Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Soccer America

Soccer America

@socceramerica.bsky.social

980 followers 290 following 450 posts

Breaking News • Expert Analysis • Exclusive Interviews • Daily TV Schedule Sign Up for FREE WORLD CUP WATCH Weekly Newsletter Now! https://bit.ly/4kYMGcA

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 1d

⬆️ ⬇️ Promotion/relegation is on the United Soccer League horizon.

Dan Vaughn of Protagonist Soccer spoke with a person perfectly suited for insight into the process:

Sean Mann — CEO and co-founder of Detroit City FC.

www.socceramerica.com/detroit-city...

Detroit City FC's Sean Mann weighs USL's pro/rel plans with the wisdom of experience - Soccer America

In 2019, Detroit City FC transitioned from amateur to professional, joining the NISA from the NPSL. It moved to the USL Championship for the 2022 season.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 1d

"He was humble, serious and very professional. He was at a different level. We were just hoping he enjoyed our team environment off the field and the freedom we allowed him on the field."

Tab Ramos, Folarin Balogun's first USYNT coach, with SA's Mike Woitalla.

www.socceramerica.com/tab-ramos-pi...

Tab Ramos pinpoints USMNT progress and weighs in on the USA's U-20 World Cup showing - Soccer America

"Ecuador is one of the best teams in South America ... and we went toe-to-toe with them from beginning to end."

www.socceramerica.com

Reposted by Soccer America

John Shrader @johnshrader.bsky.social · 4d

@taylortwellman.bsky.social has plenty to say, on television, on social and right here on the Soccer Media Podcast. @socceramerica.bsky.social @espnfc-m.bsky.social @foxsoccer.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=75jY...

SOCCER MEDIA PODCAST with guest Taylor Twellman

YouTube video by The SOCCER MEDIA Podcast

www.youtube.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 4d

“You can’t assemble the Avengers … and not win an MLS Cup.”
— Bradley Wright-Phillips

SA's John Shrader reports on a trio of AppleTV MLS announcers discussing the significance of the Inter Miami quartet's legacy in the league.

www.socceramerica.com/mls-decision...

MLS Decision Day: Apple TV analysts chime in on Inter Miami's quartet of legends: Messi, Alba, Busquets and Suarez - Soccer America

Miami, which plays at Nashville Saturday night, is in a dog fight with FC Cincinnati for the second seed in the East.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 4d

Alabama product Chandler Hoffman earned accolades at UCLA and played for no fewer than 13 teams in the PDL, USL and MLS before becoming NISA commisioner.

SA's Scott French tells the story here.

www.socceramerica.com/chandler-hof...

Chandler Hoffman, Alabaman, MLS champion and master's degree candidate, on his new job: NISA commissioner - Soccer America

Chandler Hoffman was the most prominent male soccer player out of Alabama before Chris Richards and Tanner Tessmann and Brandon Servania arrived a decade later.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 4d

Four-time U.S. U-20 World Cup coach Tab Ramos provides analysis of this year's crop of youngsters, plus his take on the USMNT's readiness for the 2026 World Cup.

SA's Mike Woitalla sits down here with the Hall of Famer.

www.socceramerica.com/tab-ramos-pi...

Tab Ramos pinpoints USMNT progress and weighs in on the USA's U-20 World Cup showing - Soccer America

"Ecuador is one of the best teams in South America ... and we went toe-to-toe with them from beginning to end."

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 6d

🇺🇸🇦🇺U.S. Player Ratings (USA 2 vs. Australia 1)

8: Roldan, Wright. ⭐️⭐️
7.5: McKennie.
7: Luna.
6.5: Freese, Richards, Tessmann.
6: Aaronson, Freeman,, McKenzie, Morris, M. Robinson.
5.5: Balogun, Pulisic, Weah.
5: Arfsten, Sands.
(Game Report by Ben Wright)
www.socceramerica.com/usa-australi...

USA-Australia Men’s Friendly Player Ratings - Soccer America

The USA rounded out its October camp with a 2-1 win over Australia, thanks to a pair of goals from standout striker Haji Wright.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 9d

Spontaneous crowd chants of "USA! USA!" clearly signaled a turnaround in supporters' faith in the USMNT. Pochettino's formation changes have decidedly improved team performance.

