Tag: US Soccer

Fans were so fired up after U.S. Soccer finally announced Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT head coach

It is FINALLY official.

When U.S. Soccer parted ways with former U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter, the federation knew that it was going to have to be ambitious with the coaching search. The USMNT — despite boasting the most talented roster in the program’s history — was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa America and lacked any optimism for the 2026 World Cup.

The USSF had to get the hire right, and technical director Matt Crocker pulled off just about the best hire he could have made.

After literal weeks of speculation and reports of an imminent announcement, the USSF finally introduced Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT head coach ahead of the team’s friendly against New Zealand.

https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1833634121333281182

Pochettino — most recently the manager at Chelsea FC — gives the USMNT a coach who has led the biggest clubs and players in the world. He took Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final. He won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain. He also previously worked with Crocker at Southampton where Pochettino led the club to its best-ever finish in the Premier League. He also coached Chelsea at the same time as now-USWNT head coach Emma Hayes who was leading the Chelsea women’s squad.

And while negotiations over a Chelsea buyout held up the announcement, the USSF was able to see the process through and get the deal done. USMNT fans were overwhelmingly fired up for the new head coach who will make his debut in October.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

https://twitter.com/herculezg/status/1833634696024007074

https://twitter.com/MenInBlazers/status/1833634386379677959

https://twitter.com/Ceruti/status/1833636880170057902

https://twitter.com/BlakeKBullock/status/1833635028338676032

https://twitter.com/ManagerTactical/status/1833634205957271700

https://twitter.com/King_TylerB/status/1833636719994016109

https://twitter.com/sophwwfc/status/1833634304548651162

https://twitter.com/NocturnalGunner/status/1833634353840312367

https://twitter.com/Nabhuto/status/1833635595262046651

https://twitter.com/MatterallM/status/1833634736742277534

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Why a disastrous Copa America should not have you worried about the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.

Don’t blame U.S. Soccer for this mess.

The contrast between Euro 2024 and the Copa America could not have been any wider.

Two major international tournaments going on at the same time. One was played in front of packed stadiums with perfect playing surfaces. There was cutting-edge VAR technology and organization befitting a world-class event. The other was played in half-full NFL stadiums with sod laid over turf and officiating that would make grade-school referees cringe.

There were brawls in the stands involving Uruguay players, and then, there was the chaos in the final as thousands of unticketed fans rushed the gates at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

From the onset of the 2024 Copa America, the issues were obvious. But as fans were turned away at the stadium gates — many paid thousands on tickets — blame was being cast on the U.S. for the abysmal tournament. Others said the nation was incapable of hosting the 2026 World Cup. But saying so showed a lack of understanding about this Copa America.

The entirety of the 2024 Copa America was organized by CONMEBOL, the South American confederation. That included the venue selection, ticket prices (nosebleed seats went for $150-plus in the group stage), standards for playing surfaces, VAR technology and, yes, stadium security.

In 2016, the U.S. hosted the Copa America Centenario. It was a special edition of the tournament, and Soccer United Marketing — the marketing arm of U.S. Soccer — played a major role in the planning and organizing of the event. And according to ESPN, U.S. Soccer cleared $75 million alone by hosting the event.

In the years since, CONMEBOL’s relationship with the U.S. had deteriorated amid the DOJ indictments that implicated confederation executives. But given the struggle to find a host for the 2024 Copa America, CONMEBOL turned to the U.S. instead of canceling the tournament. This time, though, CONMEBOL would run the show and keep nearly all the money. Via ESPN:

The 2024 Copa is a joint venture between CONMEBOL and Concacaf with the two confederations splitting most of the proceeds, and U.S. Soccer set to get the aforementioned $10m, plus 5% of ticket sales. U.S. Soccer will have no role in the actual running of the tournament. There is also a sense, in theory at least, that the member associations — and not just the U.S. — should benefit from the tournament’s proceeds, which are expected to eclipse those of 2016.

