Wednesday's soccer news starts with the November 2020 version of club vs country. FIFA altered the release rules for clubs, but that option to keep players out of international duty only applied in specific circumstances. Games that count was the biggest decider, with UEFA scheduling Euro qualifiers and Nations League games, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and South America playing World Cup . . .
LA becomes title town
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 28, 2020) US Soccer Players - Los Angeles once again has plenty to celebrate from its sports teams. Turning around a fallow period for titles, the LA Lakers lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy as NBA champions. Yes, it happened in a bubble on the other side of the country. That didn't stop fans from celebrating like things are normal. Last night, the Dodgers won the . . .
LAFC and NYCFC regroup around returning players
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 28, 2020) US Soccer Players - Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is famous for many things. He led the Gunners to the last undefeated season by a Premier League champion back in 2001, an incredible achievement that no other club may match. The aesthetically pleasing, attacking style of play he established at the London club set a standard for world soccer . . .
LAFC and the Galaxy vs the LA sports market
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 30, 2020) US Soccer Players - The cover of Wednesday's Los Angeles Times sports section showed two matchups for two Los Angeles teams with the word "Doubleheader" separating them. Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat. Underneath that, Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers. The headline read "Two For Prize Of One City." Los Angeles is not necessarily a sports . . .
How can LAFC be out of the playoff spots?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 23, 2020) US Soccer Players - Los Angeles FC had a magical year in 2019. In its second season, LAFC pieced together one of the finest runs in league history en route to the Western Conference final. LAFC had the most team points and highest goal-differential in league history. They equaled the record for most goals scored by a team in one season. Its star player, . . .
The strange situation with LAFC
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 11, 2020) US Soccer Players - Another MLS coach is under fire. Following the dismissals of Frank de Boer at Atlanta United and Chris Armas of the New York Red Bulls, someone had to be the next on the hot seat. As long as their are games on the schedule, there's a coach or two in trouble. Still, the coach currently shouldering the criticism in Major League . . .
Once again without Vela, LAFC looks to recent answers
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 26, 2020) US Soccer Players - Carlos Vela has quite a lot of talents. He is an outstanding finisher, one of the best in league history with an MLS-record 34 goals a season ago. Vela also has excellent vision as he threads passes and creates opportunities for his teammates. For 2020, his vision might save the season, even though he did not intend it that . . .
First and second impressions in MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 19, 2020) US Soccer Players - In a normal MLS season, teams get one chance to make a first impression on how things will go for them that year. First impressions can energize the fan base and make other teams around the league take notice. They can also toss up red flag after red flag of things that will certainly hamper the team the rest of the season. This, of . . .
Like other teams, LAFC ends up with questions from MLS is Back
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug 5, 2020) US Soccer Players - LAFC had the stage set at the MLS Is Back tournament. Earlier scares were just that, games that startled but ultimately did not harm the club. Four games in and LAFC had established itself as the class of the tournament and the team to beat. Game five, though, did not go according to plan. Midway through an admittedly bizarre year . . .
Do rivalries still matter at MLS is Back?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jul 15, 2020) US Soccer Players - As the MLS Is Back tournament marches on, one of the most-anticipated matches is just days away. The LA Galaxy and LAFC will renew hostilities when the two play their group match on Saturday. The tournament's supposed blind draw set up this matchup. Because of that, we get at least one LA Galaxy vs LAFC meeting in 2020. The last . . .
