US Men Set to play international window with an interim coach while we wait for Pachitino to finally be announced officially. Interesting that we are missing a bunch of starters for this week’s games — pointing to the US not really worrying about this series of games – including a huge match up with Canadian big mouth coach who predicted a 2-1 victory for the mounties this weekend. I for one and happy to see Barca’s Kochen in camp – would love to see the youngster get a shot to grab the top slot soon. With Horvath and Turner screwing up their English opportunities – it might well be time to determine who’s next and moving on. Is Kochen perhaps better than Gaga Slovenia? Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see this week.

The 24-player USMNT roster for Sat Sept 7 vs Canada 4 pm & Tues Sept 10 7 pm on TBS & HBO Max

GOALKEEPERS (4): Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona II), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

DEFENDERS (8): Auston Trusty (Celtic FC), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Tolouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)

FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

vs Canada — Saturday, Sept. 7 — Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas – 4pm ET
vs New Zealand — Tuesday, Sept. 10 — TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio – 7pm ET

To show how excited I am — I am not even considering going to Cincy Tues night — I have been to every other US Men’s or Ladies game that has ever been played in Cincy. If it was vs Canada I would be going. Oh well.

TV SCHEDULE

Sat, Sept 5

12 noon FS1 England vs Ireland

2:45 pm FS2 Netherlands vs Bosnia

How will USMNT lineup versus Canada? U.S. roster for friendlies

NBC Sports Wed, Sep 4, 2024, 8:31 AM EDT·4 min read

The United States men’s national team, still awaiting the unveiling of expected new boss Mauricio Pochettino, is set for a pair of home friendlies this month versus Canada and New Zealand.

The first USMNT matches since the team’s Copa America flameout, a stunning group stage flop that cost Gregg Berhalter his second stint as coach, will see new names and a few big absences.

Fulham’s Antonee Robinson is being given a month off after playing with an injury for some time, while Bournemouth‘s Tyler Adams is dealing with an injury setback and Weston McKennie is allowed to stay with Juventus to get more training time after a truncated preseason.

[ MORE: USMNT in 2024 — Schedule, results ]

McKennie’s club teammate Timothy Weah is also injured and won’t get a chance to test the USMNT waters after his poor red card in Copa America, while Sergino Dest remains out of action with his long-term injury.Also not in the fold? Cameron Carter-Vickers, Miles Robinson, Gaga Slonina, Lennard Maloney, and Kevin Paredes. That will lead to some interesting lineups. In charge is Mikey Varas, the well-respected San Francisco native who led the U.S. U-20 team after stints with the FC Dallas and Sacramento Republic set-ups.Will Varas choose to go full-strength twice? If not, will he rotate stars in and out or choose a star-heavy lineup once and a new-face heavy team the second time? If so, it would make sense that Christian Pulisic and the big names start against Canada and are on the bench to start versus New Zealand.Let’s see how the USMNT might look after peering at the full squad by position below.

USMNT roster for friendlies vs Canada, New Zealand

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona II), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Auston Trusty (Celtic), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Tolouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg)

Midfielders:: Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/)

Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

USMNT new faces cheat sheet: Who are Diego Kochen, Marlon Fossey, and Aidan Morris?

For those who might be unfamiliar with some of the few-capped or uncapped players in the team….

Marlon Fossey: The Standard Liege right back will turn 26 during camp and has not represented the U.S. since 2017 with the U-20s. The Los Angeles-born Fossey was in the Fulham set-up from 2009-22, taking loans to Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers before transferring to Standard Liege in 2022. He’s a regular start for Standard, going 90 minutes in all six of their 2024-25 matches.

Diego Kochen: The 18-year-old is a dual national (Peru), and has represented the U.S. and u-17 and u-19 levels. He’s on Barcelona’s second team but was on the bench for 26 La Liga matches last season.

Aidan Morris: The 22-year-old made his debut at the 2023 Gold Cup and all three of his other caps came in international friendlies (two in off-window January games). He came up with Columbus Crew and is impressing in his first season with Middlesbrough in England‘s Championship, where he’s chewing up minutes at defensive mid.

How will USMNT lineup versus Canada? Best XI

Let’s start by establishing parameters here: Given the absences mentioned above, the Yanks are shy their pretty nailed-on starters at right back, left back, right wing, holding mid, and box-to-box center mid.

With a pretty versatile set of forwards, Gio Reyna or Malik Tillman could play right wing or in the hold. Yunus Musah is also quite versatile and could play in a wide position to allow Luca de la Torre to play, but this seems most likely.

Another note: Matt Turner’s inclusion despite a recent loan move does seem like a chance to get him live action, though there could be a notion to rotate there, too.

Matt Turner

Joe Scally — Chris Richards — Tim Ream — Kristoffer Lund

Johnny Cardoso — Yunus Musah

Giovanni Reyna — Malik Tillman — Christian Pulisic

Folarin Balogun

How will USMNT lineup versus Canada? Experimental

Matt Turner

Marlon Fossey — Chris Richards — Tim Ream — Caleb Wiley

Yunus Musah — Luca de la Torre

Brenden Aaronson — Giovanni Reyna — Christian Pulisic

Ricardo Pepi

Alex Morgan announces retirement from soccer

She will play her final match on Sunday.

By Donald Wine II@blazindw  Sep 5, 2024, 9:22am PDT  

A legend is leaving the game. Today, Alex Morgan announced that she will be retiring from soccer in a heartfelt message posted on social media. She will play her final match on Sunday when the San Diego Wave host the North Carolina Courage.

Alex Morgan is one of the most decorated and heralded players in U.S. Soccer history. Nicknamed “Baby Horse” early on, she joined the national team in 2010 and had 224 caps for the United States Women’s National Team, ninth-most all time. She finishes fifth in USWNT history with 123 goals, and 9th in all-time assists with 53. The USWNT was 177W-15L-32D in matches where she was on the field. More brilliantly, the USWNT never lost (76W-0L-10D) in the 86 matches where Alex Morgan scored.

She was a winner on all levels, winning the 2011 WPS title with the Western New York Flash and winning a NWSL title with the Portland Thorns in 2013. She won the Divsion 1 Féminine, the French Cup, and the Women’s Champions League in her lone season with Lyon, and she won the 2023 NWSL Shield and 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup with the San Diego Wave. On the international level, her winning began in her youth as she was a member of the USWNT U-20 squad that won the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2008. On the senior national team, she won the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup, a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics, 3 Concacaf Women’s Championships, 2 Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournaments, 3 Algarve Cups, 6 SheBelieves Cups, and the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup.

Morgan also announced that she is pregnant with her second child, and she will play in her final match on Sunday.

“I grew up on this team, it was so much more than soccer,” said Morgan in a statement released by U.S. Soccer. “It was the friendships and the unwavering respect and support among each other, the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, and the pivotal moments of success both on and off the field. I am so incredibly honored to have borrowed the crest for more than 15 years. I learned so much about myself in that time and so much of that is a credit to my teammates and our fans. I feel immense pride in where this team is headed, and I will forever be a fan of the USWNT. My desire for success may have always driven me, but what I got in return was more than I could have ever asked and hoped for.”

It is unclear when there will be a celebration of her career at a USWNT match. The USWNT are next in action in three home matches in late October, and it’s assumed that one of them will be that celebration. For now, fans can tune in or attend the match on Sunday to salute one of the great players in U.S. Soccer history.

USA vs. Canada, 2024 Friendly: What to watch for

The USMNT waits for the new manager.

By Brendan Joseph  Sep 6, 2024, 6:30am PDT  

The United States Men’s National Team is embarking on the first international window of the post-Gregg Berhalter era without a permanent manager in the technical area. Despite the maelstrom of rumors linking Mauricio Pochettino to the open position, Mikey Varas will serve in an interim role for the two friendlies and named a 24-player training camp roster. The first match is against rivals Canada, which enjoyed the breakout summer performance at the Copa América that was originally predicted for their two North American Football Union foes.

Ranked as the 40^th best team in the world by FIFA, Les Rouges (The Reds) have become more of a rival over the past decade, particularly as the program’s talent base has improved. The two sides last faced off in the quarterfinal round of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the USMNT claiming a shootout victory, 2-2 (3-2). Despite that match being a little over a year ago, there have been sea changes as both programs experienced managerial switches and drastic shifts in form. As the series continues, Canada should continue to notch impressive results and provide further dramatic chapters in the climb toward regional supremacy.

Latest Form

USA

L (0-1) – Uruguay – Copa América Group C

L (1-2) – Panama – Copa América Group C

W (2-0) – Bolivia – Copa América Group C

D (1-1) – Brazil – Friendly

L (1-5) – Colombia – Friendly

Canada

L (2-2 [3-4]) – Uruguay – Copa América Third Place

L (0-2) – Argentina – Copa América Semifinal

W (1-1 [4-3]) – Venezuela – Copa América Quarterfinal

D (0-0) – Chile – Copa América Group A

W (1-0) – Peru – Copa América Group A

What To Watch For

Whose tactics are these? There is a constant drumbeat of Pochettino stories with the assumption that his appointment is mere days from being announced. While Varas is in control of the squad and calling the shots for this camp, perhaps there will be a few lineup choices or tactical tweaks that seem suspiciously similar to the Argentine’s proclivities. The World Cup is less than two years away, and every match counts, whether he is officially leading the program or not.

Who steps up? There are quite a few notable absences, including but not limited to Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Timothy Weah, and Sergiño Dest. There will be opportunities for multiple players to step up during the window and carve out a place in the squad. Johnny Cardoso is drawing a slew of transfer interest due to his “exceptional skills, versatility, impressive work effort,” although he is yet to have his true breakout performance with the USMNT. His success at the club level will eventually translate, as a player of his quality cannot be contained for very long.

Handling the press. Canada is going to push the opposing defensive line and force turnovers in advantageous areas, tactics that would have thrived against Berhalter’s attempts at playing out of back. Will there be more of a focus on verticality and Route One soccer in order to bypass the dangerous areas? Certain USMNT players are a better fit for the old style, while others might benefit from run-and-gun or bunker-and-counter gameplans. The rumored upcoming manager (whose sides also employ a front-foot counter-press) could leave some regulars out in the cold.

Lineup Prediction

Varas is missing several key contributors to the squad, but friendlies are typically an opportunity for experimentation and providing a shot to less-used players. However, in this interim period, there are unlikely to be drastic formational or tactical alterations.

Despite struggles at the club level, Matt Turner remains the presumed number-one goalkeeper until a challenger wrests the position from his gloves. Tim Ream is likely being saved for the New Zealand friendly, and Kristoffer Lund gets his chance to shine with multiple fullback absences. While Mark McKenzie failed to grab more of a role following his two starts at the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, he should be a heavy favorite to form the centre-back partnership with Chris Richards at the upcoming World Cup. The openings in the midfield offer opportunities for several players to make their mark, jockeying for every chance to prove their value, with ball-playing under pressure and line-splitting at a priority against high-pressing tactics. Haji Wright steps into the lineup at winger for the injured Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun retains his spot after two finishes at the Copa América.

Prediction

Both sides attempt to dominate the game, and, while there are some fireworks, proceedings end in a 1-1 draw.

What are your predicti

USMNT watchlist: With key starters out injured, here’s who could rise to the occasion

By Jeff Rueter Sep 6, 2024

---

With the benefit of hindsight, 2024 will be remembered as a year of needed transition for the U.S. men’s national team. This September provides the first chance to move on from the team’s failure at the Copa America.Although the program has moved on from former head coach Gregg Berhalter, this reunion comes under interim leadership. Mikey Varas will oversee a squad of mainstays and fresh faces as U.S. Soccer works to finalize a contract with Mauricio Pochettino.

This summer also saw several crucial United States internationals fail to improve their club situations before the transfer window closed. From players unable to secure upward moves to others still toiling in bench roles, it’s worth questioning the overall caliber of the pool’s top end. However, these four players (and others) have landed on Varas’ squad thanks to strong consistent play at the club level. Against Canada and New Zealand, they’ll hope to bolster their cases for greater inclusion in the months and years ahead.

---

Patrick Schulte, goalkeeper, Columbus Crew

Among the most frustrating situations in the recent transfer window, Matt Turner failed to find a move away from Nottingham Forest that would result in consistent starts. Instead, he’s gone from third or fourth on that club’s depth chart to backing up Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace. It’s a far from ideal scenario for the 30-year-old, who hasn’t been a regular starter since February and may again struggle to maintain form between international windows.From a USMNT perspective, there haven’t been obvious and viable alternatives for the position since Turner was dropped last winter.Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte could challenge Turner for starts based on form and potential alike. The 23-year-old parlayed a clutch turn during the Crew’s run to winning MLS Cup 2023 into a starting spot at this summer’s Olympics, backstopping the United States U-23s to a quarterfinal showing.Schulte leads all MLS goalkeepers — not just domestic options — with a +33.7 per cent goal prevention rate, far ahead of the league’s average this season of 6.7 per cent. For comparison’s sake, that approaches Turner in 2019 (+38.3 per cent) and 2020 (+35.6% per cent), and is ahead of Turner’s rate of +15.7 per cent when he won goalkeeper of the year in 2021.Schulte is also used to playing out from the back under Wilfried Nancy, while his 46.1 per cent completion rate when passing at least 35 yards ranks 5th this season. (Turner had a 42.2 per cent rate with New England from 2019 through 2022.)

Many will focus on Diego Kochen’s presence on the roster, as the FC Barcelona II teenager makes his first senior international squad. Don’t overlook Schulte, though — he could pose a threat to Turner’s spot atop the depth chart between now and the 2026 World Cup.

Auston Trusty, center back, Celtic FC

While the USMNT pool has plenty of options at center back, few have cemented places in the first-choice squad. Tim Ream started all three games at the Copa America, but the veteran is a month shy of his 37th birthday and a succession plan is long overdue. Beyond Ream and Chris Richards, other alternatives have been unconvincing since the 2022 World Cup.

When Auston Trusty first moved from the Colorado Rapids to Arsenal, it elicited memes of staying within the Stan Kroenke family conglomerate. However, the move has done wonders for the 26-year-old. A loan spell at Birmingham City and a year with Sheffield United earned him a summer move to Celtic. Although he hasn’t yet debuted for the three-time reigning Premiership champion, he’ll slot in next to Cameron Carter-Vickers as the duo hopes to bolster their USMNT chances in tandem.

Although Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League, Trusty logged 32 appearances and 2,573 minutes in the world’s stoutest circuit. Playing for a perennial title favorite should allow him to showcase his abilities under far less duress, especially the left-footed defender’s passing acumen that often shone brightly during his time in MLS.It’s a congested position, but one lacking viable prospects — so much so that Olympic men’s coach Marko Mitrovic used two of his three over-23 slots on central defenders for the Paris Games. That doesn’t bode well for the program’s mid-to-long-term future, but it keeps the door open for Trusty, Carter-Vickers and others to keep making their case.

Marlon Fossey, right-back, Standard Liege

Long among the program’s deepest positions, the USMNT is worryingly thin at right-back. That much was laid bare this summer, as Sergino Dest’s ACL tear left Berhalter with a scarcity of alternatives ahead of the Copa America. Joe Scally struggled mightily throughout the tournament but is still in line to top the depth chart until Dest returns. With DeAndre Yedlin and Shaq Moore rotated in and out over the past two years, Bryan Reynolds still playing at Westerlo and Reggie Cannon’s career in limbo amid a contract kerfuffle, the door is open for alternatives.Enter Marlon Fossey, something of a post-hype sleeper, to borrow fantasy football parlance. A promising member of Fulham’s ranks from 2009 until 2022, the 25-year-old has spent the last two seasons enjoying regular starts with Standard de Liège. Fossey has logged 3,850 Pro League minutes for the Belgian club in just over two seasons and has played all 540 minutes of their campaign this season.

The Los Angeles-born right back is a capable ball carrier, with his 2.72 progressive carries per 90 minutes ranking in the 80th percentile of all full-backs in FBref’s Men’s Next 14 Competitions. He has increased his crossing volume since moving to Belgium, sending in an average of 2.7 crosses per 90 minutes since the start of 2023-24. FBref assesses his most comparable full-back peer to be… Kristoffer Lund, who broke into the senior squad late in Berhalter’s tenure and is also part of this September’s roster.It’s unclear how high to set expectations for Fossey, as he plays for a lower-half club in a competition beneath Europe’s highest standard. Still, his move into the senior national team has been long-awaited, and he has rounded out his game considerably over the past two years. With Dest expected to not return until 2025, Fossey could have a few chances to impress and stick around the USMNT.

Aidan Morris, center midfielder, Middlesbrough

Central midfield has been an area of strength for the program since the dawn of Berhalter’s tenure. However, that once-unimpeachable stature has looked increasingly unstable following the 2022 World Cup.It’s far easier to say “MMA” than to keep all three of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams on the field at once. In particular, Adams has struggled to stay fit since his final months with Leeds in 2023. Although Johnny Cardoso has become the team’s backup defensive midfielder, there’s still a scarcity of obvious alternatives in more advanced roles — especially as Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna look more at home when playing close to the forward line than in the heart of the park.With Adams and McKennie unavailable for this camp, Varas will have the freedom to construct a midfield from scratch. Aidan Morris will likely see meaningful time, and it’s wholly deserved in his current form. Morris had a storied if brief tenure with the Columbus Crew, rising from the academy in time to start in their 2020 MLS Cup triumph before becoming a first-choice option in ensuing seasons. Morris again won MLS Cup in 2023, this time as a central cog in Nancy’s eye-catching juggernaut.

Morris made a $4million (£3m) move to Middlesbrough this summer, instantly working into Michael Carrick’s teamsheet for the new Championship campaign. He hasn’t struggled with the transition whatsoever, even as his distributive role in two similar possession-based systems has changed.

Morris continues to do a lot of the short-distance engine room distribution that made his partnership with Darlington Nagbe so remarkable in MLS. What he has yet to tap into since moving to England is his knack for slinging long diagonals toward the flank — a ball that Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah long for with the USMNT.Morris is the only midfielder at this camp who wasn’t a regular under Berhalter, the first of a rising wave of options from the youth ranks. While his transfer ruled him out for the Olympics, that tournament reinforced that Tanner Tessmann and Gianluca Busio are ready for senior team looks. That doesn’t factor for many other options like Jack McGlynn, Benja Cremaschi, Cole Bassett or Daniel Edelman.If Morris can impress in this camp and retain his form in England, he should have an inside track to stick around for a look under Pochettino.(Top photos: John Dorton / Getty Images)

Who is Mikey Varas, USMNT’s ‘attentive’ and ‘methodical’ interim coach?

By Greg O’KeeffeSep 5, 2024 The Athletic

---

They might be waiting for the alluring promise of the Mauricio Pochettino era to begin, but the USMNT cannot afford to lose focus over the next week.

The next seven days bring two friendly fixtures, which allow the team to draw a line under their regressive Copa America campaign and recapture the imagination of supporters following that bumpy summer.But while the appointment of the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss may be the biggest driver in that regard, the catalyst can also come via convincing performances against CONCACAF rivals Canada on Saturday, then New Zealand next Wednesday.That’s where Mikey Varas comes in. An assistant coach under Gregg Berhalter, who paid for that disappointing Copa campaign with his job, Varas is interim manager for the fixtures in Kansas City and Cincinnati.But what can fans expect from the low-profile former FC Dallas assistant manager?Luchi Gonzalez has known 41-year-old Varas for a decade and their paths have crossed repeatedly in the game. The ex-San Jose Earthquakes coach rates him so highly that when he was in charge of FC Dallas in 2018, he wasted little time in bringing Varas, then the club’s academy manager, onto his first-team staff.“The game is his life and I had the pleasure of living it with him,” says Gonzalez, who parted company with the Quakes in June after joining ahead of the 2023 season.“Mikey is one of the most talented soccer minds in the country. At Dallas, the academy teams were flying under him, the national youth teams (Varas was the U.S. Under-20 coach before assisting Berhalter) flew under him and I have no doubt he’ll make an impact with the senior team in these games.”

Luchi Gonzalez had Varas as part of his coaching staff at FC Dallas (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Gonzalez says Varas is a deep thinker who he trusted with a variety of roles but particularly excelled in training methods and innovation.“We did our A License coaching badge together in 2013 and became close,” he explains. “We have similar philosophies about the game and player development.“So when I was made head coach at Dallas, it was obvious for me to bring him onto my staff. We were all new in that environment and at that level of competition, but for the three years we worked together, we qualified for the playoffs in two of them.“He really helped us step up our training methodology, in technical and tactical terms, and he did great work with our attacking set pieces as well.”Peter Luccin, the former Atletico Madrid midfielder and now FC Dallas’s interim head coach, worked with Varas as an assistant to Gonzalez at Toyota Stadium.“Mikey is firm in what he believes in but also an open-minded guy at the same time,” says the Frenchman, who also played for PSG and Marseille before moving into coaching in MLS.“He is attentive and methodical. We all 100 per cent thought he was going to go on to big things in his coaching career.”Luccin describes his friend as a patriot who will be incredibly proud to steer the national team through these September games, but says he is also an intense competitor who will demand full commitment from his temporary charges, even if there are no points to be played for.“He would play in our staff five-a-side games and take them very seriously,” he recalls. “He’d be extremely competitive. That’s how Mikey is.“He was a good-quality midfielder as a player and very technically gifted with both feet, but as a coach, it’s his work with young players that has caught the eye a lot. He excelled in that early in his career (one of Varas’ early roles was as Sacramento Republic’s under-14s coach in 2016). That is maybe what has been in the federation’s thinking in making him interim manager.

Varas will guide the USMNT during friendlies against Canada and New Zealand (Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

“As you can see from his roster, he is prepared to give young players a chance. I’m sure they asked him to do that and he is the right guy for this moment.”Varas, according to Luccin, enjoys spending time with his family when he is not traveling to watch games. He is looking forward to watching his friend’s big moment on Saturday.“I’d be watching these games anyway but of course with extra interest now,” he says. “It’s huge for Mikey and he deserves it. He will get to work with these unbelievable players at the top level and the exposure will be great.”The two spoke briefly when Varas’ appointment was announced and Luccin’s advice was simple. “I told him to enjoy it,” he says, “to smile and enjoy the moment while pushing the players like I know he will.“He has a winning mentality and I don’t know what will come next for him after this, but I know it will be a bright future.”

When life gives Mauricio Pochettino lemons, he believes the good times are coming

USWNT won Olympic gold without Alex Morgan, but her impact extends beyond on-field wins

Steph Yang Sep 5, 2024

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article to reflect Alex Morgan’s retirement announcement on Sept. 5, 2024. The story was first published on Aug. 1, 2024.

Alex Morgan was inescapable this summer, but not because she went to the Olympics. Whether it’s Coca-Cola commercials or Reese’s Instagram ads, she was on every screen and every device. Sponsors made these deals expecting Morgan to be on the U.S. women’s national team roster for the Paris Games. But when head coach Emma Hayes announced her team in June, the unthinkable happened: no Morgan.

Advertisement

It was a surprise and yet it wasn’t.Morgan has played for the United States in every major tournament they’ve participated in since 2011. She has won the World Cup twice, worn Olympic gold and bronze medals, and with 123 goals, is eighth on the women’s all-time international goals scored list. She is also on the downslope of her career, having long ago left behind the “baby horse” moniker fondly bestowed on her by senior teammates and becoming the senior teammate herself. “Putting a squad together, you’re always going to disappoint someone,” said Hayes during a podcast taping for “The Women’s Game” with Sam Mewis. “I think when it comes to Alex, first of all, there’s no easy way to give someone crap news…. The human piece for me is around the delivery of that (news). But also accepting that no matter the situation, there’s always gonna be somebody who doesn’t like the decision.”

Emotionally, it’s always jarring to see a great generational player sunsetted by a coach. The name “Alex Morgan” has been synonymous with the USWNT for over a decade. But logistically and tactically, there was certainly an argument for leaving the 35-year-old Morgan and taking a newer generation of scoring talent, one that is still bolstered by veteran presence from Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan, Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle.

As the USWNT captured gold against Brazil, there was no question of needing another veteran. Hayes’ preferred starting front three of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman dazzled, with rookie Croix Bethune waiting in the wings.

The end of Morgan’s time with the U.S. was writing on the wall when Hayes first left her off the W Gold Cup roster in February. Morgan was only called in after Chelsea forward Mia Fishel tore her ACL in training. It’s hard not to assign symbolism to the image of Morgan in a differently-numbered jersey, sporting a No 7 in place of her iconic No 13 due to CONCACAF rules about wearing the same number as the player you replace. After 14 years in the No 13 jersey, the number is almost as much a part of her brand as her actual play on the field.

Advertisement

https://633e4eaff12b02b17613628e287de448.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Morgan scored two goals in that tournament, one of them a penalty. It was her first goal in 10 international games, covering more than a year. On Thursday, she announced she was retiring from the sport and expecting her second child. Her final game will take place on Sunday against North Carolina Courage in the NWSL.

Her on-field role has increasingly become as much about the damage she can absorb as she pulls attention away from other players as it is about scoring. That defensive attention is a hallmark of the respect she has still accorded, the danger she still presents in front of goal. But it’s no longer consistent, varied or efficient enough to justify a spot on the toughest international roster to make, at least not in Hayes’ mind.

---

Still, in the face of declining stats, there was always the argument for Morgan’s presence as a veteran and a leader. She was, until recently, co-captain with Lindsey Horan, someone whose voice carried authority with both teammates and fans. When midfielder Korbin Albert’s anti-LGBTQ social media posts began circulating widely, Morgan was out in front of the cameras with Horan at her side, reading a prepared team statement about maintaining a respectful space and speaking internally to Albert. It was unquestionably a captain’s job, intercepting scrutiny on behalf of the team, the kind of thankless task that comes with the armband.

Horan has taken leadership lessons from Morgan, too, while she’s still learning on the job as the new, and only, team captain.

“Experiencing a World Cup with Alex was crucial for that experience,” Horan said in New York before leaving for France.

Horan credits Morgan for helping her take on the role of captain (Brad Smith, Getty Images)

Before Horan, Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were co-captains. The two arranged team dinners before camps so the players could bond and have a night out.

“There are things that exist (that) leaders and veterans on this team have been doing for many years and it’s kind of been passed down,” said defender Naomi Girma, who said that in this iteration of the USWNT, Emily Sonnett and Lavelle arranged the latest team dinner in New York. “Everyone is so special in their own way, so there’s never going to be another one of an Alex or Pinoe.”

