US Women – She Believe’s Cup – Thurs, Sun, Wed
The US ladies kickoff the She Believes vs Canada this Thursday night on HBO Max, Universo and Peacock as the #1 team in the world will face 3 top 10 teams in Canada, Japan and Brazil over the next 2 weeks. Lots of stories below – Cute ad on ESPN is out now – USWNT foiled by stoppage time in latest ‘This is SportsCenter’ ad. Also Alex Morgan to appear in Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial on Sunday.
U.S. women’s national team roster by position (Club; Caps/Goals) — 2023 SheBelieves Cup:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current; 10), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 12), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 87)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 21/0), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 24/0), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 128/24), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 12/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 27/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 212/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 70/1)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 123/26), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC; 9/2), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 86/24), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 47/7), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 19/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 39/3)
FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 15/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 201/120), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 22/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 197/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 12/2), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 84/28), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 49/15)
Leed’s United still Leads United States of America – despite firing our American Coach
So literally 3 days after writing my column last week –Leed’s went off an fired American Coach Jesse Marsch after the relegation battle lost to Nottingham Forest. Now I think they are idiots as they didn’t give him time for his just added transfers to gel with the team. But that’s IDIOT English Owned Football teams sometimes. I certainly no longer trust the BOARD and I am not sure now that I am going to go out of my way to travel to Elland Road to see them play when I visit in late March – but still Leed’s has 3 American’s who are going to play huge roles in whether they stay up or get relegated. I just hope the new manager doesn’t punish the American’s like almost every other manager in Europe does. The addition of American midfielder Weston Mckinney joining Leeds United giving an EPL team a possible all American Midfield with Brendon Aaronson, and Adams is still pretty cool. Oh and Marsch might just be in the running for the Southhampton gig.
Champions League Sweet 16 Starts Tues/Wed
The Champions League is finally back with knock-out round games starting on Tuesday at 3 pm on Paramount plus as PSG with key injuries to Messi and Neymar hosts out of form Bayern Munich. Simultaneously AC Milan will host Spurs (maybe without Conte-recoving from Covid). Wed gives us Dortmund and the goal scoring off the bench machine American Gio Reyna hosting Chelsea (without Pulisic) at 3 pm. Also Arsenal faces Man City in a huge mid-week battle on Peacock at 2:30 pm. (why this game is not on USA or NBC I do not know!)
Thurs Europa League gives us Barcelona hosting Man United at 12:30 along with 5 other games including American Jordan Pfuk and Union Berlin traveling to Ajax. It’s a 2 TV day all week for Champions and Europa League play. (See multiple stories below)
Carmel FC Mourns the Loss of a Coach
8 Feb by Jeremy Slivinski
We are heartbroken to share that Jeff Ralston, a CFC head coach U11 White, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday. Jeff was a positive, enthusiastic member of our team and had a significant, lasting impact on the boys he coached, as well as their families. He will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family. https://flannerbuchanan.com/obits/jeffrey-alan-ralston
Carmel FC 2010 Boys is extending tryouts this winter for the Spring Season.
Contact the Ole Ballcoach at shanebestsoccer@gmail.com if your son was born in 2010 or 2011 and interested in working out with us.
