By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 24, 2020) US Soccer Players – This season marks the fifth year of the Hudson River derby. If not for the pandemic putting the season on hold, the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC would be preparing to play each other this coming Sunday at Yankee Stadium. A frozen schedule means looking back at the rivalry's past and it's importance to MLS. If anything, . . .
The New York City soccer market
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 29, 2020) US Soccer Players - The New York City metropolitan area is home to nearly 20 million people. According to what is surely an imperfect accounting, people speak more than 500 languages in the country's largest metropolis. New York is practically a universe unto itself, containing so many diverse peoples and cultures that it's sometimes difficult to keep . . .
Atlanta and NYCFC need Champions League comebacks
Thursday's soccer news starts with Atlanta United's first-leg loss at Club America in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals. Atlanta now trails 3-0 after a tough start in front of a sparse crowd of 20,731 at Estadio Azteca. Club America took the lead in the 11th minute, adding goals in the 13th and 36th. With Atlanta looking stronger, halftime sub Matheus Rossetto exited with an injury . . .
It’s always MLS vs Liga MX in the Champions League
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 11, 2020) US Soccer Players - Five Major League Soccer clubs started their seasons early in 2020 thanks to the Concacaf Champions League. The price of chasing international glory for four American teams and one Canadian team is a more urgent preseason training period and a lot more stress as the schedule begins. Now, with the regular season underway, the . . .
Soul and superstar in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 4, 2020) US Soccer Players - No team ever makes it through a season without some of its players missing significant time due to injury. Injuries are part of the deal across the length of a 34-game season plus playoffs. The best any team can hope is that the injury bug doesn't hit a crucial player. When stars do go down for an extended period of time, it can . . .
NYCFC may have a place to play
Monday's soccer news starts with The news that NYCFC might be close to announcing a stadium site. The NY Times' David Waldstein reported on Friday that the MLS club might have a site just south of Yankee Stadium. As the report indicates, there's no deal yet but negotiations appear to be progressing. The news breaks at an interesting time for the club, with NYCFC playing the home leg of its . . .
NYCFC finally names a coach
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 10, 2020) US Soccer Players - The last Major League Soccer team with an open head coaching position finally filled the job on Monday. New York City Football Club announced the hiring of Ronny Deila. To say Deila arrives in the country’s biggest market to lead one of the league’s marquee teams with questions swirling around him would be an understatement. Deila . . .
Expansion isn’t the biggest story for MLS in 2020
By J Hutcherson (Jan 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - We've reached the point in the preseason where all 26 MLS clubs have coaches. Welcome aboard Ronny Deila, a surprising choice to take over from Dom Torrent at NYCFC. Orlando City also left it late before officially announcing former Monterrey coach Diego Alonso. Then there was Chicago naming Raphael Wicky just after Christmas, the latest step away . . .
NYCFC at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
The soccer news starts with NYCFC moving four of its weeknight games to the weekend by using Citi Field in Queens. That means Saturday home games on April 26, July 25, August 8, and September 26. NYCFC used the home of the Mets for their 2019 playoff game due to the unavailability of Yankee Stadium. It's the same situation in the 2020 regular season, with NYCFC's home stadium only available when . . .
The early MLS contenders
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 16, 2019) US Soccer Players – The close of a calendar year is often a time for reflection. It is also a time to look ahead to the new year and what 2020 may have in store for all of us. For MLS, the big question is how will teams navigate player signings, preseason, and the Concacaf Champions League as a new MLS season approaches. While MLS is unpredictable, . . .
