By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 6, 2020) US Soccer Players – Major League Soccer has produced a number of memorable matches over its quarter of a century. That includes the playoffs, designed to increase the intensity and raise the level of play. If all goes as planned, that concludes in a competitive MLS Cup. Major League Soccer decided from the beginning to follow the North American norm of . . .
When soccer returns to normal
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 30, 2020) US Soccer Players – The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a halt. With people forced to stay home because of the contagion and life as normal interrupted, sports leagues have also come to a stop. Where does that leave these leagues once the virus subsides and life gets back to normal? It is difficult to predict the future, although the . . .
5 USMNT players in the Eredivisie
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 23, 2020) US Soccer Players – The USMNT was supposed to be preparing for a Thursday friendly against the Netherlands in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. It was supposed to be a big test for the Americans as they prepared for the Concacaf Nations League and World Cup Qualifying. Instead, none of this seems to matter at the moment. The USMNT last played on February 1 . . .
The USMNT U-23s wait for an Olympic chance
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 16, 2020) US Soccer Players – Qualifying for the Summer Olympics is on US Soccer's to-do list for 2020. While soccer often doesn't get the respect it deserves at the Summer Games, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have for years tinkered with the men's tournament to make it relevant to teams. While the global coronavirus outbreak has put this . . .
Remembering Fred Shields, a soccer role model for Harrison, NJ
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 9, 2020) US Soccer Players – The United States men's team has not qualified for the Olympics since 2008. While many don't respect the soccer tournament that's played at the Summer Games, it can serve as an important test and place to gain experience for younger players. In addition, the allure of contending for a gold medal is something every American who plays . . .
Q&A with Red Bulls midfielder Alex Muyl
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 2, 2020) US Soccer Players – New York Red Bulls midfielder Alex Muyl could be the poster child for how far MLS has come over the last 25 years. The Homegrown Player, developed in the Red Bulls system, has been a member of the first team since the 2016 season. Born and raised in New York City, Muyl was just a year old when the MetroStars, an original MLS . . .
Five things that changed MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 23, 2020) US Soccer Players – MLS officially kicks off its 25th season this coming weekend. For a league that had such humble beginnings back in 1996, it has grown immensely over the last two decades. This growth seemed steady until the recent expansion era. That there's so much demand for clubs speaks to what MLS got right over the last couple of decades. It . . .
Familiar expectations for MLS in the Champions League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 17, 2020) US Soccer Players – It’s a question MLS teams participating in the Concacaf Champions League ask themselves every winter. How will we be able to win a trophy while Mexican clubs continue to dominate? It’s a puzzle MLS teams, currently in preseason, have to ponder seriously. In a way, participation in the Concacaf Champions League has become a . . .
Ben Olsen in DC
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 10, 2020) US Soccer Players – Coaches in MLS have come and gone over the past decade. Some lasted a few years, others even less. It is a trend throughout soccer. Impatient clubs dump a coach in the hopes of finding another who can turn the team around. It's always cheaper to change the coach than the entire squad, even if the problems run deeper than the . . .
The Chicago and Atlanta MLS expansion models
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 3, 2020) US Soccer Players – A new Major League Soccer season starts in four weeks. With preseason in full swing, coaches are testing new tactics as teams buy and sell players. For Nashville SC and Inter Miami, it's their MLS debuts. Expansion teams have typically had a tough go at it in North American sports. In MLS, the gold standard remains the Chicago . . .
