By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 19, 2022) US Soccer Players – Ismail Elfath has been an MLS referee for the past decade. He has been a FIFA referee since 2016. He has a resume that includes an Under-20 World Cup, Gold Cup, Summer Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations. He will be adding the World Cup to that list come November. Born in Morocco, Elfath moved to the United States at age 18. . . .
The backpass, sweeper-keepers, and how soccer can change
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 12, 2022) US Soccer Players – There have been many innovations in soccer over the past few decades. One of the more recent is the use of the video assistant referee, something that has transformed the way we watch and judge the game. But even bigger than that was one simple modification that took place 30 years ago. The backpass rule, not allowing the . . .
What the availability of games means for the American soccer fan
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 5, 2022) US Soccer Players – What soccer games did you watch this Labor Day weekend? If you're anything like me, you watched all or some of at least half a dozen games. The Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A were on during various times in my home. So was MLS. It really was a glorious way to mark the unofficial end of summer. American fans have so many . . .
Montreal vs Columbus, NYCFC vs Red Bulls, and Toronto vs Inter Miami among highlights for MLS in September 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 29, 2022) US Soccer Players – The summer months have seen trends and story-lines emerge in Major League Soccer, but one thing is now certain. September is the time for teams to reach top form ahead of the playoffs. It's the time where squandered points back in June could come to haunt a team down the stretch. It's also when teams need to put together winning . . .
A tactical preview of 2022 World Cup group B
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 22, 2022) US Soccer Players – The upcoming September friendlies for the USMNT against Japan and Saudi Arabia will be the final chance to see the team ahead of its World Cup opener versus Wales. It's also a great time to scout the USMNT's group-stage opponents and what we might expect from a formidable trio of nations. The World Cup is really two tournaments. . . .
Q&A with Stu Holden: “I genuinely think the US will give England a really good run in that match”
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 15, 2022) US Soccer Players – Like most of us, former USMNT midfielder-turned-TV commentator Stu Holden is anxiously awaiting the start of the 2022 World Cup. Less than 100 days away, Holden will be working the tournament in Qatar as Fox Sports' lead match analyst for soccer. As a player, Holden was on the US roster at the 2010 World Cup, finishing his USMNT . . .
Deals and loans set up an interesting season for USMNT players across Europe in 2022-23
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 . . .
