Champions League Finals Sat 3 pm CBS & CCL Finals Sat 9 pm FS1
A little Hype Video – Don’t miss the Greatest Anthem in Sports when the teams walk out to this. Hopefully we’ll see a version of Dortmund’s famous Yellow Wall in London Sat. Excited to see if Dortmund can continue their amazing run in London in the finals of the Champion League Sat at 3 pm on CBS vs Real Madrid. Of course The Madridistas are the favorites but Dortmund has been giant killer all season as they continue to find a way. I sure would be excited if American Gio Reyna was actually playing. Either way I think Madrid just has too much firepower and will win this one 2-1. Coverage starts at 1 pm on Paramount plus before moving to CBS at 2 pm. The Concacaf Finals featuring the MLS Champion Columbus Crew traveling to Mexican Powerhouse Pachuca starts at 9:15 pm on FS1. Lots of stories below on both games.
Indy 11 Win Again
Jack Blake scored a pair of goals to lead Indy Eleven over reigning USL Champions Phoenix Rising FC, 2-1, on Saturday night at Carroll Stadium. Indy is riding a nine-match unbeaten streak including a record 7 straight wins across all competitions, including five straight in USL Championship action, and finishes the month of May 4-0-0 in league action. Indy improves to 6-4-2 on the season – good for 3rd in the East. The Boys in Blue hit the road for at two-match road swing at Pittsburgh (June 1) and Birmingham (June 9) before returning home to host San Antonio FC on June 15. Single-game tickets are available for all matches via Ticketmaster.
US Ladies Olympic Warm Up Games – Sat 5 pm TBS, Tues 8 pm TNT
New coach Emma Hayes takes over and will coach her first games on the sidelines for the US ladies as they take on Korea in an Olympics warm up series starting Sat night. She has named a handful of youngsters and I really have no idea who will start where in this Saturday’s game. Will certainly be worth the watch. American Lindsay Horan and Olympic Lyonnaise fell just short in the UEFA Champions League final loss to Barcelona (highlights) as the largest TV audience ever looked on.
US 23 Pre-Olympic Roster is Released
Interesting that Walker Zimmerman in the only overaged player in the Olympic Pre-Camp – only 18 players can go – so this 27 man roster will have to reduce by 9 players – still surprised we aren’t bringing an over-aged forward or Pepi maybe, even Reyna is the right age – why not play both for he and Pepi? I will be very interested to see what the final roster is.
The U23 Pre-Olympic Camp Roster:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea, England).
Defenders: Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy), Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo, Belgium), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich, England), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville).
Midfielders: Cole Bassett (Colorado), Gianluca Busio (Venezia, Italy), Benjamin Cremaschi (Miami), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia), Aidan Morris (Columbus), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split, Croatia), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia, Italy).
Forwards: Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England), Taylor Booth (Utrecht, Netherlands), Cade Cowell (Guadalajara, Mexico), Damion Downs (Cologne, Germany), Johan Gomez (Eintracht Braunschweig, Germany), Duncan McGuire (Orlando), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg, Germany), Griffin Yow (Westerlo, Belgium).
Good luck to all the teams playing in State/President’s & Challenge Cup finals this weekend especially our CARMEL FC Teams below at Grand Park! I will be out there reffing a few games Sat/Sun.
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2024/2025 Tryout and Evaluation Information
Carmel FC will be hosting tryouts for new and existing players on the following dates:
- Tuesday, June 4th @ Badger Soccer Complex (46033) @ 5:00PM – 7:00PM → Age groups: 8U, 9U & 10U (2018/2017, 2016, 2015)
- Monday, June 10th @ Badger Soccer Complex (46033) @ 5:00PM – 7:00PM → Age groups: 11U and above (2014+)
For registration: https://system.gotsport.com/programs/1360T6715?reg_role=player
Carmel High Girls Soccer Camp July 22-25
2-4:30 pm @ Murray Stadium Register Here contact fdixon@ccs.k1.in.us for more info
Games on TV
Sat, June 1
3 pm CBS Champ League Final Real Madrid vs Dortmund
5 pm TBS US Women vs Korea
7 pm ESPN+ Pittsburgh (Eric Dick) vs Indy 11
10 pm ESPN+ Sacramento vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (Jordan Farr GK)
9 pm FS1 Concacaf CL Final – Columbus Crew @ Pachuca, Mex
Tues, June 4
2 pm FS2 England vs Bosnia/Herzegovina
8 pm Tru TV, Max, PC US Women vs Korea
