The conclusion of the 2018-19 Champions League group stage wasn't much of a surprise. The usual suspects all advanced, with another opportunity to see if a combination of the draw and results allows the Spanish giants to dominate the knockout phase. That once again includes Atletico Madrid, back from their Europa League winning season and once again navigating a Champions League group. The only . . .
USMNT players advance in the 2018-19 Champions League
The soccer news starts with USMNT players in the Champions League. Weston McKennie was on the bench for Schalke's 1-0 home shutout of Lokomotiv Moscow in Group D. Alessandro Schopf scored a minute into stoppage time with Ralf Fahrmann making one save to keep the clean sheet. Schalke advances to the knockout round in 2nd-place, five points behind group winners Porto. “We were dominant over the 90 . . .
The Champions League situation with one game remaining
The soccer news starts with USMNT players in the Champions League. Christian Pulisic's Borussia Dortmund drew 0-0 with Ethan Horvath's Club Brugge in Group A. Horvath needed two saves to keep the clean sheet with Club Brugge putting none of their 5 shots on goal. Dortmund had 74% of the possession. The result advances Borussia Dortmund to the knockout round. With one game remaining in the group, . . .
Soccer’s unnecessary reminder in the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League
By J Hutcherson (Nov 27, 2018) US Soccer Players - This has turned into a tough week for soccer in two continents. CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores is still without a champion as the confederation reportedly considers moving the postponed second-leg of the Boca Juniors vs River Plate series out of South America. That's the result of a weekend's worth of violence trying to get the game in at River . . .
Manchester United’s Champions League turnaround
The soccer news starts with Manchester United's late winner to beat Juventus 2-1 away in the Champions League. Though the 89th minute winner came from a deflection off of Juventus's Alex Sandro rather than the type of wonder goal Cristiano Ronaldo scored to put Juventus up in the 65th, it still counts. How much for Manchester United is now the question. We're not far removed from open speculation . . .
Horvath gets Champions League shutout
The soccer news starts with the USMNT players in the Champions League. Ethan Horvath was in goal for Club Brugge's 4-0 win at Monaco in Group A. Hans Vanaken opened the scoring in the 12th minute and converted a penalty in the 17th. Wesley Moraes made it 3-0 in the 24th and Ruud Vormer scored in the 85th. Horvath made six saves to keep the clean sheet. After five matchdays, Club Brugge is in . . .
Super League fatigue
By J Hutcherson (Nov 6, 2018) US Soccer Players - It's hard to get worked up about the latest potential for the elite European clubs breaking away and forming their own super league. The super league story has been dragging along for so many years now it borders on cliche. There could be a super league. It might even make more sense for there to be a super league. There probably won't be, at least . . .
Playing for perfect in the Champions League group stage
We start the soccer news with matchday four from the 2018-19 Champions League group stage and another opportunity for a streak to end. Borussia Dortmund in Group A, Barcelona in Group B, and Juventus in Group H are three for three with 9 points. Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have both yet to give up a goal. Making it through the group stage without dropping any points is a rarity. It's happened . . .
Real Madrid picks its moment
By J Hutcherson (Oct 30, 2018) US Soccer Players - Julen Lopetegui out as Real Madrid coach after ten games is now the super club story. Following their 5-1 loss at Barcelona on Sunday, Real Madrid is 9th in La Liga and in 1st-place in Champions League Group G on a tiebreaker. That mixes the results, but La Liga struggles and a demoralizing loss to Barcelona drew a line that means a new coach in . . .
Dortmund wins again in the Champions League
The soccer news starts with another big result for Borussia Dortmund in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League. Dortmund shutout Atletico Madrid 4-0 at home. Axel Witsel opened the scoring in the 38th minute with Raphael Guerreiro adding a goal in the 73rd. Jadon Sancho made it 3-0 in the 83rd with Guerreiro scoring again in the 89th minute. Roman Burki kept the clean sheet with two saves. Pulisic . . .
