Photo: PSP archives
Philadelphia Union
Brendan Burke has signed two players from the Union system to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Local
PA Prep Live salutes the Marple Newtown boys soccer program.
MLS
Tigres UANL topped LAFC, 2-1, as MLS fails again to win the CONCACAF Champions League.
Kyle Beckerman’s playing career may have just ended, but his time working for Real Salt Lake and in sport might not be done.
D.C. United hired Danita Johnson as President of Business Operations. She will be the first black president of a MLS team.
NWSL
Mariana Larroquette signed with Kansas City, marking first international addition.
Sky Blue FC re-signed defender Gina Lewandowski for the 2021 season.
WPSL
Sweet stadium alert (looking forward to safely being at any stadium again): The Vermont Fusion have added a WPSL team, and they'll play at Applejack Stadium in Manchester, VT (where USL League Two side Black Rock FC will also play). It's an old grandstand in the Green Mountains. pic.twitter.com/HRMigv1RLM
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 22, 2020
U.S. Soccer
Gio Reyna was voted U.S. Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year.
Cobi Jones announced announced his candidacy for U.S. Soccer Vice President.
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn said the USWNT had failed its Black players by not taking a stand against racial injustice sooner.
A Megan Rapinoe TV series appears to be on the way.
Around the globe
Lionel Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona during his side’s victory over Real Valladolid to break Pele’s record of the most goals for one club.
FIFA filed a criminal complaint against Sepp Blatter over its own museum.
How COVID-19 can help youth soccer player development in America.
When the pandemic closed stadiums in Britain, soccer clubs sought out their most vulnerable supporters to make sure they were OK.
Australia’s A-League season-opener is delayed three days after COVID-19 outbreak. 2020 can’t end soon enough!
Highlight of the day
𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘(grown) 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 ❄️ pic.twitter.com/MYuj8c4fuq
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) December 22, 2020
That article on British soccer clubs interacting with supporters reinforces my desire for minor league baseball in the US to operate more like lower division soccer does in the UK.
With MLB now actively trying to kill the MiLB, maybe it’s possible.
A baseball version of the US Open Cup would be great. It wouldn’t fit in with the way baseball seasons are currently scheduled, but I would really like to see it.
.
Sorry, this is a bit off topic…
i like the cup idea. less MLB games is good. the season is a ridiculous slog. have a mini tourney — similar to when inter-league actually meant something, a week-long event — in these small parks and final 16 in bigger parks.
“when inter-league actually meant something”? Like prior to 1994 when inter-league play was called The World Series (or The All-Star Game)?
Looks like the Inquirer is reporting that Mark MacKenzie might be on his way to Genk for 6 million US. Seems like a good fit for him based on my limited knowledge of the Belgian league, honestly just really happy if he doesn’t go to Scotland as SPL seems like a poor fit for his skills.