Weds, June 5
2:30 pm FS2 Belgium vs Montenegro
9 pm TUDN, Univision Mexico vs Uruguay
Sat, June 8
12:45 pm FS2 Portugal vs Croatia
5:30 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Colombia
6 pm Fox Desportes Argentina vs Ecuador
8:30 pm Univision, TUDN Mexico vs Brazil
Sun, June 9
12:45 pm FS2 for FS+? France vs Canada
7 pm ESPN+ Birmingham vs Indy 11
Mon, June 10
2:45 pm FS2 Netherlands vs Iceland
Tues, June 11
2:45 pm FS2 Portugal vs Ireland
8 pm ??? US Men U23 Olympic Team vs Japan
Wed, June 12
7 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Brazil
Fri, June 14 Euro 2024 Begins
3 pm Fox Germany vs Scotland
8 pm Amazon Prime KC Current vs Chicago Red Stars NWSL
Sat, June 15
9 am Hungary vs Switzerland
12 pm Fox Spain vs Croatia
3 pm Fox Italy vs Albania
7 pm TV 8 Indy 11 vs San Antonio @ the Mike
Sun, June 16
9 am FS1 Poland vs Netherlands Euro
12 noon FS1 Slovenia vs Denmark
3 pm Fox Serbia vs England Euro
Thur, June 20 COPA America Starts
12 noon FS1 Denmark vs England
3 pm Fox Spain vs Italy
8 pm Fox Argentina vs Canada COPA
Sat, June 22
6 pm Fox Ecuador vs Venezuela COPA
7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs OC @ the Mike Pride Night
9 pm Fox Mexico vs Jamaica COPA
Sun, June 23
6 pm Fox, Univision USMNT vs Bolivia COPA America
9 pm FS1 Uruguay vs Panama COPA
Thur, June 27
6 pm Fox USMNT vs Panama COPA
Mon, July 1
9 pm Fox, Univision USMNT vs Uraguay
Sat July 13
3 pm TNT, Tele US Women vs Mexico
Tues, July 16
7:30 pm TNT, Universo US Women vs Costa Rica
July 24 starts US U23 Men & US Women In Olympics
(American’s in Parenthesis)
How to Watch Indy Eleven USL Championship Action
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Champions League Finals 3 pm CBS
Dortmund seized the moment for unlikely Champions League final
The transfer market problem that led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final
Ancelotti’s ‘quiet leadership’ key to his Champions League success
From fan bus to team bus: Dortmund’s Terzic primed for Real Madrid
Courtois ‘ready’ to start UCL final after ACL tear
Madrid’s Bellingham: UCL final a lifelong dream
Concacaf Champs League Finals @ Pachuca MX Sat 9:15 pm FS1
Cucho Hernandez expected to be available for Columbus Crew in Champions Cup final
Columbus Crew host team send-off for fans ahead of CONCACAF Champions Cup final Thoughts on the Crew’s big night in Monterrey to advance to the CONCACAF final Crew should be celebrated win or lose on Saturday What makes Nancy’s Crew so Special?
US Men
With Copa América near, Gregg Berhalter keeps focus on 2026 World Cup
Berhalter names 27 players for USMNT pre Copa Training camp
25-man men’s Olympic training roster named ahead of June friendly against Japan S&S By Donald Wine II
Analysis: Mitrovic names 25 to final pre-Olympic camp
US Women
Ahead of Olympics, can USWNT coach Emma Hayes avoid struggles in switch from club game? ESPN
Smith says ‘legend’ Hayes has ‘trust’ of USWNT
Horan: ‘Awesome’ that Hayes finally with USWNT ESPN Jeff Kassouf
From tactics to a wildly talented teenager: Emma Hayes’s USWNT in-
SSFC Spotlight: Hal Hershfelt vaults into the USWNT Stars & Stripes By Brendan Joseph
EPL & FA Cup Final
Manchester United beats Man City to win 2024 final Man Utd stun Man City to win FA Cup
Erik ten Hag defies odds, sees United win FA Cup
Sir Jim Ratcliffe demands end to reckless Man Utd spending
Manchester United staff given week to resign as Sir Jim Ratcliffe cracks down on working from home
Indy 11
Blake Named to USL Championship Team of the Week Recap – IND 2:1 PHX 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals to Stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Recap – IND 3:0 DET Indy 11 Park = Titanic Park
WORLD
At last! Bayern Munich hires Vincent Kompany
Barcelona hires Hansi Flick as manager to replace Xavi
Vincent Kompany named Bayern Munich manager
Bayern appoint Kompany to end long search for new coach
Celebrations in Greece as Olympiakos beats Fiorentina 1-0 for first European title
LA-bound Giroud’s leadership will be missed, says Milan captain Breaking down Ten Hag’s FA Cup triumph, Barca’s poor Xavi treatment, more: Marcotti recaps the weekend ESPN Gabriele Marcotti
Goalkeeping
Courtois ‘ready’ to start UCL final after ACL tear
Why Courtois, Lunin dilemma is Ancelotti’s biggest Champions League headache
Best Saves of the European Season
Best Saves of Last Champions League Season 2023
Reffing
PK Hits the Post – You Make the Call
What is VAR, how does it work and what are the biggest problems
Shane with Susie and Brett Y at Grand Park Friday night – moved inside for Weather thank goodness
CYO Final under the lights at Guerin Catholic with Mike Xanders (left) and Joe Fistrovich.
