Looking for Soccer News?

GENEVA — With soccer facing a congested program of games caused by the coronavirus pandemic, FIFA wants to let teams use five substitutes.

FIFA detailed a temporary plan Monday to help prevent more injuries due to “potential player overload” as soccer competitions catch up with a backlog.

The proposal gives competition organizers the option of letting teams use five substitutes instead of three in 90 minutes, and a sixth in knockout games that go to extra time.

“One concern in this regard is that the higher-than-normal frequency of matches may increase the risk of potential injuries due to a resulting player overload,” FIFA said in a statement.

Clubs such as Manchester City face an intense program in three competitions if games can safely restart in the coming weeks.

City could have 19 more games — 10 in the Premier League, up to six in the Champions League and up to three in the FA Cup — being scheduled in as few as 10 weeks through August.

Juventus could need 20 more: 12 in Serie A, up to six in the Champions League, and two Coppa Italia games.

The proposal must be signed off by soccer’s rule-making panel, known as IFAB. Teams would still be limited to three stoppages of play to make the changes.

IFAB approval should be a formality on a panel which includes officials from FIFA and the four British national federations.

FIFA suggested retaining the five-substitute rule next season, which looks likely to start later and be condensed into less time.

It would also apply to all national-team games through December 2021.

World Cup qualifying programs are already behind schedule in Asia and South America, and are on track to face problems in Europe next year.

After UEFA postponed the 2020 European Championship by one year, that tournament is now set to take fixture dates in June from the 2022 World Cup qualifying groups.

One solution would be national teams playing three competitive games instead of two during the 10-day periods when clubs are mandated to release players for international duty.

The substitutes proposal was announced in anticipation of soccer resuming though it is unclear when that will happen. Games will be played in stadiums without fans for at least several weeks and likely longer.

“FIFA’s main principle is that health comes first and that no match or competition is worth risking a single human life.” soccer’s world body said.

The post FIFA wants to let teams use 5 substitutes to aid players after pandemic shutdown appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Socially isolated, cut off from their teammates. Worried about when they will play again. Concerned about their finances and the future of their sport.

The global union for soccer players has found its members are struggling with increased levels of anxiety and depression during the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most leagues.

As clubs focus on keeping players fit during national lockdowns and faced with cost-cutting needs, FIFPRO is urging them not to neglect providing mental health provisions.

“If a club has to decide between having a second or third right back or a clinical psychologist within the medical team, you know which choice you are going to make, so it’s a kind of priority,” FIFPRO Chief Medical Officer Vincent Gouttebarge told the Associated Press on Monday. “Within the medical staff at any club, we know that the physical health of players is a main priority. But now we have enough objective data that show that mental health is as important as the physical health.

“We need to have an interdisciplinary medical team in place within clubs in order to take care of the mental health of the player.”

Reinforcing the need for clinical psychologists or psychiatrists to be made available to players is a survey led by FIFPRO of 1,602 professional players in Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.

It found 22% of female players and 13% of their male counterparts reported depression symptoms when asked in recent weeks, around twice as many as a separate survey with a smaller sample size of 307 players found in December and January.

The findings are only indicative of the mental health issues in soccer due to the small sample sizes and non-scientific polling.

“When you are not engaged with your family, with your teammates, then you have, of course, a decrease of social support and that is likely to lead to an higher rate of mental health symptoms,” Gouttebarge said. “The uncertainty about the end of competition and the uncertainty for the future in the football industry is obviously something that plays a role.”

Players have been away from their teams in most of the world for more than a month as governments try to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease, although limited training has resumed in Germany.

Players will need several weeks to get match fit again before competitive games can resume. Europe’s major leagues are still trying to find a way of completing their seasons by extending beyond their usual endpoints around May and June.

“We have concerns on match congestion that might be related to resuming the competitions right now and trying to rush towards the end of the season,” Gouttebarge said. “The number of matches played within a few weeks and the very limited number of recovery days between matches.”

