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U.S. Soccer announced it is shutting down all boys and girls Development Academy programs effective immediately.

In response, Major League Soccer is launching a new competition platform to provide matches for MLS academy teams and other youth development clubs that previously participated in the U.S. Soccer program.

The spread of the coronavirus pandemic previously led to the suspension of the 2020 Development Academy season. The 2020-21 season was slated to start in September.

This is the first major change made under new U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone and new federation CEO Will Wilson, who were appointed in March. In a joint statement from Parlow Cone, Wilson and U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart, the federation cited budgetary restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic as the immediate reason for the decision to shutter the DA.

However, Soccer America documented the problems with the academy system, including universal regulations that didn’t work well for various communities across the country.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the extraordinary circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a financial situation that does not allow for the continuation of the Development Academy program into the future,”  the statement read. “We know that suddenly discontinuing a program that has been with U.S. Soccer for many years is shocking, but these unprecedented times required acting now.”

In the absence of the DA, the federation said it will increase its efforts in coaching education and talent identification across the country.

The new MLS platform will look to fill the void created by the cancellation of the former U.S. Soccer program. The new league will include regular season matches and both regional and international tournaments against foreign youth clubs. 

Additionally, MLS is evaluating expanding this league to provide opportunities for girls.

“Participating in high quality, competitive matches on a consistent basis is essential to the development of our young players,” vice president and technical director of MLS player development Fred Lipka said. “Launching this new competition will allow us to consistently challenge players, staffs and teams, optimizing the potential of every player on the field.”

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy was founded in 2007 to create a foundation for youth development in collaboration with Major League Soccer. The academy programs for every team in MLS — including the league’s three clubs in Canada — were created in collaboration with U.S. Soccer and included in the boys’ DA system.

The U.S. Development Academy boys programs have produced a range of U.S. and MLS stars, such as Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola, DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes.

U.S. Soccer has not collaborated with NWSL on women’s player development, with the league primarily sourcing its players from colleges and international teams. However, the federation did establish a girls’ program in 2017. The girls DA program collaborated with clubs such as Colorado Rush and Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club, which had previously helped to develop stars such as Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.

However, several girls clubs left the system in recent months for the Elite Clubs National League, which includes top programs across the country such as Real Colorado, which produced Mallory Pugh.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci says professional sports can’t return this summer with fans in the stands.

In an interview with Snapchat’s Peter Hamby this week, Fauci said the only way sports can return is if teams play matches without fans and confine players to hotels to prevent contamination.

“There’s a way of doing that,” said Fauci, a top infectious disease expert who is on the White House Coronavirus Task Force. “Nobody comes to the stadium. Put [the players] in big hotels, wherever you want to play, keep them very well surveilled. … Have them tested every single week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family, and just let them play the season out.”

Fauci specifically addressed NFL and MLB seasons being played in isolation, saying he believes there would be enough interest from fans of the two sports to watch games remotely.

MLS announced Tuesday it is “extremely unlikely” the league to return in mid-May as previously planned. Commissioner Don Garber told ESPN’s Taylor Twellman the league is considering playing matches without fans and other options to play as many matches as possible.

LAFC coach Bob Bradley shares MLS memories  

As the pandemic forces him to take a pause after more than three decades as a manager, LAFC coach Bob Bradley reflected on his history as a coach in the NCAA, MLS and abroad.

ProSoccerUSA writer Glenn Crooks took a look at some of Bradley’s best memories — including coaching at Princeton, winning MLS Cups and managing big personalities. He also dove into his relationship with his son, U.S. Soccer captain Michael Bradley, and his well-known fiery personality on the sidelines.

“I am who I am,” Bradley said. “I always hear the bit about intense but I’m not sure it’s the right word. I try to be real – I try to be honest. Nothing I ever do is scripted – I don’t play act.”

Read the full article here.

England women’s national team makes joint donation to NHS

The England women’s national team joined players across the country offering support for the National Health Service through the Players Together initiative this week.

The squad announced Tuesday every player on the roster will make a donation to the fund, which works with over 150 NHS charities. The Lionesses join many Premier League players in their support of NHS and the Players Together movement. 

#PlayersTogether pic.twitter.com/nkyyh1delS

— Steph Houghton MBE (@stephhoughton2) April 14, 2020

LAFC owner Will Ferrell joins Jordan Harvey’s podcast

LAFC defender Jordan Harvey kicked off his new podcast with LAFC executive vice president Larry Freedman with a special guest — comedian and club co-owner Will Ferrell.