Advertisement

Sonnet, who was on the 2019 and 2023 World Cup teams with Morgan and Rapinoe, said the players often do things they think the two former leaders would have done.

“Alex is an incredible leader and she’s been on this team for so many years,” said Sonnett. “Leaders like Lindsey, Mal (Swanson), Rose, they’re definitely remembering things that Alex, Pinoe, who aren’t on this roster, what they would be doing because we’ve just been around them for so many years.”

Alongside her teammates, Morgan was part of historic collective bargaining agreement negotiations that helped pave the way for the USWNT as it exists today, with not just better money and working conditions, but also benefits like parental leave and short-term disability.

She’s spoken up about LGBTQ+ rights, including supporting trans children in sports, and followed Rapinoe in 2020 in kneeling during the national anthem to protest anti-Black police brutality and racism. When she was on loan at Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, she saw the women’s senior team training at an inferior facility and convinced the club to allow the women to use the same new training facility as the men. When Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir sued her own club Lyon for withholding her salary when she got pregnant, Morgan again advocated for the standards clubs should provide for parents.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=TheAthletic&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1616163099287093249&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5675577%2F2024%2F09%2F05%2Fuswnt-olympics-alex-morgan-not-on-team%2F&sessionId=de0357a5097393d9e57501f310c9d79290b9ad38&siteScreenName=TheAthletic&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

And she feels compelled to speak up as one of, if not the most visible, players wherever she goes, publicly stating she was disappointed to hear about allegations of harassment against Wave president Jill Ellis, writing on X: “It’s important to me that we are creating that environment for both players AND staff throughout the entire organization.”

Morgan’s advocacy for various causes could have backfired in terms of her marketability. But it hasn’t. She is as potent a brand as ever, landing on Forbes’ highest-paid female athletes list in 2023 with endorsements estimated around $7million. In 2021, she founded TOGETHXR, a media and commerce company, alongside Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird. Her hustle is admirable to the point of pathos. During one scene in Netflix’s “Under Pressure” documentary, she comforts daughter Charlie while Charlie cries for attention in the midst of Morgan opening a soccer store — a reminder of Morgan, the mother.

But the reality of being a woman in professional soccer is that no one, not even Morgan, is going to make enough money to retire without careful, calculated investment and branding. Similarly high-profile men’s players can set themselves up nearly off pure performance. Any man knocking in the kinds of numbers that Morgan has produced in her career will make millions from his salary alone, let alone endorsements.

Morgan has advocated for parental rights at club and national level (Brad Smith, Getty Images)

But Morgan has had to cash in on her clutch, once-in-a-lifetime talent while also leveraging her privileges: she is white, straight and femme-presenting. That makes her a more palatable brand to both businesses and audiences in a country that has a well-documented history of racism, misogyny, and transphobia towards athletes outside of a stereotypical presentation of femininity, athletes like Rapinoe, Serena Williams, Katie Ledecky, Brittney Griner, Simone Biles, and Sha’Carri Richardson. The space Morgan is afforded to speak out and speak up is accordingly bigger compared to Dunn or even Rapinoe, whose outspokenness has incurred criticism that she has weathered through her own unique levels of “not giving a f***.”

Morgan has admirably walked the line between performance and brand, outspokenness and marketability. She’s presented herself as player, mom and advocate while also guarding her private self.

With someone as famous as Morgan, who partially built her reputation on being a role model, and partially was assigned the responsibility through social expectation of women in sports, there is a natural desire to want to know that authentic, private self. One aspect of her smart marketing has been to give enough of a glimpse into that private life — like the aforementioned scene with Charlie — while maintaining a fairly strict boundary between herself and the public.

Her social media posts about her family are warm and personable but don’t give away any more than Morgan wants to give away. She’s funny and charming on camera and doesn’t mind speaking candidly on social justice topics, but these moments are curated, usually with time to plan ahead. You won’t see the minutiae of her day, the gossip she shares with friends or disagreements with family. Like any athlete, Morgan has a right to privacy and to decide how and when she wants to dole out any piece of herself. And her ability to pick the right how and when has served her well.

---

Who’s next?

Walking down the street and asking someone to name a women’s soccer player, you might get a mix of Morgan, Mia Hamm, Marta, perhaps Wambach.

In this next era of women’s soccer, is it even harder to climb to generational megastar who carries “only name I know” status? While the women’s game is growing ever more popular, it’s also becoming more competitive and therefore more difficult to separate yourself from the pack. Racking up Morgan-level stats feels harder to reach, although certainly not impossible.

There are a few American contenders for the crown, based on the performance-personality axes of measurement that Morgan has played so well: that front three of Rodman, Smith, and Swanson.

Swanson, Smith and Rodman have emerged as a scoring trio at the Paris Games. (Photo by Brad Smith, Getty Images).

The trio has already built a strong fanbase, both individually and as a group, over the past few years and will only gain more leverage should they find the ultimate success at the Olympics this summer. American audiences love gold medals, sometimes to the point of extreme valorization, and U.S. Soccer has already scheduled its first post-Olympic friendlies in October against Iceland, no doubt hoping to parade a team of winners.

GO DEEPER

England Women announce USWNT, Germany friendlies

While Morgan’s time on the field is coming to an end, her impact off it is not. She’s still here. Still speaking up. Still feeling responsibility in situations that call for a voice of leadership. The example she sets is the standard many players follow for success.

There is an Alex-Morgan-shaped hole in the USWNT, but it’s also being filled by all types of players in all kinds of ways. Morgan, who fought so hard for the USWNT to be treated with respect, to be set up to win in any circumstances, is in some ways the architect of her own absence. This is a team that can exist without Morgan and that’s ultimately for the good.

(Top photo: Brad Smith/Getty Images; design: Dan Goldfarb)

USMNT Player Tracker: Trusty’s Celtic switch, Morris settling at Boro and Tillman thriving

By Greg O’Keeffe Sep 2, 2024

---

A Glasgow reunion, learning from Premier League heroes and dramatic Lyon debuts all play a part in this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.Throughout the season, we will be bringing you updates on the USMNT players plying their trade in various leagues around Europe. With a World Cup on home soil on the horizon, we’re keeping tabs on how they perform every weekend.

---

Issue of the weekend

It was an intriguing summer transfer window in various key areas for USMNT players across Europe.

Auston Trusty’s switch from Sheffield United to Celtic means the Scottish defending champions can now field two U.S. internationals in central defence. Trusty will link up with Cameron Carter-Vickers and have the potential to form a club partnership that may boost both players’ chances of more regular appearances for their country.Carter-Vickers was a regular for Brendan Rodgers’ side last season and formed part of the USMNT roster at Copa America, even if he only appeared for 45 minutes in the defeat by Panama.

Carter-Vickers holds off Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers (Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

But Celtic’s swoop for his compatriot will give both a shot at playing together in the Champions League and getting the type of top-level experience that might push them forward in the thinking of incoming USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.It can only be a positive for the Argentine as he starts to formulate his vision for the team’s future ahead of the World Cup.It is a plus, too, for 26-year-old Trusty who sounded thrilled as the five-year deal was announced on transfer deadline day. “I feel ecstatic — it’s just such a historic and amazing club, and it’s a club I’ve known about since I was a little kid,” said the defender, who was an unused substitute as Celtic thrashed Rangers 3-0 on Sunday.“Growing up in Philadelphia, football wasn’t such a popular sport but I knew Celtic, I knew who Celtic were. It’s a dream come true to join this club and such a massive organisation.“The manager told me to be the best that I can be, that’s off the pitch, as a team-mate and everything on the pitch. He said that he believes in me and believes in everything I can do, it’s up to me and he’ll provide me with an environment where I can thrive.

Trusty warms up ahead of the Old Firm (Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)

“I’m looking forward to meeting all the guys as well. From what I’ve heard it’s a great environment around the club, too, so I’m looking forward to it.”Trusty, who last featured for the national team in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League Finals last year, was also included in interim USMNT coach Mikey Varas’ squad for the friendlies against Canada and New Zealand this month.

---

Player of the weekend

Aidan Morris has hit the ground running in England, transferring the form that saw him win a Major League Soccer Cup with Columbus Crew last season into his new environment.

The 22-year-old signed for Middlesbrough in June, meaning he plays under former England and Manchester United star Michael Carrick, now the highly-rated coach of the Teesside club.

Morris, himself a promising central midfielder, has not looked back so far, starting all four of his new team’s EFL Championship games to date and excelling in their 2-0 win at Cardiff City on Saturday.

Morris celebrates his side’s second goal (Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)

A boyhood Manchester United fan, Morris has admitted he admired his new boss and, in turn, Carrick certainly values the Floridian’s all-action style. Speaking last month, Carrick said: “It’s why we bought him. We obviously like him a lot. We’ve watched him for a while, and we like his style and the way he plays the game. We feel that it suits us and that the way we play suits him.“We’ll be patient with him. It’s a change of country, a whole new way of life for him, and he’s still young for how much experience he’s got as well. We’ll help him settle in — we’re doing that now — and look after him.”

Morris, also included in Varas’ USMNT roster for this month’s friendlies against Canada and New Zealand, provided a typically combative and mature performance in Wales, making more ball recoveries (seven) than any other midfielder and recording an impressive 97 per cent passing accuracy in his role as part of a two-man engine room behind three more attacking players.

Quote of the weekend

“What a game! Amazing support from our fans. Never give up! Happy to make my debut and to be the first American to ever play for this club.”

Tanner Tessmann, who joined French top-flight club Lyon from Serie A side Venezia in the window, made his debut from the bench on Friday in a memorable win against Strasbourg, where his compatriot Caleb Wiley is on loan from Chelsea.

Tessmann came on in the closing stages at the Stade Velodrome as his new team came from behind to win 4-3 after earlier trailing by two goals. For his part, Wiley, who also came off the bench, provided an assist with a smart pass to set up team-mate Emanuel Emegha.

How did other U.S. players get on?

Name: Antonee Robinson
Club: Fulham
Position: Left-back

Retaining Robinson, who has been monitored by a clutch of big clubs, must count as a summer success for Fulham boss Marco Silva, and the defender underlined his worth with the assist for Adama Traore’s goal as the west London club drew 1-1 with Ipswich in the Premier League on Saturday. The Fulham defender is resting up after undergoing two minor surgeries over the summer and will not be available for the USMNT this month.

Name: Malik Tillman
Club: PSV
Position: Midfielder

Another win and another eye-catching display from Tillman as PSV’s title defence continues serenely. This time, he provided an assist as Peter Bosz’s team ran out 3-0 winners against Go Ahead Eagles and made it 12 points from four games.

Tillman celebrates with Joey Veerman (Broer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Name: Mark McKenzie
Club: Toulouse
Position: Defender

The 25-year-old, who is playing on the left side of a back three, started his second consecutive game for the Ligue 1 club on Saturday as they lost 3-1 at home to Marseille. He signed from Belgian side Genk last month.

Name: Johnny Cardoso
Club: Real Betis
Position: Midfield

It was a tough test for the midfielder as his Betis side lost 2-0 at Real Madrid thanks to a Kylian Mbappe brace. Cardoso started on the bench but was subbed on after 57 minutes and won five of his seven ground duels.

Name: Christian Pulisic
Club: AC Milan
Position: Midfield

Pulisic grabbed an assist as Milan drew 2-2 at Lazio in Serie A. After scoring last time out, he sent in an inch-perfect corner for team-mate Strahinja Pavlovic to score with a header.

Name: Gabriel Slonina
Club: Barnsley (on loan from Chelsea)
Position: Goalkeeper

It was a first clean sheet for Slonina at his new loan club in England’s third tier, League One, as Barnsley beat Crawley Town 3-0 — and a third straight start, too. Slonina only had to make one save, such was the visitors’ dominance, but the win moved them up to seventh in the early table.

---

What’s coming up?

We have entered an international break but, after a fortnight’s respite, the games resume thick and fast. Lennard Maloney will hope to feature for Heidenheim as they face Gio Reyna’s Borussia Dortmund on September 13 (2:30pm, ESPN+).

Staying in Germany, Joe Scally’s Borussia Monchengladbach face Stuttgart the following day (9:30am, ESPN +).

Later that morning, Chris Richards and Crystal Palace are in action against Leicester City (10am, Peacock Premium) and, on the same channel at the same time, Robinson’s Fulham take on West Ham.

(Top photos: Getty Images)

Sorry soccer fans – work, reffing and the full summer of soccer has me worn out and behind this weekend. European leagues are kicking off and to be honest I am not ready. Up to 4 games a day during the Euros and Copa followed by 2 a day during the Olympics and I need a break. I will have full updates and predictions next week on the Euro Leagues and American’s playing abroad. The opening weekend schedule and some predictions are of course in the stories below along with some great saves and Ref calls. d

Huge congrats to the US Women – I don’t think anyone expected this group with new coach Emma Hayes to bring home the Gold Medal after just a few games on the job – but they did with the huge 1-0 win over Brazil and Marta. I will say again – the world has not passed us by – US Women despite pay for play and all the things wrong with US soccer are still some of the best in the world – but you have to have coaching. And lets me real the last guy was not a decent coach – Emma might be the best in the world and she turned this thing around quick. Our players don’t suck – they simply need to be coached properly – put in the right formations and coached up. Wow – how good can we be by World Cup time in 3 Years – it will be fun to see. As for the final itself wow what a goal by Swanson off the pass from but the final saves by GK Alyssa Naeher were legendary. Two late saves in the final and the semi’s to cement herself as the best ever USWNT GK in my book. Great Save by Naeher.

As for the men – WOW – Pochettino- honestly — I did not think we would get a coach of this caliber to coach our national team. After Klopp (which was never gonna happen) I really thought Pochettino was the next best option. I thought sure we were gonna get stuck with Henri or Southgate from overseas. This is a huge hire — listen he won with Tottenham – got by with less, learned to win with what he had and dang near won a Champions League title with not that impressive a team. He won with Southampton, then Totttenham and then PSG – no he never won the title – but his teams over achieved. Which is what we need the US Men to do now. Huge get for US soccer and GM Matt Crocker !! WOW!!

Congrats to our Carmel FC Players who made their High School teams.  Especially our current and former CFC goalkeepers – CHS Girls Lily Bose, Eli Diehl, Mary Grace Knapp, Boys Griffin Rothenburg, Timothy Paciorek Avon, Cooper Cass Noblesville.

Sat 8/14

12:30 pm NBC West Ham United vs Aston Villa

12:30 pm CBSSN Genoa vs Inter Milan

2:45 pm Para+, Fox Desp AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah) vs Torino

3:30 pm ABC Valencia vs Barcelona

6 pm MLS Apple Columbus Crew vs NYCFC Campeones Cup

8 pm MLS Apple Seattle Sounders vs LAFC Cup

10 pm Univision America vs Colorado Rapids

Sun 8/18

11:30 am NBC Chelsea vs Man City

2:30 pm CBSSN Hellas Verona vs Napoli

US Men –

US Women Win the Gold Medal

US Wins the Gold

USWNT’s Olympic gold medal win restores respect on world stage  Jeff Kassouf

 USWNT targets World Cup glory after taking gold

USWNT edges Brazil to win 1st gold since 2012   
‘Welcome back’: LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes lead reaction to USWNT Olympic win  ESPN Staff

Who is new USWNT coach Emma Hayes? Her story from those who know her best Jeff Kassouf

‘I don’t care, I want a drink’: Hayes’ best quotes in USWNT’s run to Olympic final Sam Borden

USWNT returns to #1 in FIFA world rankings  By Donald Wine II

Great Save by Naeher

Golden moment: The USWNT is back on top of the world

San Diego Wave hire USMNT legend Landon Donovan as interim head coach

EPL Is Back

Premier League: Predictions as the 2024-25 season begins

 The 🤖 AI vs Humans: Predicting the results of Premier League Matchday 1

Premier League’s biggest stars show off their goal celebrations 🤫

20 clubs.
20 stadiums.
20 unique atmospheres.

Enjoy a look at all of this season's Premier League grounds from above. 👀 pic.twitter.com/isxkN5SneN

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2024

MLS

🔮 Previewing every Leagues Cup quarter-final showdown

Free agent Marco Reus completes MLS move
🎥 Columbus sucker-punch Miami with rapid Leagues Cup comeback

Reffing

Bad Decision Does Not Mean you’re a Bad Ref

Yellow or Red

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

GoalKeeping

Thibaut Courtois makes the earliest possible claim for save of season

Top Saves of the Euros

Great Save by US GK Naeher in Gold Medal Win

Chelsea and USMNT goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina joins Barnsley on loan

Saturday American’s Abroad

AC Milan v Torino

Christian Pulisic missed AC Milan’s final tune up match midweek, but is reportedly set to start the season as the team kick off their season against Torino on Saturday afternoon. Pulisic played over 3,500 minutes last season, scoring 15 goals and adding 11 assists for AC Milan as they finished a distant second to Inter in the Serie A title race. Yunus Musah also played over 2,000 minutes, and indications are that he is looking at an increased role in the midfield this season. Torino finished in ninth place last season, and the two clubs split their matchups, with each winning easily at home.

• Joe Scally and Borussia Mönchengladbach face Erzgebirge Aue at 7a on ESPN+. Erzgebirge are a third tier side, presumably lead by the Swedish Chef.
• Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United will face West Bromwich Albion at 7:30a on Paramount+. Daryl Dike remains sidelined for West Brom following his Achilles injury in February.
• Jordan Pefok, who has returned to Union Berlin following his loan spell with Borussia Mönchengladbach, will face fourth tier Greifswalder at 9:30a in dfb Pokal action.
• It looks like we won’t be seeing much of Matt Turner this season as he is reportedly now third in line at Nottingham Forest. Forest face AFC Bournemouth, who are without Tyler Adams for the start of the season following back surgery. The match will be at 10a on Peacock.
• Josh Sargent and Norwich City face Blackburn Rovers at 10a on Paramount+. Norwich lost their opener to Oxford United last weekend, while Burnley defeated Luton Town 4-1.
• Gio Reyna has returned to Borussia Dortmund and apparently is set to stay for this season following his unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Dortmund will have their first match under new manager Nuri Sahin as they face fourth division Phönix Lübeck at noon on ESPN+.
• Folarin Balogun will look to start his season on a high note as Monaco face Saint Etienne at 3p on beIN Sports.

Sunday American’s Abroad

Lazio v Venezia – 2:45p on Paramount+

Gianluca Busio and Venezia finished last season by winning the promotion playoff after finishing third place in Serie B. They will start their Serie A campaign against a Lazio side that finished in seventh place last season. Not with the team to start their campaign is Tanner Tessmann, who also played a significant role in achieving promotion but whose agent has seemingly botched the summer transfer process as several clubs, including Inter Milan, were reportedly close to a deal for the American only to have it collapse at the last minute. Currently there is no deal in place for Tessmann to move elsewhere, but leadership at Venezia have moved on and are not planning for him to play a role with the side this season.

• PSV started their season off with a 5-1 win against RKC Waalwijk, including a goal from Malik Tillman last weekend. Ricardo Pepi came off the bench in the match, while Richie Ledezma started the match at right back. PSV face Heracles at 6:15a on ESPN+.
• Chris Richards and Crystal Palace kick off their season against Brentford at 9a in a match that can be seen on the USA Network. Palace finished in 10th place last season, but have lost a number of pieces this summer and it will be interesting to see how they transition.
• Mark McKenzie is reportedly set to join Toulouse of France’s Ligue 1 on a permanent basis, though it looks unlikely to happen in time for him to join the side as they get set to start their season against Nantes at 11a on beIN Sports.

=======RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===========

Looking for a good summer meal?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================

Who is Mauricio Pochettino? Is this a coup for the USMNT? Will it help them at 2026 World Cup?Jack Pitt-Brooke The Athletic

Aug 15, 2024

The U.S. men’s national soccer team received a huge boost on Thursday morning when Mauricio Pochettino agreed to become their next head coach.The Athletic revealed that Pochettino, who had been a top target for the opening, had come to a deal with U.S. Soccer, the sport’s governing body. Pochettino has never managed at international level, but he is a very well-respected name in the club game.This is a big-name arrival ahead of a men’s World Cup that the U.S. will co-host with neighbours Canada and Mexico in 2026, staging the bulk of the games including all matches from the quarter-finals onwards. But just who is Pochettino? How much of a coup is this? What is his style of play?Here, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke answers everything you need to know about the 52-year-old Argentinian.

---

So, who exactly is Mauricio Pochettino?

Mauricio Pochettino is considered one of the best managers in European football.

As a player, he was a very competitive centre-back, leaving his native Argentina at age 22 to play for Barcelona-based Espanyol in Spain, before brief spells in France with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bordeaux, then returning to Espanyol to finish his playing career. He played for Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, and won 20 caps overall.

Pochettino, left, playing for Espanyol (Luis Bagu/Getty Images)

Pochettino also started his coaching career at Espanyol, in 2009, earning a reputation for playing brave high-pressing football with young players, turning the fortunes of the team around and saving them from relegation to Spain’s second division. His next job was at Southampton in England’s Premier League in 2013, where he took the team to new heights with his energetic style of play. Then he stepped up to Tottenham Hotspur the following year, where he oversaw their greatest sustained run of the modern era, finishing third, second and third in the Premier League in successive seasons, as well as getting to the final of the 2018-19 Champions League.

GO DEEPER

Tottenham’s Ajax miracle: the stories you’ve never heard before

Since then, Pochettino has managed PSG, winning a French Cup and a Ligue 1 title, and then spent last season as Chelsea head coach, where he guided them to sixth place in the Premier League, enough to qualify for European football in the coming campaign, and into the Carabao Cup final.

---

How much of a coup is this for the USMNT?

It is huge to land one of the best coaches from the club game to manage the men’s national team.

The closest comparison might be Jurgen Klinsmann, the former Germany striker who coached the USMNT from 2011 to 2016, but Pochettino comes to the job with far more of a track record in European club football management than he did. Klinsmann had only had one disappointing season at Bayern Munich (2008-09) before he got the United States job, as well as taking hosts Germany to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Advertisement

https://105d0e40098130542cb3737da3bf9253.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Pochettino, by contrast, has been one of the most impressive coaches in the European club game for the past 15 years.

What he did at Tottenham remains one of the best-sustained spells of management in recent years, even if it did not end up with them winning any trophies.

---

Why would Pochettino take an international job?

Pochettino has always been a romantic with a love for the game’s history.

He knows the World Cup is the pinnacle of the game. He remembers as a boy watching Argentina win the 1978 (as hosts) and 1986 World Cups, the latter of which made Diego Maradona his hero for life. He is hugely proud of playing in the 2002 World Cup, even if he is remembered by some for giving away the deciding penalty in a 1-0 group-stage loss against England — he still has a photo of that dubious ‘foul’ he committed on Michael Owen, signed by the England striker, up on a wall at home.

Pochettino ‘fouling’ Owen at the 2002 World Cup (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

He told me in an interview in 2022 how much the World Cup means to him. “You don’t think about anything, you don’t think about money, you think only to deliver your best, and to make the people happy,” Pochettino said. “Because you know very well your country is behind you. The feeling is completely different from other competitions. That is why the players feel so different.”

Pochettino told me he would “of course” want to manage in a World Cup one day, and not necessarily with Argentina, saying: “You never know what happens. I am open to everything.”

---

What about club football?

Since being sacked by Tottenham in November 2019 after they began that season poorly, Pochettino has worked for two of the highest profile and wealthiest clubs in Europe, PSG and Chelsea.

In Paris, he got to manage Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, one of the highest-quality front lines ever assembled at club level. Ultimately, he performed in line with most PSG coaches, both before and after him, and was released at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Advertisement

https://105d0e40098130542cb3737da3bf9253.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

He was brought in at Chelsea last summer to impose a new style of football onto their oversized squad and after a tough start, he got there in the end, setting them up for a great finish to the season (they won their final five matches, scoring 14 goals) and winning over fans who had doubted him at the beginning because of his connections to London rivals Tottenham. In the end, he left Chelsea in June with his reputation improved.

But both of these were difficult experiences at points, with plenty of internal politics to manage. European club football is in a strange place right now, with not many clubs offering their managers/head coaches the chance to build something.

That would be part of the attraction of taking a very different challenge with the USMNT.

---

What kind of football does he play?

Throughout his managerial career, Pochettino has tried to get his teams playing a brave, aggressive, high-pressing style.

It is a positional game, focused on maintaining a good structure in and out of possession, so the players are in the right places to win the ball back quickly — ideally within three seconds — whenever his team lose it. He wants his sides to dominate the ball and defend high up the pitch.

Pochettino’s Tottenham mastered this style of football, taking the north London club to new heights.

At their best, a Pochettino team are physically relentless, powerful and dominant, not giving the opposition any room to breathe. With PSG, it was not always possible to play exactly like this because of the big-name personnel up front who did not always want to press from the front. But in the second half of last season, Chelsea started to look like a Pochettino team, and the wins followed.

---

Are those methods suited to international football?

Fitness work is hugely important to Pochettino and his coaching staff but the nature of the international game is that coaches do not get to work with their players for that long. It is harder for them to improve their players as individuals, something that Pochettino has always been big on, during those short periods together before they return to their clubs.

Pochettino with his players at PSG (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

One thing that has always been important to him has been bringing through young players, right from the time he was starting at Espanyol and then Southampton.

When he was discussed not so long ago as a potential England manager, the point was made how many of their current squad owe their career to their development under Pochettino: Luke Shaw (Southampton), Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer (Chelsea). He will hope to develop a similar generation of youngsters now he has the USMNT job.

---

How will he deal with the scrutiny that comes with this role?

Pochettino is used to the media spotlight, especially after those spells at PSG and Chelsea. But international football is different. There will be less day-to-day attention than his days at those clubs, certainly, but there will be times when Pochettino has the eyes of hundreds of millions of Americans on him. The U.S. public are unlikely to be forgiving if they feel the team are not heading in the right direction as that 2026 World Cup looms larger.t that is also part of the attraction, given what a huge event it will be in two years’ time. Coaching that team in their home World Cup, in front of 70,000 people for their opening group-stage match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026 will be the equivalent of standing in front of the eyes of the whole world.

---

Does it matter he’s not an American?

The team had non-American coaches before, and not just Klinsmann. There was Bora Milutinovic, from Serbia, in the early 1990s, the last time the U.S. staged the World Cup. Men from Poland, Greece, the UK and more have also had the job. There is no reason that nationality should be a barrier to Pochettino in the role. He has worked for three different Premier League clubs and while he initially had an interpreter at Southampton, his English is now certainly good enough to work in the States.

