Mattlichtenstadter

Back in November, I wrote about that edition of the north London derby, which was shaping up to be the most important in years. That game was important in its own way, but after the past few months of soccer, it turns out that that game was an appetizer for the return leg at White Hart […]

With the 2016 MLS season slated to begin on Sunday, it's time to look forward to what we can expect from each of the 20 teams in the New Year. So what you’ll find below is a series of quick questions and expectations for each team in MLS as the new season approaches. Eastern Conference: […]

The 2016 Copa America Centenario offers the US Men’s National Team a unique opportunity to test itself before the Hex begins later this fall. Since they did not qualify for the Confederations Cup in Russia, this is likely their best chance to be World Cup ready by testing themselves against the best teams in the […]

Tottenham’s incredible season is now met with an incredible dilemma. Even the most optimistic Spurs supporter, or staffer, could not have seen Spurs being two points off the top of the Premier League in February, right as another major glut of fixtures awaits. With this fixture congestion, the fear of a late season swoon, and […]

It’s a rarity that England’s top four will all play each other on the same day. It’s even rarer to have it happen this late in the season. Though it shouldn’t be entirely a surprise in this the wackiest of Premier League campaigns, this Sunday’s collision of 1st and 3rd then 2nd and 4th in […]

MLS’ Discovery Rule is attracting plenty of attention because of the dispute between Orlando City and DC United over the dealings with Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino. DC United has a discovery claim on the player and were attempting to negotiate with him until it emerged that Orlando City had offered him a contract worth about […]

Soccer’s backroom business is often shrouded in complete mystery. What goes into transfers; their inner workings, machinations and politicking are often beyond the bounds of even the most reputable journalists. Until recently, only the Secret Footballer provided any intimate detail on the underground world of transfers, and even those were outlines minus any names or […]

“The Magic of the FA Cup” is a curious phrase. The FA Cup itself is steeped in folklore, tradition and memory, but the tactile meaning of the competition in 2016 is debatable. With the vastly increased stakes of the league as well as the allure of playing European football, what is the meaning of the FA […]

Before the loss against Newcastle, Spurs weren’t exactly reeling, but some of their verve and joy gone away in their performances against Chelsea and West Brom. It wasn’t that the unbeaten run had falsely foretold Spurs’ future; it was that they seemed to be coasting a bit too much. The comments from manager and players […]

To say Tottenham were resting on the laurels of their 14-game unbeaten run in the Premier League is a bit harsh. But cracks were starting to show before Sunday’s loss to Newcastle, the first of which was not putting a weak Arsenal side to the sword at the Emirates. Still, with underwhelming draws against Chelsea […]

It might only be December, but it’s never too early to start looking forward to Euro 2016 this June in France. On Saturday, the tournament’s 24 teams found out what their group stage journeys will look like, and there were certainly some interesting matches drawn. #EURO2016 Group A... pic.twitter.com/PGkT9MIxZa — UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) December 12, […]

Caleb Porter has been one of US soccer's rising stars ever since his days at Akron, and much of that promise has finally been fulfilled with this year’s Portland team. His Timbers have finally reached the MLS Cup final after the head coach's false starts with the US under-23s in 2012, as well as with […]

In the Premier League, a select few clubs can spend the GDP of small Pacific Island nations in order to improve their squad, and with every signing it can feel like the magic of the English game keeps being sucked away. Watching Jamie Vardy and Leicester does bring back a bit of that essential essence […]

Almost 26 years to the day of Paul Caligiuri’s famous goal at Hasely Crawford Stadium to send the US to World Cup 1990, the two nations met again, and played out an unsatisfying 0-0 draw on Tuesday night. Coming into the match, this was quite clearly the toughest match for the US on paper. A […]

The season, so far It’s hard to not be optimistic about the first few months of Spurs’ campaign. Tottenham have gone 11 unbeaten in the Premier League and have only lost three times all season in 17 games. Young players are finding their way and becoming stars while the established stars are elevating their play to […]