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Andonovski to Reign Over the USWNT

By Sean McCaffery, October 31, 2019

Hardly a surprise, Vlatko Andonovski will now lead the best team in the world and have an early test in just over a week with Sweden, a historic foe Nov. 7 in Columbus. The 9th coach in team history follows a number of legends in Anson Dorrance, Tony DiCicco, Pia Sundhage of Sweden & of course Jill Ellis, not an easy task by any means. At just 43, he takes the reins following a highly successful run in all 7 years of the NWSL now he gets to scratch that 7 year itch with a team of rock stars.

USA U-17's Knot up Japan

By Sean McCaffery, October 31, 2019

What a difference a game makes! Backed by a quartet of saves, some very dramatic, by 'keeper Chituru Odunze, this big tie may have given them life in the World Cup before 3,878 fans in Estadio Kleber Andrade. They now sit in 3rd as the top 4 #3 teams will advance to the Sweet 16, now, surprisingly ahead of the Netherlands, their next opponent. This single point was quite vital as a win over the last place Dutch would give them 4 points, in 21 such formatted FIFA tourneys, a team with that magic number has advanced 97% of the time.

Crisitian Ramirez of the Fire Called up for Panama

By Sean McCaffery, October 30, 2019

The first year player for the Fire will be playing for his country during the November games, he now has 7 caps since 2016 and is now going to be in camp for a pair of games. During the Concacaf Nations League game on Nov. 15 at home v Mexico and again the 19th hosting Boliva in a friendly he may get half of the 5 games he saw with the Fire. Cristian played 9 games in the USL Championship with the Las Vegas Lights getting a pair of goals.

USA U-17's are up Against it Facing Japan Wed 7:05 ET

By Sean McCaffery, October 30, 2019

Rocked by Senegal 4-1 in what has been considered a lifeless game by most, next up are the champs from Asia, Japan who knocked off the Netherlands, home of the storied AJax club, famous for their youth devlopment dropping them 3-0. In this tourney, the US are 0-2 in facing the Samurai Blue, overall at the U-17 level the US record stands at 6-7-1 when opposing Asian Football Confederation sides. To advance one must be in the top 2 of each group or one of the 4 best 3rd place teams and then onto the Sweet Sixteen, a loss all but seals the deal of no advancement for the USA.

Maxi Makes Maximum Impact, MLS Best XI

By Sean McCaffery, October 29, 2019

A break out year for the diminutive player had him reach new heights by way of his 20 assists, #2 in MLS history and tops in this post shootout era. Just closing out his 3rd year and with a new contract, he must be looking up to a big year in 2020. He had a grand total of 30 games this season with 7 goals and just the 3rd player in MLS lore to hit for 20 assists. He now is in rare air as David Villa who twice was named in 2016 & '17 is the only only other NYCFC player to be so honored.

Sapong & Schweinsteifer Take Fire Awards

By Sean McCaffery, October 29, 2019

For both the season is over, for one so to is his career, in this last year of play Sebastian Schweinsteiger took the award as the Defensive Player of the Year for the Chicago Fire with the MVP/Golden Boot going to CJ Sapong as a first year player with the team due to his bakers dozen of goals. CJ arrived Feb 23, making an instant impact as he netted in the first pair of games on the new season, from Manassas, VA, CJ, had 2 assists to go with a trio of GWGs from 23 chances, oddly, he is the 8th player to be tops on the team in goals in their inagural year.

NC Courage Looking to go 2 in a Row at Home in NWSL Title Games

By Sean McCaffery, October 26, 2019

This year, they did not take the ICC Title, did that make them hungrier for this year's NWSL crown?  This is their 3rd straight year going up for the top trophy in women's pro soccer.  Will NC be out shone by the Red Stars, find out tomorrow 3:30 p.m. on ESPN. Last year, 3-0  over the Thorns, put their emphatic stamp on the championship.  A win in just over 24 hours, would have them as the first team to take the title at home. This is the 3rd playofff meet in a row with these 2 adversaries, Chicago has been sent to the offseason in the semis the last 2.

NWSL Best XI

By Sean McCaffery, October 26, 2019

Here you have it, on the eve of the title game in this, the top womens' league in the land, the best starting lineup. This was determined in the following way as far where as the votes came from, Fans:20%, Owners/GMS/Coaches:20%, Media:20% & Players:40% . The teams meeting up tomorrow at 4p.m. on ESPN accounted for 9 of the 11, so it would seem, the best 2 teams are going head to head in the title game. Between the first and second teams, 16 players, 14 of those from the USWNT played in this most recent World Cup.

USSF doing the 2nd Free C License Course for NWSL Athletes

By Sean McCaffery, October 25, 2019

I did in fact pay for mine, get sun poisoning and on the day with players caught in a deluge, but it was done in a week, no 2nd trip back etc. It is now not a week, but a 7 week coaching experience, wow. This partnership is to get the players started on the Professional Pathway in KC with the goal being lifting the quantity of female soccer coaches in the USA. This is to lift some barriers said to exist with today's NWSL players seeking pro jobs following their playing careers, not of course the same ones that would face, o h I dunno', members of the NYPD.

USWNT HC to be Introduced Monday

By Sean McCaffery, October 25, 2019

Might it be Reigning the Reign HC next week? Either way the new one is to be introduced 4 p.m. on the 28th, watch it on any of these trio of places, US Soccer's Facebook page, USWNT Twitter page & ussoccer.com. Joining us there will of course will be USSF President, Carlos Cordiero, newly minted WNT GM Kate Markgraf & the still unnamed USWNT HC.

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