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Recently, the United States Soccer Federation made its decision to bring the US Soccer media rights back in-house.
For the past 17 years, US Soccer bundled those rights with Major League Soccer (MLS). This happened via the MLS marketing entity, Soccer United Marketing (SUM).
World Soccer Talk had the opportunity to speak with Cindy Parlow Cone, the President of US Soccer. Cone answered questions regarding the plans for the Federations’ media rights. Also, Cone discusses the possibility of adding more than just men’s and women’s national team matches to the package.
<h3>Cindy Parlow Cone and US Soccer media rights</h3>
World Soccer Talk: We have a situation where you chose to bring the media rights back internally to the federation. You have de-linked them from Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. So, with MLS &amp; SUM currently talking to potential partners about their package, what are your plans? What’s the process now for selling the rights? Will you retain another outside media firm, Wasserman, IMG or Octagon perhaps, or will these rights be kept in-house?&nbsp;
Cindy Parlow Cone: We’re going to keep it in-house. That was the whole point of bringing the rights back into the federation.
WST: Have you felt out potential media partners yet about the package? Obviously, we’ve seen a ton of money thrown at soccer properties of late. That could be ESPN with LaLiga or NBC with the Premier League. Additionally, what we expect to see with MLS in the near future.
CPC: The demand for soccer content and the rights have never been greater in the US than they are now. I think US Soccer is in a great position. Our US Women’s National Team continues to be the gold standard globally.&nbsp; And, our US Men’s National Team continues to build momentum and play well. Couple that with the exponential growth in the sport’s popularity as we head into 2026. Not to mention, the exciting stuff we’re doing with our extended national teams and youth national teams. We’re looking for a [media] partner that has a broader vision than just our national teams because US Soccer is a lot bigger than just that. I can tell you interest has been very strong and we’re getting close to finalizing both English and Spanish language partners.
<h5>Ideas for packages</h5>
WST: Have you given any thought to splitting packages, potentially doing separate USMNT and USWNT media deals?&nbsp;
CPC: It’s going to be one package, I just think this makes the most sense in terms of the total number of games. We’re not like an MLS or NWSL playing a consistently large number of games throughout the year. So, it makes the most sense for us to package those two together.
WST: Is there a preference for a media partner that covers domestic soccer already? Obviously CBS covers NWSL, FOX, ESPN and Univision cover MLS and ESPN also covers USL.&nbsp;
CPC: We’re letting the process run its course. We know what is important for us, what we’re looking for in a partner, and yes experience with good soccer coverage makes sense. But that is not all for us, we want to make sure the values of a partner align with ours, they share our vision for where the sport is headed. We’re not just men’s and women’s national teams, US Soccer is a lot more than just that. So a lot goes into this decision and we’re getting close to finalizing our partners soon and we’re super excited about where things are going.
<h5>Individual competitions</h5>
WST: What about She Believes Cup? Are we going to see that tournament continue during the next media rights cycle?&nbsp;
CPC: She Believes has been a great platform for everyone, the growth we’ve seen in that platform even during COVID. It’s now more than a tournament. We have a whole summit that goes along with the tournament and the event is now bigger than ever. It will be part of the media deal.
WST: She Believes, I agree that it is great. In fact, the whole package around the matches including the seminars and summit is very useful for us that cover the sport. So let’s talk about the <a href="https://www.ussoccer.com/us-open-cup">US Open Cup</a>. I speak regularly to adult amateur teams, and lower division professional sides in NISA and USL, that would like that competition to be more visible. A view exists that promotion isn’t strong enough for that competition. Is it possible that the US Open Cup could be part of any media rights deal?&nbsp;
CPC: Yes, the Open Cup is part of what I am talking about. There is a lot more that goes into this than just national teams. It’s obvious, everyone knows the men’s and women’s teams are the leaders in this package but US Soccer has much more to offer and the US Open Cup is one of those things.
<h5>Future plans</h5>
WST: We don’t yet know what FIFA is going to do in terms of 2026 World Cup Qualification, but assuming that the US men qualify automatically, do you envision a tournament along the lines of She Believes Cup on the men’s side, maybe in 2025 even if it is just once? It is something that could bring some additional value to potential rights holders.&nbsp;
CPC: Yes, for us leading into 2026 and we’ve been talking to the media partners as well as the technical staff and commercial staff on our end to formulate the best plan to go forward with that. You’ll be hearing more about that possibly soon.
<h5>Analysis by Kartik Krishnaiyer</h5>
Last year, after close to two decades of linkage with MLS media rights via SUM, the US Soccer Federation announced they would de-link their rights from MLS and SUM. The previous arrangement guaranteed the Federation a flat payment of close to $30 million each year, a payment that multiple sources have told me was critical to funding the USSF’s operations without interruption.
In delinking the rights, the USSF has gambled on itself. President Cindy Parlow Cone’s decision to move ahead without SUM implies a feeling that the federation’s properties, which include the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams, are worth more on the open market than the $30 million received annually from SUM. US Soccer’s quest for a broadcast partner may very well result in a situation where MLS and the USMNT and USWNT are competing against each other on different networks, limiting cross-promotional opportunities which have served both the USSF and MLS well the last two decades.
<h5>High stakes year for U.S. Soccer</h5>
The gamble is likely to pay off. Over the past two decades, the growth of the sport in the United States has seen record fees paid by broadcasters for both LaLiga and the Premier League. MLS is <a href="https://sbisoccer.com/2021/12/report-mls-seeking-300-million-for-media-rights-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">likely to net a record fee</a> as its rights will be sold in the next month, and the USSF is optimistic of cashing in on this recent spending spree. With the continued success of the US women, and the US men co-hosting a FIFA World Cup in 2026, the timing appears right to sell the properties without bundling.
The Federation has also decided not to partner with another media agency and instead will keep its media rights in-house. This effectively means the federation is on its own, selling the media rights to properties it owns without bundling outside properties or retaining the expertise of an agency. The net effect of this is that the federation is flying on its own, for the first time its modern history. Prior to the close to twenty year relationship with SUM, US Soccer partnered with IMG.
Current U.S. Soccer President, two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 1999 FIFA World Cup champion Cindy Parlow Cone is seeking re-election against Carlos Cordeiro, who was U.S. Soccer President from 2018 through 2020. A decision will be reached next month whether it’ll be Cone or Cordeiro to lead US Soccer into the future.
World Soccer Talk reached out to Carlos Cordeiro to request an interview, but the candidate failed to respond to our request.
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Cindy Parlow Cone talks US Soccer media rights

