By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 21, 2022) US Soccer Players - Soccer clubs are always in the business of selling. Fans aren't going to line up to see your team play if you tell them everything is bad. Even teams with no reasonable way to spin obvious failure will line their pitch with words of hope. For clubs that haven't lived up to expectations, the people who make the decisions have . . .
USMNT player Cole Bassett goes on loan to Feyenoord
Friday's soccer news starts with another move to Europe for a USMNT player. Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett got his debut and first goal with the senior squad on December 18 in the 1-0 friendly win over Bosnia. Called into the January camp, Bassett left early to complete an 18th-month loan deal to Eredivisie club Feyenoord. "We're incredibly proud of Cole for having earned this . . .
Inter Miami tries to find itself in year three
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 20, 2022) US Soccer Players - It was easy to set expectations for Major League Soccer's long-awaited return to South Florida. Bold and splashy, according to the conventional wisdom, with no room for the missteps that ultimately doomed the Miami Fusion back in the early 2000s. Glitz, glamour, and a centrally-located, suitable stadium almost became . . .
The Homegrown Player rule continues to work for MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2022) US Soccer Players - It's the season of signings in Major League Soccer. On Tuesday, Houston set a club record in a deal for 23-year-old Libertad forward Sebastian Ferreira. He arrives as a proven goalscorer in the Paraguayan Primera Division with the appropriate transfer fee. He's the latest in a series of moves where MLS clubs pay for the present . . .
The 4-3-3 in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 18, 2022) US Soccer Players – Major League Soccer is getting plenty of attention in recent weeks. The annual SuperDraft introduced a group of players who could follow recent examples of draft picks turning into key contributors. Ricardo Pepi and Daryl Dike are off to Europe in high-profile moves, adding to the wealth of American talent already there. Another . . .
What the transfer market may mean for the USL Championship
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 14, 2022) US Soccer Players - For most soccer fans, the transfer market and its many vagaries are part of the appeal of following the world's game. Tracking the rumors and intrigue that comes with the multi-million dollar moves that dominate headlines adds a dash of off-the-field drama to the events between the lines. Soccer has levels when it comes to its . . .
Building a competivive roster in MLS is not getting any easier
By J Hutcherson (Jan 11, 2022) US Soccer Players - Roster building in Major League Soccer is still a somewhat loose concept, working within the constraints of MLS budget rules but open to workarounds. Without a template, it becomes difficult to figure out what should work. For instance, Premier League clubs build rosters around total transfer spend. The more a club spends, the more likely it is to . . .
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 . . .
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 . . .
