- Keith Hickey (With special thanks to Ray Escamilla)
The MLS Players' Union released the salaries for all of their members (every player in Major League Soccer) today. I sifted through the raw data to bring you the most interesting nuggets of information. All figures use the "guaranteed compensation" statistics.
To the delight of a few (thank you) and the dismay of many, the American Soccer Show train rolls on. It even managed to make the usual stops on time this week, leading to a new show with several topics somewhat adequately covered therein. Yahtzee.
- Ethan Gomberg
SANDY, UT - Real Salt Lake found their feet with a 1-0 win over Chivas USA at Rio Tinto stadium, to bounce back following losses to Monterry in the CONCACAF Champions League and Portland in MLS play. Will Johnson scored for Salt Lake in the 87th, but the home side also lost the services of playmaker Javier Morales for a significant period of time after he was stretchered off with a fractured leg.
- Ben McCormick
America’s youth development took a huge step forward on April 21 when Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna presented his curriculum for coaches across the country. The first step in standardizing youth development in America’s complex and convoluted youth system, the curriculum brings a small step America closer to forming a uniquely American player and playing style.
America’s youth development took a huge step forward on April 21 when Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna presented his curriculum for coaches across the country. The first step in standardizing youth development in America’s complex and convoluted youth system, the curriculum brings a small step America closer to forming a uniquely American player and playing style.
- Ben McCormick
Yesterday, word came down that the USSF has decided not to renew Thomas Rongen’s contract, which expires at the end of the year. Tab Ramos takes the helm of the U-20s for their trip to France next month, though he hasn't officially named interim coach. With that in mind, here is a quick rundown of some of the possible domestic candidates to take over as U-20 National Team steward:
Yesterday, word came down that the USSF has decided not to renew Thomas Rongen’s contract, which expires at the end of the year. Tab Ramos takes the helm of the U-20s for their trip to France next month, though he hasn't officially named interim coach. With that in mind, here is a quick rundown of some of the possible domestic candidates to take over as U-20 National Team steward:
Better late than never, right? After the craziness of my weekend, when real life concerns kept Jared and I from getting together to record the next installment of the American Soccer Show, the work week has been relatively free of stress. That meant that we could convene on Wednesday night to do the show. That's a good thing, both because we enjoy it and because I was getting tired of people bitching about the lack of a new episode (My routine is thrown off! What will I listen to? I can't live without the podcast! Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a touch with that last one).
Seriously, those of you who did express your sadness over us missing a week definitely encouraged me to get it done. You're appreciated. Now send us email. Or buy a t-shirt.
Matt Acconciamessa | US Soccer Daily
Better late than never, a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly from another week of MLS action:
Will Bruin:
Sure, it was against a DC United defense that has been positively porous over the last couple of weeks, but Will Bruin’s hat trick over the weekend was still impressive. He became the second youngest MLS player to accomplish the feat, getting help along the way in the form of some quality service from Brad Davis and Geoff Cameron.
Columbus’ gorgeous goal:
I’m a sucker for a good team goal; the Crew’s 17 pass build-up on Emilio Renteria’s second goal against Vancouver was a beauty.
Better late than never, a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly from another week of MLS action:
The Good
Sure, it was against a DC United defense that has been positively porous over the last couple of weeks, but Will Bruin’s hat trick over the weekend was still impressive. He became the second youngest MLS player to accomplish the feat, getting help along the way in the form of some quality service from Brad Davis and Geoff Cameron.
Columbus’ gorgeous goal:
I’m a sucker for a good team goal; the Crew’s 17 pass build-up on Emilio Renteria’s second goal against Vancouver was a beauty.
We've all been there: down a goal in the dying stages, you desperately search for a way through a bunkering defense. Players in the opposing color are seemingly everywhere, breaking up every pass, tackling the ball off your best attacker, flummoxing every chance with superhuman feats of agility. Finally, you find it: a bit of space at the edge of the box, the perfect place for a curled shot to the far post. You mash the buttons like a morphine addict laid up in a hospital bed after back surgery. The ball flies—for all the world looking true—and you prematurely jump off your couch to celebrate what is surely the goal that will bring you level against some guy from California that deserves to lose because he picked Barcelona.
Mid-morning, The Oval Office. It's grey and raining outside. A visibly tired President Obama is reading a file, only half paying attention. A secret service agent walks in, leading four other men. Three are dressed in suits. The third, a standard-issue USMNT warmup tracksuit. The President lays down the file and rubs his eyes wearily.
We felt bad that there was no American Soccer Show available for your listening pleasure on Monday. We know how many of you look forward to it. We heard your anguished cries of disappointment. We're here to make amends.
The 71st weekly episode (not counting all of the other pre-game, post-game, and interview-only shows we've done) of the American Soccer Show is set for 8 PM ET/5 PM PT tonight. We're even streaming it in case you want to listen in while it happens.
- Jason Davis
French football is dealing with a crisis. Investigative website Mediapart claims officials in the country's soccer federation discussed, planned, and perhaps executed a quota to limit the number of non-white players accepted into France's academies. Caught up in the scandal is national team head coach Laurent Blanc, a man who played on a celebrated multi-ethnic World Cup winning France squad in 1998.
French football is dealing with a crisis. Investigative website Mediapart claims officials in the country's soccer federation discussed, planned, and perhaps executed a quota to limit the number of non-white players accepted into France's academies. Caught up in the scandal is national team head coach Laurent Blanc, a man who played on a celebrated multi-ethnic World Cup winning France squad in 1998.
A quick note for fans of the podcast: due to some personal matters that needed my attention, we weren't able to record a show. Apologies, of the sincerest kind. We promise to return next week.
- Jason
- Jason
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