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 . . .
The importance of USMNT vs Mexico
The soccer news starts with something that's easy to overlook in this era of transition for teams and tournaments in Concacaf. The USMNT vs Mexico rivalry is still the biggest thing in this region. It doesn't take expanded Gold Cups, Nations Leagues, or changes to World Cup qualifying to miss that particular point. Mexico vs USMNT is what Concacaf is all about, its meaning for the rest of World . . .
The Concacaf Nations League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 27, 2018) US Soccer Players – With MLS heading towards an exciting regular-season finish and Europe’s domestic leagues monopolizing our Saturday mornings once again, focus shifts quickly. The international schedule returns in early September, with the club game making way for national teams. For the United States, the 2022 World Cup cycle starts this fall with . . .
The USMNT works toward the 2019 Gold Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 11, 2018) US Soccer Players – With the United States missing out on the World Cup, the focus shifts to a new coach, the Fall friendlies, and games that count in 2019. The next stop on the road to rebuilding is next summer’s Gold Cup. This is a tournament that has traditionally allowed the USMNT to assert itself as a regional power, test players, and create a . . .
Is FIFA overreaching?
By J Hutcherson (Jun 5, 2018) US Soccer Players - The biggest question in world soccer right now isn't who will host the 2026 World Cup. It's not if the World Cup will expand to 48 teams a cycle early in Qatar. It's not even what might happen in Russia. It's whether or not FIFA is overreaching. It's hard to downplay FIFA's recent moves. They've pushed through a World Cup expansion that may start . . .
Is MLS on par with Liga MX?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Apr 4, 2018) US Soccer Players - Twice, Liga MX clubs have gone to Toronto’s BMO Field in search of a result in CONCACAF Champions League play this year. Twice, Liga MX clubs have left with a difficult result. Toronto FC seems destined for a spot in the Concacaf Champions League final, an accomplishment the club would obtain at Liga MX’s expense. So does that . . .
Club America and Liga MX vs MLS
Credit Club America coach Miguel Herrera for doing his part to add to the 2018 Concacaf Champions League story. Herrera took time out prior to the semifinal first-leg in Toronto to let anyone interested know his opinion on the Liga MX vs MLS comparison. Not at all surprising, he favors Liga MX across the board, with the belief that the correct Liga MX comparison is with the European leagues. . . .
MLS lessons for the Concacaf Champions League
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 2, 2018) US Soccer Players – The Concacaf Champions League resumes this week with the first-legs of the semifinals. It’s also the resumption of the MLS vs Liga MX story, one that almost always favors Mexico. While the other Champions League will be getting most of the attention this week, it’s in Concacaf where MLS teams will once again try to stop a Liga MX . . .
Games that count for Liga MX and MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - Every decade or so, the bigwigs at MLS and Liga MX think it is a good idea to join forces and present a new-look product to the masses. And without fail, the new-look product wears away fairly quickly without much fanfare. Later this year, the brand-new Campeones Cup will commence as Toronto FC will host either Apertura 2017 champs . . .
