Wednesday's soccer news starts with another way to look at the club vs country issues in world soccer. Clubs are the primary employer of players, and they'd like the greatest return for their money. That means the most use of those players. Unfortunately for that mindset, professional soccer is a game of club and country, not one or the other. Balancing that is FIFA's job, building mandatory . . .
Changing the international calendar
Monday's soccer news starts with FIFA announcing a consultation period for revamping the international match calendar. That's what determines international breaks, a point of interest as FIFA seems intent on pushing ahead with its biennial World Cup plan. As Charles Boehm explained last week, that includes limiting international windows to either once in October during the standard European season . . .
FIFA’s biennial pitch
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 16, 2021) US Soccer Players - The mere sight of Arsene Wenger can convey powerful imagery to people around the world, even those who don't support Arsenal. For anyone paying the slightest attention to the sport during his long heyday at the London club, the professorial Frenchman was the epitome of evolution and innovation in what became by many measures . . .
The changing scope of leagues, competitions, and calendars
By J Hutcherson (Aug 24, 2021) US Soccer Players - We're already well into an era of change across world soccer. From the Nations League concept started in Europe and embraced by Concacaf to World Cup expansion to FIFA's delayed Club World Cup revamp. UEFA alone has now added a third European club competition with yet another Champions League revamp looming. Last month, CAF made a new African . . .
Montreal opts out of hosting 2026 World Cup games
Tuesday's soccer news starts with FIFA announcing that Montreal is no longer interested in hosting 2026 World Cup games. In a statement, FIFA wrote, "FIFA would like to thank Montreal for its participation and all local stakeholders involved for their efforts. FIFA continues to work closely with the host associations of Canada, Mexico and the United States in this highly competitive selection . . .
Denmark’s Kasper Hjulmand: “You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols”
By J Hutcherson (Jun 15, 2021) US Soccer Players - On Saturday, UEFA needed to address the immediate aftermath of a medical emergency. Denmark's Christian Erikson had collapsed on the field with a teammate immediately seeing the severity of the situation. What followed was a life-saving intervention that involved players, medical staff, and the fans with the presence of mind to throw their flags . . .
What did we learn from the 2020-21 European soccer season?
By J Hutcherson (May 25, 2021) US Soccer Players - There's a difference between what we learned and what we think we learned from European soccer during the 2020-21 season. The big picture takeaway is that the game survived without the event revenue from tickets, concessions, and merchandise. The quicker takeaway is that a dozen of Europe's biggest clubs decided that they should be in control of . . .
Infantino asks about salary caps
By J Hutcherson (May 11, 2021) US Soccer Players - If you're looking for the European equivalent of talking about promotion and relegation as an answer to American soccer's problems, it might be salary caps. Except in Europe, the people most likely doing that talking are already in positions of power. For example, FIFA president Gianni Infantino. In an interview with AS circulated across other . . .
Squad rotation, fixture congestion, and competitive imbalance
By J Hutcherson (Apr 6, 2021) US Soccer Players - Speaking after the Premier League win at Leicester City on Saturday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola became the latest to ask a simple question. Why is it alright to compress the schedule and obligate players across multiple competitions for club and country? In Guardiola's more concise version, it's a simple statement. "They are human . . .
FIFA announces the stadiums for the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Thursday's soccer news starts with FIFA's announcement of the host cities for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Dunedin, Hamilton, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Wellington will stage games. Sydney's Stadium Australia at 83,500 and Sydney Football Stadium at 45,000 along with Auckland's Eden Park at 50,000 are the largest venues. Eden Park is the . . .
