By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 8, 2022) US Soccer Players – Another European club season is already upon us, even if it feels like it crept up on everyone, starting sooner to accommodate the lengthy break in November and December for the World Cup. As has been the case for several years now, Americans will play a major role for clubs across the continent. While several Americans already . . .
Venezia highlights American players in Serie B
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 1, 2022) US Soccer Players – While top American talent playing in Europe isn't new, signing with clubs in the higher echelons of Italian soccer is a more recent development. That adds Italy to the mix of preferred landing spots for USMNT players in Europe. Particularly a club now in the soccer-mad country's highly competitive second division. Italy's Serie . . .
5 MLS stories in a changing regular season
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 25, 2022) US Soccer Players – The MLS season is past the halfway mark, and things are getting even more interesting in 2022. Los Angeles FC and Toronto FC have made roster moves since the summer transfer window opened, the Canadian club in need of reinforcements after a slow start. LAFC looks like heavy favorites for the Supporters' Shield and to go all the . . .
A tactical preview of Concacaf countries at the 2022 World Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 18, 2022) US Soccer Players – We interrupt your focus on MLS and preseason tours this summer with talk about the upcoming World Cup. The tournament, now just four months away, remains on the horizon as fans around the world await the start of Qatar 2022. For those with an eye on Concacaf, the confederation will have four representatives at the tournament in the . . .
Sporting Kansas City in MLS is only part of the story in 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 11, 2022) US Soccer Players – Sporting Kansas City and its fans have experienced an interesting few months, about more than Sporting's position in the Western Conference table. The recent announcement that Arrowhead Stadium would be one of 11 US venues to host games at the 2026 World Cup was an indication that Kansas City is now a world-class soccer market. . . .
The 2022 summer touring schedule features big name clubs and USMNT players
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 27, 2022) US Soccer Players – After the pandemic suspended the regular European preseason touring schedule, the summer of soccer has returned to the United States. While Major League Soccer offers games that count, the summer touring schedule provides the opportunity to see some of the biggest clubs in the world here rather than there. In a summer with no major . . .
Waiting on the September FIFA window
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 20, 2022) US Soccer Players – The June international window is over. The schedule of friendlies and Nations League games for both Concacaf and UEFA have filled the time for many of us after most of the European seasons finished. Those European leagues will be back in action when the calendar breaks again for the September window, the last national team games . . .
Three games in for the USMNT in the June, 2022 window
By Clemente Lisi – AUSTIN, TX (Jun 13, 2022) US Soccer Players – The USMNT is close to wrapping up its FIFA window of friendlies and Nations League matches. After Tuesday's road game against El Salvador, the Americans will play two more September friendlies before the start of the World Cup. The games played over the past two weeks gave us the chance to see part of a unique process en route to . . .
The changing perception of soccer in the United States
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 6, 2022) US Soccer Players – It was 20 years ago that the USMNT stunned the world and reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The 2002 Korea/Japan edition of the tournament was a turning point for the team and soccer as a whole in this country. It showed the world that, for the first time in the modern era, the USMNT could compete at a very high level. It . . .
Preview: The 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 30, 2022) US Soccer Players – The USMNT will play games that matter this month with the start of the Concacaf Nations League. The tournament, now in its second edition, will culminate next summer. This June is the start of the league phase, continuing during the March 2023 international window. For the United States and other World Cup-bound teams, the . . .