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 . . .
Mexico gets out of the group but it wasn’t easy
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 27, 2018) US Soccer Players - Perhaps Mexico does not do well as a favorite. Or maybe Mexico players were simply too overconfident. Whatever the case, Mexico came narrowly close to an embarrassing World Cup exit on Wednesday as only a greater embarrassment kept El Tri’s pulse beating. Still, the damage is done. Mexico’s World Cup venture has gone a full 180 . . .
Again with instant replay at the World Cup
The soccer news starts with another round of angst over instant replay at the 2018 World Cup. Should Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo have seen red against Iran? Would the final day of the group stage played out differently if it wasn't for the referees opting to reconsider their decisions? These questions and more in soccer's latest soap opera. BBC Sport looks at those latest examples calling . . .
Q&A with Kellyn Acosta: “We have to take it game by game”
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 25, 2018) US Soccer Players – Kellyn Acosta is a fighter. The FC Dallas and USMNT player doesn’t let anything stop him from playing at the highest level. After recently undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, Acosta was back in the Dallas lineup in May. As usual, he was there to link the defense to the offense, a player who has been the team’s midfield . . .