| Midfield questions abound as Hayes kicks off USWNT camp – US plays Sat 5 pm TBS |
| The USWNT officially entered training camp ahead of their June friendlies this week, with Emma Hayes making her first in-person appearance as head coach. The camp consists of a total of 27 players (23 fully rostered plus four training players), with the training players set to depart prior to the team’s first match on June 1st. Big picture: With the addition of the training players, the midfield is becoming a particularly crowded positional area for the team. Three of the four players invited into camp to train alongside the full roster are midfielders: Portland’s Olivia Moultrie, Washington rookie Croix Bethune, and Spirit defensive midfielder Andi Sullivan. Sullivan started for the USWNT at the 2023 World Cup, but was a late inclusion to Hayes’s training camp roster after player travel from European club play was taken into consideration. In her introduction to American media, Hayes spoke to ESPN about her initial approach to managing a congested USWNT midfield.”I’ve asked to see players that weren’t in the World Cup last year,” she said. “I’ve watched Korbin [Albert] play for PSG. I was hugely impressed by Sam Coffey when Chelsea played against the Thorns in a tournament in Portland.”The US has recently favored a system featuring two defensive midfielders, which likely means a combination of Coffey, Hal Hershfelt, and Emily Sonnett in June.”I haven’t made a decision about the Olympic roster yet, so there is time,” Hayes told ESPN. |
Champions League Final 2024 predicted lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid starting XI, analysis
NBC Sports Thu, May 30, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT·3 min read
The UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid is set to be an intriguing tactical encounter at Wembley on Saturday.
[ MORE: Preview, how to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid ]
Real are the heavy favorites but Dortmund have shown they can frustrate the big boys and in a head-to-head scrap there are so many individual battles to look forward to.
Below are the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid predicted lineups for the final, with analysis on how Edin Terzic and Carlo Ancelotti could cause a few surprises with their team selections.
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup, formation, analysis
——- Kobel ——-
—- Ryerson —- Hummels —- Schlotterbeck —- Maatsen —-
—— Can —— Sabitzer ——
—— Sancho —— Brandt —— Adeyemi ——
——- Fullkrug ——
The back four is very settled for Dortmund and the experience of Hummels has been key to holding firm in this unexpected run to the final, while goalkeeper Kobel has also been exceptional amid several defensive masterclasses. Maatsen’s pace and trickery at left back could be a huge factor in shutting down Real Madrid as he will be tasked with keeping Rodrygo quiet. In midfield the experience duo of Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer have proved their doubters wrong and keep the ball extremely well. And that is key to getting Sancho, Brandt and Adeyemi involved as much as possible as they cut inside and interchange. Having the likes of Reus, Moukoko and Malen to come off the bench also gives Dortmund plenty of options in the attacking third, with Fullkrug a brilliant focal point to their attack and his hold-up play will allow them to ease some of the considerable pressure they will be under on Saturday. Dortmund will look to sit back and not allow Real space in-behind and then spring attacks of their own quickly by hitting Fullkrug early and getting Sancho and Adeyemi high and wide up the pitch.
Real Madrid predicted lineup, formation, analysis
——- Courtois ——-
—- Carvajal —- Rudiger —- Nacho —- Mendy —-
—— Valverde —— Kroos —— Camavinga ——
—— Bellingham ——
—— Rodrygo —— Vinicius Jr ——
Ancelotti has yet to make a decision in terms of his starting goalkeeper with Lunin standing in superbly to help get them to the final but now Thibaut Courtois is back fit and given his experience and penchant for delivering in the big finals, you’d expect the Belgian to get the nod. The back four picks itself with Nacho rolling back the years and he and Rudiger will relish the challenge of trying to keep Fullkrug quiet in a similar way to how they tamed Erling Haaland. Midfield is the big issue for Real Madrid. Aurelien Tchouameni is out injured so Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga are likely to start to give Real a solid defensive shield in front of their back four. But will Luka Modric start given all of his big-game experience? Jude Bellingham will start in attacking midfield, maybe drifting slightly to the left, and his driving runs forward will open up space for the duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius to peel off and cause havoc. Especially on the counter. That is how Real have been hurting teams all season long and they should have significant joy against Dortmund if they can engineer plenty of counter-attacking situations.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Messi? Pulisic? Mbappe? Could any major stars be playing at Games?
