By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 17, 2020) US Soccer Players - Sometimes we learn more from the relationships that don't end well than the ones that do. So it may prove for Frank de Boer and MLS. In July, de Boer became the league's second coaching casualty of the year, parting company with Atlanta United after going winless in a three-and-out campaign at the MLS is Back Tournament. Despite . . .
Training compensation and solidarity payments once again at issue
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 10, 2020) US Soccer Players - The knotty topic of training compensation and solidarity payments in American soccer reared its head again this week. Almost a year and a half on from MLS announcing its intention to pursue such claims for products of its academy system, a new report from ESPN's Jeff Carlisle delves into the state of flux around this issue. . . .
Making sense of the San Jose Earthquakes
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 3, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a 2020 already marked by a range of unpleasant global events, Northern California may feel more apocalyptic than most places in North America. Searing heat waves and serious wildfires are exacerbating the ravages of COVID-19 and sustained economic and socio-political angst. The San Jose Earthquakes are among those affected by . . .
NYCFC plays on without home field advantage
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 27, 2020) US Soccer Players - Many of those who resent extreme wealth's outsized influence on soccer enjoyed watching petro-dollar-infused clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City fail in their quests to hoist the UEFA Champions League trophy this month. Here on the North American scene, they may also savor the discomfort currently inflicted on NYCFC, . . .
Canadian players face battle for representation with CPL
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 20, 2020) US Soccer Players - Soccer in Canada is in the midst of a renaissance. The nation will co-host the North American World Cup in 2026. Alphonso Davies is starring for mighty Bayern Munich, the headliner of what could be a golden generation of talent. Somewhere close to a million people are playing the sport from coast to coast. Last year, the Canadian . . .
Will the pandemic fundamentally change soccer on TV?
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 13, 2020) US Soccer Players - The MLS is Back tournament is now in the books with the Portland Timbers' victory over Orlando City in Tuesday's cup final. Whether the league fancies the concept enough to bring it back in some future form or not, its legacy may well live on for quite a while longer than the 35 days it took to play out. The most immediate reason . . .
American soccer viewers get another reality check
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 6, 2020) US Soccer Players - Soccer is the world's most popular sport. It's been growing steadily in North America for the past four decades, as reflected by new leagues, clubs, commercial sponsors, and millions of fans and myriad other signposts of progress. There's even a second World Cup looming, with the 2026 event already expected to power another tidal . . .
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 . . .
The near future of the USMNT according to Gregg Berhalter
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 23, 2020) US Soccer Players - Gregg Berhalter conducted one of his most in-depth media sessions in months on Tuesday, spending nearly an hour on a Zoom call with reporters. He's entered the so-called bubble at the MLS is Back Tournament outside Orlando, Florida to scout the games and keep in touch with MLS-based members of the player pool. The scope of the . . .
How 2020-21 is shaping up for American players in Europe
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 16, 2020) US Soccer Players - European leagues are finally reaching the conclusion of their 2019-20 seasons after the interruptions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, their new campaigns will arrive more quickly than usual for the same reason, as most of them have signaled their desire to make up for that lost time with an abbreviated . . .
