By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 25, 2018) US Soccer Players – Kellyn Acosta is a fighter. The FC Dallas and USMNT player doesn’t let anything stop him from playing at the highest level. After recently undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, Acosta was back in the Dallas lineup in May. As usual, he was there to link the defense to the offense, a player who has been the team’s midfield . . .
R.I.P. Walter Bahr
National Soccer Hall of Famer and USMNT player Walter Bahr died on Monday, June 18, 2018. Bahr was a member of the 1950 World Cup squad that beat England 1-0 in Brazil. The members of that team entered the National Soccer Hall of Fame together in 1976, responsible for one of the most famous moments in world soccer. The story eventually became the movie The Game of their Lives. Bahr would play 19 . . .
The USMNT works toward the 2019 Gold Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 11, 2018) US Soccer Players – With the United States missing out on the World Cup, the focus shifts to a new coach, the Fall friendlies, and games that count in 2019. The next stop on the road to rebuilding is next summer’s Gold Cup. This is a tournament that has traditionally allowed the USMNT to assert itself as a regional power, test players, and create a . . .
France 1 – USMNT 1
The USMNT was the opponent in Lyon for France's World Cup sendoff game, drawing 1-1. The home crowd was vocal and excited, but that enthusiasm took a hit when Julian Green put the USMNT up in the 44th minute. Green's goal was the first for the USMNT all-time against France. Bobby Wood almost doubled the lead in the 48th with that goal called offside. Kylian Mbappe equalized for France in the 78th . . .
France friendly a reminder of what’s possible, and what’s failed, for US Soccer
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 8, 2018) US Soccer Players - In the final stop on the USMNT’s early-summer tour, Dave Sarachan’s youth movement is about to face its stiffest test to date. The young Yanks are in Lyon, France this week, preparing for a friendly vs Les Bleus on Saturday afternoon (3pm ET - ESPN). It’s a daunting opponent, one with legitimate aims of winning this summer’s World . . .
Preview: France vs USMNT
The USMNT plays France in Lyon on Saturday (3pm ET - ESPN) in France's final World Cup warm-up game. The quickest parallel is the obvious one. France beat Ireland 2-0 in Paris on May 28. Ireland beat the USMNT 2-1 in Dublin last Saturday. The difference for Ireland was possession. They clocked in at 24% against France, taking five shots with one on goal to France's 18 shots with eight on goal. . . .
Earnie Stewart named USMNT GM
Earnie Stewart was named the first general manager of the USMNT, a new role created by the US Soccer Federation. Stewart takes the role officially on August 1 with the expectation that US Soccer will hire a new head coach after that. “With his breadth of experience as both a player and a technical director, Earnie is the ideal leader to guide the long-term success of our Men’s National Team . . .
Soccer History: The 1993 US Cup
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jun 4, 2018) US Soccer Players – There was a time when the United States needed to rely on friendlies. It was the early 1990s. MLS didn’t yet exist. American players struggled to get minutes with club teams. Some had signed contracts in Europe, but for most that wasn’t an option. With the USMNT working towards the 1994 World Cup, there wasn't a qualifying schedule . . .
The USMNT moves on to France
Monday's soccer news starts with the USMNT losing to Ireland in Dublin. Giving up a late goal, the USMNT now spends a week preparing for a much stronger opponent when they play France on Saturday (2:45pm ET - ESPN). It's France's final World Cup warm-up, something that might have them considering how they use their players in Lyon. Any advantage is an advantage for a young USMNT. "Obviously, . . .
Ireland 2 – USMNT 1
In a game that marked the farewell of Ireland player John O'Shea, Ireland beat the USMNT 2-1 on a late goal. O'Shea subbed out in the 25th minute, making a cameo as he said goodbye in Dublin. Bobby Wood put the USMNT up in first-half stoppage time. Graeme Burke equalized for Ireland in the 57th minute, poking the ball over the line. Ireland substitute Alan Judge scored in the 90th minute. Once . . .