During the hour-long interview, Ferrell shared how he became a soccer fan and how an elementary school drop-off helped him forge a friendship with LAFC majority owner Larry Berg, marking the start of his relationship with the club.

“When I saw the model of the stadium, where it was going to be and what they were planning on doing I was like, ‘Oh, this is gonna kill,” Ferrell said. “This is gonna be a slam dunk.'”

Introducing Shootin' The Shot with @JordanCHarvey and #LAFC EVP and Chief Business Officer, Larry Freedman.

Take a sneak peek at tomorrow's episode with special guest and LAFC Owner, Will Ferrell. pic.twitter.com/ZHd7QTnMaC

— LAFC (@LAFC) April 14, 2020

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“Our goal remains to play as many games as possible, and while we currently have enough dates to play the entire season, we recognize at this time that it may become difficult to do so,” the statement read. “We continue to learn more every day from the medical experts, and we expect to have additional details in the coming weeks regarding when we can return to play. As we have throughout this process, we will update our fans with every decision, and we thank them for their support and understanding during this extremely challenging time.”

MLS Statement on Return to Play pic.twitter.com/BKuFw9Mb17

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) April 14, 2020

When the league does resume, Garber told Twellman it’s likely matches will initially be played without fans in the stands. These games would be called “MLS Studio” games and would still offer broadcast options for fans to watch from home.

Garber added the MLS training moratorium — which currently ends on April 24 — will be extended for “at least a couple weeks.”

The commissioner said the league has not formally discussed a reduction in player salaries; however, he said that will be expected if the suspension continues. 

The commissioner noted he is watching the progress of leagues in Europe to gain insight into how to proceed with a return to training or matches.

“Our hope is to still continue to do that but that decision can’t be made sitting here today,” Garber said. “The plan is to play as many games of the 34 game season as possible.”

ICYMI @thesoccerdon had news yesterday about what @MLS plans on doing with its season as of now.
Full interview on #BanterTT Wednesday. https://t.co/KCqZZy2NLUpic.twitter.com/A2RUlzJSS8

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 14, 2020

FIFA vice president says international soccer unlikely to return until 2021

A FIFA vice president overseeing the organizing body’s coronavirus task force said he believes most international soccer will not resume until 2021.

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has been an active part of the FIFA group working to respond to the pandemic, which has now shut down most of the soccer world for over a month. Montagliani said he believes travel restrictions will limit the ability of countries to organize international matches. He added that widespread club play will need to resume before international play returns.

Due to this, Montiagliani said he believes national team matches could be canceled through November.

“I personally think that might be a bit of a challenge, not so much because of just the health issues around the world and the various degrees of preparedness, but also committing to international travel as soon as we come back,” Montagliani said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I think that domestic football is a priority. September is still in the books, but I would garner to say that I’m not sure it’s there on solid ground the way things are trending right now.”

University of Cincinnati cuts soccer program due to budget concerns

The University of Cincinnati announced it will discontinue its men’s soccer program immediately. Athletic director John Cunningham cited budgetary concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic as the reasoning behind the “difficult decision” to remove the program.

The NCAA canceled its championship season for winter and spring sports last month, including March Madness, one of the main streams of revenue for successful basketball schools such as Cincinnati. Currently, all training and recruiting is suspended for all NCAA programs with campuses across the country shut down and students attending classes online.

Cunningham added that the university will honor all scholarships for players on the current men’s soccer roster. Additionally, any student athletes looking to transfer will be released immediately.

“Our men’s soccer student-athletes have been outstanding representatives of the University in the classroom and on the field,” Cunningham said. “They may not fully understand this decision, but I want them to know they were truly and conscientiously considered. I am most sincerely grateful to everyone who has supported the men’s soccer program at the University of Cincinnati… Your legacy at UC will not be forgotten and your accomplishments will continue to be recognized.

Fans in Bundesliga pay for cardboard cut-outs in stadium

The German Bundesliga remains uncertain of when the league will return to play, but fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach are ready whenever their team returns.

When league play resumes, it’s likely that early matches will be played in empty stadiums. So supporters of the club have paid for life-sized cutouts of themselves to be placed in their seats to create a sense of a packed crowd.

The cutouts won’t be able to cheer or sing along throughout the games, but fans are doing their part to show support even if they can’t enter the stadium on match day.

