Tuesday's soccer news starts with Barcelona's situation. The 6th-place team in La Liga makes a trip to Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium to play Real Madrid in tomorrow's Supercopa de Espana. Spain's revamp of what most European leagues use as the finale of the preseason not only moves to a different country but includes four teams. Barcelona qualified by making last season's Copa del Rey . . .
Getting the SuperDraft right always counts in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 10, 2022) US Soccer Players – The annual MLS SuperDraft that takes place on Tuesday will mark the unofficial start to the 2022 season. Once again, an expansion side will get the top spot with Charlotte FC making the #1 pick. For Charlotte, it's a chance to add a key player to their roster as the new franchise looks to compete in their debut season. Charlotte . . .
Toronto makes a big move in revamp
Monday's soccer news starts with Toronto FC making their move for Napoli captain and World Cup winner Lorenzo Insigne. After intense speculation linking the player with the club, Toronto announced that Insigne will complete his free transfer to MLS in July. Insigne's Napoli is currently 3rd in Serie A and plays Barcelona in the Europa League knockout round next month. "We are all looking . . .
USMNT players advance in the FA Cup
The roundup of USMNT players in Europe starts with the third round of the FA Cup. Zack Steffen was in goal for Manchester City's 4-1 win at Swindon Town. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for City in the 14th, Gabriel Jesus doubled the lead in the 28th, and Ilkay Gundogan made it 3-0 in the 59th. Swindon Town pulled a goal back in the 78th, but Cole Pamer added a fourth for City in the 82nd . . .
Houston’s rebuild starts with the decision makers
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 7, 2022) US Soccer Players - It's not actually possible to start over in Major League Soccer. While rebuilding is part of the lifecycle of any professional sports operation, it's always a process. That might be a loaded term in pro sports, but it's the situation clubs find themselves in even when the intent is a massive overhaul across the board. Timing . . .
Juventus draws with Napoli, Roma loses at Milan
Friday's soccer news starts in Serie A. Weson McKennie's Juventus drew 1-1 at home with Napoli. Traling from the 23rd, Federico Chiesa equalized for Juventus in the 54th minute. The point has Juventus in 5th-place with 35 points from 20 games. “This was a clash with a direct rival," Juventus coach Max Allegri said. "Napoli played well and we did too. We could’ve taken the lead, but we lacked . . .
19 players named to January 2022 camp
USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter called 19 players nto the January 2022 camp. With the changes to the international calendar to get in enough matchdays to complete World Cup qualifying, the temporary Jan/Feb window opens on January 21. That leaves a shorter time for the annual January camp, running from Jan 7 -21. The USMNT will schedule closed-door scrimmages during the camp. “Our focus for the next . . .
What this week’s MLS coaching announcements tell us
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 6, 2022) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer tends to be a place of trends, from tactics to personnel and even kit and stadium designs. It also applies to its membership's approach to coaching hires. The insular, conservative outlook of its first decade or so gave way to a sort of "company man" phenomenon of hiring inspiring ex-players almost straight . . .
Chelsea take first-leg in League Cup semifinals
Thursday's soccer news starts in the League Cup semifinal first-leg. Christian Pulisic subbed on in the 79th minute for Chelsea, taking a 2-0 lead over Spurs at Stamford Bridge. Kai Havetz opened the scoring in the 5th and Spurs gave up a 34th minute own-goal. The series concludes at Spurs on Wednesday. "We could have created a bigger cushion, it was possible, we created a lot,"Chelsea manager . . .
FC Dallas and Orlando City after major transfers
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 5, 2022) US Soccer Players - In Major League, math is complicated. More to the point, MLS makes its math complicated with a long list of rules and regulations that dictate the way clubs can spend their money. Nothing is simple. In most of the soccer world, any money made from player transfers is immediately available for spending on whatever a club might . . .
