By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 20, 2022) US Soccer Players - It was easy to set expectations for Major League Soccer's long-awaited return to South Florida. Bold and splashy, according to the conventional wisdom, with no room for the missteps that ultimately doomed the Miami Fusion back in the early 2000s. Glitz, glamour, and a centrally-located, suitable stadium almost became . . .
US Soccer circles back to the National Training Center concept
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 13, 2022) US Soccer Players - Like most of us, Gregg Berhalter tends to speak more expressively on topics he's passionate about. The LA Times' Kevin Baxter landed on one of those during Monday's USMNT media availability from the current January camp in Phoenix when he broached the recurring subject of a proposed training facility for US Soccer. "Kevin, you . . .
What this week’s MLS coaching announcements tell us
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 6, 2022) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer tends to be a place of trends, from tactics to personnel and even kit and stadium designs. It also applies to its membership's approach to coaching hires. The insular, conservative outlook of its first decade or so gave way to a sort of "company man" phenomenon of hiring inspiring ex-players almost straight . . .
Bill Jeffrey, Altoona, and the history of American soccer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 23, 2021) US Soccer Players - Altoona is so connected with the railroad that its minor league baseball team is named after the famous horseshoe curve in the tracks that allows trains to pass through the Alleghenies. As its railroad museum explains, the once vibrant downtown used to operate 24-7, the result of shift work that didn't leave the train factories . . .
The USMNT’s unique winter
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 16, 2021) US Soccer Players - Members of the USMNT player pool tend to have an extremely wide range of schedules at this time of year. For most MLS and Liga MX-based players, the holiday season is also about taking a break. It's a time to rest and recuperate before ramping up towards the start of the preseason in January. Those in Europe are busy with club . . .
Is New York City FC finally becoming an MLS power?
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 9, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Philadelphia Union had nearly pulled off an improbable victory over New York City FC in Sunday's Eastern Conference Final at Subaru Park. Despite the absence of a starting XI's worth of players due to a COVID-19 outbreak, a packed crowd was roaring their shorthanded team on towards a place in the MLS Cup final. Then a late . . .
Major League Soccer’s playoffs paradox
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 2, 2021) US Soccer Players - On one level, Bruce Arena's words made sense. On another, they were bewildering. "We don't have the best roster in the league. It's got to get a little bit better, for sure," said the veteran coach after his New England Revolution fell to New York City FC on penalties in Tuesday night's MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal match at . . .
A reunion and a “remake” in Toronto
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 25, 2021) US Soccer Players - While most of the United States gears down for one of the country's major holidays, it's a full work week across Lake Ontario at Toronto FC, and a busy one at that. The Reds concluded their 2021 campaign with a 1-0 loss to CF Montreal in Sunday's Canadian Championship final, following a second-from-bottom finish in the MLS . . .
Four big questions as the Concacaf Octagonal passes the halfway point
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 18, 2021) US Soccer Players - After eight matches per team crammed into three hectic international windows, the Concacaf Octagonal World Cup qualifying race entered its back half this week. The pandemic-condensed schedule has changed the scope of qualifying for players and fans. It's been a fascinating ride so far, with the peak drama still to come over the . . .
Chris Wondolowski’s new job
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 12, 2021) US Soccer Players - When Chris Wondolowski officially made his retirement official this week, it ended an incredible 17-year professional career as the runaway leader atop the all-time MLS scoring chart. While every player's retirement is fraught with emotion and reflection, his is a story the likes of which we may not see again for a long time, if . . .