By Caoimhe O’Neill May 29, 2024
This summer will not be a quiet one. Not only is the men’s European Championship taking place in Germany but the Copa America is also happening in the United States at the same time.Both finals will be played on July 15. But the summer tournaments do not end there as, nine days later, the Olympic men’s football tournament will get underway in France. That does not leave a lot of time between tournaments and for those hoping to perform at two major competitions in a single summer.There are 16 nations who will do battle for Olympic gold, silver and bronze. Among them are France, Argentina and Egypt. But will we be seeing superstars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah at the Olympic Games?Each team can name three players over the age of 23 to their 22-player squads — the rest have to be 23 or younger. So which household names will be going for gold?
France
Let’s start with host nation France. They begin their golden quest on home soil in Marseille against the United States. This will be the opening game of the tournament.The biggest question surrounding Kylian Mbappe is not about the club he will play for next season — which is surprising, given he has confirmed he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain but not his destination. However, Mbappe has long been tipped to join Real Madrid once his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires at the end of June. The more pertinent question is whether Mbappe will become an Olympian in the year his home city hosts the event.Speaking in 2021, Mbappe said every athlete wants to compete at the Olympics and referred to the tournament as the “Holy Grail”.
Giroud and Griezmann could be among the overage selections for France (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)
Madrid, though, will not release their players to feature in the tournament. FIFA’s rulebook states clubs must release players for the European Championship but not the Olympics. Should Mbappe join Madrid before then, it will be interesting to see whether France’s poster boy is allowed to play.Talk earlier in the year was that Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud could be the two overage players in the squad alongside Mbappe. Griezmann in March said he will do everything to be there. Meanwhile, Giroud has told L’Equipe this summer’s Euros will be his last tournament with France in order to make way for the next generation — although it is unclear whether that included playing for manager Thierry Henry at the Olympics.
The brilliance of Kylian Mbappe
- The incredible, inevitable rise of a superstar
- Breaking down how he can score any type of goal
- Shearer: Thank you for the beautiful madness of the 2022 final
- Denied a fairytale finale but PSG still have hope for the future
Argentina
From one World Cup-winning legend to another.Lionel Messi taking part in the Olympics in Paris, where he lived for two years while at PSG, would be box office. But can he do it?Messi, who turns 37 in June, will captain Argentina earlier in the summer as they pursue what would be a record 16th Copa America title. Should they go the distance, the turnaround time would be nine days until the start of the Olympics, when Argentina take on Morocco. And let’s face it — the magical, mystical Messi is not getting younger.The Inter Miami captain has already achieved Olympic glory at the 2008 games in Beijing alongside current under-23s head coach Javier Mascherano, who also won gold as a player in 2004. Mascherano will surely be keen on linking up with his former team-mate but Inter Miami will have a decision to make if a Messi request comes their way. Both the Copa and the Olympics are happening right in the middle of the Major League Soccer season.Mascherano recently said the door is open for Messi to play in the Olympics. And while we know it would be a huge deal for him to be there, no decision has yet been made on whether he will take up any potential invitation.Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was 23 at the start of the season, so can be selected by Mascherano as part of the under-23s side. Whether or not he has the green light to play from his club is not yet known. He is a key player for Chelsea. Will they really want him to hardly have a rest this summer?
Julian Alvarez could be on show, with Manchester City open to him playing.
How to follow Euro 2024 and Copa America on The Athletic…
Spain
The big debate in Spain is whether Barcelona’s teen sensations Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi could play at the Euros and Olympics or just one. Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has stated he does not approve of players being at both tournaments. This could therefore limit the opportunity not only for Yamal and Cubarsi but Gavi and Pedri too.Gavi will not return to full fitness from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered last year in time to play in Germany but should he be fit in time for the Olympics a month later. This will raise the question as to whether he may or may not be called up.
Yamal could be in the Spain squad (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona, though, are surely unlikely to make the same mistake as previous summers. In 2021 they allowed Pedri to play at the Olympics after he had featured six times for Spain as they reached the semi-finals of the Euros. Pedri then played every game as Spain reached the final in Tokyo, which they lost to Brazil. Shortly after, Pedri picked up a hamstring injury which kept him out of the majority of the 2021-22 season.
A fun name in the frame is Sergio Ramos. Could he captain Spain again and be the experienced figurehead in France? Now aged 38, Ramos was left out of both tournaments in 2021, and it is looking like history will repeat itself.
