By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 12, 2019) US Soccer Players - The USMNT got beaten by their main rival, then matched up stride-for-stride with global royalty. That's what the results of the past week's international friendlies vs. Mexico and Uruguay say on the scoreboard. They're also signposts amid a broader process of construction and education that is slated to continue into the . . .
Mexico needs the Nations League
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - Everything was going just fine for Mexico and coach Tata Martino. Entering Tuesday’s matchup against Argentina, Mexico had gone 10-0-1 in Martino’s first 11 games in charge. Even that draw was a win on penalties during the Gold Cup. All of that came to a sudden and jarring halt. In a span of 16 minutes during the first-half, . . .
Another step forward for Austin FC
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - On Monday in Austin, Texas, a group of luminaries from local government, soccer, and even Hollywood gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of Austin FC's future home. The event marks the beginning of the construction process on a venue that seemed impossible as recently as 18 months ago. Back then, Austin FC didn't exist beyond a . . .
The pressure on Christian Pulisic and Chelsea
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 9, 2019) US Soccer Players – Chelsea is off to a rough start this season. After four games, the team is in 11th-place with just five points. For a club with ambitions of a top-four finish, that's already a problem. New manager Frank Lampard still has the time to get things right. American fans are keeping a particular eye on Chelsea since Christian Pulisic . . .
Blue-Collar MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 6, 2019) US Soccer Players - Before we get started with a discussion of the 2019 Major League Soccer teams most worthy of the blue-collar label, a disclaimer. It's just a coincidence that both of these clubs wear blue as their primary color. Now to frame a discussion about what "blue-collar" means when applied to a professional soccer team. It's a term that . . .
Robin Fraser makes a rare breakthrough for black coaches in MLS
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 6, 2019) US Soccer Players - Labor Day Weekend served up several surprising results across MLS. One of the most unexpected was the Colorado Rapids' efficient 2-0 road win over the New York Red Bulls, traditionally one of the league's strongest sides at home. It marked a sweet debut for Robin Fraser, Colorado's newly-hired head coach. The last time Fraser . . .
MLS Power Rankings: The problem with the East
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 5, 2019) US Soccer Players - Every three months, there is a great number of coaching casualties. At least that's the trend that exists in MLS in 2019. It happened in May when three coaches got the sack. It happened again in August when another three coaches joined the MLS unemployed. MLS Teams have either become frustrated with the performance or, in the case of . . .
What Chicharito’s move means for MLS
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 4, 2019) US Soccer Players - As the summer winds down and temperatures begin to drop, the frenetic pace of players switching teams also slows. There was one late move though that sent a ripple through Mexico and MLS. It sent a message that at least one of the two leagues is not quite the buyer's market that it appeared it was. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez bid . . .
LAFC with and without Carlos Vela
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 4, 2019) US Soccer Players - The criticism was as easy as it was predictable. Following LAFC's 2-0 loss to Minnesota United on Sunday night in Los Angeles, voices from many quarters declared the league's best team so far in 2019 "average" in the absence of its Mexican superstar, Carlos Vela. LAFC certainly did not look as dominant without Vela, who missed the . . .
MLS in the global market
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 2, 2019) US Soccer Players – For years, many called MLS a retirement league. Aging European superstars crossed the Atlantic for what critics decried was an easy payday. The young talent from South America joining the league over the past few seasons pushes against that, but it's still an easy criticism to make. It shows up every time a European player of a . . .