That’s what brought the mess that we saw over the past month. It was a tournament with organizers that declined help from the most knowledgable parties in hopes of maximizing profit. CONMEBOL cut corners when it came to marketing the games and coordinating with local law enforcement. It didn’t require venues to have natural grass fully installed months in advance — something FIFA is requiring for the 2026 World Cup.

It’s how a stadium that has hosted Super Bowls, College Football Playoff title games, NFL games and major concerts seemed ill equipped on Sunday. CONMEBOL was simply incompetent and turned down assistance at every turn. It’s how the 2016 Copa went smoothly while 2024 became utter chaos.

When 2026 rolls around, FIFA and the U.S. organizing committee (which includes U.S. Soccer) will have a heavy hand in every aspect of the planning. Like the Olympics, the World Cup has a visible emphasis on security and crowd control. In many cases, proof of tickets are required to just get within a couple blocks of a World Cup venue. Simply put, a repeat of Sunday night’s fiasco won’t happen in 2026 because the organizers will actually care … and be prepared.

That couldn’t be said for CONMEBOL.

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Wisconsin Badgers soccer legend headed to Paris Summer Olympics

Wisconsin Badgers soccer legend headed to Paris Summer Olympics

Former Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer superstar Rose Lavelle was named to the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer team. She will help lead the team in the 2024 Summer Olympics, which begin in Paris, France on July 26

Lavelle spent four seasons with Wisconsin from 2013-2016, becoming an instant star in her freshman season, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. She was then selected for an All-America team in each of her final three campaigns in 2014 through 2016.

The 29-year-old athlete will be making her second appearance in the Olympics after playing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — which was delayed to July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lavelle appeared in all six games during the tournament, scoring a goal as the U.S. went on to beat Australia in the bronze medal game.

During the 2024 NWSL season with Gotham FC, Lavelle has racked up three goals while appearing in 10 contests, including six starts. Across seven seasons in the NWSL, the midfielder has 12 total goals.

Lavelle and the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer team are looking for their first Olympic gold medal since 2012 after losing in the quarterfinals in 2016 and finishing third in 2021.

How to buy USMNT 2024 Copa América tickets

Watch the U.S. Men’s National Team in person as they take on Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the Group Stage. Tickets remain for just $57

It’s a wonderful time to be a soccer fan.

The 2024 European Football Championships are underway, but on this side of the pond the 2024 Copa América tournament begins in just a few days.

The United States is hosting the event for just the second time in the tournament’s 108-year history.

SHOP: USMNT Copa América tickets

The action kicks off with Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Canada on Thursday, June 20; however, the USMNT’s first game will be against Bolivia on Sunday, June 23.

USMNT vs. Bolivia tickets

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USMNT vs. Panama tickets

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USMNT vs. Uruguay tickets

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How to buy USMNT 2024 Copa América tickets

Watch the U.S. Men’s National Team in person as they take on Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the Group Stage. Tickets remain for just $57

It’s a wonderful time to be a soccer fan.

The 2024 European Football Championships are underway, but on this side of the pond the 2024 Copa América tournament begins in just a few days.

The United States is hosting the event for just the second time in the tournament’s 108-year history.

SHOP: USMNT Copa América tickets

The action kicks off with Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Canada on Thursday, June 20; however, the USMNT’s first game will be against Bolivia on Sunday, June 23.

USMNT vs. Bolivia tickets

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop U.S. vs. Bolivia Copa America tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/jXnGlM1″]

USMNT vs. Panama tickets

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USMNT vs. Uruguay tickets

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WATCH: Rose Lavelle’s journey to soccer’s biggest stage

A former Badger on the world’s biggest stage

For the second time in her outstanding professional career, Rose Lavelle is headed to the World Cup to play for the US National Team.

In her 89 appearances for her country, Lavelle has totaled 24 goals and 20 assists, and will once again be a major contributor at the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand.

The U.S. and Lavelle opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam.

For Lavelle, the journey to represent the Red, White, and Blue is one that has been building since she was a little kid. She fell in love with the game at a young age, it carried through to Wisconsin, and now to soccer’s biggest stage. Fox Soccer highlighted her journey to the World Cup in a recent special:

 

DeJuan Jones earns his first cap with USA Men’s National Team

A former Spartan looks to make a major impact for USMNT in the Gold Cup

DeJuan Jones is making a name for himself in the soccer world, with Lansing native looking to play a big role for team USA in the Gold Cup. After making his debut earlier this year, Jones has officially gotten his first cap in world competition in the red, white and blue.