The most important thing will be to demonstrate a commitment to U.S. soccer, and a deep knowledge of all the players at his disposal, whether they play in MLS, Europe or elsewhere. This will mean lots of hard work, and air miles, getting to know them all.

---

How much does this improve USMNT’s chances at the 2026 World Cup?

It is hard to know how proven club managers will fare in the international game. They are effectively two different formats of the same sport.

Antonio Conte, a serial title winner at club level, improved Italy but could only get them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Luis Enrique had a great European Championship with Spain in 2021, reaching the semis, but they were knocked out of the following year’s World Cup in the round of 16 by Morocco. Hansi Flick won the treble with Bayern in 2020 but could not even get Germany out of the group in Qatar.

Making predictions about international tournaments is almost impossible, given how fine the margins are between success and failure at that level. But we can say Pochettino will bring fresh ideas, energy and proven methods to the U.S. job, as well as a sense of confidence and optimism the whole country can feed on.(Top photo: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

Premier League predictions for 2024-25 – title race, relegation, Golden Boot and City’s charges

The Athletic UK Staff Aug 14, 2024

Follow live coverage of Manchester United vs Fulham in the Premier League season opener today

Is this the season Mikel Arteta’s obsessive methods take Arsenal to the top? Will Arne Slot sink or swim as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool? Can an off-field revolution at Manchester United transform their fortunes on the pitch? Or will Manchester City simply make it five titles in a row?

Also, what are Chelsea doing?

Yes, that’s right, the Premier League returns this weekend and The Athletic will be with you for every kick, goal, VAR review and ‘Inside the sacking of Manager X’ long-read between here and when the music stops on Sunday, May 25.

• Want to stay up to date with the best news and features as the PL season kicks off? Sign up (for free) to The Athletic FC newsletter

To get you in the mood for the next nine months, six of our writers here predict who will shine, who will sink, the signings to look out for, what a possible resolution to City’s 115 charges relating to their finances means and much more. Plus, we reveal our predicted final 2024-25 Premier League table.

Let us know your predictions in the comments section.

---

Will City win their fifth title in a row? And if not, why not?

Jack Pitt-Brooke: Nothing lasts forever. At some point, Manchester City will not win the league. You could make a case that this will be the year the run ends. City were less convincing last year and the team is starting to look old. Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, John Stones… these are not young players any more. Arsenal have far more players coming into their peak-age period than City do. There was only a two-point gap at the top of the table when last season ended. All it will take is for City to dip a bit and Arsenal will be there.

And yet the power of City’s muscle memory is something else. No one else can put together winning runs in the spring like they do. Look at Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic domestically in recent times. When winning becomes that habitual, it retains a momentum of its own. You will not make much money betting against it.

Carl Anka: Betting against Pep Guardiola’s City is a fool’s errand. The team looks finely built for the here and now, and they have a manager who is constantly innovating, forcing the rest of the league to play catch-up. 

That said — *dons clown make-up* — this might be the season Arsenal win the league again. They took 2023-24 to the final day, and the squad is approaching a critical mass of talent that makes them formidable in several ways. They should win at least one of the next three titles, so why not this one?

Jacob Whitehead: City have the best squad, but winning five titles in a row is unprecedented in English football. Arsenal are ravenous — they came close last season and have improved more than City in time since. City are facing 115 charges of breaking financial fair play rules and a decision could come towards the end of the season. Will that provide a distraction? And could a punishment even take the title away from them?

The first of how many trophies for Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola this season? (Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Nick Miller: Saying City won’t win the league is like that scene (that has become a meme) from sitcom Arrested Development, where Tobias Funke says, when asked if an open marriage would work, “No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might… but it might work for us.” With that in mind, I am saying they will win it again, because I don’t quite think anyone else is ready to be better than them. Arsenal will be the closest but not quite good enough. 

Caoimhe O’Neill: City will win five Premier League titles in a row. Their quiet summer isn’t fooling me. Even with 115 charges looming overhead, Guardiola will parade his way to a fifth league title in England and then walk away. It won’t be another procession — at least not until April, when any remaining challenger(s), probably Arsenal, will fall away. I hope I’m wrong. One team winning it over and over again is boring. Unless you support that team, of course.

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncertainty-at-man-city-pep-alvarez-and-looming-charges/id1488521447?i=1000664843445&itsct=podcast_box_player&itscg=30200&ls=1&theme=auto

Mark Carey: This will be the season that Arsenal top the table. It would be foolish to say that City will not win five titles in a row simply because it is unprecedented. For too long, Guardiola has shown that historical records are there to be swatted away with the nonchalance of a man in the conversation for the greatest manager of all time.

City have put in some relentless winning runs to come from behind in recent seasons. It might be one odd bounce of a ball or a referee’s decision, but those fine margins might swing the other way this time. Just three or four points dropped by City could mean Arsenal do not need to improve upon their tally from last season (89) to overcome Guardiola’s side. Matching it may suffice.

---

The top five, in order, will be…

Pitt-Brooke: Manchester City first, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United.

Anka: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United (note: I have given a different answer to this question every day for the past two weeks). 

Whitehead: Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United.

Miller: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle United.

O’Neill: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United.

Carey: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United.

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/premier-league-season-preview-can-man-city-be-toppled/id1267958765?i=1000665163072&itsct=podcast_box_player&itscg=30200&ls=1&theme=auto

---

The bottom three will be…

Pitt-Brooke: Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton. I have a probably irrational sense that Ipswich Town will scramble together enough points to stay up. Maybe just because I don’t want to wait another 22 years for them to be back in the top flight.

Anka: Southampton, Forest, Ipswich. And this campaign’s relegation battle will go right down to the wire.

Whitehead: Leicester, Southampton, Ipswich. All three promoted teams to go back down, again.

Miller: Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich — the first two will be cut adrift from pretty early on, but Ipswich will be in among a gaggle of other clubs who have panicked and sacked managers, got points deductions or are just not quite good enough… but they will drop too on the last day… just. 

O’Neill: Forest, Southampton, Ipswich.

Carey: Forest, Southampton, Leicester. Ipswich to carry on their soaring momentum in recent years to secure Premier League status for 2025-26.

---

Our predicted Premier League table

The Athletic writers tip Manchester City for another title win

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
Man City	57%	43%
Arsenal	43%	57%
Liverpool			74%	17%	9%
Tottenham			13%	48%	13%	13%	9%	4%
Newcastle				13%	39%	13%	22%	9%	4%
Man Utd			9%	4%	17%	43%	22%	4%
Chelsea				9%	13%	9%	30%	30%	4%	4%
Aston Villa			4%	9%	9%	22%	9%	43%		4%
West Ham							9%		39%	9%	13%	17%	13%
Brighton									35%	26%	13%	13%	4%		9%
Crystal Palace								4%	13%	30%	17%	17%	4%	13%
Fulham										9%	22%	9%	17%	9%	17%	17%
Wolves										9%	17%	22%	13%	17%	13%	4%		4%
Everton											9%	17%	22%	13%	17%	13%	4%		4%
Bournemouth								4%	4%	9%	13%	4%	22%	17%	9%	9%	4%	4%
Forest													4%	9%	9%	22%	13%	22%	22%
Ipswich																13%	26%	17%	22%	22%
Brentford													4%	17%	26%	9%	30%	9%		4%
Leicester														4%			22%	30%	22%	22%
Southampton																4%		13%	30%	52%

---

The new manager who will make the biggest impact is….

Pitt-Brooke: I am fascinated to see how Julen Lopetegui gets on at West Ham United. He is replacing the best manager of their modern era, David Moyes but he has a talented, stable squad and a fanbase ready to be enthused by a new brand of football. He is clearly a good manager who has done well in his previous jobs.

Perhaps he will be their next Manuel Pellegrini, coming in with a plan to change the style but failing to get any real grip on the club. Or maybe if everything clicks and the players and fans buy into his ideas, he could be the next Slaven Bilic — a West Ham manager able to conduct and channel the club’s emotional energy the right way.

Anka: Arne Slot shouldn’t have to make too many adjustments to keep Liverpool at the front of the non-City/Arsenal pack, so let’s talk about Lopetegui. His Wolverhampton Wanderers side in 2022-23 weren’t the flashiest (and there were some worrying performances away from home) but there’s a solidity to his methods that should guard against any post-Moyes implosion.

West Ham have used the transfer market to address the major weakness in their squad and should be more entertaining this season. Providing Niclas Fullkrug can avoid the yips that seem to befall every West Ham striker who isn’t Michail Antonio, Lopetegui should steer the side towards Conference League qualification.

Whitehead: At Brighton & Hove Albion last season, Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical nous was still evident but the vibes had been lost. That means I’m very excited to see Fabian Hurzeler — St Pauli were one of the best stories of last year as they won Bundesliga promotion, and the German’s innovation was a huge part of that. Brighton knew what they were doing when they hired a 31-year-old.

Hurzeler of Brighton is the Premier League’s youngest manager at age 31 (Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

Miller: Kieran McKenna’s agent has been the performer of the summer, leveraging apparent interest from the big boys into a bumper new contract for the Ipswich manager, but there is a reason those big boys were keen. His reputation is sky-high after successive promotions in his first crack at senior football and pound-for-pound he’s probably been the best manager in the country over the past two seasons, but the Premier League beast can swallow young and bushy-tailed managers whole. I’d love him to succeed.

O’Neill: I’m going with McKenna, too. Everyone loves rooting for an underdog and after a season of covering Luton Town in the 2023-24 Premier League, I am battle-hardened and so ready for Ipswich to succeed where Luton failed (even if I did just say they’ll be relegated). McKenna reminds me of Luton counterpart Rob Edwards in a lot of ways and his side will be a refreshing addition to the top flight, just like Luton.

His team will play brave and fun football — that may be their undoing or we could see their most famous fan, Ed Sheeran, in the dressing room singing tunes after an opening weekend home win over Liverpool.

---

When music and football collide

• ‘Goosebump moments’, Greasy Chip Butties & Ange’s Angels – clubs’ victory soundtracks
• How Ed Sheeran reignited his Ipswich love to help their Premier League promotion
• Dortmund’s Adele dressing-room anthem and the power of team singalongs: ‘It is a legal stimulant’
• From Taylor Swift to Beyonce: How pop music took over football stadiums

---

Carey: If we are still counting Oliver Glasner as new, I am intrigued to see how Crystal Palace fare in the Austrian’s first full season. The loss of Michael Olise — sold to Bayern Munich — was big, but I like the signings of Ismaila Sarr and Daichi Kamada, who offer different skill sets in attack. If Palace can keep hold of their other talents through the spine of their team — Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta — they could surprise a few people. Palace had the fifth-best record in the Premier League last season from the point Glasner joined them in February. If they can have a similar one across a full campaign, it will be down to the transformative work of the 49-year-old.

---

The new manager who will struggle most is….

Pitt-Brooke: No prizes for originality here but it has to be Enzo Maresca. It took Mauricio Pochettino more than half a season to get his arms around Chelsea and he came into the job with years of managerial experience. Maresca has only had one full season of senior management, winning the Championship with Leicester last season, as he walks into one of the most difficult jobs in the English game. He has to manage an oversized and unbalanced squad, work within Chelsea’s unique structure, convince his players of his new style of play and start getting results quickly. Perhaps he will become the next Arteta, but he will need to be given the tools to do the job.

Anka: There was a point last season when Leicester fans cheered their players for punting the ball long rather than slowly building from the back, as per Maresca’s instructions. The Italian is a fine manager, but his adherence to a preferred tactical plan means there could be a spell at Chelsea where things have to get worse before they get better. Their squad is so big that he should eventually figure things out, but there’s potential for a big skid partway through the season. 

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chelsea-new-manager-same-problems/id1488521447?i=1000664740907&itsct=podcast_box_player&itscg=30200&ls=1&theme=auto

Whitehead: Steve Cooper faces a tough task. This Leicester squad lacks outstanding individual talent, and they may find themselves facing a points deduction. The loss of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea is big — he is an established Premier League performer and was a central figure in the squad dynamic.

Miller: I say this with a heavy heart, because I have a houseplant named after him, but Cooper has been given the ultimate hospital-pass at Leicester. Then again, he joined Nottingham Forest when they were absolute no-hopers early in the 2021-22 Championship and got them promoted eight months later, so who knows what miracles he will perform 20-odd miles up the road?

Elsewhere, people already seem to have memory-holed how bad Manchester United looked for long spells last season. I’d be surprised if Erik ten Hag makes it to May as their manager. 

O’Neill: Slot is a name not many people will think of but hear me out. He has to pick up where Jurgen Klopp left off after one of Liverpool’s most successful periods in their history. It is not going to be straightforward. That’s not to say I’m expecting him to struggle the most of any manager, there are plenty who will struggle more, but Slot’s testing moments will be highly publicised. Imagine the panic stations if Liverpool have a couple of bad results, for example. The pressure on him will be gargantuan as he tries to get a team built by his predecessor clicking for him.

Carey: Chelsea’s pre-season has already experienced some teething problems, and history tells us that managers at Stamford Bridge are rarely afforded a long time to get things right. Maresca arrives with clear ideas based on positional principles and a methodical way of working the ball through the thirds. Whether Chelsea can implement that style consistently and effectively is where the question lies. If it goes well, it could go very well — but we said that for Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel, didn’t we?

---

The new signing who most intrigues me is….

Pitt-Brooke: Fullkrug. You can have all your false nines, your inverted wingers, half-spaces, hybrid pressing and the rest. But there is nothing else in football — or life — quite like getting it launched up to the big man.

Fullkrug has proven in recent years for Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, and for Germany in their past two tournaments, why he is the world’s greatest exponent of that traditional style (with all due respect to Wout Weghorst, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Martin Adam and the rest). With a few long diagonals, floated crosses or whipped set pieces, Fullkrug could become West Ham’s new Andy Carroll, if not their new Ilan. And in doing so, he will say to the world: Big Man Summer is for life.

Anka: Brighton have picked up two of the players who made Arne Slot’s Feyenoord side so impressive. Mats Wieffer is a highly intelligent midfielder who can offer multiple solutions to several on-field conundrums. But it’s Yankuba Minteh who is the great variable. During his 2023-24 season on loan at Feyenoord from Newcastle, Slot asked Minteh to get chalk at his boots and run at defenders. He was rather good at it, too. Can he step up to the Premier League, or will he get lost in the ‘Antony swamp’?

Whitehead: Emile Smith Rowe. After being short of opportunities at Arsenal, this is a chance for him to be a Premier League side’s main man. Fulham need to replace Joao Palhinha in midfield, however, if Smith Rowe is to be put in the best place to shine. I’m also excited to see if Fullkrug can turn Big Man Summer into Big Man Winter — there’s a lot to love about the German striker.

Miller: I like the look of Samuel Iling-Junior at Aston Villa, Fullkrug to West Ham is terrific fun and Joshua Zirkee to Manchester United could go either way. But it must be Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea. These signings to very specifically fit with a new manager often end in tears, particularly if things don’t go well from the start.

Fullkrug – a big man for all seasons? (Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)

O’Neill: Arsenal’s new centre-back Riccardo Calafiori. Mostly because he looks like a throwback of an Italian footballer from the 1990s with his long hair held back in an elasticated headband. The 22-year-old signed from Bologna certainly has the style, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in north London.

Carey: City have picked up fearless dribbler Savinho from one sister club, France’s Troyes, after shining on loan last season at another, Girona in Spain, in a move that could see Pep Guardiola double down on pacy wingers on both flanks if he switched him to a right-sided attacking role. For context, no La Liga player attempted more take-ons than the Brazilian in 2023-24, which shows how direct his style of play is. We already know about Jeremy Doku going ‘meep-meep’ on the left side last season — if he and Savinho played on either wing, there could be a whole new world of fun in Guardiola’s attack over the months ahead.

---

The player who will finish second to Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race is…

Pitt-Brooke: Tottenham have finally replaced Harry Kane by signing Dominic Solanke, and he could be set up for a bumper first season. Coach Ange Postecoglou is all about creating high-quality chances for the centre-forward with low cutbacks from wide positions, but it never felt Richarlison had those Sergio Aguero-type instincts you need in the box. Solanke got 19 league goals for Bournemouth last season — more than Richarlison has scored in a single campaign — and if he can continue that form for Spurs and stay fit, then he can get well into the 20s this time.

Anka: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa.

Whitehead: Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has looked incredibly sharp in pre-season after a summer off, as Sweden didn’t qualify for the Euros. He was third last year (21 goals to Haaland’s 27) and would have been even closer to the Norwegian if not for injuries that kept him out of at least six matches.

Miller: Solanke. If not, this is Darwin Nunez’s year — I can feel it. The Liverpool striker might take a billion shots, but he’ll score many, many goals.

O’Neill: Cole Palmer again, the same as last season. He will score every penalty he takes and continue to be Chelsea’s guiding light, especially in games that finish 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5.

Carey: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has had a full pre-season, a hair transplant, and has a new style to adapt to under Arne Slot — he looks hungry for more goals. Slot’s style could be perfect for him to arrive in those dangerous areas. Salah doesn’t need reminding where the goal is, but this season could see more opportunities for him to finish and that is a scary prospect for opposition defenders.

GO DEEPER

Ten Premier League players to re-watch in 2024-25

---

Manchester City’s charges finally being heard this season means…

Pitt-Brooke: There may eventually come a moment when Guardiola wishes deep-down that he was on a beach in Ibiza or Sardinia — or off playing golf with Jurgen Klopp somewhere — rather than fielding constant questions about it.

Anka: Jose Mourinho is going to say something bizarre/hilarious/petty that will be quoted for the next five years. 

Whitehead: European Super League plans may be being resurrected in north-west England by May.

Miller: We won’t actually hear the verdict until next season.

O’Neill: Guardiola’s touchline behaviour will intensify in the build-up to it.

Carey: We can finally, hopefully, stop talking about this narrative hanging over the Premier League.

---

By May, we’ll all be saying….

Pitt-Brooke: If Manchester United can just add one more member of the 2018-19 Ajax team, they could really make it work. Worth a cheeky bid for David Neres? What’s Lasse Schone up to?

Anka: “I can’t believe Pep has signed another contract extension. I will never trust a bald manager again.”

Whitehead: I didn’t realise Mikel Arteta knew how to smile. 

Is this the season for Arteta and Arsenal? (Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)

Miller: Ah, well. Nevertheless. 

O’Neill: Next season will be our season.

Carey: So, everyone looking forward to the Club World Cup?

---

I really hope that this is the season….

Pitt-Brooke: We get full abolition of the video assistant referee system. Do not demand anything less.

Anka: More strikers remember that they’re allowed to chip the goalkeeper. 

Whitehead: We remember for the football rather than legal disputes. Will not happen. 

Miller: There’s a collective recognition that sometimes referees get things wrong, as we all do from time to time, and there’s not much point in complaining about it. 

O’Neill: More fans think before they chant.

Carey: Owners elect to stick with their manager for a full season rather than roll the dice.

GO DEEPER

Build-ups, line-breaks and counter-pressing: How Premier League sides may evolve next

(Top photos: Getty Images. design: Dan Goldfarb. Graphic: John Bradford and Mark Carey)

What we learned from Emma Hayes’ victorious USWNT at the Paris Olympics

By Jeff Rueter Aug 11, 2024

---

For the first time since 2012, the United States are the gold medalists in women’s Olympic soccer. A well-played ball from Korbin Albert to Mallory Swanson made all the difference, with Emma Hayes’ side overcoming an inspired Brazil 1-0 in the final.

Making the gold medal match is an achievement in its own right. Nobody knew what to expect from the USWNT at this tournament. The logistics of Hayes’ Chelsea departure meant she had just 360 friendly minutes to get her new team ready for the Games. That truncated ramp-up could have left the team ill-prepared to contend.

Advertisement

https://f1decb3c29c2d2ba221884ab95f1e422.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Instead, the players rallied behind their new boss. They reminded the world they’re able to score in bunches, to the dismay of Zambia and Germany. They showed impressive tactical nous amidst the crash-course implementation of Hayes’ ideology, neutralizing a previously terrific Japan and again using in-game adjustments to best Brazil. And, as any great team must in a major tournament, they found ways to win ugly: first against Australia, then in the semifinal against a more composed version of Germany.

There was no single method for success this summer, which is very much in line with Hayes’ whole vibe. Rather than coaching from a strict structure that forces opponents to adjust to her team’s tried-and-true approach like many modern coaches, Hayes studies an opponent to modify her approach — guided by principles and areas of emphasis rather than a team shape carved in stone — and use her team’s strengths in unique ways.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3fGYj4p6mdxSz9lCPKWAgl?utm_source=generator

For those reasons and the small sample size of one tournament, any attempt to compile the definitive dossier of Hayes’ tactical ideology is a fool’s errand. That said, Hayes has undeniably passed her first test. One would expect her to only improve on this performance as she spends more than two months on the job and further builds the team around her principles. World, be warned.

(Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

---

Prominent principles

A few clear tenets of Hayes’ vision emerged across the entire tournament and seem likely to stick around based on these six performances. Let’s dig into those before looking at a few areas we might expect to see evolution in the months and years to come.

The USWNT in possession

Although this tournament was marked by changes and reinventions, eight of Hayes’ first-choice lineup — all but Tierna Davidson, Sam Coffey and Mallory Swanson —  were regularly involved in last summer’s World Cup. Under Vlatko Andonovski, the United States held a narrow advantage with a possession rate of 52.9 per cent but often didn’t seem to know what to do with the ball. It led to some sloppy forced passes and frustrating turnovers at the edge of the final third, giving opponents plenty of time to set up sequences of their own as play changed hands.

Advertisement

https://f1decb3c29c2d2ba221884ab95f1e422.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Confident in her players’ collective abilities on the ball, Hayes’ version doubles down on controlling play. Their 65 per cent possession rate trailed only hypnotic defending World Cup champion Spain this summer, with rates ranging from 42.9 per cent in the final against Brazil to 78.1 per cent in the opening blowout against Zambia.

Alyssa Naeher’s utilization in build-up has been more radical than any other player’s. In the World Cup, exactly 50 per cent of her passes traveled 35 yards or further. This summer, that clip dropped to 29.5 per cent through the semifinal — the second-lowest rate of any goalkeeper in these Olympics, behind France’s Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. That change alone goes a long way toward ensuring your team keeps the ball, relying less on winning aerial duels or lobs that can fail to find a friendly target.

The reverse played out in the final: the one time the United States failed to win the possession battle, Naeher’s launch rate skyrocketed to 100 per cent (yes —each of her 27 passes went over 35 yards) and the United States held just under 43 per cent of the ball.

The gold medalists were patient in build-up, directing 34 per cent of all passes forward — down from last summer’s rate of 37.6 per cent. Rather than overly relying upon risk/reward passes, the USWNT was far more comfortable with recirculation. Critically, Hayes has quickly remedied the attacking struggles that held the United States back last summer.

We’re not done talking about Triple Espresso yet

It’s hard to overstate the importance of Swanson’s return. Her interplay with Sophia Smith is the smoothest of any left-sided option, as both players (and, often, in tandem with Trinity Rodman) weave in and out of open lanes to unsettle a defense before they even see the ball. Swanson has also provided a far greater threat while shooting and creating than Alex Morgan managed last year, while Smith looks far more at home as a striker than shunted to the wing (as she was last summer).

Meanwhile, Rodman was perhaps the attack’s heartbeat. No player came close to matching her industry in terms of entering the box.

“Put your best players in their best spots and let them cook” isn’t exactly worthy of a master’s thesis, but it works wonders in a major tournament. No team at these Olympics exceeded the USWNT’s rate of four big chances per game, nearly double the field’s average of 2.4. The United States’ shots came from an average of 15.1 yards out — third-nearest of any team, evidence of well-worked sequences setting up golden opportunities.

Advertisement

https://f1decb3c29c2d2ba221884ab95f1e422.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Unsurprisingly, that big-chance generation helped the United States rack up expected goals, an advanced metric that measures the likelihood of a chance leading to a goal based on historical data. In total, their 12.8 chances created per game trailed only Spain (16.7; they were still very good this summer) and considerably ahead of the tournament’s average of 10.5. The USWNT averaged 2.2 expected goals per game, also well above the Olympic average of 1.6.

Having great attackers is a good start toward consistently scoring, but talent only gets you so far. The forward line looked rejuvenated after years of relatively lean output by the program’s lofty standard, especially in 2023, and helped actualize the at-times frustrating potential from Hayes’ first four friendlies.

Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith pose with their gold medals (Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)

A modified defense that still gets results

For all the faults that emerged during the USWNT’s brief stay at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, few could be found in terms of defending.

Andonovski’s defense was one of the tournament’s best. Only the Netherlands and Brazil exceeded the United States’ average of 7.4 high turnovers per 90 minutes last summer, giving ample opportunities to start short-field counters (albeit, ones upon which they failed to capitalize). Their pressing was incredibly proactive, with their 7.1 PPDA (that is, passes allowed per defensive action made) registering well below the tournament average of 9.97.

Once again, it’s worth reiterating two crucial differences between a World Cup and the Olympics. Rather than carrying 23 players on the roster, Hayes has only had 18 (save for four alternates to bring in whenever players have gotten hurt). Olympic matches take place every three days, whereas the USWNT played every five days last summer.

Either as a result of that format or in line with her vision for the team, the USWNT has relaxed a bit against the ball. Their 4.0 high turnovers per 90 are well below last year’s rate, fifth among the 12 competitors. Their PPDA of 11.5 also looks far more languid, yet it’s in line with the tournament average of 12.05.

Naomi Girma (Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Only time will tell if this approach follows them home from France. However, the end result was still a staunch defense, allowing just 11.3 shots per 90 (tournament average was 14.4) with an average xG of 0.08 per shot faced (average was 0.11). Having world-class defenders like Naomi Girma will help no matter a coach’s approach, but the focus on energy conservation and retaining defensive shape hasn’t made the United States more vulnerable.

---

Areas to refine

Fouls and dead balls

Although there’s no specific term for a fear of a whistle’s blow, it nestles into general phonophobia — a fear of loud sounds. Throughout the tournament, the United States was less effective after the referee stopped play.

Heading into Saturday’s final, the United States ranked third by averaging 8.5 set plays per 90 minutes, 20 per cent more than the tournament average. However, it took them an average of 25.5 set pieces to yield a goal. 16.7 per cent of their goals came from set pieces — the lowest rate of any team that converted at least one dead-ball situation this summer.

