Tuesday's soccer news starts with what is now a familiar story. An elite European club is only tied on points at the top of the table and failed to win a tournament played in Saudi Arabia. That lack of quick results means FC Barcelona is under new management. Ernesto Valverde is out as coach and Quique Setien with a short runway before Barcelona plays Napoli next month in the Champions League . . .
The MLS youth movement continues
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 13, 2020) US Soccer Players – Bobby Convey was once the youngest player in MLS history, signing with DC United for the 2000 season when he was just 16. At age 14, Freddy Adu became the youngest American ever to sign a major league pro contract in any team sport, drafted first overall by DC United back in 2004. That same year, Adu made his debut as a second-half . . .
Holmes equalizes in Derby County draw
With the Bundesliga still on break, the USMNT abroad roundup is once again headlining Monday's soccer news. It's not just the English leagues this time, with Ligue 1 back from break, Spain playing the Copa del Rey, and Liga MX kicking off the 2020 Clausura over the weekend. We start in England's Championship with Duane Holmes equalizing in stoppage time in Derby County's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough. . . .
Brian McBride named USMNT general manager
Former USMNT player Brian McBride became the second general manager of the US Men's National Team the US Soccer Federation announced on January 10, 2020. With original general manager Earnie Stewart named sporting director in charge of both the men's and women's programs, McBride steps into the job solely focused on the men's team. McBride, Stewart, and USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter were members of . . .
Process, perception, and US Soccer’s latest batch of hires
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 10, 2020) US Soccer Players - There's a saying, known to some as the first law of holes. It goes like this. "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." After what most would consider an extended period of stumbles, setbacks, and own goals, the United States Soccer Federation is doing its best to stop digging. At field level, USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter . . .
USA faces a tough Olympic qualifying scenario
The soccer news starts with an interesting scenario for the USMNT U-23s as they try to qualify for this summer's Olympics in Tokyo. Concacaf has two spots in the Olympics, running the qualifying tournament from March 20 through April 1 at Guadalajara's Jalisco and Akron stadiums. The eight-team field is split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. . . .
Preview: 2020 Liga MX Clausura
The soccer news starts with the return of Liga MX on Friday and the start of the 2020 Clausura. The Apertura didn't end until late last month due to Monterrey's Club World Cup commitments, and the reigning Liga MX champions are the likeliest choice to repeat. Not at all surprising is that the team they beat on penalties on December 29 is right there with them. Club America is always the team to . . .
MLS in the market for Liga MX players
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 8, 2020) US Soccer Players - Supply and demand make markets. When one party has something the other party wants, the selling party can dictate terms: Pay my price or go without. In a closed system, where the selling party is the only source of supply, that dynamic leads to unfair pricing practices. Major League Soccer's relationship with Liga MX of Mexico does . . .
Manchester City takes the schedule seriously
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 . . .