Borussia Monchengladbach fans have paid to have cardboard cut-outs of themselves put in their stadium…

…so if the Bundesliga resumes behind closed doors, Gladbach will still have a crowd pic.twitter.com/BbmU5qz1he

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 14, 2020

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Chicharito has yet to make his mark in the rivalry between his Los Angeles Galaxy team and LAFC, but the star will get his first shot at a virtual El Tráfico match this weekend.

The star will represent the Galaxy in the eMLS Tournament Special, an online PlayStation FIFA20 tournament designed to entertain fans during the suspension of the MLS season.

Chicharito will face off against LAFC striker Adama Diomande Sunday, with the teams’ two professional eMLS competitors — Martin ‘RemiMartinn’ Oregel and Giuseppe ‘GODFATHER’ Guastella — playing afterward. The striker is one of many MLS players participating in the tournament, joining Nani, Tyler Miller and Paul Arriola.

The tournament be broadcast starting Sunday on FS1, with commentary provided by Fox Sports anchors Stu Holden, Rachel Bonnetta, Rodolfo Landeros and Mike LaBelle.

Matches will feature two legs — MLS players will face off in the first and then the professional competitors will take over for the second. The team with the highest aggregate score between the two legs will move on to the next round. All competition will take place remotely, with competitors playing from their respective homes.

Sixteen teams will take part in the tournament — the Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls,  NYCFC, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, Atlanta United and Orlando City SC.

The first rounds will pit rivals against each other, including Orlando City vs. Atlanta United, Houston vs. Dallas and New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC. 

The tournament will air on five consecutive Sundays, with a final championship match on May 17. After each episode airs, MLS Works and Fox Sports will make a donation on behalf of the winning club to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

“The eMLS Tournament Special represents the spirit of MLS Unites by entertaining fans and giving back to our communities,” said Camilo Durana, MLS senior vice president of properties and events. “We’re thrilled many of the league’s top players are joining our eMLS participants to compete and also provide benefit for those on the front lines. We are also thankful to Fox Sports and all of our partners for their collaboration on the innovative series that will be both fun to watch and make a difference.”

Here is a look at the full schedule for the tournament:

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Sporting Kansas City will launch the Sporting Community Kitchen next week, providing 1,000 hot meals each day through a partnership with City Foods & Events and Operation BBQ Relief.

On Monday, the kitchen will begin distributing 250 four-pack meal kits each work day to families and people who are unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic. Locals can sign up through online registration, then pick up the meals at the curb of Children’s Mercy Park.

The meals will consist of a barbecue entree, two sides and bread for four people prepared by Plowboys Barbeque, an American Royal champion based out of Blue Springs, Mo. 

Daily registration will open at 8 a.m. CT and stay open until all 250 slots are filled. Families and individuals who sign up can pick up their meal outside the Budweiser Brew House at Children’s Mercy Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on their assigned day. 

Heath says sports will bring communities together after coronavirus

Former Orlando City coach Adrian Heath weathered plenty of adversity during his nearly seven years as the Lions’ manager, including the shooting that killed 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in the final month of his tenure.

In a conversation with Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, Heath compared that tragedy to the current challenges faced by the Orlando and greater U.S. community due to the coronavirus pandemic. Heath said he believes sport will be able to unify many communities, including that of Orlando.

“When this is all over, I think we’re going to see a tremendous amount of people rallying together,” Heath said. “One thing that this has shown me is how much I love my job and how much I miss sports… We’re all waiting for the day that we can get back to normalcy, and when that happens, I think sports is one of the things that will bring everybody together again.”

Read the full column here.

Column: Ask club owners to save staff from furlough

One of the main storylines for clubs and leagues throughout the global shutdown of sports has been the question of how to support employees. From stadium workers who are contracted for game days to club personnel, many teams have chosen to furlough or otherwise suspend payment to these employees.

The Premier League clubs have faced major backlash from their supporters after failing to pay staff during the halt in play. Many athletes have stepped up to donate funds to these workers.

Pro Soccer USA writer Pardeep Cattry argues the expectation for supporting these workers should fall to the owners of individual clubs, rather than the generosity of players. 

Read the full commentary here.

Throwback: New England rookie Zack Schilawski breaks record with 11-minute hat trick

Only three rookies have ever recorded a hat trick in New England Revolution history, and none have done it with quite the same style as Zack Schilawski in 2010 — three goals in 11 minutes in his home town.

