By J Hutcherson (Aug 24, 2021) US Soccer Players - We're already well into an era of change across world soccer. From the Nations League concept started in Europe and embraced by Concacaf to World Cup expansion to FIFA's delayed Club World Cup revamp. UEFA alone has now added a third European club competition with yet another Champions League revamp looming. Last month, CAF made a new African . . .
Barcelona’s president puts a number on the club’s debt
Tuesday's soccer news starts with Barcelona trying to figure out a workable budget. The club's president Joan Laporta told media members that the debt is at $1.6 billion and that they're spending 106% of income on salaries. Considering how much money is required to operate successfully in the transfer market, it's easy to see why Barcelona is in so much financial trouble. What may not be as . . .
The Cup Winners’ Cup still resonates in Europe
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Aug 2, 2021) US Soccer Players – The architects of Italy's recent European Championship title were manager Roberto Mancini and the team's delegation chief Gianluca Vialli. The duo, famous for scoring goals at Serie A side Sampdoria in the 1980s and early '90s, famously won the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1990. That title proved a springboard for their conquest . . .
UEFA opts against away goals
Friday's soccer news starts with UEFA deciding that the away goals tiebreaker is no longer necessary. Or, to put it in their words, "abolition of the away goals rule in all UEFA club competitions." Most importantly, that means an end to the Champions League knockout round series decided by away goals. Pour one out for the memory of the Bayern Munich vs PSG quarterfinal in 2020-21. That's now . . .
Denmark’s Kasper Hjulmand: “You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols”
By J Hutcherson (Jun 15, 2021) US Soccer Players - On Saturday, UEFA needed to address the immediate aftermath of a medical emergency. Denmark's Christian Erikson had collapsed on the field with a teammate immediately seeing the severity of the situation. What followed was a life-saving intervention that involved players, medical staff, and the fans with the presence of mind to throw their flags . . .
Group F at Euro 2020
Wednesday's soccer news starts with group F at Euro 2020. Joachim Low's last tournament as Germany coach means navigating one of the toughest groups possible in world soccer right now. There, he'll get an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that his ideas still resonate at the highest level. Germany is as close to an all-star team as exists in Europe right now, starting in goal with Manuel . . .
The Super League still at issue in Europe
Thursday's soccer news starts with the rebellious three from The Super League continuing in their refusal to give UEFA what it wants. That would seem to be apologizing like the other nine members of the breakaway. Instead, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus released a joint statement calling out UEFA's intention to sanction them while the three clubs move forward with their court . . .
Figuring out the Europa Conference League
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the Europa Conference League, UEFA's return to three European competitions. The Europa Conference League slots in beneath the Europa League to give opportunities to clubs representing leagues not likely to advance to the group stage of the Champions League. If you though that's what the Europa League was for, a merger of the old UEFA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup, . . .
What did we learn from the 2020-21 European soccer season?
By J Hutcherson (May 25, 2021) US Soccer Players - There's a difference between what we learned and what we think we learned from European soccer during the 2020-21 season. The big picture takeaway is that the game survived without the event revenue from tickets, concessions, and merchandise. The quicker takeaway is that a dozen of Europe's biggest clubs decided that they should be in control of . . .
The push for change in English soccer after The Super League
The soccer news starts with English soccer pundits calling for government regulation in the aftermath of The Super League attempt at a breakaway competition. Gary Neville posted an open letter to Medium on behalf of a group of television pundits and journalists that is already gaining wide support in England. It asks for "Government legislation to block any Premier League clubs attempting to . . .