United States
It is looking unlikely Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams will represent the U.S. at the Olympics this summer. A home Copa America is the sole focus.Under-23s boss Marko Mitrovic named a provisional squad of 22 players for warm-up games in March. He named a young team and any overage players who do get the Olympic call are more likely to be among those senior players who missed the Copa cut.
Egypt
Mohamed Salah missed the Olympics three years ago. It has been non-stop over the last few years for the Liverpool winger. Salah has barely had a proper rest. Will his workload be upped in July by Olympic games selection or will he be on pre-season with Liverpool?It is currently unclear whether Salah will be among the Egyptian team travelling to Nantes for an opening game against the Dominican Republic.Head coach Rogerio Micale wants Salah to play at the Games. Egypt fans will surely want Salah there too. Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the U.S. will commence around the same time, though, and the club could block Salah’s participation — just as they did in 2021.This will be one of Arne Slot’s key decisions when he officially takes over from Jurgen Klopp in June. (Top photos: Getty Images)
Olympic analysis American Soccer Now
Analysis: Mitrovic names 25 to final pre-Olympic camp
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down the U.S. Olympic team’s final camp before departing for Paris in July. ASN will be in France this summer for the Olympics and has been covering the team in detail all cycle. Here is our report.
BY BRIAN SCIARETTAPOSTED MAY 29, 202412:00 PM
ON WEDNESDAY, United States Olympic team manager Marko Mitrovic announced his roster for the June camp that will conclude with a friendly against Japan on June 11 in Kansas City. This is the team’s fourth and final camp before the start of Olympic preparations and is the last chance for Mitrovic to look at players before he names his final roster in July.
For this camp, Mitrovic named a big roster of 25 players. It also included the first overage call-up with Walker Zimmerman making the list, which is a huge indication he will make the final team.
But assuming two more overage players get named and the age-eligible players all come from this camp, that means up to nine players in this roster will be cut to make the final 18-player Olympic team. With a final roster that small, there are a lot of tough decisions and this camp will be very important in deciding who makes the final team.
Here is the roster along with some key thoughts.
The Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; St. Charles, Mo.), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; Addison, Ill.)
DEFENDERS (7): Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; Oldsmar, Fla.), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; Lakewood, Calif.), Bryan Reynolds (KVC Westerlo/BEL; Fort Worth, Texas), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.), Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City/ENG; Plano, Texas), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC; Atlanta, Ga.), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; Lawrenceville, Ga.)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids; Littleton, Colo.), Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; Greensboro, N.C.), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Jack McGlynn
(Philadelphia Union; Queens, N.Y.), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Rokas Pukstas (Hajduk Split/CRO; Stillwater, Okla.), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia/ITA; Birmingham, Ala.)
FORWARDS (9): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Medford, N.J.), Esmir Bajraktarevic (New England Revolution; Appleton, Wisc.), Taylor Booth (Utrecht/NED; Eden, Utah), Cade Cowell (Guadalajara/MEX; Ceres, Calif.), Damion Downs (Köln/GER; Schwebenried, Germany), Johan Gomez (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER; Keller, Texas), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC; Omaha, Neb.), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg/GER; South Riding, Va.), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo/BEL; Clifton, Va.)
OVERAGE FOCUS
Walker Zimmerman is the first overage player to be involved with the team and his selection is obvious now that he has returned from injury. It was always obvious that Mitrovic was going to have to bolster the team’s central defense with overage picks. The age-eligible U-23 pool is very thin in central defense in MLS or first and second divisions in Europe.
When you exclude the five players who are currently in camp with the full USMNT, the options become even more limited. As most people know now, club releases for the Olympics are voluntary. Zimmerman is a player who has a lot of USMNT experience, is familiar with just about every player at this camp, and is in a situation where Nashville will let him go.
But why is Zimmerman the only overage player selected?
It wouldn’t be surprising if the remaining two options are currently with the USMNT. In Gregg Berhalter’s recent interview with the Washington Post, it was mentioned Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty as options. Zimmerman is almost certainly going after being named to this team. Robinson is probably a stronger candidate than Trusty right now given that he has chemistry with Zimmerman, and his release is more likely. If Trusty was a very strong Olympic candidate, his absence from this camp doesn’t make sense.
In terms of what is needed, look for another overage central defender and perhaps a versatile attacker.
4 OLYMPIC DEBUTS
Four age-eligible players were called up to their first camp with the Olympic team. The fact that these players are earning looks this late in the cycle probably reflects well on their part. It’s a tough barrier to break into any team this late and this is a legit opportunity for all four. If they play well at this camp, they could be Paris bound.
Here’s a look at how they got here.