Advertisement

https://f1decb3c29c2d2ba221884ab95f1e422.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Corner kicks also proved difficult to convert. Only 9.7 per cent of their corners were converted into shots, far below the average of 20.5 per cent. Considering the United States averaged the second-most corners of any team (5.5), it added up to a lot of wasted opportunities that could have given some breathing room in their closer contests — roughly one shot per every two games.

Out of possession, the United States played to keep the ball rolling. On average, a team fouled an opponent shortly after committing a turnover 4.6 per cent of the time. The United States checked in at a 1.3 per cent rate of these tactical fouls, making them the only team to register a rate below 3.3 per cent. Their 5.2 fouls committed per game was well below the average of 9.2. While that does keep players from risking seeing a card and limits conceded set pieces, it also allows opponents to sustain momentum on the ball.

There’s no one best practice to win a game using the referee’s whistle as an asset, but it’s a bit of gamesmanship that’ll likely evolve in the coming years.

A miasmic midfield

In the ‘pros’ category, we touched on the team’s patience and willingness to embrace recirculation sequences. A typical sequence of build-up often looked something like this: Naeher prodded the ball to one of her center backs, who then shunted it wide to their nearest full back. That full back would check their corresponding winger’s run and either launch it beyond the defender — either lobbed to wide areas, or on the ground in the half-space — or pass it back to the center back to switch play to the other side.

Ideally, that full back could also consider the central channel and get the ball to a midfielder to operate in the middle of the field. Too often, that option is not presenting itself if Coffey is not in the right spot every time. Why? For all of the players who are seeing improvement in Hayes’ early days, the same can’t be said for Lindsey Horan, the team’s captain and a rare remaining holdover of the 2019 world champions.

Horan has been a mainstay of United States lineups since injuries so cruelly curtailed Sam Mewis’ career. Converted from being a striker to a midfielder during Jill Ellis’ tenure, Horan played as a box-to-box midfielder under Andonovski. Her reading of a game allowed her to operate as the team’s main possessive hub last summer, trusting her to judge whether the team should progress into the final third or hold onto the ball by sending it backwards.

(Julian Finney/Getty Images)

This summer, Horan’s role has changed slightly. When the team is out of possession, she plays level with Coffey at the midfield’s base. In possession, she scurries to play on the same line as Rose Lavelle, serving as an auxiliary striker to complement Lavelle’s playmaking. In theory, Horan should be able to crash the box later than Smith to offer an aerial threat for late crosses and an edge-of-box shooting alternative. Instead, Horan has been stationed by the center circle, struggling to make as much of an impact in all phases as she previously had.

Entering the final, Horan completed 69.8 per cent of her passes in the attacking third. In theory, that suggests she played higher-risk balls to find a shooter. However, it’s the lowest of the four USWNT midfielders who logged 200 minutes in the Games, trailing Korbin Albert (81 per cent), Coffey (77.8 per cent) and even Lavelle (72.5 per cent).

Advertisement

https://f1decb3c29c2d2ba221884ab95f1e422.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

It ended up being a moot point in the final, as Lavelle’s injury concerns brought Albert into the lineup and pushed Horan closer to the forward line. Still, one would assume that Hayes will want to incorporate both Horan and Lavelle in her lineups moving forward. We’ll see how that ends up being working — or if it’s possible — in the coming months.

Subs (or the lack of)

Along with questions about Horan’s performances, one criticism of the team’s run has been Hayes’ unwillingness to rotate and relatively lax substitution patterns. Only three teams averaged fewer substitutions before the 75th minute than Hayes’ 2.0 per game, while her average time of making a change (74.1 minutes into a game) was tardier than the tournament average of 68.6. If that seems insignificant to you, ask a player how difficult another five minutes of high-stakes play can be when you’re already gassed.

It’s one thing to trust your starters when you’re swapping out starters to ensure as many players are at full fitness as possible. However, Hayes’ insistence on playing with a set preferred lineup that only changed after injuries or suspension often left the team lagging in the second half. Whereas the United States averaged 1.2 goals in the first half of games, that rate plummeted to 0.5 in the second half. Some of this can be attributed to opponents making adjustments, but such a staggering drop-off is also cause for concern.

(Carl Recine/Getty Images)

That said, Hayes’ final season with Chelsea shows that she may be quicker to make in-game changes as she gets more familiar with a greater number of players in her pool. In the WSL last season, Chelsea averaged 3.1 subs before the 75th minute, with her changes coming with an average game clock time of 67.9 minutes.

The good news now is that, with the tournament concluded, her regular starters can finally enjoy some rest. They’ve certainly earned it, with hardware to show for their perseverance.

It’s all a work in progress, even as the United States has returned to a more prominent place on the Olympic podium. The early signs under Hayes could hardly be more encouraging — and she’s only just getting started.

(Top photo: Getty Images)

What did you think of this story?

USWNT’s Alyssa Naeher is a brick wall to her opponents, her teammates have found a way through

By Meg Linehan THe Athletic Aug 10, 2024

---

PARIS — U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma always runs to her goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, after the final whistle of a win. Saturday night was no different, even as this one had resulted in an Olympic gold medal — a first for both of them, despite the age difference (Girma is 24, Naeher is 36).

Advertisement

“As soon as the whistle blew,” Girma said in the mixed zone Saturday night, “I was like, my last sprint of the tournament is to give Alyssa a hug.”

Naeher once again played a massive role in the USWNT’s victory, providing a poster-worthy save in the final few moments of the win over Brazil — this time pawing a close-range shot with a hand — just like she did in the semifinal win over Germany.

The U.S. doesn’t reach the top of the podium without Naeher. They all know that.

There’s been so many emotions through the past three weeks in France for this team. The physical challenges, too, have forced them to suffer. But there’s been so much joy, too. There’s been karaoke, there’s been dancing, there’s been a lightness, a trust, a sense even from the outside that something new was being built both before our eyes and behind closed doors.

Naeher and Girma helped keep three clean sheets in the knockout stage of the World Cup. (Photo by Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)

At the heart of so much of that was a player most might not have expected: Naeher. It’s not because she’s anti-fun, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking she’s nothing but business with her game-day face and massive saves, followed by pushing her teammates away as they try to swarm her to celebrate. It goes back to 2019, her first major tournament as the No. 1 goalkeeper, and even before that.

There’s the growing bond between Naeher and Girma, of course, but there’s also been something special brewing between Naeher and the starting front line of Mal Swanson (Naeher’s Chicago Red Stars teammate), Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith.

They’ve slowly, lovingly, cracked open whatever remains of her shell.

“Alyssa has been the best person for Mal, Trin and I,” Smith said Saturday after the game. “She’s our biggest supporter, but I do feel like we’ve helped her open up a little bit, even if it’s uncomfortable for her. We give her hugs and tell her how much we appreciate her, because obviously we would not be here right now without Alyssa. We just want to remind her of that every day.”

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3fGYj4p6mdxSz9lCPKWAgl?utm_source=generator

Rodman stressed how Naeher has been a mentor to her as well. “I’ve asked her for so much advice and comfort through everything, even just sitting next to me and not saying anything,” Rodman said Thursday.

But she was also delighted by how they’ve gotten Naeher to open up a bit over the past few months — and all of them are still thrilled by that one time they managed to convince her to participate in their group TikTok. It’s a multi-pronged effort, after all.

Advertisement

https://cee5ff31f80b3b21da8ddb5497b72ca3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“We’re making her a little more mushy gushy with us, which I think is nice. We’re opening up a side that I think has always been there, but it’s hidden a little bit,” Rodman said.

There’s no better time to embrace the mushy gushy than in the first few moments after winning gold medals together. After the group pile-on, led by Girma, Naeher shared a moment with Swanson and Rodman, all three of them giving into tears.

For Naeher, that moment was never about her (it usually isn’t).

“To see (Swanson’s) journey, to see her maturity, to see her come in,” Naeher began in the mixed zone, warning she was about to get emotional all over again, “I’ve been fortunate to be with her every step of the way the last few years, and to see her come into this tournament, to score that goal in this game, I mean… I love her to death. To see her emotional, to see that joy in her face again of being back on the field, it kind of all finally hits when you look in each other’s eyes again.”

Swanson missed the 2023 World Cup due to a knee injury. (Photo by John Todd, Getty Images)

She knows, too, that the three of them have been working on her — in a good way, of course — since the tail end of last year, before Emma Hayes joined the team and there was still the uncertainty of the post-World Cup transition.

“They truly have made me feel a part of it,” she said. “I felt like if I could allow myself to be a little bit more vulnerable with the younger group, and buy into that, and be able to share the experiences that I’ve had and have them soak it up.”

She has felt their embrace, even as she’s only barely tolerated the push to be included in social media videos. It’s been fun. It all goes back to that.

“It’s made me feel quite special as part of the group, like I feel like I have something to give to this team as an older player,” Naeher said. Naeher hasn’t talked about her plans moving forward, but there is perhaps the slightest hint of knowing she should take advantage of the chance she has now, to share everything she knows — to help them, and be rewarded with their love right back.If she has to tolerate a few hugs here or there, then it’s a price she doesn’t seem to mind paying even if she’s still putting on the bit on camera, even if she struggles to accept the praise in real time. “Mother-daughter besties forever,” Rodman declared in a team video, after forcing Naeher to hug her back.

Advertisement

https://cee5ff31f80b3b21da8ddb5497b72ca3.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“It’s funny because I’m not a touchy person,” Rodman said Thursday, laughing about that very video. “Just in that moment, I wanted to shout her out. You’ll never see us hug, so that was a once in a lifetime thing. Maybe. Hopefully if we win, there’ll be another one. But I love making her uncomfortable; it brightens my day for sure.” As hoped for, they won. And they got that second hug. And a third, just to be safe. Consider the shell fully cracked.

Is becoming USMNT head coach the right move for Mauricio Pochettino?

By Oliver Kay

Aug 16, 2024

85

---

In late 2022, out of work following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain that summer, Mauricio Pochettino found himself reflecting on the unpredictable nature of a coaching career.

“Football is timing,” he told Spain’s Radio Marca. “It’s about the moments that coincide and then for that marriage to happen. Sometimes it is only a question of time. I don’t believe in trains passing only once. I think sometimes you need the patience and you have to know how to wait.”

Advertisement

https://cbacf8222d7c808287d928ec34b48a82.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The “train” he was referring to was the Real Madrid job. The timing had not been right when they sounded him out in the summer of 2018, given he had just signed a five-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur, but by the end of the following year he was out of work. The stars never quite aligned for him with Manchester United either, despite a long on-off courtship. He ended up coaching PSG and then Chelsea, where he lasted 18 months and a year respectively.

GO DEEPER

Why Pochettino and Chelsea parted ways: ‘Loneliness’, injuries and resistance to club structure

And now, to widespread surprise, Pochettino is on the verge of becoming the new coach of the United States men’s national team, enthused by the challenge of leading them into the 2026 World Cup they will host most of. If you had asked him five years ago, even two years ago, it probably wouldn’t have been a position he envisaged taking at the age of 52. But football is timing. The past years have taught him that.

It is an unexpected leap from Pochettino — away from the Premier League, away from the Champions League circuit and away from European club football, where he has worked as a player and then a coach since he left his native Argentina to join Barcelona-based Espanyol as a 22-year-old in the summer of 1994.

It is a prestigious job, particularly given the looming prospect of a World Cup played primarily on American soil. It is the type of challenge Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and others have often said might tempt them at some distant juncture — just not now, as Klopp made clear when the U.S. federation sounded him out this summer in the early stages of his post-Liverpool sabbatical.

For Pochettino to take the jump at this point in his career underlines not only the appeal of the challenge in question but also, perhaps, a level of disillusionment with the European club scene.

Pochettino suffered bad timing at Chelsea last season (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images)

His reputation as one of the world’s brightest coaches was built on spells at Espanyol, and then Southampton and Tottenham in England, three clubs where he found a vision and an energy that appeared to chime with his own. In terms of showcasing his coaching ability, all three seemed like the right jobs at the right time.

Advertisement

https://cbacf8222d7c808287d928ec34b48a82.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

PSG, by contrast, had begun to resemble a circus by the time he took that job in early 2021; “flashy bling-bling” is how club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi described the dressing-room culture the following year. Chelsea have so far appeared pretty much unmanageable in two turbulent years under the co-ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Wrong place, wrong time. Twice.

There were talks with the Manchester United hierarchy after he left Chelsea at the end of last season, but he received little encouragement before learning that Erik ten Hag was to be kept on after all. A wide range of coaches attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona before they appointed Vincent Kompany and Hansi Flick respectively. Pochettino did not seem to be among them.

In comparison to the fresh-faced figure who arrived on the Premier League scene more than a decade earlier, he seemed a little jaded at times at Chelsea. He certainly found it harder to get his tactical message across than he had at Southampton and Spurs, where young players gave the impression they would happily run through walls for him.

But perhaps it was less about Pochettino and more about the state of dysfunction he encountered at his past two clubs.

As his time at Chelsea headed towards a predictable break-up, there was a sense a young team had begun to turn a corner. They lost just one of their final 15 Premier League games last season, scoring 39 goals in the process, and won their final five to secure a sixth-placed finish and European qualification. Several of their players reacted to his departure by expressing shock or sadness on social media. Their Senegal international forward Nicolas Jackson posted a “facepalm” emoji and wrote, “Love you, coach. Wish we could stay together more.”

This is what the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is buying into: a coach who tends to win hearts and minds — young, fresh, enthusiastic minds in particular — and to impose his playing philosophy. His high-energy, high-pressing, possession-based style is far more mainstream now than when he brought it to the Premier League in early 2013, but even if his principles are similar to USMNT predecessor Gregg Berhalter’s, it seems like a bold as well as highly ambitious, eye-catching appointment by the USSF, whose technical director, Matt Crocker, briefly overlapped with Pochettino at Southampton.

A fresh-faced Pochettino with Southampton in 2013 (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

International football is a strange beast. Many successful club coaches have proven less suited to that version of the game — far less about the tactical challenge and far more about the rhythm of the calendar, where they go months without seeing their players or spending time on the training field, then find themselves plunged into a tournament where the tests are so much harder, the stakes so much higher and the pressure ramped up dramatically.

Advertisement

https://cbacf8222d7c808287d928ec34b48a82.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Pochettino has the emotional intelligence to be able to adjust to those different dynamics and connect with players in a different way. There are unlikely to be many coaches at the 2026 World Cup with more elite-level management experience — not that this is all-important, as Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, Lionel Scaloni of Argentina and England’s recently departed Gareth Southgate have demonstrated of late.

GO DEEPER

Southgate, De la Fuente, Scaloni: Why summer 2024 was powered by the federation coach

The English FA has considered Pochettino in the past and, despite a preference for a homegrown candidate, was expected to do so again following Southgate’s exit last month after Euro 2024. Instead, having considered the free agents on the market, they have just put their under-21s team coach Lee Carsley in interim charge of the senior side, perhaps with an eye on continuity post-Southgate rather than the type of game-changing appointment the USSF had in mind from the start of this process.

It is easy to imagine that, in Pochettino, the USSF have found a coach who could not just improve the national team but further energise the sport in America; someone who can change the culture around the entire national team setup and bring long-term benefits.

Equally, it is possible to imagine him getting itchy feet as he counts down the months towards the 2026 World Cup and the challenge of trying, in those sporadic international breaks, to transform a squad that contains plenty of young talent but which fell so far short of expectations by failing to get past the group stage at this summer’s Copa America, beaten by Panama as well as Uruguay.

There is a lot of work to do to get the USMNT up to speed — specifically to Pochettino speed — by summer 2026. Conversely, though that is nearly two years off, there is not an awful lot of time in which to do it.

That is the strange thing about international football. Anything he does between now and then can be filed under experimentation. Then the World Cup will arrive, expectations will be high and judgements will be made on the validity (and value) of the Pochettino project.

At “flashy” PSG in 2021 (Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

It is easy to see why so many leading coaches tend to regard international football as something that can wait until they are at the tail-end of their careers. But sometimes, as Pochettino said, it is about how moments and opportunities coincide.

Looking beyond finance, if he is inclined to feel any regrets over his choices of PSG and Chelsea, there must be something that has convinced him this is an opportunity that will engage and excite him for the foreseeable future and re-energise his career in the longer term.

Advertisement

https://cbacf8222d7c808287d928ec34b48a82.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Perhaps it comes back to something he said while he was in Qatar, working as a pundit for the BBC during the 2022 World Cup. He spoke about how excited and enthused he felt by the feeling around the competition — probably pretty easy for an Argentinian at that tournament — and how, yes, having appeared in the World Cup as a player in 2002, he would love to do so as a coach in the future.

At the time, it was presumed he meant by taking charge of Argentina — or even England, such is the way he’d come to be regarded as an Anglophile since his arrival on these shores over 11 years ago.

Instead, he has now been lured Stateside, just as his compatriot Lionel Messi, now 37, was when he joined Inter Miami of MLS last year, just as German veteran Marco Reus, 35, has been now that his move to LA Galaxy in the same league has been confirmed.

https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/are-premier-league-friendlies-enough-for-u-s-fans/id1488521447?i=1000663945716&itsct=podcast_box_player&itscg=30200&ls=1&theme=auto

In some ways, Pochettino’s move feels more unexpected because it’s all happened in a matter of days rather than being flagged months or even years in advance.

Football is timing, as Pochettino said.

Perhaps the past few years have taught him something different about coaching careers and the difficulty of trying to plan too far ahead.

Sometimes the opportunity to board a particular train doesn’t come along again.

Pochettino didn’t want to hang about waiting. He is evidently enthused by the journey that lies ahead, wherever it may take him.

Indianapolis – Visiting Western Conference leader New Mexico United scored three second-half goals in a 22-minute span to rally for a 3-1 road victory over the Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium.

Indy Eleven played an impressive first half with an 8-4 advantage in shots.  In the second minute of the match, a header from Romario Williams set up an chance for Augi Williams for a left-footed opportunity in the area that was saved by New Mexico keeper Alex Tambakis.

In the 23rd minute, Neidlinger struck a nice cross from the right corner to the far post to defender Aedan Stanley, but his header was just over the bar.

The Boys in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute when 18-year-old midfielder Logan Neidlinger became the youngest player in franchise history to score a goal.  Neidlinger is also the first Indy Eleven player on a USL Academy contract to score.  Neidlinger, born in Indianapolis, has played the full 90 minutes in all three of the team’s August matches.

Defender Adrian Diz Pe started the scoring sequence with an interception at midfield.  Three quick passes got the ball to midfielder Laurence Wootton, who quickly passed it to Neidlinger on the right side of the box.  Neidlinger fired a shot into the top left corner.  It was Wootton’s second straight match with an assist.

Indy Eleven had a great chance to take increase its lead just three minutes later when Neidlinger delivered an excellent cross from outside the area on the right side to the far post to Augi Williams, who headed across to the far post, but Romario Williams was not able to finish.

In the 39th minute, forward Sebastian Guenzatti spun and passed to Stanley, who hit a cross that just eluded both Augi and Romario Williams.

Indy Eleven are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 35 points.  Their next match is at the Las Vegas Lights FC on August 24.

Indy Eleven 1:3 New Mexico United

Sunday, August 11, 2024 – 5 p.m. ET

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis

2024 USL Championship Records

Indy Eleven: 10-8-5 (-3), 35 pts, 4th in Eastern Conference

New Mexico United: 13-6-2 (+4), 41 pts, 1st in Western Conference

Indy Eleven 1-3 New Mexico United

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis

Attendance:  10,013
Weather:  Partly sunny, 75 degrees

US Women Reach Gold Medal Final vs Brazil Sat 11 am USA

So coaching does make a difference as new Coach Emma Hayes has molded this young US team and has them on the brink of Olympic gold for the first time since 2016. Their foe – Brazil and the legendary Marta – who made her debut Olympic debut 20 years ago as she faced the US in the Olympic Gold Medal game. After being knocked out in the round of 16 in last year’s World Cup – the change of coaching finally came. I said all last summer – the US players have not fallen behind the rest of the world – the coaching had. Spain and France and England don’t have better female players than the US does. These new leagues are not better than the NWSL – not yet. But the US has not had the right coach for a while – now with the US trained English coach Emma Hayes in charge – the US has turned the team over to the youngsters and they have responded. The Holy Trinity/Trident/Triple Expresso up front with Smith/Swanson/Rodman has 3 goals each and 10 of the 12 goals or assists have come thru them (Check this goal in the semi-final.) The back line anchored by the US best player Centerback Girma and of course goalkeeper Elysa Naeher has really stepped up. Now there are things I think can be improved upon -aka more subs, overall you can’t argue with the results so far. If Hayes can bring home the gold after only 2 months in charge of this team – maybe we should give her the Men’s job next. 🙂

Surprised to see Brazil beat Spain 4-2 – honestly Spain had an own goal and a stupid back pass – along with the Brazilian GK Lorena making save after save. She could have a real role vs US Sat. But I like the US 2-1. Unbelievable saves Germany vs USA

2024 U.S. Olympic women’s soccer roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) DEFENDERS (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC) MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea) Lynn Williams NY Gothem FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) ALTERNATES (4): Jane Campbell (goalkeeper, Houston Dash), Hal Hershfelt (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Croix Bethune (midfielder, Washington Spirit),

US Boys Bow Out – Spain faces France in the Final Friday at noon on USA

The US U23 team bowed out to Morocco last weekend with a pathetic 4-0 shellacking. Amazing just how bad our defense was with 2 veteran overage Centerbacks added to this team. If there is any doubt that the US men’s side is broken – the Olympic showing didn’t help things. Combine that with the U20 loss to Mexico and the men’s side of US soccer is — ah broke. Will be interesting to see Spain vs France on Friday on USA — can coach Henri bring home a goal for his country – could that lead to an offer of the head job from the US. I still prefer Mauricio Pochettino formerly of Spurs and Chelsea- but Henri would be better than LA’s Steve Cherundelo in my mind.

Fri, Aug 9

9 am USA, Tele, Peacock Spain Women vs Germany 3rd place game

12 noon USA, Tele, Peacock France U23 Men vs Spain Gold Medal Men

7:30 pm Apple TV Cincy vs Santos Laguna

10 pm FS1 America vs Atlas – Leagues Cup

Sat Aug 10

7:30 am CBS SN QPR vs West Brom Championship

7:30 am CBS Golazo Leeds United (Aronson) vs Portsmith

10 am ESPN+ Community Shield Man City vs Man United

11 am. ET – Telemundo, Peacock, USA Gold Medal Game USA Women vs Brazil

12 noon CBSSN Wrexham vs Wycombe League 1 England

7 pm CBS Galazo Pittsburg Riverhounds (GK Dick) vs San Antonio

9 pm ESPN2 Louisville City vs Sacramento USL

Sun Aug 11

11 am CBS Golazo Sheffield Wed vs Plymouth League 1

5 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs New Mexico United – Beat Cancer Day @ the Mike

Fri, Aug 16 EPL Starts

3 pm USA Man United vs Fulham (Robinson)

US Ladies

USA women’s soccer vs Brazil: How to watch, stream link, team news, prediction for Olympic gold-medal match
USWNT faces pressure of history in Olympic final Sam Borden
Rodman on Marta: ‘I love her’ but we want gold

Smith, Girma dazzle in new-look USWNT as Olympic gold medal awaits

USWNT’s Triple Espresso brings Triple Trouble to Olympic opponents S&S

Albert: Hayes’ ‘tough love’ repaired USWNT bond Sam Borden
Emma Hayes reveals motivation techniques after taking USA to Olympic football final

Moving on from Alex Morgan was key for USWNT

No pain, no gain: USWNT coach wants team ‘to suffer’

Will Marta win her first Olympic title with Brazil or will USA reclaim gold? | The Cooligans

Scouting Brazil

Women’s soccer recap, Aug. 6: Brazil shocks Spain, will …

US Men

Mauricio Pochettino a ”top target” for USMNT (report)
USMNT begin conversations with ‘top target’ Mauricio Pochettino
Recent USMNT managers have promised the world and forgotten the basics

USMNT defender Tim Ream returning to MLS, signs with Charlotte FC

Analysis: U.S. team’s Olympic campaign a mixed bag after Morocco loss

USMNT search continues, U-20’s qualify, transfer talk, Leagues Cup, and Yanks Abroad rundown

U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team vs. Morocco: Match Recap

EPL 

Manchester City vs Manchester United: How to watch live, stream, team news, prediction for Community Shield
Manchester United already facing new season injury headaches ahead of Community Shield
Premier League teams touring USA for summer 2024 preseason: Results, recaps, highlights
Championship hopefuls try to ‘do an Ipswich’ but who will be this year’s saviours of the EFL?

MLS

🖐 things we learned from the Leagues Cup group stage
🔬 The Debrief as Leagues Cup knockouts begin with two MLS exits

Seven goals and a red card! Chaos erupts in Miami’s clash with Toronto

Messi’s ankle ‘better every day,’ but Inter Miami star has yet to play Leagues Cup

Tigres edges Inter Miami 2-1 to win Leagues Cup group
🎥 Pumas goalkeeper makes spectacular diving save to deny
CF Montréal confirm arrival of midfielder Caden Clark

Goalkeeping

Unbelievable saves Germany vs USA

Brazil Lorena GK PK Save vs France
Ex-Man Utd keeper De Gea in talks with Fiorentina

Great Ladies GK Saves  

Reffing

Bad Decision Does Not Mean you’re a Bad Ref

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

=======RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===========

Looking for a good summer meal?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================

Sophia Smith: ‘This team has a standard of winning on the biggest stage’ as USWNT eyes Olympic gold

By Meg Linehan Aug 8, 2024

---

PARIS — Twelve years ago, the last time the U.S. women’s national team won a gold medal at the Olympics, Mallory Swanson was watching the game at a Buffalo Wild Wings. Trinity Rodman joked that she was five years old (she was 10, actually). Sophia Smith added she had been watching the very team she stars for today for as long as she could remember.

On Thursday, the three starting forwards for the USWNT — now having dubbed themselves “Triple Espresso” (or at least, they’re throwing it out there for workshopping purposes) — spoke to reporters at the Olympics’ press center. In two days’ time, they’ll have their chance to truly stamp their mark on this program with a major tournament victory.

“This team has always had a standard of winning, and winning on the biggest stage,” Smith said Thursday. “We take so much pride in that, and want to uphold that in everything that we do to pay our respects to the players that have come before us.”

For all the worries about the USWNT’s inability to score in the send-off games last month, and as tight as the knock-outs have been against Japan and Germany, all three of the forward line have scored three goals so far this tournament. Swanson has also added two assists, and Smith and Rodman one.