The 26-year old is currently playing for the New England Revolution in the MLS following outstanding careers at Michigan State and East Lansing High School.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

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USWNT World Cup roster includes Wisconsin alum

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup set to begin July 20, the USWNT roster was announced Wednesday and it included a former Badger.

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup set to begin July 20, the USWNT roster was announced Wednesday and it included a former Wisconsin Badger midfielder. A member of the Badger women’s soccer team from 2013-2016, Rose Lavelle will appear in her second World Cup.

The 5-foot-4 athlete was a superstar for the United States women’s national soccer team during the 2019 World Cup, winning the Bronze Ball as the third-best player in the tournament.

This comes as no surprise though after her successful career with Wisconsin, after she won many awards with the Badgers. These include the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, her being named a 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and Lavelle being selected for an All-American team each year from 2014-2016.

Lavelle went on to be selected first overall in the 2017 NWSL Draft by the Boston Breakers and she is one of the very best soccer players in the world, let alone country.

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U.S. Soccer’s report on the Gregg Berhalter-Gio Reyna scandal is an awful look for the Reyna family

Soccer parents don’t get much worse.

The U.S. men’s national team is still without a full-time head coach, but it has taken a step in turning the page on (potentially former) head coach Gregg Berhalter. It’s just not great news for one of the program’s brightest talents either.

Back in January, the U.S. Soccer Federation was sent into disarray by a statement from Berhalter, who claimed he was being blackmailed over an alleged domestic violence incident from 1992 that involved his now-wife Rosalind. Berhalter admitted to kicking Rosalind when the two were 18 years old, but the incident was never reported to authorities. It turned out that the Reyna family — the parents of Borussia Dortmund forward Gio Reyna — brought the accusation to the federation’s attention after they were upset by Berhalter’s comments at a leadership conference.

As a result, the USSF launched an independent investigation into both the Berhalter incident and the Reyna “blackmail.” Those findings were released on Monday, and, well, it was not a good look for the Reyna family.

U.S. Soccer finally unveiled the hideous USMNT World Cup kits and fans were not happy at all

Worst U.S. jerseys … ever?

After trying (and failing) to build suspense for World Cup jerseys that had already been leaked, Nike and U.S. Soccer confirmed Thursday that the U.S. men’s national team will indeed wear the much-maligned kits in Qatar.

In separate announcements — the first coming from Nike in the early morning hours — fans got an official look at the jerseys that had been almost universally hated by a fanbase that doesn’t typically agree on much. The home jersey features a centered crest, Nike logos on the sleeves and sleeve striping more reminiscent of American football jerseys. The away kit will be a blue and dark blue tie-dye shirt with the centered crest.

There are almost too many issues with the home jersey to list. First of all, it comes directly from a Nike template currently being used in training kits seen for European teams like PSG and Barcelona. Stunning lack of creativity aside, it just doesn’t look like a soccer jersey. And that’s because Nike admitted that they borrowed elements from basketball, American football and hockey rather than highlighting any distinct look for American soccer. Via Yahoo Sports:

Nike, which has not yet responded to detailed questions from Yahoo Sports about how the kits came to be, said in its release that the white “uniform design cues include bold stripes, an enlarged center crest akin to basketball jerseys, double Swooshes on the sleeves reminiscent of those used on American football jerseys, the unique shoulder and sleeve cut-and-sew construction and pattern of a hockey jersey, and timeless block lettering.”

Big yikes. That *enormous* block lettering really has the jersey resembling a hockey or NFL jersey, which is not ideal.

And for the away kit, Nike believed it was paying homage to American fashion and streetwear by utilizing a tie-dye design.

The whole set is a disappointment when you consider that fans waited eight years for these kits. They hated the jerseys when they leaked this past month, and fans hated the jerseys on Thursday.