Damion Downs: The FC Koln forward battled a concussion this season which saw him miss several months. But he also scored two game-winning goals during an intense Bundesliga relegation battle. In the end, Koln were relegated but Downs emerged as the team’s top forward off the bench. The 2.Bundesliga could give him a stage to contribute more, but will Koln trust him in a promotion race? He’s talented but raw. His strength is being big and physical, but his weakness is that he can drift out of games and struggles at times to get touches. Downs is a German-American and has been called up to one USYNT in the past.
For Downs, his main competition is Duncan McGuire who is well established in this team and who is looking for a summer transfer from Orlando City. Paperwork errors saw his January move to Blackburn fall through. But Downs also faces competition from Johan Gomez who plays for Eintracht Braunschweig of the 2.Bundesliga and has been involved in every camp. There is also a high likelihood of an overage forward is also named. Downs has a lot of competition, but still has an opportunity.
Jalen Neal: Neal has long been viewed as the best of an albeit weak generation of centerbacks. Last summer, the LA Galaxy refused to release him to the U-20 World Cup. Then in late July 2023, he was sidelined due to a sports hernia and suffered setbacks in his recovery. He is now back for the Galaxy and while he has shown some rust, he is on the path to getting back to his pre-injury level. While the chances are high Mitrovic takes two overage central defenders, he will need to take at least one age-eligible centerback. With Maximillian Dietz out with an injury, Neal compares very favorably to other options like Jonathan Tomkinson or George Campbell.
Rokas Pukstas: The Hajduk Split attacking midfielder finishes his second season as a regular starter for the Croatian club. This season he had seven goals and one assist. He’s well-liked by U.S. Soccer, enough to the point where they kept a roster spot open for him at the 2023 U-20 World Cup and allowed him to arrive after the group stages of the tournament.
He’s effective but still raw as a player and doesn’t get a lot of touches. He also scores a lot of goals from headers and is a good finisher, not necessarily a great creator aside from set pieces. He deserves a look but faces tough competition from players like Paxten Aaronson, Gianluca Busio, and maybe Diego Luna (who is not at this camp). He is also very young, at 19 years old.
Gaga Slonina: This is actually his first camp but he was called up to the March camp only to withdraw because of an injury. At this point, it seems very likely that Slonina and Patrick Schulte are the top two keepers for the Olympic team. Slonina had a tough season on loan from Chelsea to Eupen. The team’s relegation wasn’t his fault, but he was part of it. Watching his confidence at this camp will be key.
LUNA AMONG TOUGH OMISSIONS
With this team having only four camps and this being the team’s final camp, this is not a camp players want to miss if they have any hope of making the Olympic team. The player pool right now is mostly healthy. Greuther Furth defender Maximillian Dietz is injured, but Neal’s return and the use of overage players made him a bubble player.
Here is a look at some notable players who are out – not including U-23 players in camp with the senior USMNT.
Diego Luna: The Real Salt Lake attacking mid/winger is by far the most notable omission. While he started off the season slowly, he has been playing very well as of late as RSL has climbed the standings of the Western Conference. He is versatile, scrappy, and a creator, and his current form make his absence surprising.
Chris Brady: The Chicago Fire goalkeeper is frankly just behind Patrick Schulte and Gaga Slonina right now.
Brian Gutierrez: The Chicago Fire attacking mid/winger just hasn’t been in the mix for Mitrovic after the first camp. Mitrovic knows Gutierrez well from his days as a Fire assistant and Gutierrez just hasn’t been part of the team’s plans.
Quinn Sullivan: The versatile Philadelphia Union attacker/midfielder has had a good start to the 2024 season and he’s made some important strides in his game. But he hasn’t been with the team at all this cycle and it just seems like Mitrovic has him behind many others.
Obed Vargas: One of the players who is attempting to play up a cycle, Vargas has been playing well for Seattle lately but looks more like an option with the U.S. U-20 team, for now.
Bernard Kamungo: The FC Dallas winger ended 2023 in great form and had a very good start to the U.S. U-23 cycle. But his form has been off to start 2024 and the winger pool is competitive.
Dan Edelman: The 2023 U.S. U-20 World Cup captain made his U.S. U-23 debut in March but is not part of this camp. He’s competing with Aidan Morris and Tanner Tessmann, which is not easy.
Josh Atencio: Another defensive midfielder, but the Seattle Sounder has a lot of competition for a spot.
CREMASCHI & BAJRAKTAREVIC PLAYING UP
Two players are on this team who are attempting to play up a cycle. This means they are also eligible for the 2025 U-20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. It’s a tough hurdle to make a U-23 team up a cycle, but Benja Cremaschi and Esmir Bajraktarevic have been there for most of this cycle. Unsurprisingly, Mitrovic knows both players very well from his previous job as the U.S. U-19 head coach.
