MLS expands play-off format with more teams and increase in games
February 23 – The MLS has revamped its play-off format, increasing the number of teams that qualify as well as bringing in a new best-of-3 series at the first round.
Concacaf
Canada’s Priestman calls for end to equality dispute ahead of SheBelieves kick-off
February 16 – Canada women’s coach Bev Priestman has called on Canada Soccer and her players to resolve their labour dispute over pay equality and cutbacks to the programme as soon as possible as the country enters crucial preparations for this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Dominican Republic to host U20 Women’s finals as Concacaf kicks off new youth formats
February 16 – Concacaf is returning to the Dominican Republic for the finals of its Women’s U20 Championship that will qualify three teams for next year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Concacaf revamps youth championships to provide more games and more competitive edge
February 14 – Concacaf is revamping its competition formats for the its men’s and women’s youth tournaments that will see a minimum 20% increase in the number of matches played. The new look competitions will start in April 2023.
CSB says it has yet to earn from Canada Soccer deal, but is ready to provide more cash
February 14 – Following the debacle over the Canadian Women’s team strike threat, and accusations of a lack of financial transparency over the commercial deals of Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), the commercial partner of Canada Soccer, has issued a statement.
Legal threat persuades Canadian women to suspend strike action ahead of SheBelieves Cup
February 13 – Canada will play in the SheBelieves Cup after Canada Soccer threatened legal action against the women’s national team players. They had threatened strike action but have now returned to training ahead of the tournament.
NWSL releases league and revamped cup schedules for 2023 season
February 10 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced its full schedule for the 2023 regular season that will kick off on March 25.
AFC and Concacaf sign new accord to develop competitions and share knowledge
February 2 – The AFC and Concacaf have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focussed on increasing competition between the two regions for men’s and women’s national teams and clubs.
Puerto Rico
Sobaclieu.com
Puerto Rico qualified from their Nations League A group with a win and a draw against Trinidad and Tobago, but lost twice to Mexico. Their win over Haiti in the preliminary round play-off was a seismic result.
What to expect
With a team based primarily around US-based college players, and with very little experience of international football, they did well to reach the preliminary round, but their 1-0 win over Haiti who had qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was as an act of giant killing.
NISA to debut three new clubs for 9-club 2023 season
February 1 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the US third tier professional men’s league today, is bringing in three new clubs for the 2023 season, but is losing two clubs from its 2022 roster.
Argentina
Sobaclieu.com
Argentina qualified as one of the four Conmebol guests at the W Gold Cup with a third placed finish at the 2022 Copa America Feminina.
USA
Having qualified thanks to winning the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, hosts USA will be looking to recover from a severely underwhelming World Cup campaign that saw them lose their place at the top of the FIFA world rankings.
Mexico
What to expect
Unbeaten in the past year, Mexico enter the W Gold Cup as dark horses to lift the trophy. Ranked 30th in the FIFA world rankings, they haven’t made the list of tournament favourites but certainly have an outside shot at going all the way.
The qualified via winning League A Group A, dominating all four games versus Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, conceding just once whilst scoring 12 of their own.
Dominican Republic
Sobaclieu.com
The Dominican Republic qualified for the preliminary knock-out stage as winners of Group B in Concacaf Nations League B, winning five games and losing just once, scoring 24 goals in the process.
El Salvador
El Salvador qualified for the preliminary play-off after topping Group B of League B in the Concacaf Nations League when they won all six of their matches, with 24 goals from a number of different players.