USA qualify for Copa America semis as organisers vex over Mexican songsters
By Paul Nicholson
June 17 – The USA became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario with a 2-1 win over Ecuador in Seattle.
Concacaf
CONCACAF play catch-up with boost to Champions League prize fund
June 16 – CONCACAF have boosted their prize money fund for their top tier Champions League club competition to $1.2 million for the 2016/17 season. They have also committed to supporting club travel costs in the early tournament stages.
Argentina put on the style as Copa America heads into quarter final stage
June 15 – While the Euro 16 Championship in France go into their second round of group matches tonight, the Copa America Centenario in the US closed out group play with an emphatic 3-0 win for Argentina over Boliva.
US Club Soccer to deliver $4.2m economic impact for national finals
June 15 – Big tournaments generate big money – from marketing and broadcast rights fees, tickets and merchandising. And for the host country there is a measurable economic impact for its cities as well as the enhanced profile for the country as a destination.
Copa America Centenario: USA and Mexico challenge Southern neighbours
By Paul Nicholson
June 14 – USA, Mexico, Peru and Argentina head the qualifiers for the next round of the Copa America Centenario tournament in the US, while dramatically, Brazil have crashed out after a controversial refereeing decision ruined their week.
Caribbean piracy: CFU blanked as CONCACAF-backed Trinidad boss calls in MAs
By Paul Nicholson
June 10 – A fresh row has broken out in the Caribbean over what is being interpreted by national associations as back-door interference in the region’s affairs by regional confederation CONCACAF. The moves further undermine the management of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and its executive at a time when it has already seen its power base at the region’s top political table eroded and its membership split and marginalised.
Copa America Centenario catches fire as US hammer Costa Rica
By Paul Nicholson
June 8 – The Copa America Centenario sparked into life last night at Chicago’s Soldier Field with hosts USA thrashing Costa Rica 4-0 in the first of the second round of group games.
Uruguayans sing off wrong hymn sheet as Mexico take a bite out of their pride
By Samindra Kunti
June 8 – Not everything is rosy in the corruption-free garden of the US-hosted centenary edition of the Copa America. President of the Uruguayan FA Wilmar Valdez has claimed it was a mistake for the USA to host the tournament.
No freedom for Women’s national team in the land of the free
By Paul Nicholson
June 6 – The dispute between the world beating US Women’s national team and the US Soccer Federation over the women’s demands for equal pay for representing their country – they generally earn between 62% and 25% less per match than their male counterparts – took a controversial turn in a Chicago court when a judge ruled they could not take strike action.
Copa Centenario completes one journey and kicks off another. USA vs Colombia
By Paul Nicholson
June 3 – The much-anticipated and often troublesome Copa America Centenario kicks off Saturday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with the US hosts facing Colombia. The opening match has the potential to spark what could be a celebration of sparkling football which will be in stark contrast (and a relief from) the dark areas of football corruption that this tournament has brought into the light.
Argentina threat to pull out of Copa America Centenario is withdrawn
By Samindra Kunti
June 1 – Argentina will be playing in the Copa Centenario this month after the federation withdrew a threat that it will pull its team out in protest against government intervention in the running of the country’s football association. Argentina FA (AFA) president Luis Segura, speaking in Buenos Aires, said that the team would remain in its California training base and would not be flying home.
ENPL will complement US Academy system, not compete with it, says Club boss
By Paul Nicholson
June 1 – The newly launched Elite National Premier League (ENPL) will complement the newly activated USSF Development Academy (DA) programme and league, not detract from it, says Kevin Payne, CEO of US Club Soccer, one of the founding organisations of the new national league alongside the Elite Clubs National League (ENCL).
ECNL and US Club Soccer shake-up US with new national youth competition
By Paul Nicholson
May 30 – The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and US Club Soccer have combined to launch a new national competition platform for boys that will challenge the national US Academy competition that the US Soccer Federation has been promoting to clubs across the country.
Moggio aces CONCACAF interviews to land top job
May 27 – Unlike FIFA’s surprise announcement of its never-before-heard-of new general secretary recruited single-handedly by new president Gianni Infantino, CONCACAF’s new general secretary announced yesterday comes out a more rigorous recruitment process led by an executive search firm.
CONCACAF launches Champions League season with Miami draw
May 24 – With one Champions League closing this weekend in Europe with the final between Real and Atletico Madrid in Milan, another one opens on Monday in the Americas with the draw for the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League in Miami.