By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 16, 2018) US Soccer Players - Major League Soccer and Mexico’s World Cup rosters have had little to do with one another over the years. In the coming weeks that history could change three times over. Three MLS players are part of Mexico’s 28-man provisional World Cup 2018 roster. Health permitting, all of them stand to survive the cuts once manager Juan Carlos . . .
The Galaxy with Zlatan facing a World Cup problem
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Apr 27, 2018) US Soccer Players - Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from the Sweden national team after the European Championship in 2016. At the age of 34, Ibrahimovic stepped away from Sweden with 62 goals in 116 appearances to his name. Though he didn’t retire from the club game, the decision brought to an end a career that included two World Cup appearances in 2002 and . . .
FIFA quickly pushes ahead with instant replay
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Apr 20, 2018) US Soccer Players - The Video Assistant Referee system, aka instant replay, is coming to the World Cup whether we like it or not. By edict of FIFA, games at the 2018 tournament in Russia will include the controversial review technology that is even now creating waves of confusion and frustration in places like the United States, Germany, and Italy. . . .
FIFA and the Formula 1 model
The soccer news starts with FIFA reportedly considering a version of the Formula 1 model. Racing's version of FIFA is the FIA that sanctions Formula 1. It's there that the similarities end. The Formula One Group schedules and promotes the races and is responsible for F1's commercial rights. Now, FIFA might be looking to change things. With reports putting a multi-billion dollar offer on the table . . .
FIFA and the future of the March window
FIFA facing pressure over the international calendar is nothing new. It wasn't that long ago that there were single date windows. Pressure from Europe in particular pushed the international calendar to double dates, taking out the August fixture entirely. Back when that was still around, there was a start stop to the beginning of the European club season. Since those European clubs and their . . .
History: USMNT vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 22, 2018) US Soccer Players – The USMNT plays its first game of the year against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A part of the former Yugoslavia, the now-independent nation has a long sports history. The capital city of Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, only to be engulfed in a brutally violent civil war less than a decade later that resulted in its . . .
Looking forward to North American soccer in 2018
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 26, 2017) US Soccer Players – The final week of December is a time to look forward to a new year. It is also a time to look back on the last 12 months. American soccer came to a crossroads in 2017. There was some negative, but plenty of positives to emerge from a sport that continues to gain in popularity. The question is no longer whether soccer will be . . .
World Cup 2026 bid explainer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 15, 2017) US Soccer Players - You’ve probably already heard about the US, Canada, and Mexico partnering to launch a sprawling bid to host the 2026 World Cup. The three nations have submitted an ambitious plan for the first edition of FIFA’s expanded 48-team tournament. They'll find out in June whether the world’s favorite sporting event returns to North . . .
Another December to care about the FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup began on Wednesday with Al-Jazira knocking out Auckland City 1-0 in the playoff game. FIFA's unloved world championship for clubs resumes in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday with the quarterfinal round. That's when CONCACAF's representative makes their debut. Pachuca plays Wydad Casablanca in Abu Dhabi. UEFA and CONMEBOL's representatives show up for the semifinals, . . .
The World Cup draw starts the story
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Dec 4, 2017) US Soccer Players – The World Cup draw is set. What comes next is six months of speculation. Which teams will advance? Can Germany repeat as champion? Can Brazil capture a sixth World Cup trophy? Will newcomers Iceland and Panama make any impact? These are just a few of the many questions pundits and fans will ponder until the tournament kicks off . . .