There’s no secret recipe for their success. All three have talked about not playing selfishly, and knowing one of them will step up — it’s just a matter of which one and when. The other part is even more simple: they actively like each other. They’re best friends off the field. The chemistry between them, their trust, all of that came together so quickly for a reason.

“We hang out every second that we can,” Rodman said, laughing. “Which is crazy because we’re stuck together.”

(Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

As Smith pointed out following the U.S.’s statement win over Germany in the group stage, they had only had six or seven games (at that point) with the three of them as the starting forward line. “We’re clicking really well, really fast,” she said that night in Marseille. “I think this is only like 70 percent of what we can do.”

For Rodman though, it’s the off-field stuff that has made a massive difference to their communication in game. “We know how we take certain tones. It’s the littlest things. We just know each other so well, and we can then translate that on the field. If we miss a pass, there’s already a look of, ‘Oh no, she was mad. We got the next one.’”

Advertisement

https://82688ab70efc10c8e1dae55b6935561b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Trinity Rodman was the extra time hero in Paris against Japan. On Tuesday, it was Sophia Smith against Germany (via a Swanson assist) — who had so little left in the tank at that point in extra time that she opted to just drop to the ground and let her teammates pile on top of her, so she didn’t have to run any more than she had to. 

Head coach Emma Hayes in the mixed zone later couldn’t help but drop a couple of f-bombs in disbelief after the match on Smith’s performance, stating the forward had “f****** gone on another level.”

The front line has earned their reputation as a group at the Olympics, but each player offers something unique — playing off each other doesn’t work nearly as well if all three of them are not fully embracing what they do best.

In almost every postgame mixed zone during this tournament, either one of the three of them or one of their teammates has referenced the idea of “just Mal being Mal,” “Trin being Trin”, or “Soph being Soph.”

Smith celebrates her winner against Germany (John Todd/ISI/Getty Images)

On Thursday, Rodman gave her version of what those three shorthand comments stood in for. For herself, it was “smiling, creativity, trying new things, and being one-on-one.” She does after all, she added smiling, really enjoy a good one-on-one. That’s probably why the ‘Trin Spin’ got it’s Olympic debut so early.

For Swanson, Rodman said she is a selfless player. “She makes a lot of selfless runs to open up space. She’s explosive. She’s a perfectionist. She wants to get the perfect shot, the perfect touch, the perfect angle. But it’s in a healthy and good way.”

And for Smith, Rodman wanted to remind everyone how good she is with her feet. “She’s so good at holding defenders off, when she’s back to goal. She’s good at it in a weird way. She’s gonna be sneaky; you don’t think she’s gonna get there and then she’ll change her speed at the perfect time to get a toe in or get a touch. Her body control is really good, and it sets her up for success.”

Advertisement

https://82688ab70efc10c8e1dae55b6935561b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Rodman added that having all those different skill sets on the field at the same time and knowing any one of the front three could step up meant that if one of them didn’t have a big game, it wasn’t the end of the world. Everyone was still trusted to contribute. If things aren’t working for her offensively, that’s her sign to make sure she puts in a big shift defensively.

The details may have been tweaked this tournament match-by-match, but Emma Hayes’s approach and starting XI has remained the same. She hasn’t changed it due to the threat of yellow card accumulation, or tired legs, or any whiff of outside pressure to rotate. 

So on Saturday, it will be Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman up top, hunting goals against Brazil at Parc des Princes. And all three trust one of them will get the job done. They don’t care who, just that it ends in gold.

USWNT has suffered at the Olympics. Its perseverance is rewarded with a chance for gold

(Top photo: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

USWNT vs. Brazil Olympics gold medal game odds: Americans enter as favorites in Paris

By Dan Santaromita Aug 7, 2024

---

It took two extra-time matches, but the United States women’s national team is back in a gold medal match at the Olympics. The Americans will face Brazil on Saturday in the final in Paris.he U.S. enters the match as the favorite after the Brazilians upset reigning World Cup champion Spain in a semifinal. The Americans have -250 odds on BetMGM to win the gold medal after opening at -275.
The USWNT has won four of the seven golds at the Olympics. Regardless of what happens in the final, the U.S. will have made six of the eight finals and won medals in seven of the eight women’s soccer tournaments.Meanwhile, Brazil is looking for its first-ever gold medal in women’s soccer. The Brazilians took silver in 2004 and 2008.The gold medal game will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. ET at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

USWNT vs. Brazil odds

Odds are for result after 90 minutes and from BetMGM.

	Odds
US win	+100
Draw	+220
Brazil win	+280

The paths to the final for these two teams have been a bit reversed.The Americans mostly cruised through group play, winning all three matches with a plus-seven goal differential. The two knockout matches were both tense affairs that went to extra time after 90 scoreless minutes. The U.S. survived past Japan in the quarterfinals and Germany in the semifinals with 1-0 victories after two hours of play in each match.Brazil barely made it to the knockout stage. After beating Nigeria 1-0 in the opener, Brazil gave up two goals in added time to lose 2-1 to Japan and then lost 2-0 to Spain. Brazil was the last team to get into the quarterfinals, edging out Australia in goal differential by one goal among teams that finished third in their groups.In the quarterfinals, Brazil shocked host France 1-0 with a late goal and then blew away Spain in a big upset in the semifinals. Brazil beat Spain 4-2, but it could have, and probably should have, been much worse. Spain was a mess defensively against Brazil and the first goal was truly embarrassing.So how do these two teams match up? The Americans are undefeated and have survived some close tests, but will that extra hour of play affect the Americans in the final? These teams have been playing every three or four days for the duration of the two-and-a-half-week tournament, and USWNT coach Emma Hayes has received criticism for not rotating players or using subs earlier in matches. Nine Americans have started every match and that number might have been 10 if not for Tierna Davidson getting injured in the second group game against Germany.Of course, that’s all there is to complain about when Hayes is undefeated since taking charge of the team in June. The U.S. has eight wins and a draw under Hayes.Brazil also gets a boost in the form of Marta’s return. The legendary forward was suspended for both knockout games after getting a red card in the previous meeting with Spain in group play. This is Marta’s final year before retiring from international play so her team will be plenty motivated to send one of the all-time greats out with a gold medal. isn’t even the first final these teams have met in this year. In March, the U.S. beat Brazil 1-0 in the final of the W Gold Cup in San Diego. The USWNT has won the last seven meetings against Brazil and has gone nine straight without a loss. Brazil last beat the Americans in 2014.

USWNT advances to the Olympic final. Plus: Vote on what to call this front line

By Emily Olsen Aug 7, 2024

---

Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.

---

What is the meaning of suffering? Emma Hayes might just have the answer. I’m Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Steph Yang and Jeff Rueter to bring you an Olympic edition of Full Time!

Want more? Steph and Tamerra Griffin break down how the USWNT advanced to its first gold medal match in 12 years on the “Full Time” podcast — a special Olympic episode is being released after every U.S. game during the tournament.

---

Olympic Final Set: USWNT advances to gold medal match

I was picturing this Michael Scott meme while writing the following:

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” – Friedrich Nietzsche, but also Emma Hayes

With a win against Germany in extra time yesterday, the U.S. women’s national team guaranteed either a silver or gold medal at the Paris Games. The Americans will face Brazil on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in the Olympic final, the USWNT’s first since 2012.

Advertisement

https://6a0f72449bdb88769c3a02869e3e0d8f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“I could see today that players were having to dig to the deepest place within them,” Hayes actually said after the win. “I want them to suffer. I want them to have that moment because I do not believe you can win without it.”

The U.S. boss is still new to the international game, but the players have fully bought in. For now, they are pushing through fatigue, injuries and suspensions to prove a point and in doing so, have outperformed expectations. This is not the same team that won bronze at the Tokyo Games or the one that lost in penalties to Sweden exactly a year ago yesterday at the World Cup. 

“We’re a different team since she’s come in. She’s so hilarious and chill and funny, and I feel like that’s exactly what we needed. We have the players, we have the talent, we just needed someone to come in and believe in us,” Sophia Smith said. “Emma’s doing exactly that.”

I mean how could you not be totally in when playing for a coach that uses gummy bears to describe tactics?

The U.S. played 90 minutes of scoreless soccer again yesterday before Smith broke the stalemate five minutes into stoppage time. Her goal adds to a very familiar trend this tournament: the USWNT’s big three showing up — we’ll come back to them later.

Collectively, Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson have contributed to 10 of the team’s 11 goals during this Olympics.

Midfielder Sam Coffey said it best this week in training: “They’re like the Big Three, but they’re all Michael Jordan.”

While it’s refreshing to see the team find the back of the net, the defense also deserves plenty of credit for its efforts in keeping two consecutive clean sheets against Japan and Germany. Speaking of …

---

Claudio Villa / Getty Images

Hi, My Name Is: The best defender Hayes has ever seen

Since Becky Sauerbrunn was ruled out for the 2023 World Cup, the U.S. back line has been Naomi Girma’s to lead. Heck, she can command the entire team, as highlighted by the armband she wore yesterday after Lindsey Horan left the pitch. A quick stage-setter:

• Girma, 24, made her professional debut in 2022 with the San Diego Wave after being picked at No. 1 in the NWSL Draft.
• But she patrols the defensive third with the kind of composure that’s more commonly expected from a seasoned veteran.
• She’s bailed the U.S. out on multiple occasions with her ability on the ground and in the air, even as her central partner has alternated between Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett due to injury concerns.

“She is the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever,” Hayes said. “I’ve never seen a player as good as her in the back.”

And Hayes has worked with her fair share of solid defenders: Millie Bright, Kadeisha Buchanan, Niamh Charles and Magda Eriksson, to name a few from her time at Chelsea.

The Stanford grad put up serious numbers against Germany:

• Carried the ball for 687 meters — 24 percent of the entire USWNT’s dribbling distance.
• Completed 125 passes from 132 attempts in the game.
• Led the team in ball recoveries (13), clearances (5) and interceptions (3).

But Girma’s impact doesn’t stop there. She has also been a staunch advocate for mental health, sharing her story of personal loss after her best friend and college teammate Katie Meyer died by suicide. She continues to do work to promote mental health, especially among athletes, in Meyer’s memory.

---

Moment of the Match: Tournament-mode Naeher strikes again

While Rodman, Smith, Swanson and Girma are having an impressive tournament, there’s one person who can’t be outdone when the right combination of tournament play and clutch moments overlap.

Tournament Alyssa Naeher is a different beast. The goalkeeper hits a level not seen elsewhere in her play when she’s on the big stage. She was one of the few USWNT players to convert a penalty kick against Sweden in the World Cup last year and did it again to greater success in the W Gold Cup semifinal earlier this year.

On Tuesday, it was her acrobatic save and laser-focused reflexes that earned her the moment of the match:

I’ll let Steph describe it:

“Naeher’s last-minute block to preserve the U.S. lead and avoid penalties was the stuff of legend. Perhaps Laura Freigang’s header wasn’t well-placed, and perhaps it was a bit of luck. Perhaps Naeher was playing the odds by simply making herself as big as possible and her leg happened to be in the way. In replays, you can see Naeher tracking the ball in and looking down at her foot, even though it’s all taking place in about a second flat. Regardless of intent, the effect was undeniable: a shot at the gold medal.”

---

Looking Ahead: Brazil playing one more for Marta

Brazil beat Spain 4-2 in the other semifinal to earn a ticket to the Olympic final. It’s one more chance for Marta to make her mark on the international stage after the completion of her two-game red card suspension.

The game was anything but expected from the opening goal — which came off a poor clearance by Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll, causing a ball to hit off her teammate Irene Paredes and into the goal — to Brazil taking control with goals from Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Kerolin. With the reigning World Cup winners bounced to the bronze game, there has still yet to be a World Cup-Olympic double.

Advertisement

https://6a0f72449bdb88769c3a02869e3e0d8f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Meanwhile, this will be the third time the U.S. and Brazil meet in an Olympic final. It is also a rematch of the W Gold Cup final. The Americans won each of those previous meetings.

Schedule for the medal matches (USA Network, streaming on Peacock):

• Bronze: Spain vs. Germany – Friday at 9 a.m. ET in Lyon
• Gold: USWNT vs. Brazil – Saturday at 11 a.m. ET in Paris

---

Name Games: What are we calling this front line?

The front three of Rodman, Smith and Swanson has taken this Olympics by storm. In addition to capturing eyes, they’ve also gotten everyone to discuss what they should collectively be nicknamed.

NBC commentators Jon Champion and Julie Foudy have had their fair share of suggestions during broadcasts.

🗣️“Germany speared by the trident,” Champion said after Smith’s goal in the semifinal.

But with the team on the cusp of history, is “trident” what we’re sticking with for this front three forever?

The options:

• 🔱 Trident
• 👑 The Triple Crown
• 😈 Triple Trouble
• Write-in

While I’m of the opinion the trio should name themselves, as the women’s gymnastics team did with “Golden Girls” this year, it’s still fun to brainstorm. Cast your vote for what you think befits the forwards.

While Smith and Swanson liked Christen Press’ suggestion of “Triple Trouble,” we can rule out the “Holy Trinity.” Rodman didn’t like that one: “I don’t want it to be just, like, my name,” she said after the Australia game in the group stage. “So, we’ll try something else.”

USWNT’s Rodman, Smith, Swanson having fun as fearsome front three

• Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 5, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

LYON, France — When Trinity Rodman came into the locker room after the U.S. women’s national team victory over Australia last week at the Paris Olympics, she was carrying a piece of paper that a fan thrust at her as she’d walked off the field. The paper had printed on it the names of the three starting American forwards — Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson — and then, in big, colorful letters, the words: “THE HOLY TRINITY.”

Rodman was torn. While very much appreciative of the sentiment behind the sign, she remained optimistic (hopeful, even?) that a different nickname for the trio could be found. “I don’t want it to be just, like, my name,” she said. “So, we’ll try something else.”

That lack of an obvious (and catchy) moniker for the USWNT’s front three is perhaps the only issue they’ve had over the past four games. As the U.S. prepares for its Olympic soccer semifinal here Tuesday against Germany, the Americans can take comfort in knowing that their primary scorers have been doing exactly that: scoring.

After Rodman’s outrageous, extra-time game winner into the upper corner in the 1-0 quarterfinal victory against Japan, she and Swanson share the team’s scoring lead with three goals apiece while Smith has added two goals of her own. Between them, they’ve scored eight of the team’s 10 goals at the Paris Games.

Editor’s Picks

• USWNT eyes Olympic medal as quarterfinal win signals turning point5dJeff Kassouf

“I feel like we’re clicking really well, really fast,” Smith said. “This is only like 70% of what we can do. The more games we get together, the more we’re going to be playing off each other and just learning each other’s tendencies. It’s so much fun playing with them.”

That level of comfort is clearly something new coach Emma Hayes has prioritized. Despite the compressed nature of the Olympic tournament, Hayes has been adamant about keeping her preferred lineup together — even doing so in an all-but-dead-match against the Matildas in the group stage finale. While that decision is one that inspired some debate among observers who wonder about fatigue, the minutes the U.S. players are getting on the field — especially among the front three — have led to valuable understanding.

In the 4-1 group stage win over Germany, Rodman created the opening goal with a move on the edge of the penalty area that she then crossed perfectly to Smith, who finished first-time. It was a goal straight from the practice field, and it highlighted how quickly the U.S. forwards are taking in what Hayes — who called the trio “dynamic as hell” — wants from them.”I think we’re all really starting to come around to the way Emma has wanted us to play,” Swanson said. “It’s been really enjoyable just being able to learn different things and trying to apply them, especially since the group that we have is super special.”

Swanson’s appreciation for her part in this team’s rise is understandable. She has been a part of the USWNT since 2016, when she was just 17, and she worked her way into a main role with the national team as she became a star in the NWSL. But three months before the Women’s World Cup last year, Swanson tore her left patella tendon — a devastating injury that required a full year of recovery.

Missing that much time was costly, both for Swanson’s own confidence as well as her ability to mesh with Smith and Rodman, the other young attackers with whom she’d have to combine. During her time at these Olympics, she’s found herself lingering on the basic premise that she is finally playing again without fear. “I think I’m just grateful,” she said.

One thing that helped Swanson reintegrate so smoothly is her familiarity with Smith. While Smith is two years younger, she and Swanson both grew up playing for the same club near Denver, and they have been familiar with each other’s games for years.Swanson knows, then, the challenge that Smith has faced in playing a different role for the national team than the one she normally fills for her club team. With the Portland Thorns, Smith is often seen dropping back deeper into the field, playing the ball farther away from the goal.With the USWNT, Hayes has been pushing her to get into the penalty area and look to take advantage of crosses, cutbacks and rebounds or unexpected bounces that fall to her there. It’s something Smith is open to doing, but also a change that is requiring her to re-train her brain a bit.”I think Emma’s biggest goal for me is playing this [No. 9] position,” Smith said. “I tend to kind of check into the pockets, get it and turn and go myself. It’s obviously different here. I have players all around me that can do that, and I just need to find myself in the box to put away the chances that they’re putting in there.”Staying more central is critical, too, because it opens space on the edges for Swanson as well as Rodman, who powered the U.S. into the semifinals with her wondrous sequence against Japan that began on the right sideline. That play — where Rodman took down a ball from Crystal Dunn, dribbled toward the goal line before cutting sharply inside and blasting an inch-perfect shot into the upper corner at the far post — was just the latest example of the individual brilliance that the USWNT has come to expect from Rodman.At 22, she is already a mainstay of the U.S. attack and, even more to Hayes’ liking, she is a two-way player with a significant motor, working back to help on defense as much as she surges forward. Despite being the third-youngest player on the Olympic roster, Rodman already has 44 USWNT caps and is the only American to appear in every USWNT game since the start of 2023. But while she was part of the team that crashed out of the Women’s World Cup last summer in the round of 16, her impact there wasn’t anything close to what it has been in France. For Rodman, much of that is due to Hayes’ influence.

“The way that she coaches is she doesn’t want to change anybody’s style,” Rodman said. “She wants everyone to be creative in their own ways and she lets that happen while also trying to put her structure and her principles sprinkled in there. But allowing us to play free I think has been extremely successful.”

That much, certainly, is sure. And as the USWNT recasts itself under Hayes, it’s impossible to overstate how important the three players leading the line are to the new personality of this group. Lindsey Horan, the veteran midfielder and captain of the team, drew a clear line between what Rodman, Smith and Swanson are doing and the emergence of a new feeling around the team as a whole. Even if they don’t have a catchy nickname just yet.

“We keep talking about this new identity, this new style, this new sense of confidence,” Horan said. “I think you see it in our front three. I think you see it in our attack … I think that’s the key for us right now.”

Former Chelsea, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino a top target to become USMNT coach: Sources

By Paul TenorioAug 8, 2024

---

Former Tottenham and Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is a top target for the U.S. men’s national team opening, according to multiple sources briefed on the coaching search.The sources said that the federation was still considering multiple candidates as of last week, but Pochettino is seen by some as the favorite in the pool, and U.S. Soccer is engaged in conversations with his camp.U.S. Soccer has declined to comment on any specific candidates for the job.Hiring Pochettino would be seen as a huge splash, especially at a time the U.S. fanbase is looking for a big-name manager. The Argentine has never managed a national team, but has had plenty of success at club level. He guided Southampton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League in 2013, achieved record league finishes with Spurs, including a Champions League final appearance in 2019, and secured a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain. Most recently, Pochettino led Chelsea to a sixth-place finish and European qualification before departing at the end of the 2023-24 season.U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker and Pochettino overlapped during the Argentine coach’s year at Southampton. Crocker led Southampton’s academy at the time, and left in November 2013 to join the Football Association.

Pochettino managed Chelsea last season (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Argentine outlet Olé previously reported Pochettino was a candidate for the job.

While it is possible that U.S. Soccer could make and announce a hire before the September window, the federation is planning to have former U.S. under-20 men’s national team coach and current USMNT assistant Mikey Varas to lead the senior team in friendlies against Canada and New Zealand on September 7 and September 10, respectively, according to sources briefed on the program’s planning.

The USMNT have been without a coach since firing Gregg Berhalter after a group-stage exit in the Copa América this summer. Berhalter served as the manager from December 2018 through to December 2022, taking the U.S. back to the World Cup after they failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018, and then again from June 2023 until July 2024.

The U.S. fell flat in the Copa, beating Bolivia in their opening group game before losing to Panama after playing a man down for more than an hour following a red card to winger Tim Weah. The U.S. then lost 1-0 in the group finale to Uruguay.

Pochettino would be the highest-profile coach of the U.S. since Jurgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner. While Klinsmann coached the German national team and Bayern Munich before taking on the U.S. job, his fame came more from his on-field accomplishments as a player. Pochettino has made his name as a manager, with teams that use positional play to try to dominate space, but that also like to press and attack opposition.The 52-year-old will likely command a top-level salary, as reports have indicated he was one of the highest-paid coaches in the world at PSG and Chelsea. However, Crocker has said the federation won’t be limited by financial restrictions.“It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field,” Crocker said. “It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.”(Top photo: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

A World Cup in America in the middle of summer? Have they seen the weather?

By Greg O’KeeffeAug 2, 2024

---

It was the USA’s highly-vaunted summer of soccer, but it was also a stress test for the nation hosting the World Cup.There was certainly plenty of stress to test.Aside from concerns over field conditions, crowd control and security — alarmingly highlighted before the Copa America final in Miami when ticketless fans forced their way into the stadium —Mother Nature ensured plenty of other challenges.Extreme weather, from scorching heat to torrential rain and lightning, caused games across Copa America and various European club tours to be delayed, while supporters, officials and players struggled to contend with the subsequent effects.Some meteorologists believe world soccer’s organizing body FIFA must treat climate change-driven problems as a priority, with questions being asked about the viability of major tournaments taking place during summer.“There needs to be a conversation about having these matches in places that will get 90-degree-plus summer temperatures,” says Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather’s senior director of forecasting operations. “Should games be played in Miami in July? I don’t know the answer, but the question is worth asking.”

---

Just this week, Barcelona’s high-profile friendly with Manchester City in Orlando was delayed for 80 minutes by storms.Fans had to seek shelter under the stands at the Camping World Stadium before the game eventually started, and afterwards, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said: “The circumstances have not been the best because of the weather.”City’s first game of their USA tour, the 4-3 defeat by Celtic, was also affected when supporters had to evacuate the Kenan Stadium in North Carolina after a weather warning was issued hours before kick-off, although there was no delay to the match.

Fans in North Carolina were evacuated before Manchester City played Celtic (Peter Zay/AFP/Getty Images)

On Sunday, another game in Florida, between Wolves and West Ham, also saw kick-off delayed by more than two hours with thunderstorms lashing downtown Jacksonville and the city subject to a flash flood warning.The heat was problematic during Copa America. During a group-stage match on June 25 between Canada and Peru at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, one of the assistant referees, Humberto Panjoj, collapsed.The Guatemalan was positioned on the side of the field directly in the sun during the closing stages of the first half, which had kicked off at 5pm, and as temperatures neared 100F (37.8C) with 50 per cent humidity, he fainted and was stretchered off.Panjoj was rushed to hospital and discharged a day later with what tournament organisers CONMEBOL described as dehydration. Even fans who normally pack the Cauldron section of the stadium had moved en masse to shaded stands to avoid the blazing sun, according to the Kansas City Star.Two days earlier, Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo had to leave the field during his team’s 3-1 win over Panama due to heat-related issues. Araujo reported feeling dizzy and his blood pressure had dropped.

“The truth is I’m still a bit dizzy now,” said the 25-year-old afterwards. “My (blood) pressure went down. When the first half finished, I was a bit dizzy and when I reached the dressing room, my pressure went down. The doctor said it was a bit of dehydration and I couldn’t continue for the second half.”It impacted teams’ preparation, too. Paraguay manager Daniel Garnero described the heat during training as “oppressive”, adding: “The sun is really intense and it sets really late, so we have had to modify our training schedule. The demands at these temperatures are not helping us.”Ahead of Brazil’s 4-1 win over Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the squad were due to train at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex at 5pm. It was so hot that they delayed it for two hours, having contemplated cancelling the session altogether in favour of the players working in the gym instead. When training did start, the sprinklers on the grass were kept on throughout.“We went from the parking lot into the stadium and the change in temperature was incredible,” said centre-back Marquinhos. “Having an air-conditioned stadium will really help the match because it’s very hot here. It might be a factor in our favour, being a little fresher.”“It’s really hot,” added left-back Guilherme Arana. “I stepped off the plane and it was that sultry heat. We’re following the recommendations of the nutritionists and physios, hydrating a lot.”

Canada’s Maxime Crepeau helps assistant referee Humberto Panjoj in Kansas (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

CONMEBOL described the impact of global warming on athletes’ health as “a critical issue”, saying “rising temperatures because of climate change pose significant threats to players”.The organising body issued a set of directives to address exertional heat stroke in soccer. They included medical screenings to identify players at risk of heat stroke, a recommendation that players are allowed to adapt gradually to the heat for 10-14 days, and emphasising the importance of hydration and sleep.

---

“There is a reason they play American football in the fall,” says DePodwin, who leads a team of 45 AccuWeather meteorologists from the firm’s headquarters in Pennsylvania. The organisation advises half of Fortune 500 businesses and provides forecasts to millions of people via its website and app.“It has been a very hot summer in the U.S. and I think it will rank among the hottest ever,” he says. “It’s certainly a global trend for much hotter periods, but the Copa America will have increased visibility of how we are affected in the U.S. A lot of the places where they played games get extremely hot and while many of the stadiums had retractable roofs, not all did.”

High humidity, DePodwin says, has compounded the effect of those soaring temperatures. It is one of the elements AccuWeather uses in their ‘Real Feel’ ranking, which also includes temperature, wind speed and sun angle to give a more comprehensive forecast of how the weather actually feels.

“There are plenty of afternoons in Miami, where they had the final, where the Real Feel is 100 degrees,” he says.

DePodwin says starting games in the morning or late evening would help. “But we know that in the group stages of a tournament like the World Cup, that might not always be possible.”

Regardless, he says lessons should be learned from this summer, particularly by those venues that hosted matches and will host again for next summer’s Club World Cup or the 2026 World Cup. “It’s important these venues have a plan to deal with heat and thunderstorms, which bring lightning, damaging winds and rain as well.

“There are certainly risks of further delays or postponements. FIFA must think about the exertions on athletes in those conditions, but also other places, such as how fans in fan parks and gatherings before games are vulnerable to the elements.”

