By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 27, 2019) US Soccer Players - When a new coach takes over a national team, the transition can be rough. It can take a lot of time for the new boss to get his ideas across to the players. The roster normally changes as stalwarts from previous campaigns make way. For Mexico, the transition into the Gerardo “Tata” Martino era took about one half of one game. In . . .
The future of the Gold Cup
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Feb 20, 2019) US Soccer Players - The World Cup is the most important tournament in soccer. It is the pinnacle of the international game. It stands above all of the other tournaments on the soccer calendar. That doesn't downplay the importance of those other tournaments. They're important and necessary in the build-up to and preparation for the World Cup. Well, until . . .
2019 in soccer
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 31, 2018) US Soccer Players – The past year will stand out for years to come for the type of soccer it produced. That is almost always the case in a year with a World Cup. The USMNT continued to rebuild and got a new coach, while MLS gave us a new champion in Atlanta United FC that helped to showcase the passion for the game in this country. Indeed, Atlanta’s . . .
Shade trees and hard lessons: Mulling the way forward for the USMNT
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 22, 2018) US Soccer Players - An old Greek proverb states that “society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.” Those words come to mind when considering Dave Sarachan’s time in charge of the USMNT, which reached its end with Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly loss to Italy in Genk, Belgium. Taking over the team in a caretaker . . .
Why did Mexico go to Argentina?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 21, 2018) US Soccer Players - For too long, Mexico has chosen to play friendly matches against lesser teams on American soil. Thus it seemed like a step forward when Mexico headed down to South America to play a pair of friendlies against Argentina. Now that the two games have come and gone, it seems more of a missed and a bit misguided opportunity than . . .
The end of the November window
We start the soccer news with the end of the November international window and the return to the club schedule. For the USMNT, the losses to England and Italy is the latest prelude to an announcement of the new coach. For the players, it's once again assuming that club performance will predict national team opportunity. In Europe, that puts the pressure on players who aren't getting time with . . .
2019 Gold Cup final at Soldier Field
Friday's soccer news starts with Chicago getting the 2019 Gold Cup final. Concacaf announced the decision yesterday, the third time Soldier Field will host the final. Concacaf will stage the competition in the USA, Central America, and the Caribbean. 15 US stadiums will host games. “Concacaf is very excited to bring once more our premier tournament to Chicago. This is truly a remarkable city that . . .
The USMNT and the summer of 2017
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 22, 2017) US Soccer Players – Another busy summer is starting Amid the scores of MLS matches and international friendlies on the soccer schedule, the USMNT will play some of their most important games of the year. Bruce Arena’s team will have to play at least nine matches over the course of two months. They could potentially add three more games to that growing . . .
USMNT vs Honduras – The History
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 20, 2017) US Soccer Players – The USMNT is no stranger when it comes to playing in must-win games. From the first round of the World Cup to the Gold Cup knockout stages and Hexagonal tournaments in between, the USMNT has found ways to win. It will need to channel some of those past victories when it plays Honduras on Friday evening at Avaya Stadium in San . . .
USMNT players getting time in the Copa MX
USMNT players did well in the Copa MX on Wednesday, with Tijuana shutting out Club America 1-0 at home on a Paul Arriola goal. Michael Orozco and Joe Corona also started for Tijuana. Arriola's goal came in the 29th minute. Orozco saw yellow in the third minute of stoppage time. America played a man down with a red card six minutes into stoppage time. Jorge Villafana and Santos Laguna knocked out . . .