ANY CARMEL DAD’S CLUB PLAYERS & CARMEL FC PLAYERS : Winter Players League (WPL) – Badger Indoor Fieldhouse –REGISTRATION READY for Session Two (6 weeks): Feb 17th, 24th / Mar 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
As the fall season comes to a close over the next month, we wanted to let you know that we will be launching an indoor soccer league over two six week sessions within our new Badger Fieldhouse. Games will be played on either Friday night ( 6pm to 10pm) or Sunday afternoon (1pm-5pm) depending on age groups: U8s, U9&U10, U11&U12, U13-U15 and U16+ (Coed Teams allowed). Referees for each game, 50 minute games, 5v5, 7v7 and 9v9 matches. Learn More
Register NOW, gather teammates and be ready to play! Learn More Visit: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6349623/winter-players-league-session-2-registration-form
GAMES ON TV
(American’s names in Parenthesis)
Sat, Feb 11
9:30 am ESPN+ Werder Bremen vs Dortmund (Reyna)
9:30 am ESPN+ Hoffenhiem vs Leverkusen
10 am USA Arsenal (Turner) vs Brentford
10 am Peacock Leicester City vs Tottenham
10 am Peacock Fulham (Ream, Jedi) vs Nottingham Forest
11 am beIN Sport Monaco vs PSG
12:30 pm NBC New Castle vs Bournmouth
12:30 pm ESPN+ Sevilla vs Mallorca
12:30 pm ESPN+ RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin (Pfuk)
2 pm FS2 Real Madrid vs Al Hilal World Club Cup
5 pm Fox Sport 2 Canada U17 vs T&T U17
6 pm Univision America vs NEcaxa
8 pm Fox Sport 2 USA U17 vs Barbados
8 pm Univision Tigres vs Pumas
10 pm Univision Pachuca vs Guadalajara
Sun, Feb 12
7:30 am USA Leeds United (Adams, Mckinney, Aaronson) vs Man U
9:30 am ESPN+ Hertha vs Mgladbach (Scally)
11;30 am USA Man City vs Aston Villa
10:!5 am ESPN+ Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo
12 noon CBSSN Juventus vs Fiorentina
2:45 pm Para+ Napoli vs Cremonese
3pm ESPN+ Villareal (Musah) vs Barcelona
Mon, Feb 13
3 pm USA Liverpool vs Everton
5 pm FS2 Barbados U17 vs Canada U17
8 pm FS2 T&T vs USA U17
Tues, Feb 14 Champions League
3 pm Para+ AC Milan vs Tottenham
3 pm Para+ PSG vs Bayern Munich
3 pm ESPN2 Burnley vs Watford
Weds, Feb 15 Champions League
2:30 pm Peacock Arsenal vs Man City
3 pm Para+ Club Brugge vs Benifica
3 pm Para+ Dortmund (Reyna) vs Chelsea
5 pm FS2 Mexico U17 vs Panama U17
8 pm FS2 USA U17 vs Canada U17
Thurs, Feb 16 Europa League
12:30 pm Para+ Barcelona vs Man United
12:30 pm Para+ Ajax vs Union Berlin (Pfuk)
12:30 pm Para+ Salzburg vs Roma
3 pm Para+ Juve vs Nantes
3 pm Para+ Sevilla vs PSV
7 pm HBO Max USAWNT vs Canada
Fri, Feb 17
2:45 pm CBSSN Sassolo vs Napoli
8 pm FS2 Juerez vs Leon
Sat, Feb 18
7:30 am USA Aston Villa vs Arsenal
9:30 am ESPN+ MGladbach (Scally) vs Bayern Munich
10 am USA Nottingham Forest vs Man City
10 am Peacock Everton vs Leeds United (Adams, Mckinney, Aaronson)
10 am Peacock Brighton vs Fulham (Ream, Jedi)
12:30 pm NBC New Castle vs Liverpool
3 pm ESPN+ Real Madrid Osona
Sun, Feb 19
7 am beIN Sport PSG vs Lille (Weah)
9 am USA Man United vs Leicster City
9:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund (Reyna) vs Hertha
9:30 am ESPN+ Union Berlin (Pfuk) vs Schalke
12 Para+ Spezia vs Juvenuts
3:30 pm HBO MAx USWNT vs Japan
5:30 pm HBO Max Brazil vs Canada
Tues, Feb 21 Champions League
3 pm Para+ Liverpol vs Real Madrid
3 pm Para+ Frankfurt vs Napoli
5 pm FS2 U17 Concacaf QF 1
8 pm FS2 U17 Concacaf QF 2
Weds, Feb 22 Champions League
3 pm Para+ RB Leipzig vs Man City
3 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Porto
4 pm HBO Max Canada vs Japan Women
5 pm FS2 U17 Concacaf QF 3
7 pm HBO Max USWMNT vs Brazil
8 pm FS2 U17 Concacaf QF 4
Thurs, Feb 23 Europa League
12:30 pm Para+ Sevilla vs PSV
12:30 Para+ Nantes vs Juve
3 pm Para+ Man U vs Barcelona
3 pm Para+ Union Berlin (Pfuk) vs Ajax vs
3 pm Para+ alzburg vs Roma
Soccer Saturday’s are every Sat 9-10 am on 93.5 and 107.5 FM with Greg Rakestraw
US Ladies –
Alex Morgan to appear in Michelob Ultra Super Bowl commercial
