By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - What was once a product of necessity is now something of a hot commodity in the world of Major League Soccer. The league's return-to-play model, the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida, is winding down with only Tuesday's final left on the schedule. Fifty-one games in total, played on training fields for the sole benefit of . . .
Orlando City joins Portland in MLS is Back final
The soccer news starts with Orlando City joining Portland in Tuesday's MLS is Back final after knocking out Minnesota United 3-1. Nani put Orlando up in the 36th minute, doubling the lead in the 42nd. Mason Toye pulled a goal back for Minnesota in the 83rd minute. Benji Michel finished off the Orlando goals six minutes into stoppage time. "We're very happy to be in the final," Orlando City coach . . .
American soccer viewers get another reality check
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 6, 2020) US Soccer Players - Soccer is the world's most popular sport. It's been growing steadily in North America for the past four decades, as reflected by new leagues, clubs, commercial sponsors, and millions of fans and myriad other signposts of progress. There's even a second World Cup looming, with the 2026 event already expected to power another tidal . . .
Portland moves on at MLS is Back
The Portland Timbers took a spot in the MLS is Back final, beating Philadelphia 2-1. Jeremy Ebobisse put Portland up in the 13th minute with Sebastian Blanco doubling the lead in the 70th. Andrew Wooten pulled a goal back for the Union in the 85th minute. "We don’t play for the commentators. We don’t play for the writers," Portland coach Giovanni Savarese said. "We play for our fans, for . . .
Like other teams, LAFC ends up with questions from MLS is Back
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 5, 2020) US Soccer Players - LAFC had the stage set at the MLS Is Back tournament. Earlier scares were just that, games that startled but ultimately did not harm the club. Four games in and LAFC had established itself as the class of the tournament and the team to beat. Game five, though, did not go according to plan. Midway through an admittedly bizarre year . . .
FC Dallas and Nashville SC face a unique situation
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 5, 2020) US Soccer Players - While the rest of Major League Soccer played its way through an impromptu and unprecedented tournament in Orlando, two clubs watched from home. Now that MLS Is Back is down to the final four teams and will wrap up with a championship game next week, those two clubs, FC Dallas and Nashville SC, can move on from "what if" to what . . .
Ream’s Fulham wins promotion
The 2019-20 Championship season came to an end on Tuesday with Fulham beating Brentford 2-1 in extra time at Wembley Stadium. With the game scoreless in regulation, Joe Bryan scored for Fulham in the 105th minute, doubling the lead in the 117th. Brentford pulled a goal back four minutes into extra time. Fulham takes the final promotion place after finishing 4th tied on points with 3rd-place . . .
MLS is Back is full of surprises, whatever that means
By J Hutcherson (Aug 4, 2020) US Soccer Players - If Major League Soccer successfully restarts the regular season this month, it's a safe assumption that MLS is Back won't matter. Certainly, the group stage results counting in the league table becomes an issue, but that depends on how many games MLS expects to play. If it's enough, the clubs in the league of four-game losing streaks will manage. . . .
The interim tag in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jul 27, 2020) US Soccer Players – The MLS is Back Tournament had its first coaching casualty when Atlanta United FC parted ways with Frank de Boer. In his place, the team promoted Stephen Glass as interim. Glass, who coached USL side ATL UTD 2, takes over while the team conducts a coaching search. Moving on from de Boer seems bold, but going 0-3 last month at MLS . . .
Pulisic scores in FA Cup final, MLS is Back moves to the semifinals
The roundup of USMNT players in Europe and Mexico starts with the FA Cup final. Though the result didn't go Chelsea's way, Christian Pulisic once again had a strong performance for Chelsea. Pulisic opened the scoring in the 5th minute in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal at Embley. Pulisic subbed out in the 49th minute with a hamstring injury. Arsenal equalized from a 28th minute penalty, scoring again in . . .
