The soccer news starts with the USMNT in action on Saturday against Costa Rica (3:30pm ET - Fox). With a 3-0 shutout of Panama in Arizona last Sunday, the USMNT looks to close out January camp with another strong performance. As Charles Boehm relayed in his latest column for USSoccerPlayers, this version of the USMNT is about installing new tactics and teachable moments for coach Gregg Berhalter. . . .
2019 in soccer
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 31, 2018) US Soccer Players – The past year will stand out for years to come for the type of soccer it produced. That is almost always the case in a year with a World Cup. The USMNT continued to rebuild and got a new coach, while MLS gave us a new champion in Atlanta United FC that helped to showcase the passion for the game in this country. Indeed, Atlanta’s . . .
Liga MX and the Club World Cup letdown
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Dec 19, 2018) US Soccer Players - Chivas Guadalajara claimed the Concacaf Champions League with a thrilling victory over Toronto FC in April, a fitting triumph given the club’s recent successes. Chivas had won Copa MX and Liga MX titles in 2017 and was passing through a period of stability. The club was not exactly a model franchise, but it was close. Chivas . . .
Concacaf can’t unlock the Club World Cup
By J Hutcherson (Dec 18, 2018) US Soccer Players - It's a common occurrence this time of year. The Concacaf Champions League winners travel a long way to disappoint in the FIFA Club World Cup. This time, it was Chivas heading to the Emirates and losing their second round game 3-2 to Japan's Kashima Antlers. That meant 5th-place against Esperance de Tunis. It took penalties, but Chivas lost . . .
Concacaf and World Cup expansion
Whether or not FIFA goes ahead with an expanded World Cup in 2022, we already know it will happen for 2026. 48 teams, resetting what we know about the tournament. For Concacaf, the early issue is number of qualifying spots and how World Cup qualifying will work in the era of expansion. It's worth the reminder that Concacaf would've already changed World Cup qualifying had they gotten four . . .
2019 Concacaf Champions League set
The soccer news starts with Concacaf announcing the schedule for the 2019 Champions League. With clubs from the region's bigger leagues no longer having to play through a group stage, the tournament starts at the round of 16 for MLS and Liga MX. The home and away knockout rounds begin on February 19 and conclude May 2. Because the Canadian champion and the US Open Cup winner are MLS clubs, Major . . .
FIFA, the World Cup, and changes to world soccer
Over the weekend, reports linked CONMEBOL with the latest proposal for FIFA holding the World Cup every other year. How seriously FIFA decides to take that proposal is an open question, but it does raise a simple issue. If FIFA wants a global Nations League in the even years between World Cups, how is that different from a World Cup? It's CONMEBOL asking. “The proposal we have made to FIFA is to . . .
The end of the November window
We start the soccer news with the end of the November international window and the return to the club schedule. For the USMNT, the losses to England and Italy is the latest prelude to an announcement of the new coach. For the players, it's once again assuming that club performance will predict national team opportunity. In Europe, that puts the pressure on players who aren't getting time with . . .
Making the Nations League matter
The soccer news starts with an obvious point about the Nations League. It's going to take more than UEFA adding it to the schedule to make the games count. Everybody involved has to buy in. That's the challenge for any new competition, something that the Nations League is already struggling with at some levels. For all the upside when two big teams meet in League A, there's leagues B through D to . . .
2019 Gold Cup final at Soldier Field
Friday's soccer news starts with Chicago getting the 2019 Gold Cup final. Concacaf announced the decision yesterday, the third time Soldier Field will host the final. Concacaf will stage the competition in the USA, Central America, and the Caribbean. 15 US stadiums will host games. “Concacaf is very excited to bring once more our premier tournament to Chicago. This is truly a remarkable city that . . .