With Sam Mewis Out, Julie Ertz ? USWNT Enters World Cup Yr with Major Question Marks
Black History Month: Sophia Shines Bright
How Sam Mewis’s injury makes the USWNT youth movement more critical
FIFA’s reported deal with Saudi tourist bureau is latest insult to women’s game | Opinion
ALEX MORGAN PILES ON CRITICISM OF SAUDI WORLD CUP SPONSORSHIP
USWNT ROSTER BUBBLE IS SHRINKING AHEAD OF 2023 WORLD CUP
REPORT: USWNT, NWSL RESOLVE WORLD CUP SCHEDULE CONFLICT FOR NOW
NWSL announce ’23 games, new Challenge Cup
Angel City’s 2023 season schedule released, includes 28 matches
Champions League
Bayern v PSG – key Champions League battles
Challenged at home, Bayern Munich’s season faces true test in Paris
Mbappe injury and poor form leave PSG in crisis before Bayern tie
Conte’s future uncertain as erratic Spurs head to AC Milan
Mbappe included in PSG squad for Bayern Champions League tie
Pioli says gap between moneybags Premier League and Milan ‘too big’
Pioli hoping for Milan revival on return to Champions League knockouts
US Men
USMNT head to Orlando for March Nations League match
Again? Yes, Gio Reyna scored yet another goal for Dortmund
Dortmund boss Terzic says Reyna still isn’t 100 percent fit
Jordan Pefok breaks goal drought with late Union Berlin winner
After missing World Cup and struggling for form, Matthew Hoppe’s focusing on what he can control ESPNFC Jeff Carlisle
All Signs Point to Pulisic Leaving Chelsea this Summer – Pro Soccer Wire
Report: Christian Pulisic set to leave Chelsea this summer
Does Marsch’s dismissal pave the way for him to lead the U.S.? Jeff Carlisle
Why Marsch wasn’t the right man for Leeds
Analyzing Jesse Marsch as a potential USMNT manager
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Taking over
EPL
Jesse Marsch and Ruben Selles in running for Southampton job
10 things we learned in the Premier League: Week 23
Three talking points from the Premier League
Erling Haaland gives Manchester City huge injury scare ahead of Arsenal showdown
Who are the favorites to be next Southampton manager?
The secrets of Fulham’s revival – and how they turned the tide of history
Sir Jim Ratcliffe to battle Qatari and US investors for Manchester United takeover
No Hollywood ending for Wrexham as Blades win FA Cup thriller
FA Cup dream over for Wrexham and its Hollywood owners
Wrexham to enter new U.S. summer tournament ESPNFC Kyle Bonagura
WORLD
Real Madrid ease past Al Ahly to reach Club World Cup final
Al-Dawsari penalties send Al Hilal into Club World Cup final
Why Messi really celebrated vs Netherland’s Louis Van Gaal in the World Cup
Injured Messi a worry for PSG Champions League clash with Bayern
Europe’s fallen giants can no longer compete with the Premier League — and they know it
Wow Listen to the All Kids & Women Crowd
MLS
Sounders suffer cruel loss to Al Ahly in MLS’s first-ever Club World Cup appearance
State of the Galaxy: Fan protests, botched transfer highlight LA’s troubling offseason
Reffing
FIFA use Club World Cup to trial referee microphones
6 US Soccer Refs Selected to 2023 FIFA World Cup Down Under
GK
World Cup winner Martinez in line for FIFA best keeper award
Tottenham’s Champions League hopes hit by Hugo Lloris injury
Lloris faces up to seven weeks out, says Spurs coach
SheBelieves Cup 2023: When is it, how to watch USWNT, host cities, name meaning, and more
11:59 AM ET
One of the final tests before the U.S. women’s national team heads off to the Women’s World Cup this summer is the SheBelieves Cup, which begins on Feb. 16.Yet, it is a set of glorified friendlies, but has grown to become one of the most prestigious annual tournaments in women’s soccer. That’s especially the case this year: with high-ranked opponents Canada, Japan and Brazil, the SheBelieves Cup could offer our best hint at how the Americans will fair in Australia and New Zealand at the World Cup.So, what exactly is this tournament, where did its unusual name come from and how can you watch the 2023 SheBelieves Cup games? We’ve got answers.