Paul Kennedy reports from Austin following the 1-1 friendly against Ecuador.

www.socceramerica.com/soccer-steps...

Soccer steps to the forefront on the USMNT, and its fans respond - Soccer America

In the 68th minute of Friday night's USA-Ecuador friendly, a chant rang out at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium. "USA! USA!" It was an unusual chant to hear at a men's national team match.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 9d

USA-Ecuador Men’s Friendly Player Ratings
8: Balogun.
7.5: Tillman.
7: Freese, Richards, Weah.
6.5: Arfsten, Freeman, Luna, M.Robinson, Tessmann.
6: McKenzie, McKennie, Ream, Pulisic, Roldan.
5: Morris.
(Game Report by Ben Wright)
www.socceramerica.com/usa-ecuador-...

USA-Ecuador Men’s Friendly Player Ratings - Soccer America

Folarin Balogun’s second-half equalizer earned the USA a tie against a high-level opponent.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 10d

If you meet soccer announcer Andrés Cantor, please don’t ask him to do the "Gooooaal!" call, on demand.

“It’s super nice to be recognized and to be asked,” he says. “But, I have to save the pipes.”

@johnshrader.bsky.social interviews the venerable broadcaster.
www.socceramerica.com/after-almost...

After almost 40 years, Andrés Cantor remains true to himself and his audience - Soccer America

Cantor called games on Univision during the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He called all the games solo.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 13d

Christian Pulisic might be the best American player, but SA's Brian Sciaretta identifies another as arguably the most irreplaceable player on the USMNT.

Here's comprehensive expert analysis by position of Pochettino's October window squad.

www.socceramerica.com/the-usmnt-oc...

The USMNT October squad position by position: High on experience with plenty to prove - Soccer America

If Pochettino can conclude this camp knowing he can trust more players, it will be a significantly positive development.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 14d

FIFA's most successful event ever, World Cup 1994, laid the foundation for soccer’s growth in this country.

The World Cup Legacy Gala, to be held May 8, 2026 in San Jose, will celebrate the ’94 team and support America Scores Bay Area.

SA's Dan Woog explains.

www.socceramerica.com/a-special-re...

A special reunion: The USA's 1994 World Cup team gathering will honor the past and help build for the future - Soccer America

For nearly two years the bulk of the national team trained in Mission Viejo, California. They lived, ate and worked together.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 15d

With the second lowest payroll in MLS, the Philadelphia Union banked on homegrown players to earn the 2025 Supporters' Shield for best regular season record.

SA's Paul Kennedy reports here.

www.socceramerica.com/philadelphia...

Philadelphia Union achieves more with less - Soccer America

The Philadelphia Union clinched the 2025 Supporters’ Shield with a 1-0 victory over New York City FC.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 17d

Nashville SC has competed in the U.S. Open Cup
as an amateur team in NPSL, a second-tier club in the USL Championship, and in first division MLS where they won the tournament's 110th edition.

Part of SA's Nashville contingent, Ben Wright tells the story here.

www.socceramerica.com/nashville-sc...

Nashville SC’s Open Cup crown honors a history that predates its MLS arrival - Soccer America

The Open Cup is the only tournament that they played in during all three stages of their time as a club

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 18d

The USSF Soccer Forward Resource Hub includes a “Soccer at Schools Starter Kit.” “One of the most important initiatives in this effort is bringing more soccer into schools and communities."
— U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone

www.socceramerica.com/youth-ussf-f...

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 21d

Longtime SA contributor Ian Plenderleith's latest book, "The Last Amateur," is a collection of short fiction blending empathy and comedy in character-driven tales of poignancy and tenderness with soccer woven in.

Read Mike Woitalla's review here.

www.socceramerica.com/a-soccer-lit....

A soccer literature golazo: Ian Plenderleith's short stories deliver the genre's magic - Soccer America

The Last Amateur and Other Stories By Ian Plenderleith (Halcyon Publishing, 2025) The arrangement of our household book collection falls well short of alphabetical or chronological, but there is some ...

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 24d

Try scripting it better: SoCal's Milan Iloski went from a small Danish club to cause célèbre at San Diego FC, realizing a dream and tallying exquisite goals, then watched it slip away only for a new one to stride into frame.

