Analysis

Relegation is coming to the US, but don't expect to see Messi in the USL Championship next year

Major League Soccer is preparing to enter a new era following the arrival of the Greatest Of All Time, but the wall-to-wall coverage of Lionel Messi's movements in Miami has been momentarily broken by a seismic shift from America's second division, the USL.

Gold Cup semifinal predictions: We've been drinking the Kool-Aid

The Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals are upon us Wednesday night, and although it's easy to pencil the United States and Mexico into the final for a third straight time, we shouldn't be so quick to write off Panama or Jamaica.

This feels like a particularly open final four. You could probably make just as convincing of an argument about why the U.S. is the best team remaining as you could one about why they're the worst, and the same goes for El Tri. 

Here are the top 10 best U.S. women soccer players that will compete at the 2023 World Cup

If you’re a casual American soccer fan who tunes in for the World Cup and the occasional game, then this article is here to help. If you’re watching the 2023 Women’s World Cup this year, then you might want to know who the best US women soccer players are.

Those of you who are die-hard United States women’s national team (USWNT) fans can feel free to critique this list all you want. Here are the best US women soccer players who will play in Australia and New Zealand this summer at the Women’s World Cup.

USWNT touches down in New Zealand — here's their complete schedule going forward

The USWNT touched down in Auckland, New Zealand, at around 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, July 11. Now, with just 10 days to go until the USA Women's World Cup schedule begins with an opening match against Vietnam on July 21, the team needs to battle jet lag, adjust to the time difference and establish normal routines as soon as possible.

Gold Cup quarterfinal: USMNT player ratings vs. Canada

The USMNT is through to the Gold Cup semifinals after a dramatic, back-and-forth penalty shootout victory over rivals Canada. 

The U.S. thought they'd won it in the 88th minute, only for Canada to equalize at 90+3'. Then the dramatics were reversed in extra time as the Canucks went up 2-1 in the 109th-minute before the Americans found a leveler in the 114th. 

In the shootout Matt Turner prevailed as Canada could only convert two of five attempts, and up next for the States is a semifinal against Panama on Wednesday night in San Diego. 

Is Riqui Puig a serious MVP candidate? 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 24

Matchday 24 was critical for many of the cellar dwellers in MLS. Important results took different forms, like Charlotte FC’s draw against Cincinnati or Colorado’s first win at home, so let’s take a look at what these results mean for those clubs stranded at the bottom of the table. 

Trinity Rodman takes over: 3 things we learned from USWNT vs. Wales

In front of a sellout crowd at PayPal Park in San Jose, the USWNT battled to a 2-0 victory over Wales in their send-off match before the World Cup thanks to Trinity Rodman's brace off the bench.

The U.S. struggled to breakdown Wales' compact defensive structure in the opening 45 but Rodman's halftime introduction led to the opener in the 76th minute before the 21-year-old added a spectacular second in the 87th.

Arsenal form the greatest MLS All-Star Skills Challenge team ever assembled

I'll have you know that I consider myself the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge-meister

No one appointed me this position, I wasn't voted into it and I've only just recently thought of the title, but I think about the All-Star Skills Challenge a lot: the contests, the strategies, the techniques and the storied three-event history of the competition.

USMNT predicted starting XI vs. Canada: Here's how we take down the hosers

The USMNT is soaring into the Concacaf Gold Cup knockout rounds after twice matching their largest margin of victory in tournament history (back-to-back 6-0 results against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago). 

But all that will quickly be forgotten Sunday night when the U.S. welcomes Canada to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati with the knowledge that anything less than safe passage to the semifinals will be considered an unmitigated disaster, especially against a Canadian team that finished behind Guatemala in group play.

Inter Miami’s tie fighters and records at the Rose Bowl: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchday 23

What’s better than late-night soccer on the Fourth of July? With a few games remaining before the summer break, MLS treated its fans to a midweek smattering of entertaining fixtures for Matchday 23, including one of the league’s great rivalries at one of the nation’s most storied venues. 

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