By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 12, 2018) US Soccer Players – The 2018 MLS playoffs have produced some very competitive matches over the past two weeks. As always, the postseason doesn’t fail to disappoint, as Sunday’s triple-header revealed. With the Conference Finals on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to take stock of what’s happened and what it says going forward. One of the . . .
Soccer History: Baltimore Blast
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Nov 5, 2018) US Soccer Players – The original North American Soccer League's demise following the 1984 season ushered in a dark period in American pro soccer. There were, however, a few bright lights. The popularity of the indoor game, considered an abomination by some, kept the professional version of the sport alive. It was the place where American players could . . .
What to expect from the 2018 MLS playoffs
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 29, 2018) US Soccer Players – There’s one thing predictable when it comes to the MLS playoffs. It’s that anything can happen. The long regular season has finally come to an end and the competitive postseason is finally upon us. It’s the part of the season where they’re no assured winners and teams with the strongest records often find themselves going home . . .
Is the MLS Homegrown Player system working?
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 22, 2018) US Soccer Players – For a league always in search of new talent, Designated Players have been the way for MLS to attract marquee foreigners of all ages and nationalities since the league put the rule in place in 2007. The other area teams have dedicated resources to is in the development of youth players. It was ten years ago that the league created . . .
Soccer History: Chicago Sting
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 15, 2018) US Soccer Players – Though the New York Cosmos defined the NASL era for many, there was another club that put together multiple championship runs. Some 800 miles west of the bright lights of New York, the Chicago Sting made their case as the team of the early 80s. Besides the Cosmos, the Chicago Sting is the only NASL franchise to win multiple Soccer . . .
What kind of a league is MLS?
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 8, 2018) US Soccer Players – It’s no secret that MLS aspires to be one of the world’s best domestic leagues. While the league still has a long way to go, they can claim something already. It's the competitiveness we see in October as teams maneuver for the playoffs. The road to MLS Cup makes North America's league somewhat unique in world soccer. Leagues and . . .
Q&A with Gyasi Zardes: “We have to just keep progressing as a team”
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 1, 2018) US Soccer Players – Columbus Crew striker Gyasi Zardes is having a wonderful season. Fourth overall in scoring in MLS, the 27-year-old striker is hoping to lead the Crew to an MLS title as well as become a USMNT regular again. He’s made a strong case for both as the once-promising prospect has slowly started to live up to his potential. Zardes played . . .
The Concacaf Champions League and Toronto FC
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 24, 2018) US Soccer Players – If you’ve been to BMO Field in the past few months or watched Toronto FC on television, you know how difficult this season has been for the defending MLS champions. It was just 12 months ago that the Reds were completing a remarkable regular season and embarking on what would be a magnificent playoff run. A year later, all that has . . .
Soccer History: Dallas Tornado
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 17, 2018) US Soccer Players – Wonderful teams and colorful characters filled the original North American Soccer League era. While the focus of those years mostly revolves around the New York Cosmos and names like Pele and Giorgio Chinaglia, other teams and players were also vital in helping to grow the game. One of those teams was the Dallas Tornado. The team, . . .
Q&A with Paul Arriola: “These games give us experience right now”
By Clemente Lisi – E RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sep 10, 2018) US Soccer Players – Paul Arriola is one of the many young faces that makes up the current US National Team set up. While European-based players like Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah have garnered a lot of the attention, the DC United midfielder is one of those who makes a strong case that MLS remains a major contributor to the USMNT roster. With . . .