If UEFA’s optimistic planning allows the Champions League final on Aug. 29 — three months later than originally scheduled — next season could begin almost immediately in an attempt to recover lost time. With the 2020-21 season due to end for men with the rearranged European Championship, it could mean a lengthy continuous spell of competitive games.

“This season might be very long for many players, so this is a concern,” Gouttebarge said. “The international match calendar has been, of course, under scrutiny for quite a while. We need to find a good balance for players so that they can perform optimally without risk for musculoskeletal injury.”

Sufficient breaks will have to be provided to players while leagues try to fulfil television commitments, having lost several weeks without matches already.

“It’s of course, very important to provide players with sufficient time to have a proper recovery physically and mentally,” Gouttebarge said.

The post FIFPRO concerned about players’ mental health with soccer shut down appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The Utah Royals are the latest NWSL club to put the league’s new allocation money to use, acquiring two star European stars, according to a report by the Salt Lake Tribune.

Utah added goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi and midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan after their contracts at Olympique Lyonnais in France end in June.

Bouhaddi is the starting keeper for both her club team and a member of the French national team, clinching a combined 16 titles with her club and 149 caps with the national team. Marozsan is a staple of the German national team, winning Olympic gold in 2016 and serving as the team’s captain from 2016 to 2019.

MLS releases club masks to benefit charity

Major League Soccer is selling masks featuring team logo in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The masks cost $15 apiece and are available with designs from all 26 clubs as well as the league logo. They are made from 100% cotton and include an insert for added protection.

All proceeds from the sale of the masks will be donated to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, two charities the league has partnered with to fight food insecurity amid the pandemic. Additionally, mask producer Fanatics will donate one mask for every mask purchased.

Represent 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 club while helping those in need #MLSUnites

All @MLS proceeds will be donated to @FeedingAmerica & @foodbankscanada PLUS @FansAuthentic will donate 1 face covering for every face covering purchased!

SHOP | https://t.co/lmX7kIWODJ pic.twitter.com/cuM9X8WaX6

— mlsworks (@MLSWORKS) April 19, 2020

Wayne Rooney: MLS ‘takes advantage’ of U.S. players

European star and former D.C. United player Wayne Rooney joined his former D.C. United teammate Quincy Amarikwa on his podcast, offering criticism of the trade system in Major League Soccer.

During his first week with D.C. United, Rooney said he was surprised when a teammate was traded immediately  after finishing a training session. 

“I was like, ‘Why? What’s going on here? Where is he going? What’s going on?’” Rooney said. “I spoke to [D.C. United captain] Steve [Birnbaum] a lot. I was like, ‘Can he do that? Is it that easy to do? Is it that easy to actually move someone on?’ I know it works that way in basketball and in the NFL, but those players get paid millions and millions of pounds. So, they can afford to actually do that, but MLS players can’t.”

Rooney said he believes the league needs to ditch this system of trading in order to become even with other leagues in Europe.

Cannon gets married amid quarantine

Widespread quarantine didn’t keep USMNT and FC Dallas defender from tying the knot. The star held a small wedding ceremony this weekend, marrying his longtime girlfriend Kendall.

The pandemic forced the couple to postpone their large wedding and maintain quarantine guidelines throughout the ceremony, but Cannon shared that it was still a special day for their family.

“In these times of uncertainty, the one thing I’ve been the most certain about since the first day I’ve met you was you,” Cannon wrote in a post on Instagram. “You have been the biggest blessing that Christ has ever given me and yesterday, I was finally able to call you my wife. You have been my best friend, biggest supporter, strongest rock, and kindest soul. This pandemic has shifted so many things in our lives but God’s timing is nothing short of divine.”

In these times of uncertainty, the one thing I’ve been the most certain about since the first day I’ve met you was you. You have been the biggest blessing that Christ has ever given me, and now I am finally able to call you my wife!! HERE’S TO THE CANNONS!! pic.twitter.com/QWx3eMvCSc

— Reggie Cannon (@ReggieCannon15) April 19, 2020

Former USWNT star Osborne welcomes third daughter

Retired women’s soccer player Leslie Osborne announced the birth of her third daughter, Isabella, during the weekend. 

