The soccer news starts with another night of the Concacaf Champions League round of 16 first-legs. The New York Red Bulls shutout Atletico Pantoja 2-0 in the Dominican Republic. An own-goal opened the scoring in the 39th minute with Daniel Royer doubling the lead in the 67th. Luis Robles didn't have to make a save to keep the clean sheet. The series concludes on February 27 at Red Bull . . .
Minnesota United builds more than a stadium
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 20, 2019) US Soccer Players - It doesn’t require much in the way of retrospect to conclude that Minnesota United was always targeting 2019 as the year the Loons really gave winning in Major League Soccer a full effort. Minnesota’s arrival as an expansion team back in 2017 came with some strings. An accelerated timeline for joining the league meant that the . . .
Houston wins, Toronto loses in Champions League
The 2019 Concacaf Champions League round of 16 first-legs opened with mixed results for MLS teams. Houston shutout Guastatoya on the road, but Toronto FC's 4-0 loss at Independiente took some of the shine off of the Dynamo's result. Houston went to Guatemala to open their round of 16 series, coming up with a late goal from a familiar face. DaMarcus Beasley scored in the 84th minute to give . . .
Atlanta, Toronto, and the Red Bulls in the Concacaf Champions League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 18, 2019) US Soccer Players – Here we are again. MLS teams competing in the Concacaf Champions League need to dust off the winter rust and speed up their preseason preparations. At stake is a tournament that has been elusive to American and Canadian clubs. The Mexican clubs that have dominated this tournament for years have a decided edge in the region. Higher . . .
MLS teams take another shot at the Concacaf Champions League
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 15, 2019) US Soccer Players - It’s that time of year again. In a few short days the Concacaf Champions League, North America’s top club competition, returns. 16 of the region’s best teams play for a trophy and a place in the FIFA Club World Cup. It’s also the latest opportunity for MLS teams to break their long-running drought in this tournament. The league . . .
The New England Revolution in transition
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 15, 2019) US Soccer Players - No Major League Soccer club has teased its supporters more over the course of 23 seasons than the New England Revolution. One of the league’s original franchises, the Revs are a study in coming up just short with potential that never reached fruition. As far as identities go, it’s not a great one to own. It’s going to take a lot of . . .
Toronto and Cincinnati in the new era of MLS squad building
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 13, 2019) US Soccer Players - There’s plenty to pick from if you’re looking for something entertaining out of the Major League Soccer offseason. The kickoff to the 2019 campaign is less than a month away. The league’s chattering class has more than enough to talk about as clubs race to get their business done. It might take a deep interest in MLS to understand . . .
The 4-2-3-1 formation in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Feb 11, 2019) US Soccer Players – The start of another MLS season is just weeks away and coaches are refining their tactics with the start of the Concacaf Champions League and the numerous preseason friendlies. It’s a good bet that teams will line up in a very familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, which has become the tactical formation of choice for managers in recent . . .
Remembering US soccer player Fernando Clavijo
The soccer news starts by paying respect for former USMNT player Fernando Clavijo who died on Friday from cancer. Clavijo was best known as an indoor player in the 1980s, joining the USMNT in 1990 and playing in the 1994 World Cup. Clavijo finished his USMNT career with 61 caps. He immediately moved into coaching, eventually spending time in charge of the Metrostars, Revolution, Haiti's national . . .
The stadium game continues in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 8, 2019) US Soccer Players - Time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies when you’re attempting to prepare for your first season as a Major League Soccer franchise. For both the freshly named Inter Miami and the future Nashville MLS club, there’s a lot to do and not much time to do it in. The business of putting a team together - hiring a coach, signing . . .
