While in a general sense we’re always living through history, there are at times specific milestones, figures and accomplishments that make one realize, especially in sports, that you’ve been privileged to witness something special. One day, you might mention to your children or grandchildren that in the summer of 2024, you watched a slick Spain […]
Andrea Canales
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
A look back with Herculez Gomez at Jurgen Klinsmann as USMNT coach
Perspectives on Klinsmann vary widely. Herculez Gomez played for Steve Sampson, Bob Bradley and Jurgen Klinsmann, so he has comparable context for his views on Klinsmann.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Gio Reyna casts own shadow
Even USMNT fans who reveled in the impressive goal Gio Reyna scored against Mexico in the USA’s three-peat Nations League final win recognize a truth about the midfielder.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Mexico win was no fluke — and should excite fans of both teams
The victory in 2010 by El Tri was a bit of a false dawn for Mexico, but the sun is shining on a new star emerging from Concacaf.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Cade Cowell: The U.S. striker seeking goals for ‘Mexicans only’ Chivas Guadalajara
A product of California’s Central Valley, Cowell is a milestone player in the popular Mexican club’s evolution.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Messi fever in U.S. will give Argentina big home-field edge at Copa America
The Lionel Messi effect on Major League Soccer and American soccer in general has been evident in cold hard numbers for a while. Only Shohei Ohtani surpassed Messi’s rate of jersey sales, for example. People one might never have guessed were fans of the beautiful game have been talking about it and going to Inter […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
A colossus in the shadow of a giant
In 2003, I watched Christine Sinclair burst onto the international soccer scene, scoring three goals at the World Cup as she contributed mightily to Canada’s historic fourth-placed finish. Yet that wasn’t the story of the tournament, as media was focused more on the SARS pandemic, Germany winning its first World Cup title, but most of […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Megan Rapinoe's career made most memorable by assists and advocacy efforts
Back in June 2007, at a charity event to benefit the memorial fund of the late Glenn “Mooch” Myernick, I took a photo of a 22-year-old Megan Rapinoe. Her short sandy hair was topped by a newsboy cap and she displayed little of the outspoken, brash personality she would grow into over the years with […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Wildest dreams for Swift NWSL improvement
Many were captivated by the news of Taylor Swift developing a new relationship with an athlete and putting it on public display as September drew to a close. I was ready for it, eagerly consuming details in various news reports. The pair appear to be growing ever closer as October begins, and I have to […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Lionel Messi is David Beckham's wish fulfilled
In 2005, I had a premonition that David Beckham was going to play in Major League Soccer. At the time, he was in the Carson, California, stadium to play against the Los Angeles Galaxy as a member of Real Madrid. Most of the Galacticos on the Madrid squad seemed uninterested in doing anything more than […]