By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 19, 2017) US Soccer Players – The World Cup is only a year away. The party in Russia began this past Saturday with the Confederations Cup. The tournament, a dress rehearsal for next year’s month-long bonanza, serves a dual purpose. It gives organizers a chance to iron out any problems as well as get the marketing hype going. For the teams participating, it’s a . . .
The US Open Cup Fourth Round goes regional
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 12, 2017) US Soccer Players – The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup may be the country’s oldest club tournament, but it is often treated like an inconvenience. Akin to the domestic cups of Europe, the tournament is similar that it is open to professional and amateur clubs alike. The pros usually win in the end. Still, lower division teams have pulled off an upset or two . . .
Juan Agudelo for club and country
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 5, 2017) US Soccer Players – Juan Agudelo scores goals. That’s what he does. Agudelo has been doing that on a regular basis since starting his pro career with the New York Red Bulls seven years ago. Just 24, it often seems as if the New England Revolution star has been around forever. Despite his past success, the Colombian-born and New Jersey-raised striker’s . . .
The 1992 US Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 29, 2017) US Soccer Players – It was 25 years ago that US Soccer came up with the novel idea of turning a bunch of National Team friendlies into a competitive mini-tournament. What followed was the creation of the US Cup. It answered an obvious issue for the USMNT. Competitive games on the schedule at a time when there was no pro domestic league and only a . . .
The USMNT and the summer of 2017
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 22, 2017) US Soccer Players – Another busy summer is starting Amid the scores of MLS matches and international friendlies on the soccer schedule, the USMNT will play some of their most important games of the year. Bruce Arena’s team will have to play at least nine matches over the course of two months. They could potentially add three more games to that growing . . .
Celtic in the 1967 European Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 15, 2017) US Soccer Players – Europe has seen many great clubs over the decades. Spanish giants Real Madrid dominated the tournament, now known as the UEFA Champions League, since the 1950s. The club has won the trophy more times than any other team. It could capture its 12th title next month when they take on another storied club, Juventus of Italy, in the . . .
Being a backup goalkeeper in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 8, 2017) US Soccer Players – It’s every team’s nightmare. Your starting goalkeeper picks up an injury during a game. He’s subsequently stretchered off. Following a few tense moments, your backup goalie quickly takes off his tracksuit, sprints towards the goal, and takes his place on the field. Will he be up to the task? Major League Soccer coaches have more . . .
5 things so far from the 2017 MLS season
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 1, 2017) US Soccer Players – We’re far enough into the 2017 MLS season to start taking the standings seriously. Although the league's unpredictable nature can turn even a mid-table team into a contender once the playoffs roll around, there are some things we can glean. There are a number of teams already trying to get an early jump at the Supporters’ Shield. . . .
Old problems are new again for the Red Bulls
By Clemente Lisi – HARRISON, NJ (Apr 17, 2017) US Soccer Players – The New York Red Bulls, despite strides made in recent years transforming into an MLS Cup contender, is a team always seemingly in crisis mode. That normally starts early in the season. They usually go on to finish among the top in the Eastern Conference, but the old problem persists of crashing out in the playoffs. The club is . . .
The Galaxy in the 2000 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 17, 2017) US Soccer Players – It was 17 years ago that the Los Angeles Galaxy won the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. It’s also the last time an MLS team lifted the trophy as the best club in the region. Since then, the tournament – rebranded the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008 – has seen 15 winners. The last 11 champions have all hailed from Mexico. This . . .
