By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 18, 2021) US Soccer Players - The beginning of the end of Concacaf 2022 World Cup qualifying kicks off in September with eight teams vying for three automatic spots and one intercontinental playoff position for the November 2022 tournament in Qatar. For the first time in history, Concacaf's ultimate round of qualifying will involve eight teams. It's a function . . .
The Concacaf Octagonal adds two interesting teams
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 18, 2021) US Soccer Players - Much about the final round of Concacaf 2022 World Cup qualifying will look and feel familiar to the USMNT and their supporters. Costa Rica and Mexico are perennial adversaries in this phase, which this time grows from the fabled Hexagonal to the COVID-adjusted "Octagonal" format. Visits to the Distrito Federal and San Jose have . . .
The final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the final three places in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying. The Octagonal is set with the USMNT opening at El Salvador on September 2. El Salvador advanced 6-0 on aggregate after beating Saint Kitts and Nevis 2-0 at home. Joshua Perez scored in the 24th with Gerson Mayen doubling the lead in the 87th. The USMNT hosts Canada in their second . . .
Concacaf qualifying about to set the Octagonal
Monday's soccer news starts with the second-legs of the second round of 2022 Concacaf World Cup qualifying. This is the home and away series that sets the remaining spots in the Octagonal final round. The USMNT is waiting on the result of Saint Kitts and Nevis vs El Salvador to determine their opening qualifier, with El Salvador already up 4-0 before Tuesday's deciding leg in San Salvador. At . . .
The USMNT in 2021
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. . . .
Concacaf pushes back World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with Concacaf pushing back the opening round of World Cup qualifying to the March international window. Officials from some of the Concacaf nations involved in the opening round of qualifying had questioned the schedule due to the pandemic. "Many parts of the region continue to have very challenging public health situations, and that has been a key factor in this . . .
Champions League final set, Concacaf’s calendar
Thursday's soccer news starts with the Champions League final. Europe will finally close the door on the 2019-20 season on Sunday with PSG hosting Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions advanced with a 3-0 win over Lyon, ending the underdog story. Instead, it's PSG trying to show value for all of that money spent and Bayern trying to close out a remarkable winning streak. "We knew it would be a . . .
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 . . .
Concacaf sets its schedule
Tuesday's soccer news starts with Concacaf deciding eight is better than six when it comes to the final round of World Cup qualifying. Instead of this being the swansong for the Hexagonal ahead of World Cup expansion for 2026, we get the Octagonal. Two rounds will determine the three teams that join the USMNT, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Honduras with the final round starting in the June 2021 . . .
