By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 10, 2020) US Soccer Players - The knotty topic of training compensation and solidarity payments in American soccer reared its head again this week. Almost a year and a half on from MLS announcing its intention to pursue such claims for products of its academy system, a new report from ESPN's Jeff Carlisle delves into the state of flux around this issue. . . .
Problems continue for Atlanta and LAFC
Thursday's soccer news has the MLS roundup, starting with Inter Miami's 2-1 home win over Atlanta United. Lewis Morgan put Inter up in the 28th minute with Eric Remedi equalizing in the 33rd. Morgan scored again in the 38th. Atlanta had a penalty in the 40th minute converted on a rebound but waived off due to encroachment by United and Inter. That gave United a retake that Inter Miami goalkeeper . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The league goes regional
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 9, 2020) US Soccer Players - MLS is Back was quite a bit of fun, more perhaps than many expected. Still, the tournament might have been just that, a fun one-off event. What happened in Orlando did not necessarily reveal much of what was to follow in late August and into September. The champions have stumbled on their return to league play while some other . . .
Concacaf pushes back World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with Concacaf pushing back the opening round of World Cup qualifying to the March international window. Officials from some of the Concacaf nations involved in the opening round of qualifying had questioned the schedule due to the pandemic. "Many parts of the region continue to have very challenging public health situations, and that has been a key factor in this . . .
Atlanta United regroups without Pity Martinez
By J Hutcherson (Sep 8, 2020) US Soccer Players - With it now official that Pity Martinez is no longer a member of Atlanta United, the club has doubled down on what has become standard operating procedure. Given the right deal, Atlanta management will make the choice to move on. "We want to thank Pity for his contributions to our club for the past two years," Atlanta technical director Carlos . . .
Agnelli on the broadcast fallout for European clubs
Tuesday's soccer news starts with European Club Association and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli making one economic issue clear. UEFA will likely refund Champions League and Europa League broadcast rights holders around 575 million euros. Agnelli made that statement at the organization's 24th general assembly with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin present. "We have seen a £330million rebate in . . .
Shutouts were the Labor Day weekend story in MLS
The MLS roundup starts with Houston coming back to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 at home. Erik Hurtado put Sporting up in the 30th minute. Alberth Elis equalized for the Dynamo in the 59th with Mauro Manotas scoring in the 85th minute. Darwin Quintero had the second assist on both Houston goals. "What I can say about tonight's game is that it was a really difficult one," Houston coach Tab Ramos . . .
NYCFC and Houston playing under the radar
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 4, 2020) US Soccer Players - A question about the 2020 MLS season: Does this season have a radar? As in, under it? We often talk about teams that don't get much media attention but are slowly building towards becoming a contender as under the radar. The abnormal nature of this year makes it tough to know if such a radar even exists. Pulling forward what we . . .
Chris Armas is no longer the coach of the Red Bulls
Friday's soccer news starts with that favorite of MLS front office euphemisms, the "parting of the ways." The New York Red Bulls announced on Friday that Chris Armas is no longer the coach of the club with assistant CJ Brown also leaving. New York isn't immediately naming an interim with Armas out after taking the job in July of 2018. “On behalf of the organization, I’d like to thank Chris for . . .
Making sense of the San Jose Earthquakes
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 3, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a 2020 already marked by a range of unpleasant global events, Northern California may feel more apocalyptic than most places in North America. Searing heat waves and serious wildfires are exacerbating the ravages of COVID-19 and sustained economic and socio-political angst. The San Jose Earthquakes are among those affected by . . .