Rain delayed Manchester City against Barcelona in Orlando (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Another potential hazard could be poor air quality. “There have been many occasions in the last few years where wildfire smoke has caused dangerous air quality across parts of the United States,” he adds. “For instance, in June 2023, there were several days of hazardous air quality in the north-east U.S. which cancelled many sporting events and other outdoor activities.

“If a similar situation were to occur during the World Cup, delays or cancellations might result.”

Does he think, then, that major tournaments should increasingly be held at times of the year other than summer — such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

“It’s an interesting topic of discussion,” he says. “Even having something like the World Cup start in September would help, but there’s obviously then an impact on all the domestic seasons for each nation.”

Advertisement

https://3d3823996626712aa8ba93d658afecec.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Asked about the impact of weather ahead of the World Cup, a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic: “We have studied extensive historical weather data throughout our planning efforts and continue to monitor the weather trends ahead of 2026.

“As noted during the schedule announcement earlier this year, FIFA will seek to increase the prospect of favorable playing and spectating conditions for teams and fans (considering such factors like heat forecasts, for example) via kick-off times, which will be added following the final draw near the end of 2025.”

Even their detractors would concede that FIFA cannot control the weather. But, along with every other stakeholder who wants the 2026 World Cup to be a resounding success, a lot of planning will be needed.

(Top photo: The scoreboard at Camping World Stadium before Manchester City played Barcelona in Orlando, Florida; by Rich Storry via Getty Images)

What did you think of this story?

The Summer of Soccer Continues — after a fantastic European Cup with Spain defeating England 2-1 late just like I picked. No it didn’t come home England – (the misery continues) and equally enthralling Copa America Final where Argentina defeated Colombia with a late winner 1-0 as an injured Messi looked on crying from the bench – man this final was dripping with Drama. I had picked Colombia but was happy to see Messi and Argentina win a 3rd straight tourney – not sure Messi will be healthy for the World Cup in 2 years – but man the excitement both teams brought around the country for 3 weeks was electrifying. Now if we can just make sure a pregame scene like what took place in Miami never happens again – no way this happens in the World Cup in 2 years – good wake up call for the US stadiums however – regarding all the issues from horrific fields to lack of security – should help come World Cup time in 2026. Now on to the last half of the Summer of Soccer – the Olympic games with the US Women and Men looking to make a splash in France.

US Men play host France Wed 3 pm on USA

The USA men will play their first Olympic game in 16 years when they open their tournament against home nation France in Group A at Marseille. The US Olympic team will presumably be led by Venezia teammates Tanner Tessmann and Gianluca Busio in the midfield, USMNT veterans and over-age callups Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman on the back line, and some combination of Kevin Paredes, Paxten Aaronson, Taylor Booth, Griffin Yow, and Duncan McGuire up top. It sure would be nice to get a draw in the opener – but with Guinea and New Zealand in our group – we should advance even with a close loss – I see 2-1 France in this first one -but 2-0 over NZ and 3-0 over Guinea in the others. It looks like the US games will all be on USA network as will some others. All games will be on Peacock & Telemundo with some on USA and many games replayed late night on USA. Full Olympic Soccer TV Schedule

US Men’s Olympic Team  

Goalkeepers (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; St. Charles, Mo.), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea FC; Addison, Ill.) Defenders (6): Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Fürth; Frankfurt, Germany), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union; Oldsmar, Fla.), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; Arlington, Mass.), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; Lawrenceville, Ga.)Midfielders (5): Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Greensboro, N.C.), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; Queens, N.Y.), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; Jacksonville, Fla.), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Birmingham, Ala.) Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht; Medford, NJ), Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Eden, Utah), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City; Omaha, Neb.), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; South Riding, Va.), Griffin Yow (Westerlo/BEL; Clifton, Va.)

US Women face Zambia Thurs 3 pm on USA

So after 2 lackluster pre-Olympic games its time to see if New USA Women’s Coach – Emma Hayes can pull of a miracle and bring home the gold. The US have not won it since 2012 and flamed out of the last World Cup in the Round of 16 and currently stand at 5th in the World – the lowest we have EVER been ranked. To say the rest of the World thinks they have passed us by would be an understatement. Now despite our struggles against teams packing it in pre-tourney – I think the US has the pace up front to scare some folks. In fact I like the US to make the Semi’s – but no promises beyond that. Lets hope we can hang on vs Zambia who has one of the most electric players in NWSL in KC’s Barbara Banda – I see this being a 3-2 win for the US – I hope. The US would like to win the group over Germany and Australia – and an opening win vs Zambia must happen for that to take place.

2024 U.S. Olympic women’s soccer roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) DEFENDERS (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC) MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea) Lynn Williams NY Gothem FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) ALTERNATES (4): Jane Campbell (goalkeeper, Houston Dash), Hal Hershfelt (midfielder, Washington Spirit), Croix Bethune (midfielder, Washington Spirit),

MLS All-Star Game vs Liga MX Wed/MLS Skills Competition Tues on Apple TV from Columbus

My favorite thing the Goalkeeper Wars – is back at the MLS Skills Competition at the MLS All Star game tonight at 7:30 pm on Apple TV – no additional charge. Shooting other skills will follow – if I had my act together I would have gone to Columbus for this – tix still available. (if you missed it — its on for FREE on Apple TV worth checking out some. Wed night gives us the MLS All Stars vs Liga MX AllStars at 8 pm on Free Apple TV. (wish this thing was on FS 1 at least.) Goofy MLS.

TV GAMES SCHEDULE

Tues, July 23

7:30 pm Apple TV Free MLS Skills competition from Columbus, OH

7:30 pm ESPN2 Man City vs Celtic (CCV)

Full Olympic Soccer TV Schedule

Wed, July 24

9 am USA Argentina Men 2 vs Morocco Olympics 2

11 am USA Spain vs Uzbekistan Olympics

1 pm Tele, Peacock Japan vs U23 vs Paraguay

3 pm USA US Men Olympics vs France

5 pm USA Replay Spain vs Uzbekistan Olympics

8 pm Apple TV MLS Allstars vs Liga MX All Stars

8 pm USA replay US Men Olympics vs France

10 pm USA replay Japan vs U23 vs Paraguay

12 Mid USA Replay Iraq vs Ukraine

Thurs, July 25

11 am Peacock, Uni Canada Women vs New Zealand Olympics

11 am USA Japan Women vs Spain Olympics

1 pm Peacock Germany WNT vs Australia Olympics

1 pm Peacock Nigeria vs Brazil WNT

3 pm USA, Univ USWNT Olympics vs Zambia

3 pm Tele, Peacock France WNT vs Colombia Olympics

8 pm USA replay Germany WNT vs Australia Olympics

9 pm USA Relay USWNT Olympics vs Zambia

12M USA replay France WNT vs Colombia Olympics

July 26, Friday

8:30 pm ESPN+, Indy 11 @ Tulsa

July 27 Sat

9 am Peacock Spain U23 vs Dominican Republic

11 am Peacock Ukraine U23 v Morrocco

1 pm USA US Men U23 vs New Zealand

1 pm Peacock Israel U23 vs Paraguay

3 pm Peacock France U23 vs Guinea

7 pm ESPN AC Milan vs Man City Yankee Stadium

7 pm Para+ Orlando Pride vs Monterrey NWSL

10 pm CBSSN Utah Royals vs Portland Thorns NWSL

July 28 Sun

11 am Peacock, Univer Brazil Women vs Japan

1 pm Tele, PC Spain Women vs Nigeria

3 pm USA, Tele USWNT vs Germany

3 pm Peacock, Univer France vs Canada

8 pm FS1 NYCFC vs Queretaro

8 pm CBSSN Houston Dash vs Tigres NWSL

10 pm FS1 Leon vs Portland Timbers

July 30 Tues

9 am USA Spain U23 vs Egypt

11 am USA Ukraine U23 vs Argentina

3 pm USA US Men U23 vs Guinee

3 pm Peacock New Zealand U23 vs France

July 31 Wed

9 am USA Brazil W vs Spain W

11 am Peacock Japan W vs Nigeria

1 pm USA USWNT vs Australia

1 pm Peacock Zambia W vs Germany W

3pm USA New Zealand vs France Women

3 pm Peacock Colombia vs Canada W

7 pm CBS Galazo NC Courage vs Monterrey NWSL

8 pm FS1 Santos Laguna vs DC United

10 pm CBSSN Portland Thorns vs Seattle Reign NWSL

Sat Aug 3

Quarterfinals Women

1B vs. 2C: 9 a.m. ET – Telemundo, Peacock

1C vs. 3A/B: 11 a.m. ET – Universo, Peacock

2A vs. 2B: 1 p.m. ET – Telemundo, Peacock

1A vs. 3B/C: 3 p.m. ET – Universo, Peacock

Full Olympic Soccer TV Schedule

August 6

Semifinals Women

12 p.m. ET – Telemundo, Peacock, USA WQF USA vs Germany

3 p.m. ET – Universo, Peacock, E! Entertainment, WQF Brazil vs Spain

7 pm ET ESPN2 Real Madrid vs Chelsea

7:30 pm ESPN+ AC Milan vs Barcelona

• France U-23 vs USA U-23, 3p on USA, Telemundo, Peacock, FuboTV (free trial), Sling TV: The USA men will play their first Olympic game in 16 years when they open their tournament against home nation France in Group A at Marseille. The US Olympic team will presumably be led by Venezia teammates Tanner Tessmann and Gianluca Busio in the midfield, USMNT veterans and over-age callups Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman on the back line, and some combination of Kevin Paredes, Paxten Aaronson, Taylor Booth, Griffin Yow, and Duncan McGuire up top. France’s three over-age players are forwards Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), and central defender Loïc Badé (Sevilla). Mateta’s former Palace teammate Michael Olise is the headline name among the French U-23 players. Olise joined Bayern Munich two weeks ago.

The 16 teams in the Men’s U23 Olympics will be divided into four groups of four, which are as follows:

Group A: France, USA, New Zealand, Guinea

Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine

Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic

Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel

The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals after round-robin play.

US Women Olympics

USWNT looked awful at the World Cup. Is gold at the Olympics still in play?  ESPN Jeff Kassouf
USWNT head for Paris Olympics with question marks in attack Soccer players at the Olympics, from Messi to Marta

US Olympics USA Men  

France vs USMNT: How to watch live, stream link, team news, prediction for Olympic opener

USMNT midweek viewing guide: Olympic kickoff, friendlies, Leagues Cup S&S By Justin Moran

Choose the Olympic starting XI against France

2024 Olympic Men’s Tournament: Group A Preview S&S – US Group

2024 Olympic Men’s Tournament: Scouting France

2024 Olympic Men’s Tournament: Group C Preview  By Donald Wine II

USMNT hopefuls see Summer Olympics as a chance to make history,

France vs. USA: How to watch, stream Summer Olympics men’s soccer
Ten footballers to watch out for at Paris Olympics
US Olympic men’s soccer history: Tournament history, medals, top performances
Men’s Olympic soccer remains stuck in the game’s second tier

US Men’s National Team

US Soccer screwed up its last USMNT coach search. How should it be different this time? ESPN O’Hanlon

The United States must prepare now to host a secure 2026 World Cup

USMNT drops to 16th in FIFA world rankings

Tyler Adams to miss start of Bournemouth season due to back surgery  
Chelsea sign USMNT left-back Caleb Wiley from Atlanta United for reported £8.5m fee

Reffing

Handball one time – not the next?  

Can the GK Catch it after a fluff ?

Handballs Not Called ?  Why ? 

Become a Licensed High School Ref

Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13

Bad Decision Does Not Mean you’re a Bad Ref

Goalkeeping

=======RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===========

Looking for a good summer meal?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================

After a terrible World Cup, is USWNT ready for the Olympics?

• Jeff Kassouf ESPN Jul 22, 2024, 08:00 AM ET

At each opportunity to repeat the old company line that the standard for the U.S. women’s national team is gold medal or bust, new head coach Emma Hayes has instead paused and offered a more calculated, nuanced answer.

Hayes has not said that the goal is anything short of a gold medal, and she also has not committed to that being the only acceptable outcome for a USWNT in the middle of a rebuild. She continues to navigate a culture around the USWNT where the expectation is to win everything when she knows they can’t win everything anymore.

ADVERTISING

“I’m never going to tell anyone to not dream about winning,” Hayes told a small group of reporters at her introduction in New York City in late May. “So, go for it — it’s important for us to have that.

“But as I said before, we have to go step by step and focus on all the little processes that have to happen so we can perform at our best level. If we can perform at our best level, then we have a chance of doing things. But we’ve got work to do. The realities are that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world do not fear the USA in the way that they once did — and that’s valid.”

The USWNT enters the 2024 Olympics with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, each of which are records. The Americans have never failed to win either a World Cup or subsequent Olympics since the tournaments began running in back-to-back years in 1995 and 1996.

That record is in a precarious position in France this summer.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Women’s Olympic soccer group-by-group preview: Predictions, must-see games, more1dESPN
• USWNT head for Paris Olympics with question marks in attack6dJeff Kassouf

The USWNT endured its worst finish at a major tournament in history last summer, losing a penalty shootout to Sweden — an old foe, adding salt to the wound — in the round of 16, marking the first time the program had finished worse than third place at a World Cup.

It wasn’t just that the result was bad in a vacuum, either: The Americans played so unimaginatively that they managed only the narrowest of escapes out of the group stage by way of a scoreless draw with Portugal, saved by mere few inches as a late Portugal shot clattered the post. It was the clearest evidence yet that this was no longer the mighty American world power, the team that had won back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019. The world hadn’t just caught up — other top teams had surpassed the United States.

Former head coach Vlatko Andonovski shouldered much of the public scrutiny, but players nearly unanimously struggled to adjust to opponents in real time. It was clear the issues ran deeper than could be fixed by parting ways with a coach. Now, as the Olympics loom, questions leftover from the World Cup linger: Are players prepared to compete in a modern landscape with teams more competitive than ever?

During the World Cup, Hayes herself publicly questioned the USWNT’s capabilities as a distant observer and part-time pundit, pointing to a lack of creativity among the Americans. She was also ultimately hired as an answer to such questions. Her hiring was widely lauded as the best possible outcome of the new manager search, a level of ambition and reform that stood in stark contrast to U.S. Soccer’s decision to go with the status quo on the men’s side, the results of which bore out at this year’s Copa America.Now, the Olympics have arrived, and Americans, as impatient as they are, want immediate answers and returns. The last Olympic gold medal for the USWNT came in 2012. High-level sources across the sport in the time since the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup exit have expressed concern that a second straight poor showing at a major tournament could set back the program for years and further embolden the rest of the world.The reality, however, is that Hayes’ primary remit is to win the 2027 World Cup. While the Olympics will always have some cachet, the Women’s World Cup — a singular spotlight for teams to take over — is the most impactful podium. It’s also one far enough away to allow for a realistic amount of preparation time.Neither Hayes nor U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker would admit it, but Hayes’ hire was clearly one focused long term on the next World Cup — not short term on the Olympics. Hayes and U.S. Soccer agreed to allow Hayes to finish the European season with Chelsea, meaning she would be left with four friendlies and less than two months on the sidelines before the Olympics.

Nobody, even someone with the lauded coaching acumen of Hayes, could be expected to develop a gold-medal-winning team in that time, especially not a team that has been overhauled following such recent disappointment. Hayes has said as much, perhaps most recently with a tinge of frustration after Tuesday’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in the team’s sendoff game.

Hayes paused for 10 seconds in the middle of her first answer to a question that alluded to disappointment in the scoreless draw, before saying: “[Trinity Rodman] might score a worldie in the last minute, but the goalkeeper’s had an outstanding game. Yes, we need to be more clinical. I don’t need to state the obvious. But I think that when you’ve had maybe half a dozen training sessions in total since I’ve been the coach, I think it’s a pretty good return so far.”

Emma Hayes not focused on outside noise ahead of USWNT’s Olympic Games

USWNT manager Emma Hayes explains that the team is solely focused on the games ahead at the 2024 Olympics.Hayes is a realist, and the reality of this Olympics is an uncomfortable one for a USWNT program that, with only minimal hyperbole, won everything all the time in the past: These days, gold is not the make-or-break standard — not at this tournament.A harsher, objective view might be that gold would be an overachievement at this point in the U.S. program’s trajectory. The U.S. is now ranked fifth in the world, the team’s worst FIFA ranking in history. Before last year’s World Cup, the U.S. was ranked first or second for all 20 years of the ranking’s existence.The Americans are not remotely the favorites at the 2024 Olympics. A bronze medal, which the U.S. won three years ago in Tokyo, would be a significant achievement. And in a group with Zambia — whom Hayes rightfully noted shouldn’t be overlooked — Germany and Australia, the range of realistic outcomes for the USWNT at the 2024 Olympics runs the gamut from a group-stage catastrophe to a gold medal. Anything including and between those outcomes is realistic in today’s landscape.Despite the USWNT’s recent woes, a gold medal is possible for several reasons: This U.S. team has plenty of talent on the field and in the coaching box, and its competitors have their own injuries, and recent ebbs and flows to form. Hayes is among the best coaches in the world, and the USWNT has a world-class front line in Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, and one of the best central defenders in the world in Naomi Girma.

Yet, this USWNT squad is also not that different from the one that struggled at last year’s World Cup. Ten of the 18 players on the roster were part of the 2023 World Cup, with veteran forward Alex Morgan‘s omission marking the most high-profile change. Hayes’ preferred starting lineup — the one that defeated Mexico 1-0 on July 13 — features eight players who prominently featured in and started at the 2023 World Cup. The USWNT’s overhaul is not specifically about personnel but evolving and sophisticating ideas and principles.Still, the historical reliance on transitional play remains the USWNT’s most effective approach, one that Hayes explicitly says she wants to evolve. Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Costa Rica seemed eerily like one of the USWNT’s poor performances from last year’s World Cup, where a disciplined defensive scheme from an opponent left the Americans without enough ideas or, more simply, incapable or unlucky in front of net.It was an anticlimactic sendoff game that overshadowed some of the progress made over the past eight months since Hayes was hired, including her involvement from afar alongside interim coach Twila Kilgore. There has been talent identification and development, like the emergence of Sam Coffey as the teams’ defensive midfielder and Jenna Nighswonger as a modern, attacking left full-back. Each of those have been areas of need for the USWNT.Tactically, the USWNT has been nimbler over the past nine months, rotating midfield configurations between a double pivot — the solution that the team needed but turned to too late at the 2023 World Cup — and a more aggressive midfield trio. Hayes and Kilgore have experimented with a three-back in different phases of games, as well as different cadences of pressure on opponents.In those ways, progress has been clear. There’s a new coach with a decent amount of new personnel. Without doubt, there are fresh ideas being experimented with and implanted. Realistically, though, that entire algorithm requires time to run to its conclusion. Major tournaments are about timing as much as they are talent, and this is a U.S. squad at the beginning of a takeoff process that will incur more turbulence along the way.”Where are we compared to our best version of ourselves?” Hayes rhetorically asked reporters at her introductory briefing. That is the gap she is focused on closing: the one between the USWNT that wins tournaments and the one that crashed out. Only then can that be followed by catching up to the rest of the world — or, to “beat the f—ing Spanish,” the reigning world and European champions, as Hayes cheekily joked recently.Dreaming of the gold medal makes sense for the USWNT. It’s in the American DNA, Hayes has said, and she won’t change that. But as Hayes has also said, there’s a lot of work to get there.

Bookmark this USWNT roster guide for the Olympics. Plus, a Summer Cup recap

By Emily Olsen, Meg Linehan and more

---

Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.

---

Welcome to the last pre-Olympics installment of Full Time! We’ll be in your inbox the day after every USWNT appearance during the Paris Games. As you pass the time before the tournament kicks off later this week(!), be sure to listen to today’s “Full Time with Meg Linehan” podcast, which previews all three groups. During the Olympics, new episodes hosted by Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang — featuring Meg in France — will drop after every game, too. Let’s go!

---

Bookmark This: A guide to every USWNT player

Perhaps the nicest thing a neutral observer could say about the USWNT’s recent friendlies against Mexico and Costa Rica is that they’re over now.  It’s clear that these 180 minutes were used as a quasi-competitive training drill, refining patterns of play ahead of the real competition.

Now, Emma Hayes’ side is out of dress rehearsals, with the 2024 Olympics set to commence this week. The United States’ first game is against Zambia on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET (again, we’ll have a newsletter after each U.S. game!).

ADVERTISEMENT

https://3ce352dfb7a700fac376d4761ea84338.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

With the Games finally upon us, Jeff Rueter pulled together a comprehensive guide to every player on the USWNT roster. He said the exercise also helped drive home just how rapidly the player pool has turned over since the last World Cup, when he last undertook making one of these. This squad has lost a lot of collective experience and guile, but there’s something exciting about watching a new generation of players working to establish themselves on the game’s grandest stages. Keep this squad guide bookmarked to revisit throughout the tournament — it may just come in handy!

Later, we’ll have an update on Hayes’ efforts to build out her staff.

---

Meg’s Corner: Ready to roll in France

After a solid 24 hours of travel from Vermont to Nice, I’m installed in the south of France ahead of the group stage kicking off. While the USWNT is still a couple of hours by train away in Marseille, I’m heading to Stade de Nice tomorrow to take a look and pick up my credential.

In the meantime, the first baguette has been purchased and I got in some quick exploration to boot. We’ll hear from Hayes and two players tomorrow, so it’s going to gear up before we know it. Talk to you all soon — or, à bientôt!

---

Fresh Eyes: USWNT’s big-name scout

Hayes continues to assemble her team, adding Carla Ward as a USWNT scout in France for the Olympics. BBC first reported that Ward is headed to France after stepping down in May from her role as head coach at Aston Villa. While the BBC called it a “flexible role,” a USWNT spokesperson said simply that Ward would be a scout. Some takeaways on the hire:

• Ward and Hayes both made names for themselves as coaches in the WSL, Hayes at Chelsea and Ward with her years at Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Sheffield United.
• As with any coach in a new environment, Hayes is circling support around herself with those she trusts, including bringing assistant coach Denise Reddy with her from Chelsea. Reddy was Hayes’ assistant for four years there, and was also her assistant during the WPS era of the Chicago Red Stars from 2008 to 2010.
• Ward’s addition is another glimpse at how Hayes prefers to run her staff, and perhaps how much she values loyalty. Reddy came on at Chelsea after she was fired in 2019 for a disheartening 1-24-8 run as head coach of the, at the time, admittedly dysfunctional Sky Blue FC.

Ward cited the need to spend more time with her daughter when she stepped down from Aston Villa. Hayes has been vocal about her admiration for working mothers in soccer and recognizing the difficulties of being a primary parent in camp, complimenting team parents like Crystal Dunn and Casey Krueger during the two friendlies leading into the USWNT’s departure for France. Ward’s reputation as a players’ coach also aligns with Hayes’ stated ethos of approaching players as people first.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ward’s first job as an opposition scout will be to help the U.S. navigate Zambia, Germany and Australia in Group B. Earlier this month, Hayes called Zambia striker Barbra Banda the “most in-form striker in world football.” Germany is in a state of upheaval after losing midfielder Lena Oberdorf, and Australia is still working on fine-tuning its roster without Sam Kerr, losing a July friendly against Canada 2-1.

Women’s Olympic soccer 2024: Group previews and predictions

• ESPN

Jul 19, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

The United States women’s national soccer team is in action at the 2024 Olympic soccer tournament in Paris, the team’s first competitive games with Emma Hayes at the helm as head coach. She takes over following USWNT’s worst finish in World Cup history last year, when it was eliminated by Sweden in the round of 16.

The USWNT won four of the first five Olympics to feature women’s soccer, but it is in search of a first gold medal since the 2012 London Games, having earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

ADVERTISING

World champions Spain are one of the favorites, while defending gold medalists Canada could also be in the mix. Unlike the men’s Olympic soccer tournament, there are no U23 age restrictions, so a host of top talent will be on show.

The top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams reach the knockout rounds. So here’s what you can expect as the tournament begins on July 25 and finishes Aug. 10.

---

GROUP A

France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand

Group A is one of the toughest to predict. There are no debutants — each team have featured in the tournament at least twice, bringing a degree of familiarity to proceedings — but it is a fascinating and competitive field.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Soccer players at the Olympics, from Messi to Marta8dKeith Jenkins
• Predicting the USWNT’s Olympic roster: Will Alex Morgan make it? Who else?41dJeff Kassouf
• The last hurrah? One final chance at honours for this Matildas generation47dMarissa Lordanic

Reigning champions Canada are aiming to defend their title but have to do so without the retired Christine Sinclair. Hosts France, still seeking their first piece of major silverware, bring a heightened level of intensity and their home advantage and recent success of making the Euro 2022 semifinals should make them contenders. Meanwhile, Colombia’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals demonstrated their prowess last summer, and they are sure to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds again.

Even New Zealand, though historically lagging behind, are beginning to show promise and could surprise the more established teams, which adds an unpredictable element. With quality players such as Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Linda Caicedo, Ali Riley and Jordyn Huitema on show, Group A may well have some twists and turns in it.

Player to watch: Linda Caicedo

After dazzling at the 2023 World Cup aged just 18, Real Madrid and Colombia forward Caicedo is poised capture the fans’ attention at this Olympics as well. Her exceptional vision, skill and finishing make her one to watch in this group. We’ve seen the best defences in the world struggle to contain the youngster and we can expect no less in this tournament.

Must-see match

Despite the France-Canada rivalry, Colombia vs. France could be the most exciting matchup between two ruthless and physical attacks. The pair boast incredible talent across the pitch and while France will be confident, Colombia have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with after knocking Germany out of the World Cup last year. Prepare for fireworks when these two meet in Lyon on July 25.

Prediction: 1. France, 2. Canada, 3. Colombia, 4. New Zealand

France’s talented and experienced squad is likely to top the group. The battle for second will be fierce, with Canada likely to edge out Colombia, although the South Americans could cause a potential surprise. New Zealand just lack the depth and clinical edge to finish above fourth. — Emily Keogh

---

GROUP B

United States, Zambia, Germany, Australia

We won’t be accepting any group of death cliché here, but suffice to say this group could go any number of ways. Casual fans might dismiss Zambia given the pedigree of the United States, Germany and (to an extent more recently) Australia, but they would do so at their own peril. Zambia might have the best player in the tournament in forward Barbra Banda, who is lighting up the NWSL, and Germany just lost star midfielder Lena Oberdorf to injury. Add in U.S. and Australia teams that have shown some inconsistencies, and this group really is a toss-up.

