Wednesday's soccer news starts with the Royal Dutch Football Association rehiring a former coach. Louis van Gaal returns to professional soccer to take over from Frank de Boer, who left following June's EURO 2020 quarterfinal exit to the Czech Republic. Van Gaal last coached Manchester United, leaving that job at the end of the 2015-16 season. He coached the Dutch national team from 2000-02 and . . .
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 . . .
Preview: Qatar vs USMNT in the Gold Cup semifinals
Thursday's soccer news starts with matchday for the USMNT in the 2021 Gold Cup, facing Qatar in the semifinals (7:30pm ET - FS1). Qatar advanced with a 3-2 win over El Salvador while the USMNT saw off Jamaica 1-0. Both of those results raised questions about the winning team. Qatar couldn't hold a 3-0 lead while the USMNT left it late with an 83rd minute winner. What that raises for both teams . . .
Juventus resets under Allegri
Tuesday's soccer news starts with Juventus coach Massimliano Allegri setting expectations for his return to the club. Shocked looks, they're quite high for Weston McKennie and the squad. Allegri returns after Juventus didn't win their tenth-consecutive league title and exited the Champions League in the round of 16. Juventus being Juventus, they did win last season's Supercoppa Italia and Coppa . . .
Midweek draws and a big win for the Revs in MLS
Thursday's soccer news starts with the MLS midweek schedule. Columbus and Nashville finished 0-0 at Lower.com Field. The Crew put seven shots on target to Nashville's one. NYCFC shutout Montreal 1-0 at Red Bull Arena. Ismael Tajouir scored in the 29th minute with Luis Barraza making one save to keep the clean sheet. Toronto and the Red Bulls drew 1-1 at BMO Field. Patryk Klimala put New York up in . . .
Real Madrid and Barcelona face an interesting preseason
By J Hutcherson (Jul 6, 2021) US Soccer Players - It's easy enough to pile on the pressure early in the preseason. With it barely July, going ahead and setting the obvious narratives is part of the game. A club makes major moves and suddenly the focus shifts to proof of concept. A club doesn't, and broader questions loom. That's the game at the highest level in European club soccer, and it's not . . .
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 . . .
The transfer window already looms
Tuesday's soccer news starts with an interesting June in the Premier League. While the action on the field shifts to national teams, those running Europe's elite club sides need to figure out the money on an expedited schedule. That starts with the Premier League, with the summer transfer window opening on June 9. The rest of Europe's major leagues join in on July 1. That means the time is now to . . .
Pulisic’s big finale, MLS sanctions Inter Miami
Monday's soccer news starts with Christian Pulisic setting a new high mark for USMNT players to follow. Pulisic subbed on in the 66th minute and had one of the better chances in Chelsea's 1-0 shutout of Manchester City to win the 2020-21 Champions League title. Kai Havetz scored the game's only goal in the 42nd minute. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made one save to keep the clean sheet. Pulisic . . .
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 . . .
