And so the MLS vs Liga MX debate sparks up again. Just about everything concerning soccer in the USA is being questioned since the USMNT got eliminated from the 2018 World Cup. The critiques involve everything from the USMNT team to more administrative issues like who should manage the national side after last week’s catastrophe and why. As would be expected, also the MLS is now being targeted for criticism.
So the USMNT won’t be in the World Cup next year. Your summer plans probably got completely thrown out of whack without the Red, White & Blue to watch in Russia. But fear not. We here at The18 have a list of 10 things to do next summer that don’t involve the U.S. at the World Cup.
These 10 things should keep you busy for most of the summer, or at least keep you distracted enough from the fact the U.S. won’t be in the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
We're all bummed the USMNT didn’t make it to the World Cup. Many Americans are still recovering from the emotional blow suffered last week. There are those who just want to forget about everything soccer until 2022. Others are looking for new national teams to root for next summer.
Here’s a thought. American fans should support Mexico. Am I serious? Yes! Here’s why:
Bienvenido a bordo, Claudio. El ex capitán de la USMNT y uno de los mejores jugadores estadounidenses de la historia, Claudio Reyna, se unió a la creciente lista de exjugadores y entrenadores que se subieron al tren de criticar al fútbol estadounidense por no clasificar para la Copa del Mundo. Reyna no se contuvo en sus críticas sobre cómo el país se acerca al fútbol.
239 days. That’s how long we’ve got to wait until June 14, the day when Russia will kick off the 2018 World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The buildup to the world’s greatest sporting event is gaining traction as we’ve now confirmed 23 of the 32 finalists, and we’ll know the rest of the field come November.
Bender Bending Rodriguez has the right idea. If you can’t get into the party, just create your own.
With the U.S. officially out of the 2018 World Cup, it should consider hosting its own alternate World Cup for other World Cup castoffs. We’ll call it the Jack Warner Invitational and invite all the other countries who suck too much to be included in Russia. Plus, who wanted to go to Russia anyway? Buncha Commies.
Tim Weah is the son of a Ballon d’Or winner. Tim Weah is a Paris Saint-Germain player. Tim Weah is American. Tim Weah scored a hat trick on Monday. Tim Weah helped the U.S. into the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals. Tim Weah is, like, Weah good.
A wonderful 4-0 victory over Panama back on October 6 sees the United States Men’s National Team climb to 27 in the latest FIFA World Rankings, leaving Ukraine, Turkey and Iran in their torrential wake. The U.S. could’ve made further strides with a win against Trinidad and Tobago, but the Soca Warriors used the shock 2-1 victory to their own advantage, climbing up 16 places to 83.
And so the grand inquisition begins. Bruce Arena has stepped down as manager of the USMNT, and federation president Sunil Gulati has revealed that a short-term manager will be appointed in the “next 7-10 days” without making clear his own position with the 2018 election looming.