The USWNT will garner the most global attention after its fall from grace at the 2023 World Cup and the recent arrival of new head coach Emma Hayes. Failing to win a gold medal an achievement that feels like a longshot considering the team’s state of transition would mark the first time since the Olympics began including women’s soccer in 1996 that the Americans didn’t win either a World Cup or the Olympics the following year.

Germany, the 2016 gold medalists, are back in the Olympics after missing the previous edition entirely because of Europe’s previous double jeopardy qualifying system based around World Cup placement.

Australia, meanwhile, must navigate the Olympics without star striker Sam Kerr, who tore her ACL in January. Australia finished fourth at the 2021 Olympics and last year’s World Cup, which the country co-hosted.

Player to watch: Barbra Banda

Three years ago, the Zambia forward became the first player in Olympic history to score hat tricks in back-to-back games. Today, she is the co-leading scorer in the NWSL with 12 goals in 12 games. Hayes called Banda “the most in-form striker in world football,” and few would argue.

Must-see match

Even without Kerr, the July 31 group finale between Australia and the United States could be a doozy. These teams have played some wild games in their recent history, including a rollercoaster of a bronze-medal match three years ago that the Americans won, 4-3 after leading 4-1 at one point. Both teams could enter this match in need of a result to guarantee advancement.

Prediction: 1. Germany, 2. USA, 3. Zambia, 4. Australia

This is the Root for Chaos group. I see the USWNT and Zambia getting into an open-ended transition game in the opener that ends as a high-scoring draw. Germany beats Australia in the other opener then picks up a point against the Americans, as Zambia and Australia also draw on matchday two. That leaves the final matchday looking like Germany (4), U.S. (2), Zambia (2), Australia (2). Zambia then gets a point off Germany, learning from that pre-2023 World Cup friendly they played, and the U.S. narrowly edges Australia to go through as well. Zambia then hopes to advance as a third-place team. — Jeff Kassouf

What can the USWNT take away from 1-0 win vs. Mexico?

Herculez Gomez and Kasey Keller discuss the USWNT’s 1-0 win over Mexico.

---

GROUP C

Spain, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil

There is nowhere for teams to hide when it comes to women’s Olympic soccer, but Group C is incredibly tough for the talent and experience it packs even by the tournament’s standards.

World champions Spain are the headliners, having picked up their first piece of silverware at the 2023 World Cup, and have continued to flex their muscles in recent months despite upheaval off the pitch. La Roja will be favourites to go all the way in France, but history is not on their side, as no team has ever won the World Cup and Olympic gold in successive years.

Japan come into the Olympics in good form and could surprise a few, as they did at the World Cup, but their place in the knockouts could come down to their match against Brazil. The two sides have met for three friendlies over the past nine months, with each claiming a win before a draw at the SheBelieves Cup in April.

Africa’s most successful women’s team, Nigeria, round out the quartet. Although their record at Olympic tournaments isn’t glittering, the Super Falcons turned heads at the World Cup and played smart football to shock multiple teams en route to a penalty shootout loss to England in the round of 16. Nigeria are not a team to take lightly, but they haven’t been setting the world alight in recent games and could be viewed as fodder for the other three nations.

Player to watch: Aitana Bonmatí

It’s hard to pick just one, given the group is so heavily loaded with talent. But, as it has been so often of late, the one to watch is current Ballon d’Or holder Bonmatí. The Barcelona midfielder is the chief architect for Spain and conducts the team’s moves with sublime vision and exceptional passing range.

Also, in what could be Brazil legend Marta‘s last tournament, certainly her last Olympics, everyone should pay attention to what the 38-year-old is doing as well.

Must-see match: Spain vs. Japan

A rerun of a Group C game from the 2023 World Cup, Spain vs. Japan will kick off the first Olympic matchday on July 25. Last year, Japan routed Spain 4-0 but the result snapped the eventual winners into action for the rest of the tournament. This time around the game should be an indication of just how far both nations can go in France and, regardless of the result, should provide plenty of entertainment for the purists.

Prediction: 1. Spain, 2. Japan, 3. Brazil, 4. Nigeria

Spain have become good at navigating their way through tough games and will look to take the momentum of their World Cup win into this tournament. They will likely top the group, but with Japan hot on their heels. Brazil will be looking for an upset but, as of yet, have been unconvincing under coach Arthur Elias. They will need to hit the ground running in their first outing against a Nigeria team that have struggled a bit in recent games. — Sophie Lawson

Here are the Women’s Olympic group stage matches you must watch

The tournament is going to be incredible, and there are a lot of options.

By Donald Wine II@blazindw  Jul 22, 2024, 5:00am PDT  

The 2024 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament kicks off on Thursday, and the United States Women’s National Team joins 11 other teams in a fight for a gold medal. Unlike the Men’s Football Tournament, this tournament is one of the major tournaments on the women’s international calendar. Bringing the senior national team rosters, it’s a chance for teams to assess where they are in relation to some of the other top teams in the world at the beginning of a new World Cup cycle that culminates with the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Spain enters the tournament as the current Women’s World Cup champions, and they will attempt to become the first team to win the Women’s World Cup and Olympics in consecutive years. Canada returns as the reigning gold medalists from Tokyo 2020, and they seek to defend their title in this tournament. The USWNT hope to return to their glory that saw them win a gold medal in 2012 and Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019.

With 12 strong teams in the field, each matchday will have multiple strong matchups. Taking a look at each matchday, picking one match from each of the three groups, we give you some matches that you will want to ensure is on your TV screen.

Thursday, July 25th

France vs. Colombia – Hosts France face a Colombia team that kicked down the doors of the elite tier last summer during the Women’s World Cup. Linda Caicedo is poised to become a star and they will go up against one of the main favorites to win on home soil.

USA vs. Zambia – The USWNT play their first match, but it will certainly be a better matchup than the rankings let on. Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji both have been lighting up the NWSL and are the two most in-form strikers on the planet, and they could pose problems for the USWNT.

Spain vs. Japan – The reigning world champions look to get off to a great start, but they meet a sound team in Japan that is good enough where a win won’t be a shock to anyone. Japan smoked Spain 4-0 in the group stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, so they will be looking to once again leave with the win.

Sunday, July 28th

France vs. Canada – Canada gets their shot at the hosts in the second matchday, and this match could very well determine who is in the driver’s seat to win Group A.

Australia vs. Zambia – Australia and Zambia could be fighting to have the leg up on getting out of the group, which will make this match a wide open affair where both teams will be trying to light up the scoreboard.

Brazil vs. Japan – Two very different styles hit the field together as Brazil try to open up the attack against Japan’s compact defense.

Wednesday, July 31st

Colombia vs. Canada – Who gets second place in Group A? That could very well be decided in this match. Both teams have some stars that can excite fans with their play, and one of them could be the difference.

Australia vs. USA – When Australia and the USWNT face each other, it’s always an electric match. In Tokyo 2020, the USWNT won the bronze medal match against the Aussies 4-3. We could see something similar here.

Brazil vs. Spain – This might be the most intriguing matchup of the group stage, as Brazil can rise to the occasion against Spain. Spain will be looking to capture the group and show they can embrace the pressure that comes with being the defending world champions and the #1 team in the world.

Crisis, controversy and chaos – yet Spain’s national teams rule football

Dermot Corrigan Jul 16, 2024 The Athletic –
Sunday’s European Championship final saw Spain beat England 2-1 thanks to goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal to crown a tournament in which they were by far the best team.

Luis de la Fuente’s side had an outstanding month, playing some thrilling football while beating heavyweights Italy, Germany and France to reach the final, with new superstars Williams, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo emerging along the way.It comes 11 months after Spain also beat England, 1-0, to win the Women’s World Cup — having also been the best team in the tournament.That triumph was, however, immediately marred by then Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales’ post-match behaviour, including kissing one of the players, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips during the on-pitch trophy presentation ceremony. Two months later, football’s worldwide governing body FIFA banned Rubiales from the sport for three years, and he is due to go on trial in Spain for alleged sexual assault and coercion, both of which charges he denies.

Rubiales’ shadow still hangs over all of Spanish football. He had appointed De la Fuente as men’s coach following the 2022 World Cup, and his hand-picked successor as RFEF president Pedro Rocha is being investigated in the same alleged corruption case as Rubiales — which saw the federation’s offices raided by police in March. Both have denied wrongdoing.

Rubiales provoked outrage with his actions at the 2023 Women’s World Cup (Thomas COEX/AFP)

Spanish football has plenty of other ongoing issues. Barcelona have serious financial problems their president Joan Laporta is keen to publicly downplay. Real Madrid are La Liga and Champions League holders, yet their president, Florentino Perez, is still trying to push through a Super League project to rival the latter competition.In March last year, after it was discovered Barcelona made payments totalling €7.3million (£6.1m; $7.9m at current rates) to former referees’ body chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018, Barca, various ex-club officials and Negreira were indicted for “corruption”, “breach of trust” and “false business records”. All parties have denied wrongdoing.Racism has been a grave problem in Spanish football, and wider society, for years, and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid has continued to receive abuse since his actions during a match at Valencia last year — when he confronted fans in the stands — helped bring a global spotlight to the situation.

Three people were sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sexism has also been a serious issue. Many of the country’s best players were not even at last year’s Women’s World Cup after making themselves unavailable for selection in protest over their treatment by the Spanish football authorities.

These shocking stories explain why Spain’s women’s team want systemic change

How can Spanish national teams be having such success on the pitch while the game’s governance and administration lurches from crisis to crisis?The Athletic raised this with a dozen leading figures within the game in Spain, including former national-team players and coaches, La Liga club executives and figures closely connected to members of the victorious men’s and women’s sides.They preferred to speak anonymously so they could give their honest opinions, knowing that these might not be welcomed by everyone, especially those in power. The Athletic also shared their opinions with the Spanish FA, which declined to comment.

---

“In Spain, we spend the whole day criticising our political leaders, but the country works well, more or less,” says a Spanish sporting director with experience working in other countries.“The same in football. The governance within the (Spanish) FA is absolutely lamentable. But the average Spanish person on the street does not really care, and I don’t believe the players do either. They are used to living in a society with very few leaders. So it makes little difference.”“The key is the talent,” says one person who has worked with current and former Spanish internationals. “The problems in the RFEF do not really complicate things, because the link between the federation and the talent of its players is little or zero. Talent is forged in the small clubs, in the neighbourhoods, and is then exported to the big clubs, or worked on very early at others like Athletic Bilbao or Barcelona, allowing us to see players like Nico, Lamine, Olmo…”

Yamal and Williams were key players as Spain won Euro 2024 (Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

It isn’t just senior level either. Spain’s age-group national teams have enjoyed unprecedented success at international tournaments since an under-23s team including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique won gold at the 1992 Olympic Games on home turf in Barcelona.Future Spain first-team stars Xavi and Iker Casillas won FIFA’s World Youth Championship (later rebranded as the Under-20 World Cup) in 1999. Spain won eight European Under-19 Championships between 2002 and 2019, with players including Fernando Torres, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, David Silva, Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon and Olmo being involved in different ‘golden generations’.Spain’s women won the Under-17 World Cup in 2018 and the Under-20 World Cup four years later, with Salma Paralluelo helping secure both trophies, then adding the senior World Cup in 2023. They also won five European Under-17 titles between 2010 and 2024, with Alexia Putellas, Ona Batlle, Teresa Abelleira, Ivana Andres and Aitana Bonmati among those to have at least one medal from that time.This has built up a lot of collective and institutional experience within Spanish football, and at the federation. Even disgraced leaders such as Rubiales cannot really mess up a system that works mainly due to the number and quality of qualified coaches and administrators in a country that truly values developing young footballers as a profession.

Spain beat England 1-0 to win the Women’s World Cup last year (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Rubiales is nothing new, there have always been problems off the pitch, at the federation, at the clubs, controversies,” says a former Spain international youth coach. “But Spanish football has improved a lot. So much good work is done within the football ecosystem, from the underage ranks up to senior level, from the more modest clubs up to the biggest. You can see that reflected in the level of the players, and the FA has taken advantage of that.”“Spain has an excellent structure of small clubs, with many excellent coaches, male and female, where boys and girls can learn how to understand the game and grow,” says an ex-Spain international, who is now a sporting director. “And as we (as a people) are not generally so big and strong, we have to be able to manage the play, understand tactics, and work within collective structures.”The game in Spain has also been open to influences from beyond its borders, with Dutch coaches, most famously Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, bringing new and important ideas in the 1980s and 1990s.“During the 1980s, we picked up things from all over the world — the Argentine school with Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo, Serbian school with Radomir Antic, Dutch school with Guus Hiddink and Cruyff, British school with John Toshack, Italian school with Fabio Capello and Arrigo Sacchi,” says the sporting director of one club in La Liga, Spanish football’s top division.

Cruyff pictured during his time as Barcelona coach (Gary M Prior/Allsport/Getty Images)

“We had the humility to take the best from each; with the ball, without the ball, physical preparation. Between 2008 and 2012, there was a phase of explosion, now we are in a second stage of confirmation. When you do good work, good players emerge.”

GO DEEPER

Decisive De la Fuente, Morata’s leadership, Yamal and Williams’ bond – how Spain won Euro 2024

Another Spanish sporting director, now working outside the country, says: “Spain made a big change from its historic ‘La Furia’ style to relying on quality. For many years now, a style of play, an idea, has been implanted that is very identified with the country, the methodology and how all the clubs work day to day. There is a good level of coaches, culture, staff, methodology and technical quality.

“We still have that ‘furia’ but we have added a really high level of quality. That makes us different, and players keep coming through, now with Lamine Yamal, and more will continue to come through, thanks to the way of working and the culture of the country.”

---

More on Lamine Yamal, the teenager who took Euro 2024 by storm

• The story behind the viral baby photo with Lionel Messi
• In Yamal’s hometown, Spain’s heroics stop everything
• How history-maker Yamal embodies a new-look Spain team
• What makes Yamal such a special footballer?
• The 17 defining moments to celebrate his 17th birthday

---

Despite producing so many good players and coaches, there are financial problems throughout men’s and women’s football in the country.

La Liga president Javier Tebas is proud of strict financial fair play rules that (mostly) force clubs to live within their means, but most top sides in England and across Europe can easily swoop in to take any male or female player from any Spanish team other than Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Rodri celebrating after Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals (Nicolo Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“Barca’s finances, or players or coaches leaving for foreign clubs, is not really a problem,” says an agent of current and former Spain internationals.“Maybe it’s a blessing. Thanks to Barca’s financial problems, players like Lamine, Gavi and Fermin (Lopez) have had a chance to play (for the first team), otherwise they would still be in the youth team behind players who cost €100million, like before.And players moving to Saudi has not been a problem, (Aymeric) Laporte has played well (at Euro 2024). While players who go to the Premier League — say, Rodri (who moved from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City five years ago) — become better and more competitive.”“The key for the success is all the talent there is in Spain,” says one person close to the national team. “There might be talent flight from La Liga, and teams like Barca and Atletico below their usual level, but the ‘middle class’, like Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, have many good players who bring a lot. Club teams have to keep reinventing themselves as many players are taken away, which means they keep putting in players from their youth systems.”“The outflow of talent has also strengthened Spanish football,” says a football development expert. “Leaving the shell is good for many players, assuming they can adapt to living outside Spain. Some left very early, such as Olmo (to Croatia and now Germany) and Fabian Ruiz (to Italy, then France), who finished their development elsewhere. Laporte has also worked with coaches like Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.”

Spanish coaches and executives are now in demand all over the world.Guardiola heads an ex-Barcelona leadership group at City, while another is being built around Barca icon Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in MLS. Other top clubs around Europe have also hired Spanish expertise — Aston Villa in England qualifying for the European Cup/Champions League for the first time in 41 years, new German champions Bayer Leverkusen ending a run of 11 straight Bayern Munich titles, France’s Marseille — mostly with success. Spanish coaches and administrators were crucial to Qatar’s planning before it hosted World Cup 2022.“Look at the Spanish coaches in the Premier League, it is not a coincidence,” says a top agent. “The level of coaches in Spain is very, very high. From that very good base, you can build a very competitive national team. Before the tournament (Euro 2024), we did not think this (Spain) team would be as good as we have seen, but De la Fuente and his staff have got top performances from the talent he has.”Another Spanish sporting director says: “In the world of football, there is so much noise around everything that happens, many circumstances off the pitch that generate a lot of media attention. But the marvellous thing is that the game is about 90 minutes, 11 versus 11, on the pitch.“Out there, everything that is written or experienced off the pitch can be stopped and changed, as victories transform everything.”

Wow – all I can say about the Euro’s this summer is wow. 3 of the 4 Quarterfinal games came down to overtime or shootouts as the teams battled tooth and nail for every shot, every save, every attack. The great thing it has been spectacular football. The Copa’s haven’t been quite as exciting with the grass issues and tiny fields shoe-horned into American football stadiums making the soccer almost unwatchable at times. None the less – we are to the Semis in the Copa too with the expected – Uruguay vs Colombia on one side and the unexpected Canada (with their jilted American coach Jesse Marsch) leading them against Argentina Tues night. Man I would love to see Canada put a scare into Argentina – but I think the mounties lose a respectable 3-1 looking like the US teams of old. While I like Colombia with a rejuvenated James outlasting Uruguay in PKs 1-1 at 8 pm on FS1 Wed night.

Indy 11 beats Atlanta Tues night 2-1 – Advance to US Open Cup Semis

Euro Blue Bloods face off Tues/Wed

Its Spain vs France on Tuesday — Spain who had to go to ET to beat the home-team Germany in my favorite game to watch this Euros – vs France who has yet to have a player of theirs score a goal in open play. Unbelievable that owngoal leads the scoring in this Euro Cup thus far. I like Spain here – 1-0. While England who had to score late in each of its knockout games faces the big Orange Machine – the Dutch on Wed at 3 pm on Fox. Sorry blokes – but I like the Dutch in this one. Afraid it’s not coming home.

US Men – Time for a New Coach

So I have been critical in the past of Berhalter – but I have always liked the way he has a family atmosphere around the team and have defended him until now- but I am now 100% on board with the fire Greg Berhalter group. Even The American Outlaws came out saying its time to pack his bags. Say what you want but since he has come back as head coach – the US has gone backwards. Our assistant coach BJ won the Nation League last spring and faired well in the Gold Cup with a B team playing. This summer under Berhalter 5-0 loss to Colombia, 1-1 lucky tie with a bad Brazil, horrific 3-0 win over, 2-1 loss to Panama (again) and finally the 1-0 loss to Uruguay. Was the US unlucky to go down a man vs Panama yes – (but good teams hold the tie). After watching the Euro’s this summer – its hard to believe the US would have won 1 game against that competition – just like like lost 2 of 3 in Copa. I think this is the golden generation but I question their heart under Berhalter. The US men certainly don’t seem to play with the edge we used to play with – are we more talented (in many positions – yes). In goal – certainly not. On defense – not really – with Ream aging out and Richards still learning – we are still a centerback short. PS – CCV ain’t the guy. I am hoping Miles Robinson proves in the Olympics he is. We’ll see. The question now becomes who’s the new coach? (next week I will dive into options).

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

TV GAMES SCHEDULE

Tues July 9

3 pm Fox Euro Semi’s Spain vs France

7 pm Apple TV Atlanta United vs Indy 11 US Open Cup

8 pm FS1 Copa Semis Argentina vs Canada

11 pm Apple TV US Open Cup Sacramento Republic vs Seattle Sounders

Wed, July 10

3 pm Fox Euro Semi’s Netherlands vs England

8 pm FS1 Copa Semis Uruguay vs Colombia

11 pm Apple TV US Open Cup LAFC vs New Mexico United

Sat, July 13

3:30 pm TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Mexico

7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Loudon United

8 pm FS 1 Copa 3rd place Game

Sun, July 14

3 pm Fox Euro Finals

8 pm Fox Copa Finals

Tues, July 16

7:30 pm TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Costa Rica

July 24 starts US U23 Men & US Women In Olympics

EURO Semis Tues/Wed 3 pm Fox

Will England make it? Sutton’s semi-final predictions 4 questions ahead of Euro 2024 semis: England’s scheme?
What to look out for on EURO 2024 day 2️⃣2️⃣
Netherlands v England team news and predicted line-ups ahead of semi-final clash at Euro 2024
Phil Foden hails ‘improvement’ in England attack with new role in formation reshuffle
In defence of Foden – ‘this is a tactical issue, not a player problem’
Shaw or Trippier for Euro semi-final?
Gareth Southgate’s England revolution shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s dull
Why ‘luck of the draw’ is a lazy phrase to throw at Gareth Southgate’s England
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually win the Euros?
Training in sandals & injuries – Spain’s unlikely turning point
Spain v France referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Slavko Vincic?
Dani Olmo is Spain’s antidote to France’s anti-football at Euro 2024

COPA Semis Tues/Wed 8 pm FS1

4️⃣ big questions ahead of the Copa América semi-finals 🇦🇷🇨🇦🇨🇴
Brazil at rock bottom: how the Seleção lost their way
Copa América: are Canada now the best team in North America?

Uruguay brutally beats Brazil to reach Copa semis

=======RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===========

Looking for a good summer meal?  Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ

Save 20% on your order 

(mention the ole ballcoach) 

Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more.  Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/ Call ahead at 317-688-7290  M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday.  Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!  

======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================

U.S. names men’s soccer team for Paris Olympics; first squad to play in Games since 2008

By Jenna West, Paul Tenorio and more Jul 8, 2024

---

Coach Marko Mitrović revealed Monday the 18-player roster for the U.S. men’s soccer team heading to the Paris Olympics. This summer marks the first time the U.S. men will compete in the Games since 2008 after failing to qualify for the previous three cycles.

The Americans’ first match will be against host France on July 24 — two days before the Opening Ceremony — at Stade de Marseille in Marseille at 3 p.m. ET. The U.S. men have never faced France at the Olympics.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://cde8c630fc1a2efe3a3bfee567fcb253.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The U.S. will then take on New Zealand on July 27 in Marseille at 1 p.m. ET and finish the group stage against Guinea on July 30 at 1 p.m. ET.

Men’s Olympic soccer is restricted to players under the age of 23, with an allowance for three overage players. Defender Walker Zimmerman, who joined the team’s June camp as its first overage player, defender Miles Robinson and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic were selected for the overage spots.

At just 19 years old, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi is the youngest player on the roster and also age-eligible for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Analyzing the overage player picks

Inevitably, the squad for a major youth tournament like the Olympics or a U-20 World Cup provides an opportunity to assess the state of the player pool at different stages of development. The fact that two of three overage picks were used on center backs is a cause for concern.

Perhaps if Jalen Neal hadn’t missed the first few months of the 2024 MLS season, it would have been a different story.

These picks are still wise, mind you: Zimmerman and Robinson partnered often during the 2022 World Cup qualification, which provides a stable bedrock for Mitrović’s side. Still, it’s an admittance that there isn’t a healthy number of young central defenders rising through the ranks — but that’s a headache to address in later years. — Jeff Rueter, soccer staff writer

Most surprising roster omission

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Mitrović use his third overage pick on an attacking midfielder rather than a striker. Djordje Mihailovic has been back to his best since signing with the Colorado Rapids this winter. However, his involvement coincides with the roster’s most surprising omission: Diego Luna, the dynamic attacking midfielder for Real Salt Lake. Luna seemed destined to not just make this squad, but be among its most important players given his chance creation prowess and eye for a long shot.

Further up the pitch, Duncan McGuire projects to lead the line without an obvious alternative, with Aaronson having only minimally logged time at striker. — Rueter

Euro-based forms offers encouragement

The roster contains a clutch of players who will arrive in Paris on the back of hugely promising seasons at their European clubs.

Kevin Paredes made 26 appearances in Bundesliga for Wolfsburg, and along the way was named 2023 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year.

A tactically astute left-footed midfielder, he operated across six positions for the German club, including left-back, and the 21-year-old scored three goals.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://cde8c630fc1a2efe3a3bfee567fcb253.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

In Italy, Venezia’s Tanner Tessmann and team-mate Gianluca Busio helped the club win promotion to Serie A, while putting themselves on the radar of bigger clubs across the continent. Tessmann made 42 appearances for Venezia, scored in their play-off semi-final win, and is regarded as one of the division’s most-coveted young defensive midfielders.

Busio, 22, created the solitary goal that clinched promotion, and was another near ever-present during the campaign with 42 appearances, seven goals and five assists from midfield.

Paxten Aaronson will link-up with international team-mate Taylor Booth at FC Utrecht next season, hoping to flourish in the same style Booth managed in the Netherlands.

Despite injury problems Booth made 21 appearances and scored six goals. Aaronson struggled for game time in Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt, but the 20-year-old’s January loan to struggling Vitesse Arnhem saw him gain vital top-flight experience. He started all but one of the club’s 15 games during his time in Holland and scored four goals in the pressure of a relegation battle.

Collectively their experience in different but equally challenging environments across Europe should put them in good stead to make an impact at the games. – Greg O’Keefe

U.S. men’s Olympic soccer team roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)

DEFENDERS (6): Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)

FORWARDS (5): Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt), Taylor Booth (Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)

ALTERNATES (4): Josh Atencio (Midfielder, Seattle Sounders FC), Jacob Davis (Defender, Sporting Kansas City), Johan Gomez (Forward, Eintracht Braunschweig), John Pulskamp (Goalkeeper, Sporting Kansas City)

Why Alex Morgan missing the USWNT Olympic roster isn’t as drastic as it looks

Meg Linehan and Jeff Rueter The Athletic Jun 26, 2024

For the first time in 16 years, forward Alex Morgan will not feature on a major tournament roster for the U.S. women’s national soccer team.On Wednesday, coach Emma Hayes left Morgan off the 18-player roster for the Olympics this summer in Paris. In her absence, the U.S. will be without a previous gold medal winner, with the team’s last win from the London Games in 2012.

“It was a tough decision, of course, especially considering Alex’s history and record with this team,” Hayes said, “but I felt that I wanted to go in another direction and selected other players.”

