Wednesday's soccer news starts with England's League Cup. The tournament moves to the first rounds of the semifinals later today, staggered by a week so it will take until January 20 to learn the finalists. England is one of the few domestic leagues to hold onto two domestic cup competitions, though the League Cup lacks the longevity and prestige of the FA's version. It also finishes much earlier, . . .
FIFA’s happiest New Year
By J Hutcherson (Jan 4, 2022) US Soccer Players - FIFA president Gianni Infantino's New Year message was about what we've come to expect during the current push for radical changes in world soccer. His organization's focus remains sharp. It's about already positioning the 2022 World Cup as a success while continuing to stump for it happening every other year as part of a revamped international . . .
New coaches for LAFC and Houston
Tuesday's soccer news starts with two MLS coaching hires. Former USMNT player Steve Cherundolo is the new coach at LAFC. Cherundolo spent last season coaching their affiliate team, the Las Vegas Lights. He previously worked as an assistant in the Bundesliga. "I am ecstatic to be named the head coach of LAFC," Cherundolo said in a press statement. "Having been a part of the club for the past . . .
The Red Bulls vs NYCFC in 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 3, 2022) US Soccer Players – A new year begins, and with it, increased pressure on teams across Major League Soccer. February 26 is the earliest start ever in MLS. That means moving up all the timetables for how clubs build and prepare their squads for the season. For the New York Red Bulls, it's a new problem they need to solve as the regular season looms. . . .
Toronto’s rebuild may not be a model for other MLS clubs
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 31, 2021) US Soccer Players - Let's pretend you run a professional sports team. Your goal is to win championships. Everything you do should be working towards that end. Failing to win a title means reassessing your approach to the process. Professional sports are often about timing. As your players age and new players become available, the trick is to bridge . . .
Americans playing for trophies in Europe
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 29, 2021) US Soccer Players - As the calendar ticks over in Europe, leagues across the continent will enter the second half of their domestic seasons. By the arrival of the new year, we have enough evidence to know who will be making a push for a championship when the drama-filled days of April and May arrive. The platforms for a league title are already in . . .
Norwich City’s situation
Wednesday's soccer news starts at the bottom of the Premier League table. Josh Sargent subbed on in the 81st minute of Norwich City's 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace. Norwich fell behind to an 8th minute penalty. Palace added goals in the 38th and 42nd minutes. "Sometimes if you look at a scoreline as it is, it looks like a real terrible performance," Norwich manager Dean Smith said. With the team . . .
The rest of the Octagonal
By J Hutcherson (Dec 28, 2021) US Soccer Players - What we've learned so far about the final round of the 2022 Concacaf World Cup qualifying cycle is that its due for a shakeout. One of the top four is heading towards a playoff, and the current standings may not be telling us all that much. The Octagonal is a new riff on an old concept, something that regularly provides a different take on the . . .
The 2021-22 Bundesliga’s first-half
Tuesday's soccer news starts with the Bundesliga's winter break. League games resume on January 7, with die Winterpause starting on December 19. Since the Bundesliga break takes in the opening week of the January transfer window, there's the chance for some rebuilding between games that count. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, the team most likely to make major moves is regular Bundesliga . . .
The USMNT in 2021 and 2022
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 27, 2021) US Soccer Players – The final week of the calendar year usually brings with it stories and commentaries about the past 12 months. While the planet continues to deal with the pandemic, 2021 saw the slow return of sports and some normalcy. In soccer, that return included fans back in the stands in MLS and around the world and major tournaments like the . . .
