By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 16, 2022) US Soccer Players – The European domestic seasons are drawing to a close. The remaining weeks of May will determine league champions, which teams will play in European competition next season, and promotion and relegation. Once again, several Americans are involved in these key matches. American players plying their trade outside the United States . . .
New England gets to work in the US Open Cup
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2022) US Soccer Players - During his record-setting run with the LA Galaxy, head coach Bruce Arena prioritized winning MLS Cups. That may sound simplistic since that's the situation every coach in the league, but it's different when putting together a dynasty capable of doing just that. As Arena was quick to point out back then, part of that focus was due . . .
ESPN tries something new with the good old US Open Cup
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 12, 2022) US Soccer Players - Herculez Gomez and Sebastian Salazar had to face a few unfamiliar questions as they got to work planning and hosting the new “GoalCast” whiparound show ESPN+ staged during Wednesday night’s packed slate of 10 US Open Cup matches. Running some seven hours from start to finish, it was a marathon broadcast with nine live interview . . .
Defense may no longer be the issue for the Galaxy
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 11, 2022) US Soccer Players - Since the club's inception, the LA Galaxy promised to field a roster of stars. From Cobi Jones and Luis Hernandez to Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and Robbie Keane, the team has traditionally delivered on that promise. This year's roster is no different as it features Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Mexico's all-time leading scorer, . . .
There’s no overlooking FC Cincinnati in the East
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 11, 2022) US Soccer Players - When Chris Albright arrived at FC Cincinnati in October of 2021 as the club's new general manager, his challenge was daunting. Albright represented the third attempt by FCC to get its soccer leadership right. Following three straight seasons of last-place finishes, the club finally secured someone with deep MLS experience to turn . . .
Seattle’s MLS situation
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (May 9, 2022) US Soccer Players – Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer is so successful in part because he truly worries about the little things. Whether it's scribbling notes on a pad during games or watching hours of videotape in between matches, Schmetzer is always concerned about what comes next. The Sounders made history last Wednesday night by defeating . . .
MLS wasn’t good enough until it was
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2022) US Soccer Players - No late dramatic collapse. No bad luck. No questionable referring decisions. No wasted chances. No hearts in throats. No twist of fate to undo rounds of advancement at the final hurdle, preventing a breakthrough achievement for a club and a league. In the end, no doubt and no curse. If we’re being accurate, no one called Major . . .
US Soccer leaders return to the access question
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (May 5, 2022) US Soccer Players - If USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter and his colleagues at US Soccer ever had any doubts about that power to inspire, a recent informal poll of the current USMNT swept them away. "When I talk to our team, that diverse group of players that we have about their most memorable experience with the World Cup, the first thing that comes to . . .
MLS Power Rankings: LAFC steps up and NYCFC looks strong
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 4, 2022) US Soccer Players - LAFC lost a game in April to local rivals the LA Galaxy, but they're still the clear-cut front runner in Major League Soccer. LAFC leads the league with 22 points, has scored the second-most goals, and has the second-best goal-differential in MLS. LAFC and Philadelphia, the 2nd-place team in the rankings, seem set to stick around near . . .
MLS teams looking to make moves in May
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 4, 2022) US Soccer Players - This May might as well be called moving month in Major League Soccer. The league kicked off at the end of February, meaning May will be the third full month of play for the 2022 season. Believe it or not, the schedule is close to one-third complete. So the time to say "it's still early" is rapidly slipping away. March and April . . .