Scott French tells the story here.

www.socceramerica.com/milan-iloski...

Milan Iloski relishes being in best spot in long soccer journey - Soccer America

It was, Milan Iloski gushed, a “dream come true,” the best of so many he had seen manifest along this serpentine path toward the wonders that surely await as he pursues what he's always been meant to ...

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 25d

Soccer on TV
On Thursday, there are nine games in the Europa League.
www.socceramerica.com/how-to-watch...

Soccer on TV - Soccer America

On Thursday, there are nine games in the Europa League.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 26d

Brian Kleiban coached youth clubs before taking the helm at USL League One's AV Alta FC — Antelope Valley's pro soccer team.

SA's Oliver Tensley tells of Kleiban's belief in prioritizing technical skills over athleticism, and always maintaining an air of fun.

www.socceramerica.com/brian-kleiba...

Brian Kleiban applies his Argentine-inspired vision to USL League One newcomer AV Alta FC - Soccer America

AV Alta is Kleiban’s first chance as a head coach of a professional first team after making a name for himself in the youth game.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 26d

SA's Ben Wright examines the array of MLS players coach Poch has capped, and evaluates their chances of joining the USMNT 2026 World Cup contingent.

In a notable break from team history, it wouldn't be surprising if all three keepers play domestically.

www.socceramerica.com/mls-players-...

MLS players aiming for USMNT World Cup spots: The depth chart - Soccer America

Mauricio Pochettino has surprised many fans and media members with just how much he’s utilized players from Major League Soccer.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 28d

Soccer schedule: Fall 2025
On top of the usual pro and college championships, the fall will feature three FIFA youth championships and the World Cup 2026 draw.

www.socceramerica.com/soccer-sched...

Soccer schedule: Fall 2025 - Soccer America

On top of the usual pro and college championships, the fall will feature three FIFA youth championships and the World Cup 2026 draw.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · 28d

Redemption is key for the KC Current and head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who led the USWNT to its earliest ever World Cup exit in 2023.

SA's Jenna Pel examines the 2025 Current, lays out the superlatives, and makes the case for best NWSL team ever.

#KCBABY

www.socceramerica.com/on-track-to-...

On track to be the best NWSL team ever: the 2025 Kansas City Current - Soccer America

The numbers don’t lie. The Current clinched the NWSL Shield on Saturday night against the Seattle Reign becoming the fastest team to ever claim the regular-season title.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · Sep 15

Included in today's SoccerAmericaDaily:
🇺🇸 Americans Abroad review: Big 5 European leagues
⚽️⚽️ Leading scorers: MLS, NWSL, USL
🇺🇸🇲🇽 Alex Zendejas' Súper Clásico goals
🌎🏆Bruce Arena on Levi's Stadium

And more ...
🔗 www.socceramerica.com/newsletter/m...

Monday AM: USMNT newbies. Also: Daryl Dike celebrates return with goal. - Soccer America

*|DATE:F j, Y|* *|DATE:F j, Y|* *|DATE:F j, Y|* SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP READING Get unlimited access from now thru World Cup 2026 over 50% off! Use PROMO CODE: WORLDCUP2026 at checkout for $26/yr annual mem...

socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · Sep 12

SA's Brian Sciaretta delivers concise analysis of which U.S. National Team players' stock rose or fell following September window performances, and heralds the beneficial consequences of a three-man backline.

www.socceramerica.com/the-usmnt-pl...

USMNT player pool: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling, and the Tactical Twist - Soccer America

One of the highlights from the recent window was the use of a three-man backline against Japan. It played to a lot of the team’s strengths.

www.socceramerica.com

Soccer America @socceramerica.bsky.social · Sep 12

"Wins matter. Players gain confidence, the team plays better, fan support and excitement increases, the game benefits all over the country. And coaches sleep at night. It's why you play the game."
— Tab Ramos, with SA's @mikewoitalla.bsky.social, on the USMNT

www.socceramerica.com/tab-ramos-on...

Tab Ramos on the USA's pre-World Cup friendlies: 'Wins matter' - Soccer America

"Players gain confidence, the team plays better, fan support and excitement increases, the game benefits all over the country. And coaches sleep at night."

www.socceramerica.com