What is the SheBelieves Cup, what is the format and what’s its purpose?
The SheBelieves Cup is an annual four-team tournament hosted by the U.S. Soccer Federation for the USWNT during every February international window.The format is intentionally designed to mimic a group stage of a World Cup, where teams play three games in three different cities all within the span of roughly one week. Whoever has the most points by the end — three points for wins, one point for draws — is crowned the SheBelieves Cup champion, much the same way a team would win their group at the World Cup.
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- The USWNT needs Julie Ertz but she won’t be at the World Cup. What now?16dJeff Kassouf
The tournament also has the added benefit of a similar feeling to the knockout stage in a World Cup, where teams have to fly to a new city and face a new opponent in only a few days’ time. As striker Alex Morgan told reporters from camp on Wednesday, this is the USWNT’s last chance to prepare for the hustle and bustle of the World Cup, which kicks off on July 20.”This is an incredibly important tournament,” Morgan said, “because it’s the last time we’re going to have a chance to play three games in a short period of time that replicates either a group stage or a knockout stage, where you have consecutive games and you’re having to manage travel and fatigue.”
When is the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, where is it hosted and how to watch?
Thurs Feb. 16, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET: USA vs. Canada
The No. 1-world ranked USWNT kicks off the tournament in Orlando, Florida at Exploria Stadium on Feb. 16 against No. 6-ranked Canada. The match will be available to stream on HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish. Before that, Japan face Brazil in a doubleheader at the stadium at 4 p.m. ET, which will air on HBO Max and Peacock.
Sunday Feb. 19, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. ET: USA vs. Japan
The teams travel to Nashville, Tennessee, where the USWNT will face No. 11-ranked Japan at Geodis Park. The match will be broadcast on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish. Brazil faces Canada at 6:30 p.m. ET at the same venue, live on HBO Max and Peacock.
Wed Feb. 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET: USA vs. Brazil
The tournament closes for the USWNT against No. 9-ranked Brazil in Frisco, Texas at Toyota Stadium. It will be broadcast on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish. Before that, Canada and Japan face off at 4 p.m. ET in Frisco, also on HBO Max and Peacock.
– More: Explore the SheBelieves Cup schedule
Who is on the USWNT’s roster for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup?
Goalkeepers (club; caps): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current; 10), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 12), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 87)
Defenders (club; caps/goals): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 21/0), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 24/0), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 128/24), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 12/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 27/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 212/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 70/1)
Midfielders (club; caps/goals): Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 123/26), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC; 9/2), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 86/24), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 47/7), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 19/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 39/3)
Forwards (club; caps/goals): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 15/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 201/120), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 22/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 197/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 12/2), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 84/28), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 49/15)
– More: Why Sophia Smith, Julie Ertz, Sam Mewis aren’t on the roster
When and why did U.S. Soccer start hosting the SheBelieves Cup?
While the World Cup and the Olympics are the premiere senior competitions in women’s soccer, the USWNT’s schedule otherwise always includes smaller invitational tournaments. One of those annual tournaments is the Algarve Cup, which has been hosted in Portugal since 1994. The USWNT has competed in that tournament in most years, spending every late February and early March from 1998 to 2015 in Algarve, Portugal.But in 2016, U.S. Soccer decided a better use of that February/March window would be to launch its own tournament. There are some obvious benefits: the federation would have more control over the level of competition, it would stand to financially benefit from ticket sales, and it could sell the TV rights to the tournament as the interest in the U.S. women’s national grew to historic levels.The idea clearly seemed to work out well, inspiring similar tournaments hosted by other federations. France launched in 2020 their own four-team tournament for the February/March international window called the Tournoi de France (“the French Tournament”) and England did the same in 2022 with the Arnold Clark Cup. (U.S. Soccer even launched a second four-team invitational in 2017 called the Tournament of Nations, which was played in July of non-World Cup or non-Olympics years, but in 2021, the federation announced it would cancel it due to FIFA shortening that international window.)
