The soccer news starts with Manchester City beating Manchester United 3-1 first-leg loss to Manchester City at Old Trafford in the first-leg of the League Cup semifinals. While it's tough to consider the League Cup as anything other than an obligation at this point in the season, Manchester City is a team that takes all of their competitions seriously. They showed this last season when they won . . .
Expansion isn’t the biggest story for MLS in 2020
By J Hutcherson (Jan 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - We've reached the point in the preseason where all 26 MLS clubs have coaches. Welcome aboard Ronny Deila, a surprising choice to take over from Dom Torrent at NYCFC. Orlando City also left it late before officially announcing former Monterrey coach Diego Alonso. Then there was Chicago naming Raphael Wicky just after Christmas, the latest step away . . .
5th through 10th in the Premier League table
The soccer news starts with a look at the Premier League table after the run of holiday games. Liverpool now has a 13-point lead over Leicester City at the top, with Manchester City a point behind Leicester. There's no flattering to deceive that there's much of a chance of a title race. Liverpool is currently walking away with the season. Chelsea in 4th has the final Champions League spot, 8 . . .
Inter Miami surprises by hiring Diego Alonso
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 . . .
Gooch scores two in the FA Cup
The soccer news starts with a standout performance for Lynden Gooch in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Sunderland beat Lincoln City 3-1 at home with Gooch scoring twice. Tom Flanagan put Sunderland up in the 19th minute with Gooch adding goals in the 23rd and 29th. Lincoln scored in the 66th minute. "We've played well the past three or four games, Gooch said, and picked up some good points. . . .
The USMNT January Camp in 2020
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 3, 2020) US Soccer Players - Gregg Berhalter's roster for the 2020 edition of the USMNT January camp tells the story of what he hopes to achieve with the month-long exercise as a decisive year for the team and the coach himself gets underway. Berhalter's list of 25 names includes a few players with years of national team experience and the requisite cap numbers . . .
Switching from league to Cup in England
The soccer news starts with another part of the fixture congestion over England's holiday calendar. After multiple league games from Boxing Day through New Years, the Premier League and Championship clubs have another obligation on Sunday. It's the Third Round of the 2019-20 FA Cup with no break for the top two divisions as they enter the tournament at this point. Sunday's schedule has DeAndre . . .
What we learned about American soccer in 2019
. . .
West Ham and Everton’s turn at managed ambition
By J Hutcherson (Jan 2, 2020) US Soccer Players - It wasn't a surprise that West Ham United became the latest Premier League club to replace a manager. If anything, the timing was the only issue. In the middle of the crammed holiday schedule, the club decided Manuel Pellegrini was out and former manager David Moyes was in. That's what four losses in a row will do, even if Pellegrini's last loss in . . .
Pulisic back, Yedlin injures hand
The soccer news starts with the New Year's results from England. Christian Pulisic subbed out in the 66th minute for Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Brighton. Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea up in the 10th minute with Brighton equalizing in the 84th. Chelsea is 4th in the Premier League table, eight points behind 3rd-place Manchester City and five ahead of 5th-place Manchester United. "It was an incredible . . .
