By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 13, 2019) US Soccer Players - The fourth round of the 2019 US Open Cup unfolded this week. It's traditionally one of the most followed phase of the tournament, when MLS teams enter to mix it up with lower-division sides. Except that this year there wasn't all that much mixing, considering that MLS teams are just 21 of the 84 teams in all who are taking . . .
Experiments, new faces, and nerves for USMNT vs Jamaica
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 5, 2019) US Soccer Players - A "Plan B" formation, a bevy of new faces, and some understandable jitters on the eve of the Gold Cup roster drop were key factors for the USMNT in a 1-0 loss to Jamaica at Audi Field on Wednesday night. Fans are unaccustomed to seeing a result of that nature against the Reggae Boyz, who have now just won twice against the USMNT . . .
Hybrid USMNT camp offers quiet start to hot summer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 31, 2019) US Soccer Players - The pitches are quiet, lush and manicured, backed by a head-turning vista of sailboats, seagulls, and forests along the Severn River. Surrounding them, a gorgeous facility that's equal parts college campus and military base offering both calming beauty and high-grade security, populated by polite men and women in uniform. Just a . . .
Real Betis introduce themselves to America
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 24, 2019) US Soccer Players - Real Betis arrived in the nation’s capital worn and tired, both physically and mentally. They’d flown across the Atlantic for their first-ever US tour mere hours after the end of a long, difficult season. A 10th-place finish in LA Liga and deep but ultimately unsuccessful runs in the Copa del Rey and Europa League, left players . . .
Peter Vermes on decimated Sporting KC’s CCL hangover
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 16, 2019) US Soccer Players - With his trademark flat-top haircut, straightforward manner, and unquestioned authority over technical matters as Sporting Kansas City's longtime coach and sporting director, Peter Vermes carries something of an old-school vibe. The former USMNTer and founding MLS player is presently getting an unwelcome throwback to the league's . . .
MLS 2019 so far: Good, bad, and ugly
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 10, 2019) US Soccer Players - The first 10 weeks of Major League Soccer’s 2019 regular season are now in the books. Though 24 rounds remain over the next five months, it’s a good time to take stock. Here’s a rundown of what we’ve seen so far. The Good Goals and Greatness: Just a few months ago Josef Martinez completely smashed the single-season scoring . . .
David Wagner, Schalke, and changes facing an American outpost in Europe
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 3, 2019) US Soccer Players - In a season marked mostly by misery, Saturday afternoon brought unexpected euphoria for Schalke 04. Few expected them to taste victory as they made the short trip to Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund for the latest edition of the Revierderby. It's perhaps the fiercest rivalry in Germany, with Borussia Dortmund chasing the league title . . .
USMNT U-17s kick off qualifying with a new coach and old questions
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 26, 2019) US Soccer Players - The US Under-17 National Team begins their journey to the U-17 World Cup next week when the Concacaf U-17 Championship kicks off at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The regional qualifying tournament is the first big event under new coach Raphael Wicky. It’s also a timely signpost for a keenly-watched age level whose . . .
Training compensation – solidarity payments: a change, but not a solution
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 19, 2019) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer dropped two hefty pieces of news after its Board of Governors meeting in Los Angeles this week. The first was no great surprise, official confirmation that the league will expand further, to 30 teams, in the coming years. The second was a bit more dramatic. MLS said it will now collect as well as pay training . . .
A USMNT look at the 2019 Gold Cup
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 12, 2019) US Soccer Players - A bigger, more ambitious tournament, at least one new opponent, and a bevy of highly familiar ones await the USMNT this summer as they defend their Gold Cup title. This year’s remodeled event is 33% larger and takes place across three countries instead of just one. Costa Rica and Jamaica will each host a group-stage . . .
