By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 31, 2020) US Soccer Players – Modern sports can’t exist without television. The explosion of satellite TV two decades ago and later the internet helped fuel soccer’s growth in this country. While fans still enjoy attending games in person, the ongoing pandemic has put a hold on that experience for millions. In what has been an unusual year for the game and . . .
Does European soccer need a unified response?
Wednesday's soccer news starts with UEFA's timeline for leagues deciding whether or not to continue the 2019-20 season. As with every timeline in the era of the coronavirus, UEFA's May 25 deadline is subject to change. Still, there has to be a date where getting the games in is no longer feasible. The governments in the Netherlands and France decided that for their domestic leagues, banning the . . .
When soccer returns to normal
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 30, 2020) US Soccer Players – The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a halt. With people forced to stay home because of the contagion and life as normal interrupted, sports leagues have also come to a stop. Where does that leave these leagues once the virus subsides and life gets back to normal? It is difficult to predict the future, although the . . .
Manchester City’s situation
Monday's soccer news starts with the same thing most of soccer is talking about, UEFA banning Manchester City from European competition for two seasons over Financial Fair Play. For a team like Manchester City, that means no Champions League and no point for the vast amount of money the club spends. That's what has them in trouble, how they accounted for incoming revenue to stay on the right side . . .
Another big result for Chelsea
The soccer news starts with USMNT player Christian Pulisic once again playing a role in an unlikely draw for Chelsea in the Champions League. Chelsea drew 4-4 with Ajax at Stamford Bridge, with Pulisic setting up the penalty that leveled the score at 1-1. From there, a game that had already taken an odd turn took several more with Chelsea eventually finding an equalizer and another point in the . . .
The rest of Real Madrid’s season
The soccer news starts with Real Madrid already out of the Champions League, the Coppa del Rey, and 12 points and two spots behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. So why not act now and bring back three-time Champions League winning coach Zinedine Zidane? After Zidane quit over the summer, Real Madrid went through two coaches. Julen Lopetegui made it only through the end of October. He lost the Spain . . .
Spurs play for the leagues after exiting the cups
By J Hutcherson (Jan 29, 2019) US Soccer Players - In 2017, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho decided to prioritize the Europa League. With his club battling for a Champions League spot in the Premier League, Mourinho decided he had a better option. Win the Europa League and take the Champions League spot that came with the title. With UEFA adding that particular incentive, it made sense. . . .
Borussia Dortmund in January
Monday's soccer news starts with a safe assumption. Most of us at some point have looked at a schedule and tried to eke out a path to success. Whether it was turning a lousy grade into a better one or convincing ourselves there's enough time left on a project, the calendar becomes our friend. Well, until it turns on us and we recognize that it's counting down to an inevitable outcome. That's an . . .
Real Madrid’s not so super season
There's a way of looking at what's happening with Real Madrid as the eventual pause button on any serious consideration of a European Super League. Everybody in that league can't win, creating a problem for clubs where winning is crucial to their identity. Like say, the 5th-place team in La Liga. Real Madrid is 10 points out of 1st-place, a spot held by their old friends Barcelona. Their city . . .
Manchester United’s issues get worse
The soccer news starts with Manchester United losing 3-1 at Liverpool on Sunday. The latest setback for Jose Mourinho's team quickly became the major talking point. The focus stays on Mourinho, the January transfer window, and the knockout round of the 2018-19 Champions League. United's loss at Anfield showed more of the problems with this team. As always when talking about a super club, . . .
