By J Hutcherson (Oct 5, 2021) US Soccer Players - In the bizarre future some at the highest level of the game are trying to chart, October would be a month dedicated to internationals. Instead of three breaks in the fall schedule acting as speed bumps for the opening stage of domestic league seasons in Europe, there would be a long layoff for clubs to wonder why they didn't fight harder for common . . .
MLS bubble teams
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 4, 2021) US Soccer Players – The start of fall brings with it cooler temperatures in most parts of the country. For MLS, things are just starting to heat up. It's the time of year when teams ramp up to the playoffs, jockeying for points on the quest for the Supporters' Shield or a higher place in the table. For teams just outside the top seven in each . . .
Three games, three cities, nine points: Charting USMNT’s October window
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 1, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Octagonal resumes with another batch of hugely important Concacaf World Cup qualifiers in the October international window, the next step on the USMNT’s road to Qatar 2022. This final round of qualifying will be nearly half-over when this window is complete, which further underlines the high stakes and shrinking margins for . . .
Columbus wins a trophy and switches focus to the playoffs
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 1, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Columbus Crew are champions. Certainly of MLS. The Crew still hold the MLS Cup after last December's win over the Seattle Sounders. Now, they're also the champions of of... Mexico and the United States? It's tough to pin down exactly what honor the Campeones Cup bestows upon the team that claims it. Following a 2-0 victory at . . .
The Galaxy and LAFC’s struggles come at the worst time in Los Angeles
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 29, 2021) US Soccer Players - Not too long ago, Major League Soccer revolved around Los Angeles. If the LA Galaxy wasn't winning or making a run at MLS Cup, something was missing for the league. For a brief period of time, Chivas USA was also helping bring success and attention to Southern California. A couple of years ago, though, that success bottomed out. . . .
MLS moves on from Rookie of the Year as the league changes scope
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 29, 2021) US Soccer Players - In 2020, MLS made a change to its roster of annual awards. Out was the Rookie of the Year, an award whose history went back to the dawn of the league. The Rookie of the Year honored the best first-year professional during the season and counted among its winners names like Steve Ralston, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, and Jordan . . .
As MLS heads into week 28, what do we really know about the Western Conference?
By J Hutcherson (Sep 28, 2021) US Soccer Players - Week 28 is another midweek wonder from Major League Soccer as MLS gets the games in over a compacted season. There are either eight or nine games left for those in the playoff positions in the Western Conference. While the East is getting the attention for how close the playoff positions are, it's also a tight table at the top in the West. Three . . .
The evolution of soccer goalposts centers on one game
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 27, 2021) US Soccer Players – Soccer is a game where the attention of fans normally focuses on very few things. Goals are an obvious one. So are saves and fouls. It's not a coincidence that both relate to the scoring of goals. What about the goal itself? They only matter to most of us when a ball hits one. They only become important when they make a . . .
Normal expansion realities set in for Austin FC
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 24, 2021) US Soccer Players - "Yeah, well, you can keep blaming Wolff. You're fine, that's an easy narrative." It sounded much more lighthearted in context than it might look on paper. A genial one-liner tossed out with a smile in the midst of a conversation with a well-intentioned journalist. Still, the strain of a difficult season was detectable in Josh . . .
The surprising future of the Leagues Cup
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 22, 2021) US Soccer Players - The Covid-19 pandemic destroyed any semblance of what the 2020 MLS season should have been. No soccer for months. Abbreviated, travel-restricted schedules. Empty stadiums. As understatements go, let's just say that it wasn't ideal. However, if there was any hint of lemonade that came out of the truckloads of lemons 2020 threw at . . .
