Thursday's soccer news starts with Concacaf once again open for business in World Cup qualifying. While the focus is on what happens between Mexico and the USMNT at Estadio Azteca, all but one of the qualification scenarios require interest in the other games. That's Canada officially making the 2022 World Cup field by beating Costa Rica in San Jose. Costa Rica lost 1-0 to Mexico and drew 1-1 with . . .
The rest of Concacaf as the March window opens
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 23, 2022) US Soccer Players - Concacaf World Cup qualifying enters its final act on Thursday. It's the first of three matchdays to finish off a schedule that began last September. While the pandemic meant eight teams instead of six and a shorter window, the process has still seemed long, hectic, and stressful. That's business as usual in the region, regardless . . .
Preview: Mexico vs USMNT in Concacaf World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the USMNT making the trip to Mexico for tomorrow's Concacaf World Cup qualifier at Estadio Azteca. Unlike the last cycle, altitude adjustments aren't as much of the story. Instead, the focus has been on how USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter might structure his squad. He certainly has the data points after the summer of USMNT vs Mexico. Goalkeeping isn't . . .
The Octagonal is changing Concacaf
By J Hutcherson (Mar 22, 2022) US Soccer Players - Canada has emerged as a new power in Concacaf in large part thanks to the revamped schedule. The pandemic adjustments required to get the games in presented an opportunity that was both unexpected and suddenly available. Figure out squad rotation and create home advantage, and the compressed schedule may reward that effort accordingly. It's . . .
Mexico vs USMNT for the first and only time in an Octagonal
Tuesday's soccer news starts with the USMNT training in Houston in advance of a quick trip to Mexico City. The technical staff's solution for one of Mexico's advantages is not to spend much time at altitude. Instead, arriving the day before the game should, in theory, limit the impact of playing 7350 feet above sea level. As for the other environmental factors, it's the same for every team that . . .
The USMNT visits Estadio Azteca tied on points with Mexico
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 21, 2022) US Soccer Players – It's one of the biggest National Team rivalries on the planet. It's a game played in adverse conditions on both sides of the border. It's also one that the United States has dominated most recently, which should add even more pressure to its rivalry with Mexico. The legendary Estadio Azteca will host another meeting of the . . .
Winter window takeaways and the Ocho’s March run-in
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 3, 2022) US Soccer Players - Eleven down, three to go. That's the Concacaf Octagonal schedule math for the USMNT now that the winter international window is done and dusted with Wednesday's 3-0 win over Honduras on an arctic night at Allianz Field. It might also apply to the quest for a place at the World Cup in Qatar. Like the calendar, the United States . . .
USMNT 3 – Honduras 0, Concacaf World Cup qualifying
On a shockingly cold night in St Paul, the United States shutout Honduras 3-0 in Concacaf World Cup qualifying. Weston McKennie headed in a 7th minute goal to open the scoring with Walker Zimmerman doubling the lead in the 37th minute. Playing the role of super sub, Christian Pulisic entered the game in the 64th and scored in the 67th minute. USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner didn't need a save to keep . . .
Preview: USMNT vs Honduras in 2022 Concacaf World Cup qualifying
By J Hutcherson (Feb 1, 2022) US Soccer Players - The USMNT closes out the January/February international window on Wednesday night (7:30pm ET - FS1) in interesting conditions to match an interesting situation. After losing 2-0 at Canada on Sunday, the United States plays its cold weather finale in freezing conditions in St Paul, Minnesota. They face the team with the worst record in the . . .
Moving to matchday three in Concacaf
Monday's soccer news starts with Canada once again making a big statement in Concacaf World Cup qualifying. They've now taken four points off of the other teams in the North American zone, potentially resetting the order after a summer dominated by the United States vs Mexico. That's an indication of how quickly things can change in the region, especially for a team that had to play through the . . .