansas City adds World Cup host to its reputation as a soccer city
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (June 22, 2022) US Soccer Players - Last Thursday, Kansas City was the lone Midwestern locale to be awarded matches for the 2026 World Cup. Of the 11 American cities chosen among 16 host cities in total, Kansas City ranks among the biggest surprises. They don't have a new-ish NFL stadium like the other American hosts, and they're the smallest metropolitan . . .
Waiting on the September FIFA window
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 20, 2022) US Soccer Players – The June international window is over. The schedule of friendlies and Nations League games for both Concacaf and UEFA have filled the time for many of us after most of the European seasons finished. Those European leagues will be back in action when the calendar breaks again for the September window, the last national team games . . .
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup stadiums, Seattle hosts LAFC
Friday's soccer news starts with FIFA announcing the 16 stadiums that will host games during the 2026 World Cup. Toronto's BMO Field and Vancouver's BC Place for Canada, Guadalajara's Estadio Akron, Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, and Monterrey's Estadio BBVA Bancomer for Mexico, and Arlington's AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium (New . . .
Montreal opts out of hosting 2026 World Cup games
Tuesday's soccer news starts with FIFA announcing that Montreal is no longer interested in hosting 2026 World Cup games. In a statement, FIFA wrote, "FIFA would like to thank Montreal for its participation and all local stakeholders involved for their efforts. FIFA continues to work closely with the host associations of Canada, Mexico and the United States in this highly competitive selection . . .