Pro Soccer USA writer Julian Cardillo took a look back at a key date in Revs history when Schilawski netted three second half goals for a 4-1 win over Toronto FC in the team’s home opener.

Read the full article here.

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Edinson Cavani has a lot of options regarding his potential destination when the transfer window opens, according to his mother. The 33-year-old signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli back in 2013, and between then and now he has scored 200 goals in 301 appearances in all competitions for the French champions. However, this season he […]

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USWNT and OL Reign star Megan Rapinoe is hosting a documentary series called “Prodigy” on the new short form video streaming service Quibi.

The eight-episode series focuses on the lives of talented young athletes and the strength they drew from their families to succeed. The first three episodes feature basketball phenom Jalen Green, Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder “Red” Gerard and five-time national champion boxer Chantel Navarro. 

“I love watching sports, but it’s always the stories behind it,” Rapinoe said in an interview with People Magazine. “At the Olympics, I remember as a kid always watching every single backstory about all the athletes, then getting to watch the athlete you’re just so much more invested.”

Former Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc separated from newborn after possible coronavirus exposure

Longtime Canadian women’s soccer goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc shared an emotional story of pregnancy in the midst of coronavirus on social media during the weekend. LeBlanc — who is the current head of women’s soccer for Concacaf — gave birth to her first daughter, Paris, on March 24.

After returning home, she began to face shortness of breath due to a pre-existing heart condition and when she returned to the hospital, LeBlanc said she was possibly exposed to the COVID-19 virus. 

Due to this exposure, LeBlanc is currently self-quarantined in her own home, unable to make physical contact with her husband or her daughter.

“I can’t hold her, touch her, put her down for bed at night which is really difficult for a mom who has just given birth,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc received an outpouring of support from the soccer community on social media, and said this is helping her stay positive as she faces 10 more days of the self-quarantine.

Thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts.
You are all giving us strength during this time.

“Walk by faith and not by sight”#10moredays#HaveToKeepBloodPressureDown#TryingToStayPositiveandStrong pic.twitter.com/ZVLzxTdtxI

— Karina LeBlanc (@karinaleblanc) April 6, 2020

Announcer Phil Schoen looks back on first MLS match

Monday marked the 25-year anniversary of the first MLS match between the San Jose Clash (now the San Jose Earthquakes) and D.C. United, and no one had the same vantage point as announcer Phil Schoen of the day.

Pro Soccer USA reporter Julian Cardillo took a look back at that day with Schoen, who recalled his favorite memories of the 1-0 San Jose victory, including the phone call inviting him to call the game and Eric Wynalda’s thrilling last-minute goal.

He also shared the importance of PBS in building up a television audience for soccer in the U.S. for both commentators and viewers before the start of MLS.

“I think it was ethereal in a sense, like it wasn’t really happening,” Schoen said. “When I showed up to the stadium, I felt great anticipation and excitement. I think all the fans did. There was this excitement of finally having a soccer league again.”

Read Schoen’s full recollection of the game here.

Orlando Pride conditioning coach finds creative ways to keep team mentally, physically healthy

With the NWSL training moratorium extended for another month, Orlando Pride strength and conditioning coach Ivi Casagrande is utilizing technology to find new ways to challenge her players through at-home workouts.

From GPS tracking units to group workouts over Zoom, Casagrande said she’s just as focused on maintaining her team’s emotional health as she is on their physical fitness throughout the league suspension.

“It goes beyond assigning them workouts,” Casagrande said. “It’s about controlling the things we can control. It’s about giving them these things in the middle of that chaos, that’s what these players need.”

Read the full story here.

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Major League Soccer extended its training moratorium for an additional week through Friday, April 24. During this time, players are restricted from using club training facilities unless they require medical treatment or rehabilitation that can’t be performed safely from home.

During this time, players are also expected to remain within their team’s market. Some players have been granted individual requests to travel via car, but the trips are at the discretion of the league.

The MLS season is currently slated to resume on May 10, with an eight-week suspension announced two weeks ago to comply with CDC guidelines that called for the cancellation or postponement of all gatherings of more than 50 people. That number has since been reduced to 10 people, with The 39 states issuing stay-at-home orders across the U.S. 

Last week, MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league still hopes to play every game of the season, with the expectation of pushing back the MLS Cup into late December.

“Once we are comfortable that we can get our players with three to four weeks of training, and that we have the guidance that we can get crowds back into our stadiums, then we will then begin the relaunch of our season,” Garber said. “Our intent is to play as many games as we possibly can.”

