US men's soccer reach 1st Olympics since 2008 with U-20 win
The United States qualified for its first Olympic men's soccer tournament since 2008 when the Americans beat Honduras 3-0 at San Pedro Sula on Friday night in the semifinals of the Under-20 championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. Paxten Aaronson of the Philadelphia Union, an 18-year-old brother of Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson, scored in the third minute. Olympic men’s soccer is limited to players under 23, with each nation allowed three wild cards over the limit. The Americans lost a 2016 Olympics qualification game to El Salvador 2-0, then were beaten 3-2 by Colombia in a two-leg playoff for another berth. The Dominican Republic also clinched a berth, defeating Guatemala 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw.
wftv.comMiles Robinson, Zimmerman paired in defense for US vs Mexico
CINCINNATI — (AP) — Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman were paired in central defense in front of goalkeeper Zack Steffen for the United States’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Friday night. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter changed just two starters from last month’s 2-1 win over Costa Rica, inserting DeAndre Yedlin at right back for injured Sergiño Dest and Zimmerman for Chris Richards. The American front six remained unchanged, with Tyler Adams in defensive midfield, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah in advanced midfield, Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson on the wings and Ricardo Pepi up front. Eight U.S. starters are 24 and younger, all but Steffen, Yedlin and Zimmerman. Miles Robinson was the only holdover from the CONCACAF Gold Cup final at Las Vegas on Aug. 1, when he scored in the 117th minute for a 1-0 victory.
wftv.comOlympic failures show structural issues for US Soccer, MLS
United States' Sebastian Soto reacts at the end of a Concacaf Men's Olympic qualifying championship semi-final soccer match against Honduras in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, March 28, 2021. Lalas maintains the burden to improve the Olympic effort lies with Kreis, senior national team coach Gregg Berhalter and U.S. men’s national team general manager Brian McBride. FIFA regulations say clubs don’t have to release players for Olympic qualifying or the Olympics. FIFA restricts Olympic qualifying to players 23 and under. AdNone of Honduras’ players on the roster for last week’s national team exhibition against Greece were Olympic age eligible.
US men lose to Honduras, miss 3rd straight Olympic soccer
Another missed Olympics soccer tournament for the U.S. men. AdThe American Olympic skid is part of a trend that includes the senior national team missing the 2018 World Cup. Olympic men's soccer is limited to players both Jan. 1, 1997, and later, and clubs don't have to release players. Johnny Cardoso mis-hit an open header in second-half stoppage time. “I think the first half looked a lot like the Dominican Republic first half,” Kreis said.
Black MLS players form coalition to fight systemic racism
A group of black Major League Soccer players has formed a coalition that seeks to address racial inequities in the league and across soccer, and to positively impact local communities. Started by Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow, the group grew to some 70 MLS players, who formed the Black Players Coalition of MLS. And when I reached out to my black soccer player peers, they all felt the same way, Morrow said. Major League Soccer proudly recognizes and supports the Black Players Coalition of MLS -- a group of players who today, on Juneteenth, have established themselves as influential change leaders, MLS said in a statement. The league looks forward to continued and longstanding collaborations.The MLS Players Association also vowed to work with the coalition.