Monday's soccer news starts with the USMNT back in action, this time against Panama in Austria (2:45pm ET - FS1) to close out the November international window. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has already announced a tactical change, going with a target forward for this game. That should create a direct line to goal, something that was missing in the 0-0 draw with Wales. Considering the brief time in . . .
Pressing, flair, positivity as USMNT make long-awaited return
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 13, 2020) US Soccer Players - The USMNT opened a new chapter on Thursday with their first match since February, showing plenty to like in their 0-0 draw with Wales in Swansea. Gregg Berhalter's new-look side were short on clear scoring chances, but their dominance in midfield and comfortable management of their defensive third kept them in clear control for . . .
Valuing goalkeepers in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 13, 2020) US Soccer Players - Like with everything else we usually do, the Major League Soccer end-of-season awards are happening despite the strangeness of the current moment. There are several questions worth asking as the soccer community debates honors like "Defender of the Year," "Young Player of the Year" (new in 2020!), and "Most Valuable . . .
USMNT starts a process in Swansea
Friday's soccer news starts with a younger version of the USMNT showing that it won't give up goals while trying to find its rhythm against a top-20 opponent. It's easy enough to make a scoreless draw in Swansea about what Wales didn't do, but that requires overlooking what the USMNT did. This new-look version of the USA took the field after only a few training sessions and put ideas into . . .
Wales 0 – USMNT 0
Wales and the USMNT finished scoreless in Swansea on Thursday. The game was the first for the United States since February, returning to play in an empty stadium and with notable additions to its roster. Seven players made their senior squad debuts with Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah, and Konrad de la Fuente getting starts. The USMNT finishes out the November window against Panama in Austria on Monday . . .
Preview: Wales vs USMNT
Thursday's soccer news starts with the USMNT returning to action at Wales later today (2:45pm ET - FS1). The USMNT last played with a full choice roster in November, facing a must-win scenario to advance in the Nations League. That tournament won't finish until June, the next time the USMNT plays a game that counts. Technically this isn't a first choice roster. There's one MLS player in the group . . .
MLS Power Rankings: Regular season ender
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 11, 2020) US Soccer Players - The strangest regular season in league history has come to a close. Nobody could have ever imagined a season that saw a complete shutdown after two games, a midseason tournament, and games with no fans in the stands. Yet, the league persevered with some not-so-minor setbacks, and now the playoffs are looming. In a season like this, . . .
The Canadian MLS clubs in 2020
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 11, 2020) US Soccer Players - The 2020 Major League Soccer regular season is over. We all know that means reckoning with the results. Plenty of clubs, whether they made the playoffs or not, will use the unique 2020 COVID-19 conditions of the season to justify the final standings. Ambition is a factor, of course. Some clubs won't be satisfied with anything but a . . .
That extra game in the Western Conference
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the Western Conference. Major League Soccer reset the West when play resumed, shifting Nashville to the Eastern Conference and leaving the West with 12 teams. That meant qualifying eight teams directly to the playoffs rather than needing the East's play-in round. That also means a difference in making the playoffs in the West. That playoff line looms in every . . .
The Red Bulls way forward
By J Hutcherson (Nov 10, 2020) US Soccer Players - The New York Red Bulls finished sixth in the Eastern Conference, taking the final automatic playoff place and with a sizeable lead over the rest of the clubs in the play-in round. Given that the club fired a coach and shouldered significant criticism over its squad this season, it's a success of sorts. Points per game gave them the edge over three . . .
