By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 12, 2019) US Soccer Players - As the home to a few huge, powerful nations and a litany of far smaller and less wealthy ones, Concacaf has always faced a large and fairly unique challenge. The confederation's trickiest task is to help its giants grow and prosper in their pursuit of the world's elite while still respecting and elevating the many minnows in . . .
Concacaf alters World Cup qualifying format for 2022
Concacaf announced changes to World Cup qualifying for the 2022 cycle on Wednesday. With limited time to schedule qualifying, Concacaf is opting to enter the top six nations in the region direclty into the Hexagonal round where the top three finishers will advance to the 2022 World Cup. The rest of the region will play to meet the 4th-place Hexagonal finisher for the final World Cup qualifying . . .
Moving past friendlies in UEFA and CONCACAF
By J Hutcherson (Nov 16, 2017) US Soccer Players - Peru finally gave the World Cup playoffs what it needed, a game worth watching. With all due respect to Australia's win over Honduras much earlier in the day on Wednesday, that game quickly became an obvious conclusion. Though Peru was the stronger team by any metric, New Zealand gave them a game. Peru's goals and both teams' near misses were . . .
The USMNT plays a unique friendly
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 15, 2017) US Soccer Players - The last time the USMNT played a game under circumstances similar to those of their 1-1 draw with Portugal in Leiria, no single player on the gameday roster was alive. The last time the USMNT played a game like this, the man who coached the team on Tuesday was a 32-year old assistant coach under Bruce Arena at the University of . . .
The USMNT’s draw
The USMNT didn't lose in Portugal on Tuesday, drawing 1-1 in a game that asked plenty of questions from a transitional roster. For the most part, interim coach Dave Sarachan and the players had answers. CJ Sapong showed he could convert a strong MLS season into quality play at international level. Weston McKennie scored on his USMNT debut. Portugal's goal was the result of a goalkeeping error, . . .
Italy’s issue
Italy plays Sweden in Milan later today trailing 1-0 in their World Cup qualifying playoff. Italy is the latest team facing an uphill scenario for this summer's tournament. For some, think Argentina, it worked out. For others, think the USMNT, it didn't. For fans of the tournament, and there are plenty all over the world, Italy belongs in every World Cup. That means close to nothing on the field. . . .
Soccer TV: SF Deltas vs NY Cosmos
The NASL season concludes on Sunday when the SF Deltas host the NY Cosmos for the championship. The league's courtroom battle to maintain their second division status is paramount to their future, but there's still the 2017 champion to decide. There's also plenty of World Cup qualifying options from CAF and UEFA on the weekend schedule along with the US Women in action. SF Deltas vs NY Cosmos at . . .
Does Mexico have a momentum problem?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Oct 11, 2017) US Soccer Players - With World Cup qualifying now complete for Mexico, the attention will soon focus on the future. The World Cup draw, tune-ups against European foes before and after FIFA draws teams into groups. The endless debate on what the 23-man roster for Russia should look like. Before the dust completely settles from the Hexagonal though, it . . .
The day after the Hexagonal
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the responses to the USMNT missing out on the 2018 World Cup. The USMNT lost their final game in the Hexagonal 2-1 at Trinidad & Tobago, giving Panama and Honduras the gap in the table that both needed to advance. Panama advanced directly with Honduras now playing Australia over two legs to see if a fourth CONCACAF team can qualify for Russia 2018. But you . . .
WCQ: Trinidad & Tobago 2 – USMNT 1
The USMNT lost 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, finishing in 5th-place and missing the 2018 World Cup. Trinidad & Tobago took the early lead from a 17th-minute own-goal at Ato Boldon Stadium. They doubled it when Alvin Jones scored in the 37th minute. Christian Pulisic pulled a goal back in the 47th minute. In the other CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Honduras . . .
