He was one of the kids in Qatar, third-youngest on the World Cup’s second-youngest roster with a role to match, but that was way back at the end of 2022, an eternity ago, it seems, in these tumultuous times for American soccer. Jesus Ferreira arrived for the Yanks’ first camp of the new cycle as […]
Scott French
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Cade Cowell's goal is to be consistent and, maybe, get a little luck
Cade Cowell has offered moments of brilliance in his brief career with the San Jose Earthquakes and U.S. Soccer’s youth teams, glimpses of what could be as he evolves into a more mature, more consistent presence in the attack. On Wednesday night, he provided a taste of what that might look like. The […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
The future begins now for USMNT in somewhat 'sad' and 'difficult' times
The national team is taking its initial steps toward the United States’ second home-soil World Cup in somewhat “sad” and “difficult” times, acting head coach Anthony Hudson readily acknowledges, but if the controversies surrounding U.S. Soccer and its signature men’s program have created a quandary of sorts, at least for him, there’s still a job […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Greg Vanney: 'Galaxy have always been a standard-bearer in terms of driving the league forward'
Greg Vanney says the LA Galaxy is “so far ahead of where we were two years ago,” when he took charge of the fading giant, “that it’s amazing.” Good thing, because the sanctions handed down last month for violating MLS’s salary-budget rules four seasons ago, while signing former club standout Cristian Pavon, makes for the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Greg Vanney on what 2022 World Cup means for USMNT in 2026, the France-Argentina final, and his greatest player of all time
Greg Vanney‘s World Cup career was brief and painful. The LA Galaxy’s head coach was an alternate for the United States’ famed 2002 squad who was added to the roster when starting holding midfielder Chris Armas suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-Cup friendly. Days later, Vanney was gone, out of the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Brian Schmetzer on backing Gregg Berhalter, following France, and the 2022 World Cup's best storylines
Brian Schmetzer‘s memories of his first World Cup are clouded by time, by youth, by perspective that has grown as he has climbed the ranks of American soccer, first as a player, then as a coach, most notably guiding his hometown Seattle Sounders FC to two MLS Cup championships and — the first U.S. team […]
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Dave Sarachan on helping prep young U.S. World Cup players, triumphs of 2002, and failures in the last cycle
Few coaches have as much experience with the U.S. national team as Dave Sarachan, who has been part of the process in three World Cup cycles, including this one. As interim head coach for a year following the Yanks’ failed qualifying campaign for the 2018 tournament, Sarachan gave U.S. debuts to nine players Gregg Berhalter […]
Posted inSoccer America Top of the News, Story
From little-seen and little-known to cause celebre in one day, John McCarthy is the toast of LAFC's party
Los Angeles FC celebrated its MLS Cup championship in grand style Sunday outside its Banc of California home, and the star performance of the afternoon — as in the title game the day before — was John McCarthy, the career backup who killed his hometown Philadelphia Union in the penalty shootout following a staggering 3-3 […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS Cup's unexpected hero: LAFC's John McCarthy stifles his hometown team
John McCarthy had an inkling he might be called upon if Saturday’s MLS Cup final was to be decided at the penalty spot. This he never expected. The wildest, most insane, most fantastic, most incredibly mind-blowing championship game in Major League Soccer’s 27 years came down to three big moments, and McCarthy — with a bit of […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
'By God's grace,' Ryan Hollingshead was able to do what he most wanted to do and he's loving it
Ryan Hollingshead isn’t supposed to be here, providing Los Angeles FC a unique weapon on the right flank — pouring in goals while starring on one of Major League Soccer’s best backlines — as it prepares to play for the prize it has most coveted since kicking off its inaugural season nearly five years ago. […]