By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 28, 2018) US Soccer Players - With Wednesday’s win over the Philadelphia Union, the Houston Dynamo are the 2018 US Open Cup champions. Their victory caps the latest version of the oldest and perhaps most widely loved annual event in American soccer. It’s also a useful time to take stock as the tournament turns the page on its 105th birthday. USMNT legend . . .
Houston wins the US Open Cup
The soccer news starts with a new US Open Cup champion. The Houston Dynamo beat Philadelphia 3-0 at home to lift the Cup and take the spot in the Concacaf Champions League. Mauro Manotas scored in the 4th and 25th minutes with Philadelphia giving up an own-goal in the 65th. Joe Willis made five saves to keep the clean sheet for Houston. "We haven’t had the best season, and I’ll say it again and I . . .
Philadelphia pushes up the Eastern Conference table
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Aug 31, 2018) US Soccer Players - The Philadelphia Union grabbed three crucial points towards MLS playoff qualification with a 2-0 victory over DC United at Audi Field on Wednesday night. The win was the club’s fourth in a row, widening a 10-point gap between the Union and 7th-place New England. It greatly improves Philadelphia’s chances of making the . . .
Playing for the other trophy in MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Aug 10, 2018) US Soccer Players - For the first time since 2009, the US Open Cup will have a first-time winner. One is a previous two-time runner-up, while the other is in the final for the first time. The Philadelphia Union are the returning finalist of the pair. Philadelphia knocked off the Chicago Fire 3-0 at Talen Energy Stadium on Tuesday night, led by two . . .
Philadelphia and Houston advance in the US Open Cup
The soccer news starts with the US Open Cup semifinals. Philadelphia and Houston advanced, with the final set for September 26 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The semifinals opened with Philadelphia shutting out Chicago 3-0 at home. In a game dominated by the Union, Cory Burke scored in the 59th minute and doubled the lead in the 77th. Alejandro Bedoya assisted on both goals. CJ Sapong finished off the . . .
Wins for NYCFC and Philadelphia
The soccer news starts with MLS action. NYCFC shutout Montreal 3-0 at Yankee Stadium. Jesus Medina put NYCFC up in the 60th minute and assisted on Ronald Matarrita's goal in the 65th. Matarrita assisted on Jonathan Lewis's goal in the 76th. Sean Johnson didn't need to make a save for the clean sheet with NYCFC outshooting Montreal 23 to 3 and putting 7 on goal to Montreal's 0. In the other MLS . . .
Earnie Stewart named USMNT GM
Earnie Stewart was named the first general manager of the USMNT, a new role created by the US Soccer Federation. Stewart takes the role officially on August 1 with the expectation that US Soccer will hire a new head coach after that. “With his breadth of experience as both a player and a technical director, Earnie is the ideal leader to guide the long-term success of our Men’s National Team . . .
The Union in a city of winners
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 7, 2018) US Soccer Players – Walk around Philadelphia and it's hard not to notice that this is a city with a very proud sports past and present. Those two time frames don’t often work when discussing success. You can see it in those ubiquitous red Phillies caps to people donning 76ers gear near the Wells Fargo Center in time for tip-off. Even fictional sports . . .
Trying to make a run in the East
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Apr 18, 2018) US Soccer Players - Let’s start this discussion about the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer by putting aside three teams: NYCFC, Atlanta United, and Toronto FC. That's the elite of both the Eastern Conference and MLS. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees that those teams belong at the top. Two other teams might deserve inclusion . . .
Playing to win in DC, New England, and Philadelphia
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 3, 2017) US Soccer Players - We're in the midst of the 2017 MLS Cup playoffs. The best teams in the league battle it out for supremacy on fields from Cascadia to New York City. Meanwhile, a quieter, much less fun process is unfolding in all of the cities left out of the postseason party. In places like Washington DC, Foxborough, and Chester, the painful march . . .
