The soccer news starts with what we already know. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams. That's approved and set as the Confederations work through what happens with qualifying. What isn't so sure is whether or not the 2022 World Cup goes ahead at 32 or 48 teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted that uncertainty in comments to the Asian Football Confederation. "Will it happen in . . .
5 World Cup players for MLS
By Clemente Lisi – MOSCOW, RUSSIA (Jul 16, 2018) US Soccer Players – Your World Cup hangover officially starts now. The days after crowning a World Cup champion is when those withdrawal symptoms start to kick in. It's only natural after watching such an obscene amount of games in such a short time span. While most of the planet tries to return to normal this week after France lifted the trophy on . . .
France at the top of world soccer
Monday's soccer news starts with the World Cup finale. France took the title 4-2 over Croatia in a game that left world soccer wondering what they'd seen from the new champions. France spent much of the game looking like a team unwilling to fully commit. Croatia ended with more possession 66% to 34%, twice the shots 14 to 7, 528 passes to 289, and higher passing accuracy 83% to 68%. Where France . . .
Saying so long to the 2018 World Cup
Friday's soccer news starts with the obvious. The World Cup concludes on Sunday (11am ET - Fox) with France vs Croatia and FIFA's president Gianni Infantino already letting us know that this is the best World Cup ever. Wait, what? "Since a couple of years I was saying that this will be the best World Cup ever," FIFA said. "Today I can say it even more, with more conviction... It is the best World . . .
The World Cup where no one wants to be the favorite
It's easy to decide that the 2018 World Cup is France's to lose. They're the team playing the best soccer in the tougher bracket, the favorite against Belgium in the semifinals. That's for good reason. France is playing the type of soccer that sets them apart at a World Cup where nobody wants to be the favorite anymore. Favorites lose at this World Cup. The run of upsets took out Germany in the . . .
Pondering lessons for the USMNT from Russia 2018
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 6, 2018) US Soccer Players - It can take days, even weeks, for the most educated observer to thoroughly sift through the lessons of 90 minutes of high-level soccer, much less the entirety of a World Cup. Watching the growing ranks of teams eliminated from Russia 2018, it's tempting to try to make sense of their experience. What's there to learn for the USMNT, . . .
England at this World Cup
The soccer news starts with unabashed enthusiasm from England, benefiting from losing their last group stage game and getting past Colombia on the weaker side of the World Cup bracket. That last bit should resonate, with England seeing a clear path to the final. That comes courtesy of Russia knocking out the biggest threat in the lower half of the bracket with their win on penalties over Spain on . . .
Overreacting to World Cup upsets
By J Hutcherson (Jul 3, 2018) US Soccer Players - Just before Belgium decided to respond to Japan's two-goal lead in their round of 16 game, it looked like yet another World Cup upset in the making. Russia leads that list after knocking out mighty Spain. That unleashed a barrage of criticism the likes of which we hadn't seen since Germany crashed out of the group stage less than a week . . .
As modern goalkeeping evolves, is the US keeping pace?
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 29, 2018) US Soccer Players - Even a week later, it’s still vivid, one of the most stunning moments of a World Cup with plenty of them. Argentina was already wobbling against Croatia in their Group D clash, still level at 0-0. That's when Willy Caballero received a back pass from teammate Gabriel Mercado in the second-half. Under pressure from Ante Rebic, . . .
Belgium’s World Cup winning streak
The soccer news starts with yesterday's Group G finale at the 2018 World Cup. Belgium and England played out a game that strategically benefitted the loser more than the winner. Belgium scored, taking the game and the group and now on the tough side of the World Cup bracket. Should they advance past Japan, they face the winner of Brazil vs Mexico. For England, being on the wrong side of a 1-0 . . .
