By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 6, 2020) US Soccer Players – The end of 2019 made waves with Inter Miami hiring Diego Alonso as their first coach. Alonso built his reputation in Liga MX. He wasn't the big name some had expected the MLS expansion side to sign, but he is an interesting choice. The 44-year-old Alonso, a former journeyman striker, is a two-time Concacaf Champions League winner . . .
What we learned about American soccer in 2019
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Soccer in 2020
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 30, 2019) US Soccer Players – One year may be ending, but another is about to begin. That means a 12-month marathon of games and tournaments played around the world in what has increasingly become a congested fixture schedule for players and fans alike. There will be no shortage of games in 2020, including a summer with the Euros, Copa America, and the . . .
Loss for Newcastle, Pulisic injured
The soccer news starts with a roundup of the results from the games involving USMNT players in England and Scotland. DeAndre Yedlin's Newcastle United lost 2-1 at home to Everton. Trailing from the 13th minute, Fabian Schar equalized for Newcastle in the 56th. Everton scored again in the 64th. Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to Spurs from his loan to Stoke City. He wasn't in the squad for . . .
The sophomore season coaches in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 27, 2019) US Soccer Players - Year one under a new head coach is often an exercise in balancing excitement and expectation with the reality on the ground. No coach can remake a team in his image in the short time frame of a single offseason. For coaches who don't step into a job until later in the winter, the challenge is significant. The Major League Soccer . . .
Minimalism, empty vessels and FCs galore: American soccer leans into the rebrand
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 20, 2019) US Soccer Players - On Thursday morning Louisville City did something striking. The USL Championship side released a statement acknowledging that the recent redesign of their crest had gone down like a lead balloon among their fans and the general public. "To be blunt, our recent brand rollout has failed you," wrote club president Brad Estes. "We . . .
MLS Decision Day in 2020
The soccer news starts with the 2020 MLS schedule. Nothing says the middle of December like looking at next October, but let's go right ahead and put the focus on Decision Day. MLS's regular season finale is an event, regardless of whether or not you pay attention to the branding. Given the league's salary cap and transfer imposed parity that's certainly a feature and not a problem, it's a safe . . .
Valeri and Bradley stay put
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 18, 2019) US Soccer Players - The Portland Timbers announced late Monday that Argentine playmaker Diego Valeri signed a new multi-year contract to remain with the club for the foreseeable future. The 33-year-old Valeri helped the Timbers lift an MLS Cup back in 2015 and won the league's Most Valuable Player Award in 2017. He remains one of the most dangerous . . .
NYCFC at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
The soccer news starts with NYCFC moving four of its weeknight games to the weekend by using Citi Field in Queens. That means Saturday home games on April 26, July 25, August 8, and September 26. NYCFC used the home of the Mets for their 2019 playoff game due to the unavailability of Yankee Stadium. It's the same situation in the 2020 regular season, with NYCFC's home stadium only available when . . .
Charlotte gets an MLS team
The soccer news starts with the official announcement that Charlotte is joining Major League Soccer. The latest MLS expansion team will start play in 2021 at Bank of America Stadium, sharing the home of the National Football League's Carolina Panthers. "We are thrilled to welcome Charlotte as Major League Soccer’s 30th club,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "During the last two decades, . . .
