All articles tagged with #us soccer
U.S. Soccer has announced the nominees for its 2024 end of year awards, including categories for Male and Female Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Game of the Year. Notable nominees include Naomi Girma, Alyssa Naeher, and Christian Pulisic. The awards will also recognize referees for the first time. Voting is open to fans and will run from December 4-13, with winners announced in January 2025.
Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, has made a historic $30 million donation to U.S. Soccer's women's and girls' programs, marking the largest-ever contribution by a woman to the organization. The funds will be used to expand training camps, enhance digital talent identification, and increase the number of female coaches and referees. Kang's donation aims to address the undervaluation of women's sports and inspire further investment in the field, impacting future generations of female players, coaches, and referees.
Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, has made a historic $30 million investment in U.S. Soccer's women's and girls' programs, marking the largest philanthropic contribution in the federation's history. Spread over five years, the funds will enhance youth talent identification, double the number of camps, and expand digital platforms to reach 100,000 players. Additionally, it will support 10,000 women in coaching, refereeing, and technical roles. Kang, a prominent figure in women's sports, aims to maintain the U.S. as a leader in women's soccer through this investment.
Michele Kang, a prominent businesswoman and sports owner, has pledged $30 million over five years to U.S. Soccer, marking the largest philanthropic investment in its women's and girls' programs. This donation aims to create over 100,000 new opportunities for female players, coaches, and referees, enhancing talent identification and professional development. Kang's investment builds on her commitment to advancing women's sports and follows a significant donation by Arthur M. Blank for U.S. Soccer's National Training Center.
USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert's social media activity has sparked debate over U.S. Soccer Federation's policies. While the federation has not formally addressed the issue, players like Megan Rapinoe, Lindsey Horan, and Alex Morgan have expressed disappointment. The federation's policies, including a code of conduct and prohibited conduct policy, could potentially address such situations, but it currently lacks specific rules on social media use. The incident highlights the clash between personal viewpoints and team culture within the USWNT.
Nike and U.S. Soccer have unveiled new home and away kits for the U.S. national teams, named the "American Classic" and "American Icon" respectively. The designs have received mixed reviews from The Athletic's U.S. soccer staff, with opinions ranging from praise for the clean and traditional look of the home kit to criticism for the lack of creativity and departure from the team's identity. Overall, the kits have been rated between 2/5 and 4.5/5, with some expressing hope for more consistency and creativity in future releases.
U.S. Soccer and Nike have revealed the 2024 home and away uniforms, named the American Classic and American Icon, for all 27 National Teams, including the U.S. Women’s National Team and U.S. Men’s Olympic Team. Fans can purchase the jerseys starting March 21, and the uniforms will be worn by various teams throughout the year, including at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and FIFA World Cups. The designs aim to convey unity and feature a single star with an inspirational message, with the home kit showcasing a red, white, and blue graphic rib design and the away kit incorporating a nod to the sash design from the 2014 kit.
The 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, featuring 64 teams, will kick off with 32 games between amateur and professional clubs from March 19 to 21. This year's tournament will see the most First Round matchups between amateur and professional teams in its 109-year history. The winners of the First Round will advance to the Second Round in early April, with the competition culminating in the Final on September 25. U.S. Soccer has made its largest-ever investment in the tournament, prioritizing enhanced financial incentives for participating teams and promoting a more vibrant experience for teams and fans.
U.S. Soccer and MLS have announced that eight MLS teams and 11 MLS Next Pro teams will participate in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with increased financial incentives and travel reimbursements for participating teams. The tournament will also include lower division teams from USL and NISA. The format will feature 32 amateur clubs and 32 professional teams in the first round, with the winners advancing to subsequent rounds. MLS and U.S. Soccer are working together to enhance the tournament and grow soccer in the country, while USL clubs are committed to participating and treating the tournament with respect.
Mexico secures a historic 2-0 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup, marking only the second time the US has been defeated by Mexico. Goals from Lizbeth Ovalle and Mayra Pelayo propelled Mexico to the win, with the US finishing second in the group stage. The upset comes as a surprise after the US team's recent success, and the tournament aims to provide more competitive opportunities for women's teams in the CONCACAF region.
The future of the U.S. Open Cup is uncertain as Major League Soccer (MLS) seeks to alter its participation, citing concerns about fixture congestion and the tournament's commercial viability. A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice in favor of the European Super League has provided MLS owners with a precedent that governing bodies may not have full control over club competitions, leading to discussions with U.S. Soccer about the tournament's format. The U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer, holds significance for both amateur and professional clubs, but faces challenges in gaining traction among MLS fans.
The 2024 U.S. Open Cup is set to proceed with potential limited MLS participation, causing disappointment among USL clubs and their president, Paul McDonough, who felt blindsided by the uncertainty and lack of leadership from U.S. Soccer. The tournament, which typically includes around 100 men's professional, semi-pro, and amateur clubs, has been marred by a power struggle and financial concerns, leading to potential changes in MLS involvement and the possibility of some USL teams choosing not to participate.
MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses the league's growth, leveraging Lionel Messi's presence, and the challenges ahead, including labor issues with referees and a dispute with the U.S. Soccer Federation over the league's participation in the U.S. Open Cup. Garber emphasizes the importance of signing both big-name international players and young talents, while also addressing the impact of emerging leagues like the Saudi Pro League and the ongoing discussions with U.S. Soccer regarding MLS's participation in the U.S. Open Cup.
The U.S. Soccer Federation's National Council voted to make the position of USSF president a paid role for the first time, with a stipend of $150,000 per year, in a move aimed at expanding the pool of candidates and acknowledging the demands of the role, particularly with the 2026 men's World Cup on the horizon. The decision, passed with 80.88% support, faced opposition over concerns about the legality of paying the president of a nonprofit organization and the allocation of responsibilities. Additionally, Nathán Goldberg Crenier was elected as USSF vice-president for a four-year term.
U.S. Soccer members voted to approve a $150,000 annual stipend for the USSF president, marking the first time the position will be paid. The decision follows a previous failed attempt to pass a similar amendment. Arguments for compensation included the demanding nature of the role, the need to attract qualified candidates, and increasing accessibility to a diverse range of candidates. Those against the amendment raised concerns about tax-exempt status and the position's prestige as sufficient compensation.