Here is a look at both players:
Esmir Bajraktarevic: The crafty winger is one of the top American teenagers in MLS but is stuck on a Revolution team that is off to a disastrous start amid with reports of player unhappiness. It’s been hard for him to stand out with the Revs. To make the Olympic team, he will have to beat out most of a long list that includes Cremaschi, Pardes, Yow, Aaronson, Booth, and Luna.
Benja Cremaschi: The Inter Miami attacking midfielder missed time with his club and the Olympic team due to a sports hernia operation. But he was part of the Olympic team for the first two camps. Playing alongside Messi, Suarez, and Busquets will help any player but Cremaschi is coming off a solid performance in an away win over Vancouver where Miami didn’t have its older stars. He is going to have to beat out tough players to make the team, but it looks like Mitrovic rates Cremaschi as well.
BASSETT AND BOOTH RETURN
Two players who return from the team after a period away are Cole Bassett and Taylor Booth. Both players are in position to fight for a roster spot on the Olympic team.
Taylor Booth was part of the team’s first two camps but was not part of the team in March due to a knee injury he suffered in February. He has returned to Utrecht the past month. His form hasn’t been as strong as it was preinjury (where he had five goals in two games before the injury) but this camp will give him an opportunity to compete. He’s not a lock, but he is a strong candidate.
Meanwhile, Cole Bassett is a player who was part of the November camp but then left off the USMNT January camp and March Olympic camps. But his form for Colorado has been outstanding to start the season (5 goals, 3 assists, 1347 minutes). You can’t ignore a player who enters camp red hot. We’ve seen this with Griffin Yow on this Olympic team as he is now a favorite to go to Paris.
The rosters for major youth tournaments are often about who is in the best form in the months leading into a major tournament. Bassett might have a chance if he can translate his form with Colorado into this camp.
LOTS OF COMPETITION, FEW LOCKS
In terms of this roster, there is a lot of competition. There just aren’t many locks. Some players seem very likely to go.
Tanner Tessmann, Gianluca Busio, Patrick Schulte, Aidan Morris, Gaga Slonina, Kevin Paredes, and Paxten Aaronson are as close to locks as you might expect. Even then, there are strange things that can happen. For example, if Gio Reyna is allowed to play at the Olympics, then that could change things for Aaronson or Busio.
Bryan Reynolds has a very good chance of going given his consistent involvement and Nathan Harriel has been apart of every single camp – showing a useful versatility off the bench. Unless the roster gets expanded (and in 2021, the Olympic roster was increased from 18 to 22 just three weeks before the start of the tournament), then 18 players brings an entirely different dynamic. Coaches have their starting XI but then the backups must be versatile because there is not enough roster space to have a one-for-one backup at every position. There are 25 players on this roster. There are two more overage players who will join and there are a few other age eligible players on the USMNT who might be allowed to play in the Olympics. There seems to be a lot up for grabs right now. This camp is going to decide a lot.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes brings unique personality back to the country that ‘made’ her
By Meg Linehan The Athletic
Emma Hayes won her fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title with Chelsea on Saturday. On Wednesday, she arrived in Newark off her flight from Heathrow, and by Thursday morning she was awaiting a whirlwind media tour introducing her to an American audience that she, in some form, already knew.But before the car picked her up from her hotel to begin that tour, she took a walk in the morning through Central Park, early as it was.New York City is a place where anonymity and fame can happen simultaneously, where the incoming head coach of the U.S. women’s national team can take a long, meandering walk through an often-bustling park and have that moment to herself before the pressure fully sets in.In a few months, after she takes charge of the U.S. women’s national team at the Paris Olympics, Hayes might not have the leisure of taking a walk anywhere without being recognized.At her first stop on Thursday at 30 Rock to appear on the Today Show, Hayes delivered the perfect line for those watching at home, unfamiliar with her journey as a coach — a winding two decades that ended with her in the highest profile coaching role in women’s soccer.“I’m lucky to be born in England, but made in America.”For Emma Hayes, who spent many years in her early career as a coach in New York, the paths of Central Park — and the city itself — already felt like home.
Hayes previously spent time coaching in New York. (Photo by USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Hours after her first national TV hit, and after an early summer thunderstorm blew through Manhattan, Hayes settled in at the head of a table in a conference room at the NWSL offices near Bryant Park. Behind her, a massive window showed the streets below, the sidewalks filled, sunlight filtering in between the skyscrapers.“Walking around New York, you can just imagine me getting off at Newark yesterday and thinking, ‘I remember those days,” Hayes told the small roundtable of reporters assembled for her first day on the job. Hayes lived in New York for seven years, and she remembered them well both for all of the challenges they presented a young coach, but also for the fulfillment they provide, and the lifetime friendships.She had first come to New York from England having coached a bit in some youth programs in Liverpool and London, with her playing career ended years before thanks to a skiing accident as a teenager.“(I was) fighting to stay in the country on different visas,” she recalled. “Wondering where I’m going to get enough to pay the rent in the next upcoming block. What am I going to do next?”
