By J Hutcherson (Jun 5, 2018) US Soccer Players - The biggest question in world soccer right now isn't who will host the 2026 World Cup. It's not if the World Cup will expand to 48 teams a cycle early in Qatar. It's not even what might happen in Russia. It's whether or not FIFA is overreaching. It's hard to downplay FIFA's recent moves. They've pushed through a World Cup expansion that may start . . .
Playing with any advantage in MLS
The soccer news starts with another quirk of the MLS schedule, too many games over a short period of time. MLS is normally defensive of its scheduling, pointing out the unique constraints and issues in programming the 23-team league. When it was a smaller league, shared stadiums were the problem. Now, it's logistics complicated by special issues. That can make the schedule seem almost personal for . . .
FIFA plans for a different soccer world
The soccer news starts with a problem for how the sport is covered on both sides of the Atlantic. The daily churn of what passes for news can downplay major issues for the sport. Right now, that issue is the countdown not for the decision on who will host the 2026 World Cup or even the start of this summer's World Cup itself. Instead, it's FIFA trying to push through plans to revamp the Club World . . .
US Soccer elects Carlos Cordeiro as president
We start the soccer news with the US Soccer Federation's new president. Carlos Cordeiro won the election in the third round of voting. Cordeiro was previously the US Soccer vice-president and prior to that an independent member of their board of directors. Cordeiro ran as a candidate promising change, winning the support of the Athletes' Council and US Youth Soccer. Those voting blocks gave him a . . .
MLS and the way(s) forward
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 13, 2017) US Soccer Players - American soccer suddenly finds itself talking about things that are tough to pin down. Systems, structures, and cultural nuances can be slippery and difficult. Still, there’s no time for it like the end of a three-decade run of consecutive World Cup qualifications. Naturally, focus will turn towards Major League Soccer. A . . .
Barcelona’s future
Tuesday's soccer news starts with La Liga facing the same existential crisis as the rest of Spain. With Catalonia wanting to be a separate country, that means the potential for a La Liga without Catalonian clubs. The Express's Joe Short has Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu making an obvious point about his club's future. Who knows what happens should Catalonia gain independence? Does it mean . . .
FIFA changes stance on poppy ban
Monday's soccer news starts with FIFA deciding they don't care quite so much about British teams wearing poppies to honor Remembrance Day. The November holiday coincides with an international window. FIFA's earlier response was to fine England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for adding a poppy to their match day uniforms. Though FIFA's International Football Association Board has yet to . . .
Another emerging soccer scandal
Tuesday's soccer news starts with the standard disclaimer about the presumption of innocence. Royal Spanish Football Federation and FIFA VP Angel Maria Villar is currently in custody, arrested by Spanish authorities on corruption charges. Spanish authorities also raided the Federation's offices. AP's Aritz Parra and Joseph Wilson have the details. Keir Radnedge also has background on Villa and the . . .
Will there be a rival candidate for the US Soccer presidency?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 17, 2017) US Soccer Players - Sunil Gulati won election as US Soccer Federation president for the first time in 2006 by unanimous vote, just a few months ahead of the USMNT’s underwhelming World Cup campaign in Germany. Gulati ran unopposed, a clear indication of his popularity and ability to drive a large support base after years of serving as an executive in . . .
FIFA being FIFA at their Congress
The soccer news starts with FIFA president Gianni Infantino using some interesting phrasing when describing issues facing world soccer's governing body. As the Independent's Ian Herbert asks why Infantino thought it was the right move to introduce "fake news" and "alternative facts" into the FIFA conversation. It's a good question, with FIFA working to convince the world that it is moving toward . . .