Osborne was a member of the U.S. women’s national team from 2004 to 2008, playing a major part in the team’s run in the 2007 World Cup. She is now a member of the FOX Sports broadcast team, most recently providing coverage of the 2019 World Cup.

Despite restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Osborne said the delivery of her daughter went smoothly and the whole family is healthy and happy.

Added another future @USWNT baller to the squad yesterday! Meet Isabella Milan Lewis Thanks for all the love and prayers during this scary time. We are both healthy and happy pic.twitter.com/Sb3a46Jtxf

— Leslie Osborne (@LeslieOsborne12) April 19, 2020

The post Utah Royals acquire European stars Sarah Bouhaddi, Dzsenifer Marozsan appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic used his wealth and a light-hearted death threat to scold fellow LA Galaxy players during his time in MLS, according to his former team-mate Joao Pedro. Milan striker Ibrahimovic spent two years with the Galaxy and broke their single-season scoring record when he notched 30 times in the 2019 regular season. He helped […]

The post I have 300m in the bank and an island! – Ibrahimovic´s team-mate details Galaxy rant appeared first on Soccer News.

The post I have 300m in the bank and an island! – Ibrahimovic´s team-mate details Galaxy rant appeared first on Soccer News.

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain is more than your average gamer. He’s got street cred.

That’s because when he was 17, Kuzain accepted a challenge from noted video game enthusiast (and former NFL player) Chad Johnson — and beat him.

The former Pro Bowler known as Ochocinco tweeted afterward that the “losing experience was worse than the time I lost my virginity” and added a crying emoji.

So it’s no surprise that Kuzain will be Sporting’s representative in a virtual MLS tournament starting Sunday. A number of the league’s top players, including Chicharito and Nani, will participate in the nationally televised event.

It goes like this: Two players from opposing teams will face off in EA Sports’ FIFA 2020 game. Then the league’s eMLS players will compete in a second leg. The losing team is eliminated. Fox Sports soccer commentators will call the action over the five-week event.

Other sports have also moved to virtual competition during the coronavirus pandemic, notably NASCAR. Like the already established eMLS competition, NASCAR had an iRacing Series for gamers. Drivers joined when COVID-19 suspended real races.

Individual athletes, including Meyers Leonard of the Miami Heat and Women’s World Cup winner Allie Long, are also playing regularly on Twitch, a live streaming platform. The Phoenix Suns played out the season after the season was suspended on NBA 2K20 on Twitch.

One of the highlights Sunday will be a virtual ‘El Trafico’ rivalry match, pitting LA Galaxy striker Javier Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, against LAFC forward Adama Diomande.

MLS Works and FOX Sports will make a donation on behalf of the winning team to Feeding America after each episode. Donations will also be made to Food Banks Canada.

“You’ll see in some instances we’ve got some real gamers among our professional players. They’re going to show up to win. So while it is a great cause, we’re also out to entertain. I think you’ll see a real competitive edge come through as well, ” said Camilo Durana, the league’s senior vice president of properties and events.

Now 21, Kuzain said he’s been playing FIFA since the 2012 edition.

Kuzain was part of Sporting’s academy team before he was signed to the team’s USL affiliate, the Swope Park Rangers.

One day around that time he noticed that Chad Johnson was in the Kansas City area. Johnson was known at the time for dropping in on random gamers to play FIFA, so Kuzain — who had a picture of himself playing soccer on his Twitter profile — tweeted at him. The next thing he knew, Johnson was at his door.

“We played a couple of games. I’d say three or four,” Kuzain said. “He was really good. He was definitely worth all the tweets and commotion that he’s caused within the FIFA community.”

Afterward, Kuzain showed Johnson around a bit, taking him to the local indoor soccer complex.