Those who knew Emma Hayes as a young coach in New York say she was ‘destined for greatness’
She coached teams in Syosset and Port Washington (both in suburban Long Island) and said she spent “many a time underneath the Throgs Neck” – referring to the Throgs Neck bridge that links the boroughs of Queens and the Bronx, which overlooks a soccer field at Little Bay Park.For a while, Hayes said, she had an apartment in Washington Heights, near the northern tip of Manhattan. She used to look out at the George Washington Bridge, take her walks then in Fort Tryon Park. It’s easy to imagine a 20-something Hayes wandering through that bucolic park’s numerous features: the heather garden, blooming with colors overlooking the Hudson River; the Cloisters, the Met’s medieval art collection housed in a castle; maybe through the Billings Arcade down below, a stone arch essentially created as a Gilded Age driveway.Hayes, in many ways, has contributed to the mythologizing of those early days.“I’ve got so many fond memories of turning up in Long Island with a backpack and a thousand dollars and working for clubs across the whole of Long Island and Westchester and New York City,” she said in her introductory Q&A with U.S. Soccer, published in November. “I’ve experienced everything from intramural soccer, recreational Sunday soccer, to the collegiate game, to USL, to the pro game, to state ODP, regionals.”On Thursday, she brought up many of those same organizations again, mentioning friends like Lisa Cole, a longtime coach and current technical advisor to the Zambia national team. Cole was visiting Hayes in London when she learned she got the USWNT job.“My journey has been bottom-up, so I have such an appreciation, not just of the landscape, but my journey,” Hayes said last week. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point. You can dream for something — we all have dreams — but it’s not often your dreams become reality.”It wasn’t a long leap from her own story to that of the American dream, but Hayes tied both to her future with the USWNT.“I always grew up with that notion of this whole American dream concept that you can come to the country, work in a certain way — and as a woman coming from England, trust me, I never felt more supported than I did when I worked in the U.S.,” she said. “To work my way up through the system, to now be the head coach for the USWNT, as far as I’m concerned, I will give it absolutely everything I’ve got to make sure I uphold the traditions of this team.”
Hayes won five consecutive WSL titles with Chelsea. (Photo by Clive Brunskill, Getty Images)
Hayes’s nostalgia-heavy trip to New York City only lasted about 48 hours before she was off to Denver for her first camp with the USWNT, but it provided a reminder of what’s changed in the time since.“As a parent, I know where the toy shops are now,” Hayes said, noting with a smile she had passed a few already on Thursday. The presence of her son, Harry, had played a role in her departure from Chelsea, as the long hours and grind of the club season proved incompatible with solo parenthood.“Everybody’s under pressure, everybody’s got to get headlines. Everybody’s got to grab content,” she said at the time earlier this year, after deleting her social media accounts following a loss to Liverpool that had put Chelsea’s title run into question. “For football managers, we’re in an impossible position. Because every day we’re in a place where, no matter what we say, it will be turned into something that gets you guys (the media) paid and at the same time puts us in a position where we’re just pieces of meat.”By Thursday, her accounts had been restored and she was posting a few behind-the-scenes looks of her arrival in the States, a photo with Chris Pratt while at the “Today Show” and a video the NWSL cooked up about watching games on their streaming platform.In an hour-long meeting with reporters that could have felt transactional, Hayes never shied away from being personal. She embraced it, just as she said she embraced the pressure of the role, despite going on record a few times about how she’d actually much prefer “a quiet life” out of the spotlight. She mentioned that she didn’t mind the long list of media appearances and interviews on Thursday, just as long as they didn’t happen every three days.The spotlight will shine much brighter with the USWNT, but Hayes seems ready for it. She danced around the question of what color medal the USWNT will bring back from Paris on the “Today Show,” instead providing an answer that focused on the process. She did the same later in the day when asked about how she wanted to approach external messaging on the goals of the team.
“I want to focus on the process and the performance,” she said. “For me, it’s absolutely essential.”
For a team that’s been at the sharp end of many bad-faith attacks following its early World Cup exit, “essential” feels too light a word. A focus on the process could mean that results won’t be tied to self-worth and that everyone can still claim their humanness at the end of the day.In one of the last questions she received, Hayes was asked what she’d bring to the USWNT as head coach that no one ever has before. She answered, fast as a New York minute, with a smile.“Oh, you’re never gonna get anybody with a personality like me!”(Top photo: Brad Smith/Getty Images for USSF)
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