Morgan’s absence can be considered in several ways. It is the end of an era for the USWNT. Some will see it as an overdue move to balance younger players alongside veterans. Others will argue that Hayes made a simple soccer decision. Above all, Wednesday’s move reminded us that no spot on any U.S. roster is guaranteed.“Today, I’m disappointed about not having the opportunity to represent our country on the Olympic stage,” Morgan posted on social media following the announcement. “This will always be a tournament that is close to my heart and I take immense pride any time I put on the crest.”ayes declined to get into her reasons for leaving Morgan off the roster and a list of four alternates, which included Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams. Instead, she highlighted “what an amazing player and human that Alex Morgan has been” through her brief window of working with her at this month’s camp for two friendlies against South Korea.“I saw firsthand not just her qualities, but her professionalism. Her record speaks for itself,” Hayes said. At the same time, she acknowledged the constraints of the 18-player roster, with spots for only 16 field players.Morgan has leadership, having captained the Americans on the biggest stage at the World Cup. Her experience outranks every other player on the roster in terms of appearances and goals. So what kept her off the Olympic team?It had been clear since the South Korea friendlies that the best forward starting line involved Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, yet Morgan was still in contention for a roster spot. But her club performance may have hurt her campaign for a role.

“I’ve come from a club level and what I have learned is the best development is done at club level,” Hayes said at her first media availability last month in New York City, essentially directly addressing players through the media. “So go back to your clubs, play, compete, get healthy, and put yourself in the best possible place.”

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2MK6CUjaPQAIJTW50LKH0s?utm_source=generator

Hayes has been consistent since taking over the job that performance and form matter in her assessment, particularly on the club side.

“There are players on the roster that are performing well, and the decision to take those players was one that we certainly deliberated over, but I think it’s a balanced roster,” Hayes said. “I’ve considered all the factors that we’re going to need throughout the Olympics, and (this roster is) one that I’m really happy with.”

After a few years with limited club involvement — she only played 10 league games across the Orlando Pride and Tottenham from 2019-2021, including a break while she was pregnant with daughter Charlie — Morgan had a resurgent 2022 season for the newly launched San Diego Wave. She won the Golden Boot by leading the NWSL with 15 goals, including 11 from the run of play. It was Morgan at her best — consistently setting up shots on her left foot while finding plenty of space inside the six-yard box to convert dangerous chances.

Morgan, who turns 35 on Tuesday, has also missed time due to a lingering ankle injury.

Her form wasn’t quite as robust at the start of 2023, but her place on Vlatko Andonovski’s World Cup roster was assured. She was a fixture in his lineups throughout the run-up to the tournament, and the hope was that she could do some thankless line-leading work even if her scoring touch wasn’t quite in vintage form.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://ae68f73a8134a859de4ce84161eb6f20.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Since the USWNT’s elimination in the World Cup round of 16, however, Morgan has struggled to score for club and country alike. San Diego has not hit form this season and dismissed head coach Casey Stoney this week. Still, a player of Morgan’s pedigree is expected to score even when the going gets rough. Instead, she has yet to find the back of the net in 2024, midway through the season.

Given the Wave’s struggles to advance possession this year, Morgan has had to drop deeper than usual to get on the ball. That’s illustrated by how much more frequently she’s having to direct her passes upfield — 16.2% of her distribution advances at least 5 yards toward goal, a rate more commonly seen from a midfielder than a striker and well above her 12.1% in 2022. She has looked less inclined to take an opponent on with her dribble, making just three take-ons in 542 minutes this season after logging 35 in 1,630 minutes last year.

Even more concerning is the 0 in her goals scored column this season despite logging nearly 600 minutes.

Morgan’s lack of versatility could have also factored into Hayes’ decision. Morgan has long been an expert striker, scoring 123 goals as the USWNT’s fifth-all-time leading goalscorer. But with that specialization comes a lack of experience at other positions, like some of the players called up for the tournament.

Hindered in part by her club team’s stagnating approach in possession, Morgan hasn’t been able to enjoy a similarly bountiful amount of service in the box. She has yet to take a single shot inside the six-yard box in the 2024 season, leading to a steep regression in her expected goals per shot, and only six of her 20 shot attempts this season have been taken on her stronger left foot.

Wave teammate Jaedyn Shaw was able to do just enough despite the team’s floundering form to remain in Hayes’ plans for the Olympics. Unfortunately, Morgan didn’t have the same bulk of strong USWNT performances that helped anchor Shaw’s case for inclusion, with Hayes calling her national team goal involvements “significant” on Wednesday.

---

Morgan’s greatest case for making another Olympic appearance had more to do with the intangibles, whether that was her presence as a veteran leader alongside captain Lindsey Horan, or the kind of presence she could offer at the late stages of a knockout match considering her major tournament track record. With an 18-player roster, it’s clear Hayes could not justify those intangibles over more basic roster needs.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://ae68f73a8134a859de4ce84161eb6f20.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“There’s no denying the history of this program has been hugely successful, but the reality is that it’s going to take a lot of work for us to get to that top level again,” Hayes said.

Youth is part of that process. Hayes has named the youngest Olympic roster for the USWNT since 2008, when the team won gold in Beijing. The current roster has an average age of 26.8, four years younger than the team that went to Tokyo in 2021 and settled for a bronze medal. But even more stark is the difference in the number of appearances from the last Olympics. The average caps per player in 2021 was 111; for this team the average is only 58.

“Looking through the cap accumulation of the team, there’s been a lack of development, of putting some of the less experienced players in positions where they can develop that experience,” Hayes said. “I think it’s important that we have to do that to take the next step. So I’m not looking backwards.”

Morgan’s 224 appearances for the U.S. far surpasses any player on the Olympic squad. (Photo by Brad Smith, Getty Images for USSF)

Hayes pointed to Shaw’s inclusion on the roster to support this idea, focusing on younger players and their development at major tournaments to gain experience that would benefit the USWNT immediately and in the longer term. Hayes avoided questions about where the team might finish or what its goals would be for the Olympics, stressing that her mission was getting the team as close as possible to its best level and best version.

Morgan, for all the history and legacy she will leave in her absence, might have provided a short-term boost. She also might not have. It’s impossible to predict what an individual player might contribute in the run of a major tournament. Ultimately, Hayes is focusing on something larger, building on the changes that have already been made following the early exit from last summer’s World Cup.“For us, this is an opportunity to show those learnings will take us much further than it did last time,” she said. “But there is no guarantee in anything in life.”

This USMNT isn’t a ‘golden generation’ – the data shows it lacks top-end talent

By Paul Tenorio and Thom HarrisJul 7, 2024

---

In any era, the failure of the U.S. men’s national team to advance out of the group stage at a home Copa America would be disappointing. In the context of this particular set of players, it feels particularly egregious.

The discussion around the current U.S. team has centered on the idea it is better than any that came before it. That is a notion based largely on the fact more Americans are playing in Europe than ever before, and that those players are going to Europe earlier and playing for bigger clubs. In 2022, the USMNT played a World Cup finals game without a single MLS-based starter for the first time in that domestic competition’s history. Recently, its starting XI was made up of players from teams in Europe’s big five leagues (England’s Premier League, the German Bundesliga, La Liga in Spain, Italy’s Serie A and Ligue 1 in France — another first.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://6da1ff6e394713dc2feb25b5a618d8ce.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

It is what has led to a “golden generation” label for this group, though whether it is deserved has been debated since before that World Cup coming up to two years ago. This Copa failure should reframe those discussions.

Yes, coaching will take on some of the blame for the disappointing results. Gregg Berhalter’s performance is being evaluated by the U.S. Soccer Federation with many fans, sections of the media and former players calling for him to be fired. But the players, too, failed to live up to expectations.

The results across both the 2022 World Cup, where the U.S. competed but ultimately fell in the 16-team first knockout round to the Netherlands, and now the 2024 Copa America as hosts, where their lone win came against Bolivia (84th in FIFA’s world rankings), have added further context to the debate. While the U.S. has a strong roster, its place in the global football landscape hasn’t shifted that much. It is 11th in the FIFA world rankings but the 14th-place overall finish in Qatar is probably about right.

Here, The Athletic digs into the data to explain where the USMNT really sits in terms of global soccer…

---

The U.S. Copa squad had 10 players at clubs ranked in the top 50 worldwide by data provider Opta.

Across the 40 nations competing in this Copa America and the European Championship happening in parallel in Germany, that ranked 15th, more than Serbia, Austria (both nine) and even Uruguay (eight), but behind Poland (11), Denmark (12), Switzerland (13) and Turkiye (16).

But while the U.S. has more players at top clubs, it appears to lack players who play vital roles for those same teams.

Insight from Twenty First Group — a sports intelligence firm which advises clubs, leagues and investors — allows us to drill a little deeper. Its player model generates ratings for more than 145,000 players worldwide, using factors such as the strength of a player’s team, their position, their playing time, and their contribution to the team’s attack or defense.

This data suggests that, on average, the U.S. has a strong group of players in comparison to the rest of Copa America, ranking fifth of the 16 nations for average player quality (indicated by the gold line).

Significantly, though, it also shows that the USMNT lacks players at the very top of Twenty First Group’s rating system, as shown by the extension of the black line after the maroon box. Seven different Copa America teams have players who ranked above Antonee Robinson, of Fulham in the Premier League, who is the highest-rated U.S. player per these rankings.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://6da1ff6e394713dc2feb25b5a618d8ce.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The issue is made even clearer when comparing Berhalter’s side to the eight teams who made the Euro 2024 quarterfinalists, where Robinson’s rating of 800 is beaten by 103 players from those nations.

While there is a tight concentration of high-quality players, the U.S. does not have as many difference-makers ranked at the top end of the model.

In Copa America, for example, game-changing talents such as Uruguay’s Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz of Colombia, Argentina’s star-laden front line and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior dwarf Robinson’s high score. But the list of higher-ranked players also includes Canadian pair Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies, Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez and Piero Hincapié of Ecuador.

Of course, player quality is difficult to measure objectively, but even if you disagree with individual players on that list, the overarching conclusion of this model is clear.

The hopes around this American team have been built on exactly that: hope. The U.S. side that qualified for the most recent World Cup fielded 10 of the 11 youngest teams globally during qualifying, per U.S. Soccer. The USMNT starting XI during qualifying had an average of 23.82, almost two years younger than the next closest team — Ghana, 25.67.

Excitement around the potential of those young players built. Events at the World Cup may have even bolstered those expectations. The U.S. ranked eighth in field tilt, a metric which measures one team’s share of both sides’ touches in the attacking third; fourth in possessions reaching the final third, behind Germany, Brazil and Portugal; and fifth in successful counter-pressing rate. Statistically, the U.S. was better in Qatar than in its previous three World Cups.

But since then, progress has slowed — and maybe even stagnated.

The U.S. lost games in this cycle at Trinidad and Tobago and in the Gold Cup, with a ‘B’ squad, to Panama. They needed a late goal against Jamaica to escape with a win in the Nations League semifinal in March. They were beaten 3-1 by Germany in a friendly in October and 5-1 by Colombia ahead of Copa America. The group-stage losses to Panama and Uruguay were their fourth and fifth defeats in the past nine games.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://6da1ff6e394713dc2feb25b5a618d8ce.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

There is a lack of progress, too, at club level.

Of this bright “golden generation,” it could be argued that just four players had significant roles at big clubs last season.

Robinson established himself as a top Premier League left-back at Fulham, Christian Pulisic is coming off a career year at AC Milan in Serie A with 15 goals and 10 assists across all competitions, Weston McKennie fought his way into the lineup at Juventus and started 29 games in Italy’s top division (although he appears on his way out of the club, potentially home to MLS), and Sergiño Dest started 25 games for a dominant, league-winning PSV Eindhoven team in the Netherlands before tearing an ACL in April and missing this tournament.

Gio Reyna, once considered the nation’s next big star after Pulisic, has played just 2,284 minutes across all competitions in the past three seasons combined, fewer than he played in his first full season at Germany’s Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2020-21. That is due partly to injury but Reyna, now 21, is coming off of a year in which he struggled to get on the field at both Dortmund and Nottingham Forest, of the Premier League, where he was on loan from January.

Tyler Adams, 25, who once looked like he might develop into a regular starter for a Champions League challenger at RB Leipzig, was transferred to then Premier League Leeds United in 2022 and then played just three games at Bournemouth, in that same competition, last season due to injury.

Ricardo Pepi, 21, played a supersub role for PSV, starting just one game as they became Dutch champions. Tim Ream went from Fulham regular to a player who made just one appearance over the final three months of the season and now seems bound for a move to MLS. Goalkeeper Matt Turner played just 1,530 minutes at Forest, and none at all after February. Tim Weah (1,258 minutes at Juventus, mostly at right wing-back) and Yunus Musah (1,478 minutes for Milan) had only rotational roles at big clubs.

There is still hope for growth throughout the roster, of course, and your optimism around this group hinges on whether you think this pool is near its peak or still on the ascent.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://6da1ff6e394713dc2feb25b5a618d8ce.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Folarin Balogun, 23, had an up-and-down first season at Ligue 1’s Monaco in 2023-24, with seven goals and five assists, but is being counted on to produce at a big club. Chris Richards, 24, earned a starting role as a center back at Crystal Palace of the Premier League in February, and logged more than 2,000 minutes at a top-level club for the first time in his career. Malik Tillman started 17 games for PSV and ranked in the 90th percentile or better in eight different categories for his position in the Eredivisie, per fbref.com.

And while the USMNT is not the inexperienced, youthful group it was going into Qatar 2022, it was still the second-youngest team across Copa America and Euro 2024 with an average age of 25.2 years, only behind Costa Rica.

It is clear then that this team isn’t a golden generation, at least not in the way we think about teams given that label in the past (such as Luis Figo’s Portugal, Wayne Rooney’s England and Thierry Henry’s France). The U.S. just doesn’t have that top-end talent.

As they regroup from the setback of Copa America, the hope will be that American players can push forward at club level in Europe and try to raise their ceiling.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted with neighbors Canada and Mexico, is a massive opportunity. They can’t afford a repeat of this summer’s failure.

 (Top photo: Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Colombia have spent far too long in the shadows. They are the team to watch at Copa America

By Stuart Jamesul 7, 2024

---

We need to talk about Colombia.We need to talk about a team now unbeaten in 27 matches, a run stretching back more than two years.We need to talk about a side who finished a Copa America quarter-final last night like it was an exhibition match.We need to talk about James Rodriguez, who is playing in 2024 like it’s 2014.ADVERTISEMENT

After spending far too long in the shadows of fellow South American nations Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay – the Colombians didn’t even qualify for the most recent World Cup finals 18 months ago – supporters of this proud football country are having a lot of fun right now, watching their fast, free-flowing team play with confidence and, at times, a swagger.

There was a moment in the second half of their 5-0 win against Panama on Saturday when Luis Diaz was ball-juggling. There were olés from the crowd even before that and you couldn’t help but wonder how those same supporters would have reacted if a breathtaking one-touch passing move later in the game had finished with a fifth Colombia goal. Instead, it was left to Miguel Borja to sign off on that number and complete the rout from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game.

“But it was only Panama,” some will say. Yeah. Just like it was only Spain in March, only Brazil last November, and only Germany a few months before that. Colombia have beaten them all.Nestor Lorenzo, their humble and easy-going manager, was asked after the Panama result about the level of morale in the camp. The best place to look for the answer to that question was at the corner flag where every Colombia player, including all the substitutes, joined Borja to celebrate his first goal for the national team in more than two years.Rodriguez was in the middle of it all, just like he’s in the middle of everything good that happens to this Colombia side right now. A misfit at club level, where he has drifted for the last few seasons and is currently up for sale at Brazil’s Sao Paulo, the man who was top scorer at the 2014 World Cup finals continues to roll back the years in a Colombia shirt.Now 32 – he turns 33 on Friday – he has five assists and one goal to his name across their four matches here in the United States, and there’s no question whatsoever he’s been the standout player in the tournament. The pass from a free kick that set Diaz free for the third goal against Panama was a beauty – a product of his football intelligence as much as his technique, both of which tend to work well for Rodriguez these days.

“He runs less and thinks more,” Lorenzo said, when asked how Colombia’s No 10 has changed his game since he burst onto the global scene at that World Cup in Brazil a decade ago.

There are plenty of others in the Colombia team willing to put in the hard yards for Rodriguez, which is a point that Lorenzo made afterwards when he was quizzed about the way that some of them are unrecognisable from how they perform at club level.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://1ee5c7b2deace54c5ec6092eeb5bc1a4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“Football is 11 players,” Lorenzo said. “But sometimes 10 have to play for that one player.”

Diaz – “Lucho” (a common South American nickname for those called Luis) to the supporters who chanted his name when he was withdrawn to a huge ovation in the second half – runs like he would play for everyone in this Colombia team. An indefatigable presence up front alongside the powerful figure of Jhon Cordoba, the Liverpool forward covers every blade of grass for his country. And still had the energy to sprint down the touchline, swinging a towel around his head and wearing a smile from ear to ear, when Borja scored.

Diaz and Rodriguez are the A-listers and get the headlines, but there are plenty of unsung heroes in this side. Jhon Arias, who plays his club football for Fluminense in Brazil and must surely be on the radar of top European teams, has emerged as a key player under Lorenzo, operating as an intelligent left-sided No 8. It was Arias’ driving run that led to the first of the night’s two penalties awarded against Panama.

On the opposite side is Richard Rios, who scored Colombia’s fourth with a terrific shot and has shades of Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul about him with his all-action style, while in the middle of the two of them is that walking yellow card by the name of Jefferson Lerma. Suspended last night, Lerma will surely be back for Wednesday’s semi-final against Uruguay, snapping into tackles and making a contribution nobody in the Colombia camp underestimates.

Throw in the attacking intent Daniel Munoz and Johan Mojica provide at full-back – the latter played a gorgeous ball with the outside of his left foot after straying over to the right side against Panama, while the former claimed an assist to go with his goal against Brazil in the group stage – and you can start to see why all the pieces fit together.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://1ee5c7b2deace54c5ec6092eeb5bc1a4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Greater than the sum of their parts? Maybe.

Copa America contenders? Definitely.

Either way, Lorenzo sees a bigger picture than this Copa America and one that has brought a lot of enjoyment to the Colombian people.

“Much has been achieved,” he said, when asked about success or failure in the semi-finals. “And we do not depend on a result to value what we have done so far.”

Are Copa America’s $200 tickets and empty seats a missed opportunity ahead of the World Cup?

By Melanie Anzidei Jul 8, 2024

---

When Argentina returns to MetLife Stadium to face Canada on Tuesday, they will likely do so before a soldout crowd. When they faced Chile in East Rutherford, it was the highest-attended match this Copa America so far.

It’s the norm at major tournaments: wherever the Argentina national team goes, fans follow.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://d5586a0739430ba6af88cee2d6811991.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

This summer, they have gone from Atlanta to New Jersey to Miami to Houston and now back to New Jersey. The demand to catch Argentina and captain Lionel Messi has meant tickets to watch the world champions have been the most expensive. Yet fans have shown their willingness to pay hundreds of dollars for a single match ticket, if not more.

The average cost per ticket at Copa America is high anyway, however; estimated at more than $200 (£160), per multiple accounts. As we enter the final stages of the tournament, ticket prices are only getting higher.

Argentina fans at Hard Rock Stadium (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

For organizers CONMEBOL, attendance at this year’s Copa America may be considered a resounding success. Eight days before the tournament, officials boasted how more than one million tickets had already sold for the first 32 games. Alejandro Domínguez, president of South American football’s governing body, said officials were “filled with excitement and enthusiasm”.

Yet there have also been less-than-spectacular crowds at several group-stage matches, with every empty seat in cavernous NFL stadiums representing a missed opportunity to attract a fan who could have been enthralled by the growth of soccer in the United States. Never mind the impact on players or how poor those empty seats look to those watching at home on television.

While Copa America began with a reported sellout of just over 70,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta when Argentina were in town, the following five fixtures drew crowds that were tens of thousands of fans below each stadium’s capacity.

It wasn’t until the fifth day of competition, Colombia-Paraguay at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 24, that we saw another full stadium, as the table below shows. (Green indicates matches which were considered sold out, while red was below 66 per cent of capacity — and note that Levi’s Stadium has an expandable capacity.)

CONMEBOL said it consider nine of the 24 group-stage matches as sellouts. Copa America Centenario in 2016 — which also took place in the United States — sold more than 1.5 million tickets and has served as a benchmark for organizers this summers. By the conclusion of the group stage, sales were on track to reach similar figures to 2016, according to Ruben Olavarrieta, CONMEBOL’s commercial manager in charge of ticketing.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://d5586a0739430ba6af88cee2d6811991.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Before the tournament, Nery Pumpido, CONMEBOL’s deputy secretary general of soccer, told The Athletic that tickets were “set at a price that I think has been important, because people have come to buy a lot”.

Overpriced tickets were out of the confederation’s control, he continued, because the dynamic ticket pricing that determines those figures is handled by the ticketing partners at each stadium.

“From what has been demonstrated so far,” Pumpido said last month, “the price has been correct.”

Dynamic pricing has the potential to price out fans from some nations competing in the tournament. Not only are tickets costly, but any tourist attending matches would also have to account for hotels and flights in the United States — and also the travel between stadiums if they want to catch multiple matches.

Average net salaries in many of the competing Latin American nations fall below $900 (£700) per month. In Argentina, where inflation is among the highest in the world, the average monthly net salary was estimated at $423.32 last year, per Statista.

In many ways, dynamic ticketing favors American buyers with higher incomes and lower travel costs. The large diasporas of Latino communities across the U.S, coupled with the popularity of some tournament favorites, means Argentina, Brazil and Colombia have drawn the biggest crowds, but not in every market. When Colombia and Costa Rica battled it out in Glendale, Arizona, only 27,386 filled the 63,400-capacity State Farm Stadium.

For the July 4 quarterfinal match at NRG Stadium, where Argentina ousted Ecuador after a painstaking penalty shootout, the cost for a single resale ticket on Ticketmaster started at $176 on match day. Even eight minutes into play, tickets on StubHub were still going for $120.

Panama vs Bolivia in Orlando drew a crowd of 12,933, when the stadium capacity is 25,500 (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

Tickets for the remaining quarterfinals were still pricey, by soccer’s standards, but lower than Argentina-Ecuador. On Thursday, a single ticket for Venezuela-Canada at AT&T Stadium was $107, $132 for Brazil-Uruguay at Allegiant Stadium, and $70 for Colombia-Panama at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. That is likely due to the low turnout for Colombia in that market during the group stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://d5586a0739430ba6af88cee2d6811991.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

All these prices do not include the service and processing fees, taxes and public transportation or parking that might be needed to get to a match. Parking cost up to $132 for Argentina’s quarterfinal in Houston.

But prices alone are not solely to blame for lackluster crowds at some of the tournament’s group-stage fixtures. Better marketing around matches could have raised the profile of some matches, especially those that included the United States. The team’s tournament opener against Bolivia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, only drew 47,873 fans to the 80,000-capacity stadium.

GO DEEPER

How Uruguay v Brazil became this Copa America’s dirtiest match

UMSNT’s second match against Panama in Atlanta only featured 59,145 fans in a 71,000-capacity venue. And when the U.S. fell to Uruguay 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and exited the competition, only 55,460 fans filled the 76,400-capacity venue, with half of the upper bowl appearing empty on television. Blistering temperatures, and the team’s shocking fall to Panama the match prior, could have also been a deterrent.

Originally, the tournament was set to be played in Ecuador, but almost everyone involved considered the relocation to the United States last year as a win — except those in Latin America who considered it an unpopular decision. For CONCACAF (the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean), it gave its member nations a chance to shine on South America’s biggest stage.

It also gave the United States, Mexico and Canada, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, a chance to capture fans’ interest ahead of the main event. Few South American nations have venues with such large capacities as the U.S, which is filled with massive NFL stadiums at the ready (even if that has brought its own issues with some of the fields), which was a prospective win for CONMEBOL. Would it have been prudent, however, to host games at smaller Major League Soccer stadiums with bigger pitches in more established markets for soccer fans?

While unsold tickets mean missed revenue for the South American federation and other stakeholders, the missed opportunity is more of an issue for those who want to grow the game in North America. Mexico and the United States failing to advance beyond the group stage has been viewed as an utter failure for both nations. Instead of captivating audiences with deep runs in the tournament and preparing markets for 2026, the conversation is squarely focused on the crisis each nation’s men’s soccer team now finds itself in.

GO DEEPER

Mexico’s Copa America failure is one that could echo for the next World Cup’s co-hosts

While Canada’s run to the semifinals no doubt helps, the CONCACAF nation has played in front of some of the smallest crowds in the tournament, such as the 11,622 fans who braved the heat to watch their 1-0 win against Peru at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. That match, in which an assistant referee collapsed from heat exhaustion due to the high temperatures, was the lowest-attended fixture all summer.

Canada has also had the misfortune of playing against teams with clear home-field advantages in every match.

“With how our fanbase works, and how diverse Canada is, even our home games (in Canada) have been really difficult,” said defender Alistair Johnston.

“And so I think that most of our matches with the national team have always been in these kinds of environments, and I think that has helped us in the long run so that when you do come and play the Argentinas, Peru, Chile, whoever it is, and probably again here against Venezuela as well, we are ready for that because it’s almost become the norm to us.”

Empty seats at the quarterfinal between Colombia and Panama at State Farm Stadium, Arizona (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The real crown jewel of the competition remains the final game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Its more limited capacity of 65,300 only pushes demand even higher. Tickets for sporting events and other entertainment in Florida as of July 1 are, however, tax-exempt through the end of the month thanks to local law.

As of Friday morning, a single resale ticket in the upper bowl at Hard Rock started at $1,369. That drops to $1,292 each when you buy two tickets together. That number will continue to rise and fall, with those same tickets going for $1,350 each just an hour earlier. The service fee for these tickets (an additional cost) was an estimated $271 each.

It’s why there will likely be several fans sprinkled around the outskirts of the stadiums hosting these last few rounds of Copa America, hoping to catch a glimpse of the madness while watching the match from the comfort of their phones or tablets. Of course, tickets for the remaining matches will continue to fluctuate depending on demand. So, one fan seated in the same section who purchased tickets weeks prior may end up paying hundreds more than a fan who bought a ticket hours before kick-off.

While the forensic accounting over the attendance and ticket sales will continue after the tournament’s final whistle, CONMEBOL has made one thing clear: the U.S. market is one it wants to continue exploring.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://d5586a0739430ba6af88cee2d6811991.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

“It’s a place to look at, especially as hosts of the World Cup in 2026. That’s important to take into account,” Pumpido said.

“We believe the United States has also made great progress at the soccer level… (and) it has advanced a lot with the arrival of Messi. Of course, CONMEBOL will always have the United States in mind for tournaments in the future.”

GO DEEPER

USMNT had questions before its Copa America exit. Now those get even louder

(Top photo: Empty seats for Costa Rica v Paraguay in Texas; by Buda Mendes via Getty Images)