The year is 2020. A top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Leipzig is being dictated by a fascinating duel between a 19-year-old Canadian and a 20-year-old American. Bayern Munich doesn’t win.
How ‘bout that for a bit of science fiction?! But that’s actually what happened on Sunday during the sort of match that proves a 0-0 scoreline can still be a damn good time.
Jay Berhalter has not been a popular figure among U.S. soccer fans. Justly or unjustly, the CCO of U.S. Soccer has often been a target of derision in part for his association with his younger brother Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT coach, with many believing the two created a conflict of interest. Jay was, in the eyes of many and to chagrin of more, considered the frontrunner to take over as U.S. Soccer CEO.
Ulysses Llanez scored seven times in 11 appearances for the USMNT U-20 squad. The 18-year-old forward looks like he might be just as prolific for the senior national team.
In his senior USMNT debut, Llanez was a constant threat playing on the wing and scored the opening goal in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a friendly on Saturday in Carson, California. Llanez became the 54th American to score in his international debut, doing so not far from where he grew up in Lynwood, California.
U.S. Soccer needs to do something to spice up its post-January camp friendlies, lest it continue to embarrass itself with miniscule USMNT attendance.
According to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times, a paltry 6,500 tickets had been sold for the USMNT’s friendly against Costa Rica on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park about 24 hours before kickoff for Gregg Berhalter’s first match of 2020.
According to a press release from FOX Sports, the network has landed an exclusive multi-year English-language rights deal with CONCACAF for coverage of the 2021 and 2023 Gold Cups as well as men’s and women’s Olympic qualifiers and the CONCACAF Champions League.
Gregg Berhalter has his eyes set on the future with the first USMNT roster of 2020. The U.S. coach unveiled on Saturday the 22 players who will travel to Carson, California, to take on Costa Rica in a friendly next Saturday. More than half the players have never appeared for the senior national team.
Despite forgetting his appropriate coaching certificates in the United States and Mexico, Jürgen Klinsmann had his license renewed in time to be on the bench for Hertha Berlin’s massive clash against Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion on Sunday. After watching Bayern run rampant in the second half of a 4-0 victory, the former USMNT manager probably wishes that the German Football Association had made a clerical example of him.
It feels good to finally say it: It’s been a good weekend for the USMNT. On Friday, three-time World Cup veteran Brian McBride was appointed General Manager of the USMNT. He’ll use his 17 years of professional playing experience — including 14 with the national team — to help develop and manage the player pool while also shifting the culture within the men’s program.
USMNT winger Lynden Gooch recorded a brace in Sunderland’s 3-1 victory over Lincoln City this past weekend to bring his goal tally this term up to seven. With those two goals, the 24-year-old has already matched his output from last season with over 20 games left to play in League One. Gooch has hit his stride at a critical time for the Wearside club as recent poor results saw the team sliding further away from the top six and potential promotion back to the Championship.
U.S. Soccer has decided to abandon hosting the USMNT’s January camp in Doha, Qatar, instead moving the camp to Florida. The USMNT made the announcement Friday night, less than 48 hours before the camp was scheduled to begin.
U.S. Soccer deemed Qatar too risky for the national team given escalating tensions in the Middle East.