“Like it’s crazy how nice he is and how he just can fit so many people that he doesn’t know into his schedule like that. So I’m really thankful for that experience,” Kuzain said. “And he did send a nice little tweet, and that was our promise, if I beat him he would shout me out.”

Kuzain signed with Kansas City’s first team as a Homegrown Player in 2018. He appeared in Sporting II’s first game before the season was suspended because of the coronavirus.

Asked if he was the best gamer among his Kansas City teammates, Kuzain didn’t mince words.

“It might hurt some feelings,” he said. “but I would say yeah, for sure.”

The post MLS kicks off 5-week video game tournament to fill void appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Major League Soccer is pushing back restarting the season to at least June 8 and says it is also discussing possible salary cuts with the players’ union.

Teams had played two matches before the season was suspended on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the league had been looking at possibly resuming play in mid-May. The league would still like to play a full season.

MLS also said it is exploring possible “changes to player compensation” because of the financial hit the league and teams are facing.

“We are seeking to work collaboratively with the MLSPA to find a solution that provides a safety net for all players, opportunity to earn full salary in the scenario where all matches are played with fans, and in particular provides protection for the players at the lower end of the salary scale,” the league said in a statement Friday.

The Major League Soccer Players’ Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Possible salary cuts of as much as 50% for some players were first reported by ESPN, which cited sources. But those cuts would only kick in if games or the season were canceled.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that players would not be furloughed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is not being made public.

MLS and the players’ union agreed to terms of a new contract in early February, but it had not been ratified when the season was put on hold.

The league has long maintained that it prefers to play a full season. Possible scenarios include extending play into December and canceling non-league matches like the Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX teams. Games could also be played without fans in attendance.

The post MLS delays restart until June 8, discusses player salary cuts appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

MLS has launched two new sections of its website devoted to using soccer stars to help entertain kids and aid those who want to try out soccer training during the coronavirus pandemic.

As parents try to find ways to engage with children blocked from attending school or gathering groups to play, MLS is highlighting soccer related videos and games for kids on its website.  

Almost bedtime.

Here’s @tealbunb reading “Snow” by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman (published by @penguinrandom).#SaveWithStories // #MLSUnites // #NERevs pic.twitter.com/gPGJ3V1uPm

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 15, 2020

New England Revolution’s Teal Bunbury and Jeff Attinella read books to kids on video, while clubs are offering digital puzzles and coloring pages.

The league also launched “Train with MLS,” which features hundreds of training videos from MLS clubs for coaches, parents and recreational players of all ages and abilities. Check out a few examples below:

Montreal Impact reports first case of coronavirus in MLS club

The Montreal Impact announced Wednesday the first reported case of a club employee contracting COVID-19. The employee suffered mild symptoms for several days, has been quarantined and is nearing a full recovery.

There have been no other reports of coronavirus in the club, and the staff has been following social distancing protocol since the suspension of MLS play and training last month.

The Impact stated in a news release the club has communicated with government agencies and is following coronavirus pandemic best practices to help slow the spread of the disease.

Throwback: Brian Dunseth nets winner in Real Salt Lake’s first victory

Pro Soccer USA writer Julian Cardillo spoke with former U.S. men’s national team and Real Salt Lake star Brian Dunseth about his first goal for the club — a game-winning header in the final minutes of the team’s home opener to clinch the first win for Real Salt Lake.

The goal went down as one of the most celebrated in Dunseth’s career, and it’s one that he looks back on fondly to this day. Dunseth told the story of the match and the minutes leading up to the goal, along with the aftermath of the win — including a torn labrum from his Superman-like leap into the air.

“I always know the date is coming up, around this time of year, because my producer, Kenny Neal, and the team that calls Salt Lake games on broadcast will do a call back to the 2005 home opener date,” Dunseth said in a phone interview. “It’s still crazy. But the older I get, the more I feel it was just yesterday that we were all part of it. It’s wild to wrap my head around.”

Read the full story here.

The post Life without soccer: MLS offers online games for kids, training videos for all ages appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.