What does “SheBelieves” mean and why is the tournament called that?
It’s a bit of an unusual name for a soccer tournament, and the name preceded the SheBelieves Cup tournament itself.In 2015, ahead of the USWNT’s World Cup campaign that year, U.S. Soccer launched an initiative to empower girls and young women with the hashtag #SheBelieves. It was part-marketing campaign to drum up excitement ahead of the tournament, which the USWNT later won, and part-inspirational PSA.A letter posted on U.S. Soccer’s website in May 2015 signed by the USWNT said, in part: “You support us and show us the way. Now it’s time to turn it around and let you know we have your back. … We want you to believe you can be the best.” The letter closed by asking fans share their dreams with the hashtag #SheBelieves, across social media.The campaign worked, and the hashtag became synonymous with the USWNT on social media for a while (these days fans simply stick to #USWNT). When U.S. Soccer announced they would launch the SheBelieves Cup in 2016, they said it was to continue the mission of the #SheBelieves initiative. As a press release at the time said: “The SheBelieves Cup is a showcase event for the campaign, which will continue to spread its positive message to young women and girls.”
Does Jesse Marsch’s Leeds dismissal pave the way for him to lead the U.S. men’s national team?
Feb 6, 2023 Jeff CarlisleU.S. soccer correspondent
Timing is everything in all manner of ways. That is especially true in the case of Jesse Marsch and the U.S. Soccer Federation.Marsch was fired as manager of Leeds United on Monday, following a run of just two wins in his past 18 Premier League matches. With the managerial post for the U.S. men’s national team vacant, it would seem that Marsch’s availability is coming at the right time.But while it’s perfect for Marsch, it isn’t necessarily perfect for U.S. Soccer.The USSF currently finds itself without two of its more senior sporting executives, with sporting director Earnie Stewart set to depart for a similar role at PSV Eindhoven in a little more than a week, and USMNT GM Brian McBride already gone. Sports consulting firm Sportsology has been brought in by USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone and CEO JT Batson to lead the search for both positions.While Cone said she hopes to have the sporting director position filled prior to the start of the Women’s World Cup in July, it might well be the “end of summer” before both positions are filled. That timing might not work in terms of capturing Marsch.To be clear, the USSF should cast as wide a net as possible in its search for the next USMNT manager. If it can attract a coaching whale like Jose Mourinho, then by all means it should explore that route, but at present, that is the stuff of dreams. More realistic candidates need to be identified, and that includes those born in this country.Marsch’s candidacy certainly has its pros and cons. At present, he is the most experienced U.S. candidate available, having coached with teams in Europe since 2018, the past four years of which were spent managing the likes of FC Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Leeds. That is a coaching résumé that is unmatched in U.S. soccer circles.While other managers such as Sporting Kansas City‘s Peter Vermes have been at the job longer, their tenures have been spent entirely in MLS. The same is true of LA Galaxy manager Greg Vanney and the Philadelphia Union‘s Jim Curtin.LAFC‘s Steve Cherundolo is another candidate, but he has just a solitary season managing a first-division first team — albeit a wildly successful one — under his belt. Former VfB Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo is an interesting possibility given his American upbringing and Bundesliga experience.
EDITOR’S PICKS
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- Amid chaos and uncertainty, U.S. takes the long view Jeff Carlisle
- What’s next for USMNT without sporting director, GM or coach? 13dKyle Bonagura
But in terms of Marsch, the fact remains that his past two stints with Leipzig and Leeds ended with him not lasting even a year at either post, and while his spell in Salzburg was successful, recent results demand a closer look by those making the hiring decision. There are also questions about the methodology to which he’s wedded, one that relies heavily on creating chaos via the press. Can Marsch adapt his approach to the international game, one in which the amount of time spent on the training ground is significantly less than at club level, and the best teams are adept at overcoming such a setup?
