By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 4, 2020) US Soccer Players – The start of the year brings with it a new set of challenges for the USMNT. 2020 largely grounded the National Team, allowing them to play just four games after the pandemic disrupted the soccer calendar and ultimately halted all sports. That means that 2021 is full of games and tournaments that could have a lasting impact on this . . .
The 2021 soccer schedule
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 28, 2020) US Soccer Players – 2020 was an unprecedented year loaded with obstacles, rescheduled games, and health protocols. Even when soccer came back, it wasn't the same. Tournaments played in bubbles, no fans allowed into stadiums, and piped in crowd noise became common this year. Despite all of this, enough of the games continued to create a new normal. . . .
A crowded USMNT road map for 2021
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 1, 2020) US Soccer Players - The USMNT is off again this month, forced by the continuing COVID-19 crisis to scratch any plans of a camp or friendly matches during the October international window. Even without a team gathering, however, this period might turn out to be a significant pivot point for the program. Over the past few weeks, Weston McKennie has . . .
Concacaf moves Nations League finale to June
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the never-ending 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League. With the semifinal and final moved from June to March 2021, Concacaf has now pushed those games to June 2021. The USMNT plays Honduras with the confederation centralizing the semifinals, finals, and 3rd-place game in one location. That location, along with the dates in June, will wait for a later . . .
Concacaf’s new 2022 qualifying format sets expectations in the region
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 30, 2020) US Soccer Players - This week Concacaf rolled out its grand new plan for the 2022 World Cup qualifying cycle. On Monday, the confederation unveiled a revised format and timetable for the road to Qatar in the wake of the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it released the rescheduled dates for the final phase of the inaugural . . .
Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT at the 18-month mark
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 22, 2020) US Soccer Players - In early June, Gregg Berhalter's tenure in charge of the USMNT will pass the 18-month mark. In a world without COVID-19 and the disruptions it's unleashed, he and his team would be set to gather for a camp to prepare for the Concacaf Nations League semifinals and final. Those games were on the schedule for June 4 and 7 in . . .
Martino’s Mexico in 2020
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 27, 2020) US Soccer Players – It's an interesting 2020 in Concacaf, especially for old rivals the United States and Mexico. Both have the Nations League on the schedule in June and the start of World Cup qualifying in the September international window. Between now and then, there are friendlies on the schedule to provide options and tighten things up before . . .
Soccer in 2020
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 30, 2019) US Soccer Players – One year may be ending, but another is about to begin. That means a 12-month marathon of games and tournaments played around the world in what has increasingly become a congested fixture schedule for players and fans alike. There will be no shortage of games in 2020, including a summer with the Euros, Copa America, and the . . .
Lessons from November as USMNT re-learn the CONCACAF ropes
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 21, 2019) US Soccer Players - After the USMNT's one-sided 7-0 Concacaf Nations League win over Cuba at Audi Field last month, Michael Bradley was asked for his opinion on the confederation's new tournament. The veteran midfielder was honest in his assessment. "Not a huge fan, at all," he admitted. "You want to play on as many days as possible against the . . .
Berhalter’s agenda after year one with the USMNT
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 20, 2019) US Soccer Players - The United States beat Cuba on Tuesday in the Nations League, bringing to a close its 2019 schedule. The scoreline was 4-0, though that number doesn't say much about the team or its performance. The conditions at Truman Bodden Sports Complex only amplified the disparity. It was one of those games that could be viewed both as a . . .
