Wednesday's soccer news starts with a UEFA decision that was never going to help the smaller clubs trying to compete in Europe. The Champions League no longer cap ties players for the entire season. Instead, the January window allows teams in the knockout round to restock their already successful squads. It's not exactly a surprise that this could come at the expense of overachieving teams from . . .
Chelsea vs Bayern and RB Leipzig vs Spurs
The soccer news starts with the Champions League draw for the teams with USMNT players left in the tournament. Christian Pulisic's Chelsea plays Bayern Munich in the round of 16, home on February 25 and away on March 18. Though Bayern isn't currently stacking up the points at the top of the Bundesliga table, currently in 5th-place, it's always tough against an established world soccer power. What . . .
Changes for the 2020 US Open Cup
The soccer news starts with a surprise announcement from US Soccer that 11 of the 23 US-based MLS teams will start in the third round of the 2020 US Open Cup. This is a break with the setup that entered MLS teams in the fourth round. USL Championship and League One teams enter in the second round. The dozen MLS clubs entering in the fourth round are due to playing in the Concacaf Champions League . . .
Bradley stays with Toronto
The soccer news starts with Toronto announcing that club captain Michael Bradley will stay with the team. Bradley was out of contract at the end of the 2019 season, but there was little speculation of him ending up anywhere else. "I feel so attached to the city of Toronto, the club, the team. I love it here and I am really proud of what we’ve been able to do over the past six years," Bradley . . .
Jesse Marsch’s level of respect
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - Jesse Marsch had a simple answer to whatever happened to his club at home against Liverpool in the Champions League. "This isn't about me. It is about the club, the city, the people here in Salzburg," Marsch said about the support he received there. That's what a coach should say. It's also likely Marsch believed it, with his . . .
Eintracht beats Arsenal in the Europa League
The soccer news starts with Eintracht Frankfurt beating Arsenal in London in Europa League Group F. After losing 3-0 at home to Arsenal in the opening game of the group, Eintracht won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Timmy Chandler was on the bench for Eintracht, going 1-0 down in first-half stoppage time. Daichi Kamada equalized in the 55th and scored in the 64th. "Arsenal were much better than us . . .
Atlanta and LAFC advance in the MLS playoffs
The soccer news starts with the MLS playoffs and Atlanta United claiming the other spot in the Eastern Conference finals. Atlanta knocked out Philadelphia 2-0 at home and will host Toronto on October 30 (8pm ET - FS1). Julian Gressel put United up in the 10th minute and assisted on Josef Martinez's goal in the 80th. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan made three saves to keep the clean sheet. "The . . .
UEFA’s new league
The soccer news starts with UEFA officially announcing a third European club tournament. That might have some people remembering the Cup Winners' Cup in the era when there were three European club tournaments. UEFA's retro move isn't a return to giving the domestic cup winners something to play for. Instead, it's a catchall tournament underneath the Champions League and Europa League to give the . . .
Eintracht loses to Arsenal
The soccer news starts with one USMNT player getting minutes in the Europa League. Timmy Chandler subbed on in the 74th minute for Eintracht’s 3-0 home loss to Arsenal. Eintracht finished a man down with a 79th minute red card to Dominik Kohr. “It’s a tough defeat to take because the scoreline didn’t reflect the performance,” Eintracht coach Adi Hutter said. “We created a lot of chances but a . . .
Disappointment in the Champions League qualifiers
The soccer news starts with Scottish Premier League champions Celtic failing to advance in Champions League qualifying. Celtic lost 4-3 at home to CFR Cluj and 5-4 on aggregate in the third round of qualifying. They led 3-2 from a 76th-minute goal. Cluj equalized from the penalty spot in the 80th and scored seven minutes into stoppage time. Unfortunately for the rest of the Scottish Premier . . .