Former U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan played under Marsch while with the New York Red Bulls from 2015 to 2017, and feels that Marsch is indeed committed to his beliefs.”I think Jesse is very — I think ‘determined’ is a good word — in his belief in his system,” he told ESPN. “He doesn’t change himself or what he believes in. I think that’s a very admirable quality in a coach.”But Kljestan added that this doesn’t mean Marsch can’t change on the fly.”His philosophy doesn’t change, but tactically he can change things,” he said.Kljestan recalled how New York mostly played 4-2-3-1 under Marsch, but the Red Bulls also played with three in the back at times during 2017, and with a 4-2-2-2 later in his career.St. Louis City defender Tim Parker, who also played under Marsch in New York, remembers a system that was more rigid.”There’s not a whole lot of flexibility, to be honest,” Parker told ESPN. “The whole system is kind of made so that everyone’s on the same page all the time, and is supposed to make, obviously, the machine work properly. It’s like if everyone’s thinking the same thing, and has the same mentality, and has the same kind of approach to the game, then everyone should be able to click and be on the same page.”Does that philosophy suit the U.S. corps of attacking players? Given the relative youth of the side, Kljestan believes it can.”He likes working with young guys because I think he believes he can get more out of them physically,” he said of Marsch. “So with the generation I see between the midfield of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams, that should be there for the next four years. You got [Christian] Pulisic, [Giovanni] Reyna and [Timothy] Weah that should be there for four years, basically the whole team that I expect to be there in 2026 is between the ages of 22 and 26 right now, which is like the prime. So, yeah, I do think that group of players can fit well into his tactical ideas and philosophy.”Parker notes that if Marsch does end up with the USMNT and implementing his system, it will take intense commitment from the players.”In terms of his system and the way he wants that system to be run, I think it does require a complete buy-in mentality,” he said. “Especially when I played with him at the Red Bulls, that’s kind of how it was. It was almost like starting on a blank slate and forgetting what you knew and buying into what his methods were. But it brought us success when we were there, so when you’re able to reap the rewards of it, I think you’re able to see the success that you can have, so it makes that buying-in process much easier.”The other fallout from Marsch’s firing is what it means for Leeds’ contingent of American players, one of whom — McKennie — has been with the club only a week. That will ultimately depend on who is hired to be Marsch’s replacement.Adams has been widely hailed for his performances since arriving at Elland Road last summer, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but if the new manager opts for a more possession-based approach then Adams could find himself on the outs like he did at Leipzig. Brenden Aaronson’s lack of end product — one goal and two assists — could also put his position in the starting lineup under threat.Ironically, the versatility in McKennie’s game — his box-to-box running, his ability on set pieces and his late runs into the box — bodes well in terms of him getting more playing time. So does the fact that Leeds director of football Victor Orta has been a longtime admirer of his. Orta also negotiated the deal that brought Aaronson to West Yorkshire prior to Marsch’s arrival.With the transfer window closed, though, whoever the new manager is will have to make do with what he has. With the club’s Premier League survival at stake, that would seem to preclude making wholesale changes.As for Marsch, the coming months will determine the extent to which his respective goals will line up with those of the USSF.
Analyzing Jesse Marsch as a potential USMNT manager
Jesse Marsch is a popular pick to become the new USMNT manager, but should he be?
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Jesse Marsch is out as Leeds manager which means he’s presumably looking for a new job. This so happens to be at a time when the USMNT needs a new coach. In the past Jesse Marsch has said he would like to have that job. Of course, US Soccer needs to hire the person who will hire the new manager, so at this time there are a few steps that need to be taken for him to get to the job.
Marsch has reached the highest point of any American manager with experience in the Champions League, winning a double in a European top flight, and managing two clubs in top five leagues. Additionally, he was an assistant with Bob Bradley during the 2010 World Cup so at least has experience at the highest international level.
He isn’t Zinedine Zidane, but he has the best resume of any American manager who could be a candidate for the USMNT job. Marsch’s preferred playing style may also be a good fit for the USMNT. Most notably, this style involves pressing in the ever present Red Bulls style that has seen RB Leipzig become Bundesliga contenders and brought several MLS Supporters’ Shields to the New York Red Bulls.
Success in New York and Austria
After a decent year with the Montreal Impact in their 2012 expansion year, Marsch resigned and took his talents… nowhere, he just didn’t want to manage the Impact ever again. He resurfaced replacing the abruptly fired Mike Petke with NY Red Bulls in 2015 and established himself as a top manager in MLS by winning the Supporters’ Shield that year. Through three and a half seasons in New York, Marsch implemented a fast paced, high pressing style that wasn’t too concerned with possession and focused more on creating chances in transition.
