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Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images Follow along with all the USMNT action this weekend. The weekend is here - let’s see what USMNT action we have to look forward to! Friday Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen - 2:45p on ESPN+ Gio Reyna has appeared in seven straight games for Borussia Dortmund though he’s started only twice and has yet to log 200 minutes on the season. Dortmund are in sixth place heading into their matchup against last years league winners who currently trail Bayern Munich by four points nearly halfway through the season. Rayo Vallecano v Celta Vigo - 3p on ESPN+ Is Luca de la Torre back on the outs? A month after picking up an assist in 27’ minutes off the bench in Celta Vigo’s Copa del Ray win over Salamanca de la Torre was not included in the squad that travelled to Racing Santander last weekend. Read More
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images The wide player had a strong season in MLS. The annual January camp provides an opportunity for the United States Men’s National Team to examine potential additions to the program, particularly those who are coming off of a strong season in domestic competitions. For some players, this is the apotheosis of their international careers, but for others, the gathering is the beginning of a journey that leads to a spot on the World Cup roster. One new entrant into the group is Maximilian “Max” Arfsten, who recently completed his second season in Major League Soccer. The 23-year-old Columbus Crew wing-back has enjoyed a sharp rise and is included on Mauricio Pochettino’s latest roster. A beauty of a goal from Max Arfsten to put Columbus in the lead! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/onH7zA93zt— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 30, 2024 Born in Fresno, California, Arfsten competed at the high school level Read More
Photo by Julian Medina/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images 24 U-23 players will train alongside senior national team. The youth movement is here, and United States Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes is hoping to integrate some of them into the team’s identity and strategy. Today, U.S. Soccer announced a 24-player roster of U-23 players that will train in Carson, California at this year’s Futures Camp. The Futures Camp’s purpose is to bring in some of those younger players not just for talent identification but also national team introduction. Hayes said yesterday in her press conference discussing the USWNT roster, which was announced yesterday, that she’s excited at the chance to work on the basics while also evaluating some of the younger talent and giving them opportunities to move up the ranks to potentially be on the senior team on the future. She also expressed her desire for the USWNT U-23s Read More
Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images A training camp to occur alongside a Futures Camp. The United States Women’s National Team begins 2025 with an eye on the future. Today, U.S. Soccer announced the 26-player roster who will gather in Carson, California for a USWNT’s annual January Camp. The purpose of the camp is for players to get some conditioning while also giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills to head coach Emma Hayes and the coaching staff. While no matches will be played by the USWNT during this camp, it’s a chance for Hayes and the coaches to evaluate some of the players on the fringe of the player pool to see who could be a part of the program moving forward. There are also several veterans from the teams that won the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup and the 2024 Olympics. As the team full enters the Read More
Photo by Joe Puetz/ISI Photos/Getty Images Which assist from a USMNT game was best in 2024? Here at Stars and Stripes FC, we’ve already begun our 2024 end-of-year awards, with a look back at the USMNT International Goal of the Year. Tyler Adams won that award with his long-range blast against Mexico, taking home an impressive 78.5% of voting. Christian Pulisic then narrowly beat Weston McKennie for USMNT Club Goal of the Year (31.2% to 30%). Now, it’s time to look at USMNT International Assist of the Year! We’re hoping to have one more category: Club Assist of the Year The Nominees Gio Reyna first assist vs Jamaica - Mar 21 Sometimes it’s fascinating to watch how one or two touches can completely change a game. Gio picks up the ball and unlocks the defense, finding Haji Wright for the goal here. Gio Reyna second assist vs Jamaica - Mar Read More
Photo by Robert Mora/ISI Photos/Getty Images The annual camp gives several MLS players a chance to make an impact. The United States Men’s National Team enters 2025 with some important competitions on the schedule, and they will begin preparations with their annual January Camp. Today, U.S. Soccer announced the 24-man roster that will head to Florida for two friendlies during the annual camp. The team will gather in Fort Lauderdale, where they will face Venezuela on January 18th. They then move to Orlando for a match against Costa Rica on January 22nd. This year’s January Camp presents an opportunity for young domestic players to show the coaching staff - namely, head coach Mauricio Pochettino - that they can be a part of the USMNT player pool as the team gets ready for the Concacaf Nations League Finals in March and the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer. All eyes are also Read More
Photo by Agustin Cuevas Cornejo/USSF/Getty Images for USSF It’s been a looooooong time since a defender took home the honor The US Men’s National Team announced the End of the Year Award for Player of the Year over the weekend. Perhaps surprising, though not a huge surprise, is that the award went to a defender for the first time since 2006 with Antonee Robinson taking home the honor. The left back received 55% of the weighted vote and managed to win the award over Christian Pulisic who had a career year with AC Milan. Since first winning it in 2017, Pulisic is a four time Male Player of the Year awardee. Robinson had a brilliant 2024 appearing in all four of the USMNT’s shutouts last year. He also had the game winning assist against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League Semi-Final. For his club, Jedi was honored as the Fulham Read More
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images Pulisic and Musah go for silverware in Saudi Arabia; Reyna and Campbell face champions Leverkusen. Midweek USMNT action is here. Let’s get into it! Monday Inter Milan vs AC Milan, 2p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV (free trial): Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan meet Inter in a Supercoppa Italiana edition of the Milan derby. This one won’t be played at the San Siro, but in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tuesday No notable USMNT players in action. Wednesday Celtic vs Dundee United, 2:45p: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic host Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership. Thursday Fulham vs Watford, 2:45p on ESPN+ (free trial): Antonee Robinson and the Cottagers host Watford in the FA Cup third round. Also in action: PAOK Thessaloniki vs AEK Athens, 12:30p: Jonathan Gómez played 90 minutes for PAOK in cup matches against Egaleo on October Read More