By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 9, 2020) US Soccer Players - When Peter Wilt returned to the National Independent Soccer Association fold earlier this year after a stint with the rival United Soccer League, he got a noteworthy greeting from the chair and co-founder of Chattanooga FC, one of the leading clubs in the upstart group. "Tim Kelly actually said, 'welcome back from the dark . . .
The October international window’s impact on MLS
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 7, 2020) US Soccer Players - Rarely does a FIFA international competition window come at a good time for Major League Soccer. If there's been one constant in the league's 25 seasons, it's the awkwardness of its relationship with FIFA's calendar. Ostensibly, MLS loves the international game and the positive impact it has on the league's reputation. When players . . .
English soccer pushes for the return of fans
By J Hutcherson (Oct 6, 2020) US Soccer Players - Last week, something interesting happened as Mexico was getting ready to fly out for two games in the Netherlands. The Dutch government decided to take a step back from allowing fans into stadiums. For one of the leagues that called off its 2019-20 season rather than resuming, the return of fans so quickly was a surprising move. This Eredivisie . . .
USMNT players in Portugal
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 5, 2020) US Soccer Players – Mention American players and Portugal, and what instantly comes to mind is the 2002 World Cup. It was at that tournament that the United States defeated Portugal 3-2 to open the group stage. That victory helped the USMNT to ultimately reach the quarterfinals, the program's best finish since 1930. Portugal has been a destination for . . .
DC vs Atlanta is a big game for both Uniteds
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 2, 2020) US Soccer Players - The nom de soccer "United" is not the only thing that the Major League Soccer clubs from Washington DC and Atlanta, Georgia share as they prepare to face off in league play on Saturday. Both teams are mired in dismal periods when the present is bleak and the future is unclear. Also unclear is whether a win for either of them can do . . .
A crowded USMNT road map for 2021
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 1, 2020) US Soccer Players - The USMNT is off again this month, forced by the continuing COVID-19 crisis to scratch any plans of a camp or friendly matches during the October international window. Even without a team gathering, however, this period might turn out to be a significant pivot point for the program. Over the past few weeks, Weston McKennie has . . .
LAFC and the Galaxy vs the LA sports market
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 30, 2020) US Soccer Players - The cover of Wednesday's Los Angeles Times sports section showed two matchups for two Los Angeles teams with the word "Doubleheader" separating them. Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat. Underneath that, Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers. The headline read "Two For Prize Of One City." Los Angeles is not necessarily a sports . . .
Higuain’s Inter Miami debut
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Sep 30, 2020) US Soccer Players - That's not the way Gonzalo Higuain wanted it to go. Inter Miami's new big-name signing made his MLS debut on Sunday, starting in a downpour for Inter as they took on one of the Eastern Conference's best teams. Higuain made his presence felt early against the Philadelphia Union, acrobatically throwing himself over for an overhead . . .
David Wagner moves on from interesting times at Schalke 04
By J Hutcherson (Sep 29, 2020) US Soccer Players - Until Sunday, David Wagner was the American coaching at the highest level in Europe. Wagner's run in charge of Schalke 04 ended with the club's winless streak continuing into this season. Schalke last won a Bundesliga game on January 17, turning from a European contender into a club trying to stop a run of bad results that at times made no . . .
Preview: The 2021 Gold Cup draw
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Sep 28, 2020) US Soccer Players – The 2021 Gold Cup will mark the tournament's 16th edition. At the same time, the tournament will celebrate 30 years of existence. Over those three decades, the competition has both morphed and evolved with the times while making Concacaf teams more competitive at the World Cup. It's that evolving nature that, pandemic allowing, . . .