Notably, he was able to achieve this while developing youth players and sending veterans on their way without hesitation. Marsch didn’t always have the most technically gifted players, but his system was so effective at creating chaos leading to chances that it wasn’t a factor. While NYRB won the Supporters’ Shield in 2015 and then again in 2018, though after he had left to be an assistant at RB Leipzig that summer, the team never advanced past the Eastern Conference Finals under Marsch. In the playoffs, teams with more technically gifted players like Federico Higuain, Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley, and Ignacio Piatti helped their clubs overcome the Red Bulls’ system.
He left NYRB after three and a half seasons to be an assistant at RB Leipzig in 2018 and the next season took over as manager of Red Bull Salzburg from 2019-2021. There he led the team to two consecutive doubles. In European competition, his club performed about as expected beating Genk twice and getting a surprise draw to Napoli away in the 2019-2020 Champions League while losing their remaining matches. After being transferred to the Europa League the team fell to Frankfurt. The following season, Salzburg won and drew against Lokomotiv Moscow, losing the rest of their matches before being transferred to the Europa League and being eliminated by Villarreal.
Failure in Germany and England
His time in Austria was impressive enough to get him a promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2021-2022 season where he took over RB Leipzig. Marsch went 7-4-6 and mutually parted ways with the club after a three game losing streak in late November-early December. Four of the losses came to teams Leipzig ultimately finished ahead of in the table. The team also went 1-1-3 in the Champions League under Marsch.
Marsch wasn’t out of work long and was hired by Leeds to replace Marcelo Bielsa in February of 2022. It was a big bucket to sit on and Marsch initially was up for the most immediate task: avoiding relegation. This wasn’t really an easy process and Leeds needed a bit of luck as the team stayed up by three points thanks to a goal in added time in the last game of the season.
The 2022-2023 season started off well with a week three victory against Chelsea. Leeds failed to win for the next eight weeks when they defeated Liverpool, followed by a win against Bournemouth. Things took a downturn again as the most recent seven games came without a win. That was enough for the Leeds brass to send Marsch packing.
Marsch’s fit with the USMNT
As a manager Marsch’s best attributes are implementing a cohesive style of soccer and motivating his players. His NSFW halftime speech in mixed German/English when he was with Salzburg against Liverpool is an example of this. He’s also been successful using what he has. NYRB never spent big while he was with the club and yet his teams were consistently among the best in the league. An aspect of his system is that it depends on athleticism, buy in, positional awareness, and the fitness needed to run and press for a full 90 minutes rather than relying on individual players with a high level of technical proficiency.
These aspects make him a good candidate for the USA job. While the American men have taken steps forward in terms of technical soccer ability, a consistently expressive style of play is not the norm for the squad. Self-belief, teamwork, and an immoderate amount of optimism are also qualities that Marsch brings as a manager.
That said, there are warning signs that Marsch might not be up to the task with his current tactical acumen. As mentioned above, NYRB had difficulty against technically talented players in elimination games, Salzburg was by far the most talented team in Austria and then performed as expected in Europe, while Leipzig struggled under Marsch and Leeds had some promising moments but largely floundered during his tenure. His time at Leipzig is fairly troublesome as he took a very talented team that finished 2nd in the Bundesliga the previous season to underperform and sit mid-table by the time he left the team.
It’s a fairly mixed bag, but the trend points to his system being flawed against higher levels of competition. A weakness Marsch seems to have as a manager is that he often doesn’t make the right adjustments and when Plan A doesn’t work Plan B seems to be Plan A But Harder. The USA showed during this most recent World Cup that tactical flexibility is important with the level of players on the roster and so far Marsch hasn’t shown an ability to make tactical adjustments very well.Perhaps, Marsch will figure out how to do this better or the USA players will be at a much higher level in 2026 to really get his pressing style to work. For now it seems like he needs to address his weaknesses before showing he can get the most out of players against better competition and the USA would be better off looking elsewhere for a new manager.
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