Saudi Arabia to guest at 2025 Gold Cup in US; final qualification play-offs set
December 20 – Saudi Arabia will compete at the 16-team Concacaf Gold Cup next summer, to be played predominantly on the West coast of the USA.
Concacaf
US academy league MLS Next aligns with Girls Academy to develop pro pathways
December 20 – The path to the top level of women’s soccer in the United States became a little clearer after MLS Next formed a strategic alliance with the Girls Academy (GA).
Canada’s Northern Super League start-up secures hummel as kit provider
December 19 – The start-up Northern Super League, the professional women’s league that launches in 2025 with six teams, has unveiled hummel as its official kit provider.
NCAA Soccer has a new Cinderella
December 18 – In the United States, the pinnacle for collegiate athletes is winning a National Collegiate Athlete Association (NCAA) title, and on Monday in a thrilling overtime classic, unseeded Vermont (15-2-6) won its first men’s soccer NCAA championship in programme history beating Marshall University (15-1-7).
The MLS-Liga MX Summer face-off for the Leagues Cup to change format in 2025
December 17 – The Leagues Cup will undergo a dramatic change in 2025 according to Liga MX president Mikel Arriola, who spoke to reporters on Sunday having taken over the reins as acting commissioner of the league after the surprise ousting of Juan Carlos Rodriguez.
Concacaf and MLS sign on for invitation-only business conference before Nations League finals
December 17 – Sports Business Journal and sister company Leaders in Sport will hold a soccer-focussed business of football conference next March 19-20, 2025 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.
Rodriguez quits Liga MX after clubs refuse to back $1.25bn Apollo deal
December 16 – Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the president of Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), resigned on Friday during a meeting of Liga MX club owners who disagreed with his proposed investment strategy for the league.
Montagliani reflects on Concacaf’s 8-year journey from darkness to light and their next steps
December 13 – Speaking at Concacaf’s annual Presidents’ Meeting in Orlando, FL, USA, last weekend, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, reminded his member associations how far the organisaton had progressed over the past eight years.
Concacaf adds centralised final four format for Nations League’s B and C divisions
December 13 – Concacaf is expanding its Nations League B and C divisions to include a final four competition, starting with the 2026/27 edition.
Concacaf’s 2025 Champions Cup draws MLS contenders together in first round
December 13 – Concacaf has drawn the ties for its 27-team 2015 Champions Cup that sees 10 nations having qualified teams.
Sports Illustrated takes naming rights to New York Red Bull’s stadium in 13-year deal
December 12 – New York Red Bulls (NYRB) have entered into a ground-breaking 13-year naming rights agreement that will see their home rebranded from Red Bull Arena to Sports Illustrated Stadium, effective immediately.
MLS keeps faith in draft with 44 players in San Diego for first look college showcase
December 12 – The road to Major League Soccer (MLS) once primarily ran through the collegiate system in the form of a draft. Now clubs have deeper pockets, and look towards different pastures, however, the MLS College Showcase can still turn up a nugget or two.
MLS Next Pro vs USL Academy. Indy Eleven show US talent is nationwide
December 9 – The United Soccer League (USL) continues to provide healthy competition to Major League Soccer despite its second tier status, and that crosses over into the youth game.
Concacaf readies for Champions Cup 2025 draw
December 10 – Concacaf will hold the draw for Round One of its premier club competition, the Champions Cup, in Miami today. The final 27 teams have been pre-seeded based on the Concacaf club rankings.
The stars align in Los Angeles for Galaxy to take sixth MLS title
December 9 – For the first time since 2014, the most successful club in the history of Major League Soccer (MLS) can call themselves, champions! The now, six-time winner of MLS Cup defeated fellow league founders, the New York Red Bulls 2-1 at a boisterous Dignity Health Sports Park, in Los Angeles, the home of the Galaxy.