Honestly shocked only two diehard fans have sprinted to this post (so far) after MLS won the first road game in its 30-year history at the Azteca.
Congrats to Nashville on a historic win.
So, so, so happy for Jon. One of the very best people in the business.
Jon consistently finds and tells good, unique stories in the Concacaf region. A well-deserved opportunity and a great hire for USA Today.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves federation for Saudi Arabian Football Federation just two months before the World Cup.
As first reported by @dougmcintyre.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...
🇧🇷 Sources: FC Cincinnati engage Neymar's camp on preliminary talks.
Very preliminary. Still internal discussions at club about whether to push for the global superstar... but Cincy is gauging Neymar's interest/requirements.
w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
Lionel Messi is going to play SEC fútbol. (I know.)
Argentina will play its final pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras and Iceland in two famed college football stadiums: Texas A&M and Auburn.
More details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
It never ends.
Another chapter of FIFA’s continued saga of misleading fans and looking for new ways to milk more money out of them.
(For the good of the game, of course.)
😳
A must-read story from @henrybushnell.bsky.social on fans who purchased the expensive Category 1 tickets only to have FIFA move them, change maps or realize best seats indicated weren’t actually available.
Fans feel misled and “scammed.”
Free to read link:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
Derby confirms Agyemang has a ruptured Achilles and will miss the World Cup. A blow to the U.S., as Agyemang was one of the few who helped his stock in March and surely had a role in store this summer.
United States men’s national team striker Patrick Agyemang has suffered a ruptured Achilles, his club Derby County has confirmed, ruling the 25-year-old out of the World Cup.
More from @paultenorio.bsky.social
bit.ly/3Q4P1bd
Gozo, Hall, Tsakiris, Mehmeti, Dos Santos, Brunell, Roberts… lot of fun stuff happening, and mostly for teams that are winning.
Sebastian Berhalter (great again), Diego Luna, Arfsten, Turner and others made a strong impression on Mauricio Pochettino in their first week back in MLS.
But my favorite part? The kids. Again. Gozo, what a fun player! Hall is great.
The Verdict: www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
Thank you so much, Pablo!
#USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang was stretchered off the field before halftime of Derby County's match vs. Stoke.
He jumped up and landed awkwardly.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
Mexico found their fight inside a hostile Estadio Azteca.
The USMNT were embarrassed inside a night club atmosphere in Atlanta.
On what home-field advantage will look like for two World Cup co-hosts.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
Thanks to Publishers Weekly for the review of THE MESSI EFFECT.
If you're a soccer fan looking for a read about Messi, MLS and the trajectory of American soccer ahead of the World Cup (out June 2!), or if you're interested in preordering the book:
read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...
It’s a concerning similarity. The U.S. needs to be ready for adjustments at the World Cup. And it needs to be able to counterpunch, write @henrybushnell.bsky.social and @paultenorio.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
Feels very similar to the start of the Belgium game. #USMNT looking confident. Playing well. Creating chances. No goals to show for it, though, and Portugal has had some dangerous moments.
Thanks to Publishers Weekly for the review of THE MESSI EFFECT.
If you're a soccer fan looking for a read about Messi, MLS and the trajectory of American soccer ahead of the World Cup (out June 2!), or if you're interested in preordering the book:
read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...
Turkey defeats Kosovo, 1-0, in the UEFA playoff, completing the #USMNT's group at this summer's World Cup.
The U.S. will face Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19) and Turkey (June 25) in Group D.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
Mauricio Pochettino watched Colombia-France and came away impressed by the intensity.
I saw the Dempsey documentary and thought about the intensity that made him special.
That intensity is a mandate for this (and any) #USMNT.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...
A decade ago, on March 29, 2016, a skinny teenager from Hershey, Pa., stepped onto a field in Columbus for his #USMNT debut.
10 moments from 10 years of Christian Pulisic.
"He pushes us to be great," Tim Weah said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
The best way to describe the USMNT's demoralising 5-2 defeat to Belgium?
It was, @paultenorio.bsky.social writes, a "smack in the face."
However, with the World Cup nearing, it might be just the reality check Mauricio Pochettino and his players needed.
🔗 nyti.ms/4ta88ij
Why a 5-2 loss to Belgium in March might be the best thing to happen to the #USMNT ahead of the games that matter in June.
Sometimes getting smacked in the face with reality is exactly what you need.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...
USMNT getting a lot of talent on field in a 4-2-3-1.
Weah at right back. Tessmann-Cardoso pairing in defensive midfield. Attacking line of Pulisic, Tillman and McKennie.
Crucially, Matt Turner is getting the nod in goal. Can he win the starting job back?
Analysis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
We are covering the #USMNT-Belgium friendly with a live blog from Atlanta.
Join us here:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
“You put so much into it to get to that point."
"Proving yourself each and every day is extremely important.”
"You want to get on the team. So that was always in the back of your head.”
On the pressure & intensity of March camp before a World Cup cut.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
I sat down with Gio Reyna at USMNT camp in Atlanta.
Was struck by his optimism and gratitude — bit different from 2022.
We also talked about his latest injury (a reoccurring one), his dog (whom he wanted to name "Messi"), and more.
Feature @theathletic.com:
After a 4-1 loss to 🇩🇪 in March 2006, Jimmy Conrad thought his World Cup dream was over. He went back to his room, laid on the bed and sobbed.
“I needed to get all of it out,” he recalled.
On the emotion and pressure of the last window before a World Cup cutdown.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
