By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 3, 2020) US Soccer Players - Soccer leagues are built to hold soccer competitions. Soccer clubs are meant to play in them. When there's no soccer due to a global pandemic that forces restrictions on large gatherings, it pushes leagues and clubs into an existential crisis. Off seasons are one thing. They're built into the calendar, serving as a chance to rest . . .
Should MLS consider a split season?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust much fear and uncertainty upon the entire globe. The near-global shutdown has affected nearly every corner of the planet. Mostly stuck at home, we're watching businesses and educational establishments try to reinvent themselves or formulate possible solutions on how to stay afloat during this . . .
Major League Soccer’s anniversaries
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Apr 1, 2020) US Soccer Players - Year 25 of Major League Soccer isn't exactly going to plan. The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic necessitated a shutdown of sports almost everywhere, forcing MLS to put a celebration of a quarter-century of top-flight professional soccer on hold. When the games return, the league can properly celebrate reaching the milestone . . .
How good was Nottingham Forest in 1977-78?
During the 1977-78 season, Nottingham Forest shocked England's First Division by winning the title as a newly promoted club. How did the 3rd-place finisher from the Second Division quickly turn into not just the best team in England, but ultimately in Europe? Multiple books and a couple of movies would tell you it was down to their manager. Brian Clough called his autobiography "Walking on Water" . . .
When soccer returns to normal
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Mar 30, 2020) US Soccer Players – The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a halt. With people forced to stay home because of the contagion and life as normal interrupted, sports leagues have also come to a stop. Where does that leave these leagues once the virus subsides and life gets back to normal? It is difficult to predict the future, although the . . .
What Sporting KC can teach the Revs about a rebrand
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - Branding a soccer club in the modern American soccer landscape is an unenviable task. Getting it right might mean a huge wave of interest and the kind of viral marketing success that can turn soccer from after-thought in a market to the "it" team everyone wants to support. Getting it wrong means missing out on a potential group of . . .
Training in a pandemic: How social distancing is testing soccer’s top sports scientists
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 27, 2020) US Soccer Players - If Gary Walker was looking for new and different challenges when he left Manchester United to join FC Cincinnati, he's certainly gotten them. After more than a decade as a strength and conditioning coach with the English giants, Walker moved across the Atlantic a year ago to head up FCC's sports performance department. It was a . . .
What Sebastian Saucedo’s move means to Liga MX
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - When Sebastian Saucedo opted to leave Real Salt Lake in December, the move raised eyebrows. It was not that another MLS Homegrown Player was opting for greener pastures abroad. Such moves are commonplace and will only continue as the league grows. What drew attention to Saucedo's exit was his destination. Unlike looking to head . . .
The four perfect MLS teams
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 25, 2020) US Soccer Players - Despite the aborted start to Major League Soccer's 25th season, there's data to go on when looking at how the landmark campaign might play out. Two games aren't much. Still, if it's possible to impress in just 180 minutes of soccer, there are a few candidates for the most promising teams of 2020. Predicting how a season might go . . .
How good were the ’77 Cosmos?
The 1977 Cosmos normally get the nod as the best version of that club and, by extension, the best team in the history of the North American Soccer League. The NASL existed in a different era for the sport. Watching footage should reveal a few things. More time and space on the ball, legal back passes to reset through the goalkeeper, and the 35-yard offside rule used by the NASL. Those combine to . . .
