By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 28, 2022) US Soccer Players – After collecting two points at the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT enters Tuesday's final group stage match in need of a win. The United States controls its own fate after draws against Wales and England, setting the stakes against Iran. It's a task the US has had to face before. Excluding the 1990 and 1998 World Cups, where the USMNT . . .
Yedlin as the veteran in a USMNT squad now looking to England on Friday
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 21, 2022) US Soccer Players – The USMNT is one of the youngest teams at this World Cup. It’s a data point we’ve heard again and again. It’s also a trait that can be a benefit at this World Cup, especially when it comes to fitness and dealing with the Qatari heat. Following an eight-year absence, the United States returned to the World Cup on Monday, playing . . .
The group stage as a tournament, Premier League experience, and the bench for the USMNT
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 14, 2022) US Soccer Players – Following two years of World Cup Qualifying, the Nations League, and months of friendlies, the start of the 2022 World Cup is under a week away. It will be a tournament of firsts. It is the first time FIFA is holding it in November. It's the first time that a World Cup with 32 nations will happen during a compressed 29-day window. . . .
5 things from the 2022 MLS season
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 7, 2022) US Soccer Players – Another Major League Soccer season has come and gone. The postmortem of the 2022 season will be dissected in the coming days and weeks after Los Angeles FC came away with the MLS Cup following Saturday's epic game against the Philadelphia Union. LAFC downed the Union on penalties after a 3-3 game that pitted the two top teams from . . .
Reflection, Revamping, and Rebuilding for the Dynamo and DC United
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 31, 2022) US Soccer Players – All eyes over the past few weeks have been on the MLS Cup playoffs. Meanwhile, for the 14 teams that did not make the postseason, this is a time for reflection, revamping, and rebuilding. It’s these three Rs that highlight the offseason for half the teams in MLS that came up short during the regular season. In a league known for . . .
High-pressing tactics, creative playmakers, and strong goalkeeping in the 2022 MLS playoffs
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 24, 2022) US Soccer Players – The MLS Cup playoffs are in full swing, and, as usual, there have been some upsets. Playoff drama aside, single-elimination games often force coaches and players to give it that extra effort. There’s the potential for 120 minutes and penalties to resolve outcomes, stretching lineups more than they would be during the regular . . .
Q&A with Alexi Lalas: “I think, quite honestly, that the crucial game is the first one against Wales”
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 17, 2022) US Soccer Players – Known as one of the best defenders in National Team history, Alexi Lalas is now a no-nonsense commentator. Lalas has been a major part of the game's growth in this country for the past three decades. His latest contribution will be working as a studio analyst for Fox Sports at next month's World Cup. Lalas, who played at the . . .
Adding to the Supporters’ Shield, NYCFC defends, and the potential for a first-time champion
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 10, 2022) US Soccer Players – Decision Day, as usual, left everyone riveted. As teams jockeyed for home-field advantage in the MLS Cup playoffs or were fighting to just grab a postseason spot, the MLS regular season finale did not disappoint. Now it's the three-week long cavalcade towards the final and the crowning of a champion. Once again, the postseason . . .
The Philadelphia Union is showing how to balance a roster in 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 3, 2022) US Soccer Players – The battle for the Supporters' Shield for much of the season has pitted Los Angeles FC against the Philadelphia Union. LAFC won it on Sunday thanks to a dramatic 2-1 win against the Portland Timbers, buoyed by its star-studded roster. Across the country, the Union, a side without the same level of international stars, relies on a . . .
NYCFC, Orlando City, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami, and the LA Galaxy put themselves into playoff positions
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 26, 2022) US Soccer Players – Winning the MLS Cup is all about timing. The regular season is long, and often parts of it may seem insignificant. In reality, every game counts if you want to clinch a playoff spot in the end. Consistency is key, but so is peaking at just the right time. That time to peak is now, both for teams who've already clinched a spot . . .
