On Tuesday, U.S. defender Chris Richards was asked about watching other teams’ games during this World Cup.
Soccer America Confidential
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Pochettino: USA has chance to ‘fight the history’
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who’s been at the helm for six of those losses, was asked why the USA has a woeful streak against European foes?
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USA needs a clean, mistake-free performance against gritty Bosnia & Herzegovina
The USA is through to the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, after winning Group D. On Wednesday night, they’ll take on Bosnia & Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, their first test of the knockout rounds. The lineup After making wholesale changes in the final match of the group stages, a 3-2 loss […]
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World Cup is soccer’s gift to America
I set out around 6 p.m. in search of somewhere to watch Monday’s Netherlands-Morocco game. It was not hard. All I needed to do was look for the orange. I’ve been on the road covering the USMNT for most of the last three weeks, so this was my first neighborhood World Cup watch party. I […]
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USMNT’s critical partnership, Tim Ream and Chris Richards
Chris Richards was 10 years old when Tim Ream made his USMNT debut in 2010. In his 2020 debut at age 20, Richards joined a 33-year-old Ream on the backline in a 1-0 win over Panama. At this World Cup, the Richards-Ream partnership in the central defense has been a crucial ingredient to U.S. success. […]
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Etch Stephen Eustaquio’s name among the legion of Canadian heroes
It was, Richie Laryea proclaimed, “a moment I don’t think Canadians will ever forget.” A “moment of magic,” Alistair Johnston put it. “A monumental moment,” noted Liam Miller, one that “can change the perspective of our country forever.” Add Stephen Eustaquio to Canada’s pantheon of sports legends after his stoppage-time strike took down South Africa1-0 […]
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Book on Lionel Messi focuses on MLS structure
The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer by Paul Tenorio, St. Martin’s Press. “Signing Messi in 2023 was meant to be a wrecking ball to break through the league’s structure,” Paul Tenorio writes of Inter Miami’s signing of the somewhat storied Argentine No. 10. While fiscal conservatism and owner […]
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Beloved in Los Angeles: World Cup reveals USMNT’s wide appeal
On the morning of the USA’s third World Cup game, I set out for my favorite part of Los Angeles: the three-mile stretch from Manhattan Beach through Hermosa Beach to Redondo Beach. I sought a walk along the oceanfront Strand, watching surfers and pelicans from the piers — and soccer fans. When the USA played […]
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USMNT takes ‘gut punch’ but priorities are elsewhere
So the United States doesn’t sweep through Group D, heads into the World Cup’s knockout stage off defeat — and what a stunning defeat, right at the last tick of the clock — and sees all that momentum built through the invigorating victories over Paraguay and Australia disappear into the mist. So what? Thursday night’s […]
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Cristian Roldan wants to play
Cristian Roldan is living the dream, a key piece of a U.S. team that has galvanized the nation with searing World Cup victories over Paraguay and Australia, inspired true belief that a final-four run, maybe even — dare we say it? — a championship could be within reach, and has done so in his backyards. […]