The soccer news starts by borrowing a quote from an in-depth look at American soccer from Frank Dell'Apa and Michael Lewis at FrontRowSoccer.com. Dell'Apa and Lewis spoke to a variety of American soccer figures on several subjects. Something USMNT U-20 coach Tab Ramos said should resonate for USMNT and MLS fans. "We have to recognize that every coach in MLS wants to win their games," Ramos said. . . .
Victory for the United 2026 bid, but a new game awaits
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - Early Wednesday morning in the US, we learned that the United bid won the rights to the 2026 World Cup. It was a landslide win in the end for the US, Canada, and Mexico’s joint bid. Morocco ended up not being as much of a factor as some expected. Voters opting for neither of them turned out to not be a factor at all. Under new . . .
FIFA picks North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup
The soccer news starts with a few firsts from FIFA. Early Wednesday morning in North America, FIFA selected the joint North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup. It was the first vote that included the entire FIFA Congress and the first time three countries will jointly host a World Cup. The North American bid beat Morocco and the option to vote to reopen the bid. Depending on how negotiations . . .
The USMNT works toward the 2019 Gold Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 11, 2018) US Soccer Players – With the United States missing out on the World Cup, the focus shifts to a new coach, the Fall friendlies, and games that count in 2019. The next stop on the road to rebuilding is next summer’s Gold Cup. This is a tournament that has traditionally allowed the USMNT to assert itself as a regional power, test players, and create a . . .
France 1 – USMNT 1
The USMNT was the opponent in Lyon for France's World Cup sendoff game, drawing 1-1. The home crowd was vocal and excited, but that enthusiasm took a hit when Julian Green put the USMNT up in the 44th minute. Green's goal was the first for the USMNT all-time against France. Bobby Wood almost doubled the lead in the 48th with that goal called offside. Kylian Mbappe equalized for France in the 78th . . .
France friendly a reminder of what’s possible, and what’s failed, for US Soccer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 8, 2018) US Soccer Players - In the final stop on the USMNT’s early-summer tour, Dave Sarachan’s youth movement is about to face its stiffest test to date. The young Yanks are in Lyon, France this week, preparing for a friendly vs Les Bleus on Saturday afternoon (3pm ET - ESPN). It’s a daunting opponent, one with legitimate aims of winning this summer’s World . . .
Preview: France vs USMNT
The USMNT plays France in Lyon on Saturday (3pm ET - ESPN) in France's final World Cup warm-up game. The quickest parallel is the obvious one. France beat Ireland 2-0 in Paris on May 28. Ireland beat the USMNT 2-1 in Dublin last Saturday. The difference for Ireland was possession. They clocked in at 24% against France, taking five shots with one on goal to France's 18 shots with eight on goal. . . .
Lower division clubs still alive in the 2018 US Open Cup
The soccer news starts with the three MLS teams losing to lower division clubs in the 2018 US Open Cup. Louisville FC knocked out the New England Revolution 3-2 at home. Nashville SC shutout the Colorado Rapids 2-0 at home. Sacramento Republic beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 at home. Other than stressing the point that playing at home appears to matter in the Open Cup, two of those three teams are . . .
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 . . .
Soccer History: The 1993 US Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 4, 2018) US Soccer Players – There was a time when the United States needed to rely on friendlies. It was the early 1990s. MLS didn’t yet exist. American players struggled to get minutes with club teams. Some had signed contracts in Europe, but for most that wasn’t an option. With the USMNT working towards the 1994 World Cup, there wasn't a qualifying schedule . . .