The league continues to coordinate its decisions with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

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Major League Soccer has launched a new MLS Unites initiative, showcasing all the league’s efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league released a video featuring teams and players throughout MLS offering support to fans and thanking doctors and other health workers who are helping fight the spread of COVID-19.

MLS also launched a new page on its website to host information about MLS Unites, including educational tools and its clubs’ community support efforts.

It’s time to rally and inspire. #MLSUnites pic.twitter.com/QFA1TFrN3R

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 30, 2020

MLS Unites will focus on three areas — education, entertainment and community involvement. The league will continue to promote health and safety messages with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other public health officials. With MLS play suspended through May, the platform will also offer content from around the league to entertain fans.

MLS also plans to showcase “community heroes” from each team’s market, highlighting a different hero each week. 

“Bringing together our Major League Soccer community, all while staying apart, is the spirit of MLS Unites,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “During this challenging moment in history, I know we can count on the MLS family to come together when we need each other most. Together with our fans, players, teams and partners, we will shine a light on what can be done, and on the heroes leading the way.”

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Every day MLS, the NWSL and the USL are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pro Soccer USA will provide the latest news and updates, examples of what the soccer community is doing to pass time and some recommendations for readers to keep busy while hunkering down at home.

The Latest

Major League Soccer extended its league-wide training moratorium an additional week through Friday, April 3. Under this moratorium, team training facilities are expected to remain closed and players are expected to remain in their market and not train in groups.

The MLS season is currently slated to resume in less than seven weeks, with a target return date of May 10. This extended suspension was announced last week in accordance with CDC guidelines that called for the cancellation or postponement of all large group gatherings of 50 people or more during the ensuing eight weeks.

On Tuesday morning, MLS commissioner Don Garber emphasized that the league still hopes to play every game of the season and is currently brainstorming solutions to make this possible.

“Once we are comfortable that we can get our players with three to four weeks of training, and that we have the guidance that we can get crowds back into our stadiums, then we will then begin the relaunch of our season,” Garber said. “Our intent is to play as many games as we possibly can.”

U.S. Soccer president prioritizes settling with USWNT

In her first-ever press conference in her new role yesterday, U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said the top priority for the federation is to reach a settlement in its equal pay lawsuit with the U.S. women’s national team before the case goes to trial.

Parlow Cone doubled down on her dismissal of the sexist language used by U.S. Soccer lawyers that caused the resignation of former president Carlos Cordeiro and her assumption of the role. Claiming a “fundamental error” in the federation’s internal process, Parlow Cone said U.S. Soccer is investigating the issue while seeking settlement to begin the process of rebuilding players’ and fans’ trust of the federation.

However, she continued to support the U.S. Soccer defense that the men’s and women’s national teams perform different jobs, claiming the pay disparity came from separate collective bargaining agreements, not gender-based discrimination.

USWNT spokeswoman Molly Levinson fired back a firm response to Parlow Cone’s comments: “The solution here is clear, simple and unequivocal. Equal. Pay.”

Liga MX president tests positive for coronavirus

Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla tested positive for COVID-19 last week. In an interview with Adrenalina, Bonilla said he woke up with a sore throat several days after returning from a FIFA meeting in Zurich. He self-quarantined at home until he received the positive result and will remain home for the recommended 14 days.

Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla tested positive for #coronavirus last Friday. He spoke last night to @adrenalina about how he believes he contracted COVID-19, why he got tested and the conclusion of the 2020 Clausura.

Quotes in the photo below #ligamxeng pic.twitter.com/wAOXQtg6z7

— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) March 24, 2020

The Liga MX season is currently suspended, and the league has not set a date for its return. Teams will undergo a “mini-preseason” before returning to action, and each team is expected to report on the health of individual players during the suspension. In the meantime, the league is creating the “E-Liga” to support online game play between the 18 clubs in Liga MX to fill the time until play can resume.

Inter Miami changes logo to support social distancing

Inter Miami will sport a new graphic in the coming weeks as the team made a slight change to the logo to support social distancing practices. The design pushed the two birds on the team’s crest apart, creating space between them.

The team shared the new logo on social media on Monday, calling for fans to “stay home, be smart and practice social distancing.”

We miss you and we want to see you 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻. For that to happen we all need to stay home, be smart and practice 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴.

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 23, 2020

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