US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone chats with World Soccer Talk about the future of the US Soccer media rights.

Cindy Parlow Cone talks US Soccer media rights - World Soccer Talk

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Indisputably, soccer is the world’s most-popular sport. But is it the 4th most popular sport in the United States?
The beautiful thing about soccer is that it extends beyond just one league. Taken as a whole, the sport is bigger than ever before. In spite of this, it is no secret that MLS pales in comparison to the major European Leagues. Those leagues have devout fanbases stateside. Having said that, Liga MX garners even more support than MLS and the Premier League.
For instance, in 2018, the Liga MX final pulled in almost <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2018/12/20/liga-mx-dominates-us-with-4-million-viewers-for-america-cruz-azul-final-on-univision/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 million viewers</a> combined over two legs. Each game averaged around 2.5 million viewers, more than MLS. Such is the nature of the diverse culture persisting in the United States.
As stated above, European leagues also rake in consistently large numbers. For example, the Premier League, the most-followed European league in the U.S., averages numbers that rival American leagues. Over the last three seasons, the Premier League averaged roughly 450,000 viewers per game. While the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2021/07/21/the-2020-21-nba-season-in-review-and-a-look-ahead/?sh=dd93923518a3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA</a> and NFL pull in larger audiences, these are national broadcasts on primetime that we get the numbers for. It is important to consider things like kickoff times, broadcast locations and overlapping fixtures when looking at Premier League viewership.
READ MORE: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/09/18/how-kickoff-times-influence-soccer-viewership-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How kickoff times influence soccer viewership in the U.S.</a>
This also ties into the growth. The NFL and NBA over the aforementioned period of time showed dropping audiences. While the Premier League viewership in the U.S. dipped in 2020/21, there is consistent developments over the last decade.
Yes, the beauty of soccer is that it extends beyond one league. However, it also makes it more difficult to compare it against other sports. If Liga MX, Premier League, MLS and LaLiga numbers were combined into one soccer “entity,” how would it compare? And what metrics would be used to compare the popularity? TV viewing numbers alone aren’t enough. It’s a combination of various metrics.
Let’s take a closer look.
<h3>How Soccer is the 4th most popular sport</h3>
Ask most Americans on the street to name the top four sports in this country. Chances are it will be the same answer. Football, basketball, baseball and hockey. 
We have heard that same top four so many times that it is ingrained in our sports culture. For instance, watch any sports talking heads show on ESPN, FOX or a different broadcaster. That top four list of football, basketball, baseball and hockey is again beaten into our brains. Not surprisingly, soccer is largely ignored on these shows.
However, what they —&nbsp;and many fútbol fans —&nbsp;may not realize is that soccer has eclipsed hockey. Soccer is the fourth most favorite sport to watch among American adults, <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/224864/football-americans-favorite-sport-watch.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">according to Gallup</a>. Not only that, but soccer is breathing down the neck of baseball. In that same Gallup poll, baseball’s two percent lead over soccer is the slimmest margin that a third spot has held over fourth in the last 20 years.
Furthermore, the <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/mlb-looks-to-grow-its-younger-fanbase/#:~:text=MLB%20has%20the%20oldest%20fans,49%2C%20and%2050%2C%20respectively." rel="noopener" target="_blank">average age of a baseball fan</a> is 57 and rising. With soccer, <a href="https://www.giltedgesoccer.com/industry-stats/average-age-of-soccer-fans-in-america/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">it’s 35</a>. In the same manner, nearly 70 percent of soccer fans in America are younger than 40 years old.
Moreover, <a href="http://sportspath.typepad.com/files/soccer-popularity-continues-to-climb.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">soccer is the second most popular sport</a> in the United States among Americans aged 12-24. Baseball ranks number five among that age group.
Just as important, soccer is making huge gains among Hispanic Americans and younger viewers. Firstly, soccer is the most popular sport among Hispanic Americans aged 12-24. Secondly, the sport of soccer is also increasingly popular among Americans aged 6-17. In fact, <a href="https://twitter.com/SamWalkers/status/395926973916008449" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eleven percent of the TV audience who watch Premier League soccer on NBCSN are kids 6-17</a>, compared to only 4.6% of World Series audience, 9.4% of NBA Conference Finals audience and 9% of NHL Conference Finals.
What these numbers tell us is that soccer has broken the top four glass ceiling. It is now the 4th most popular sport. Equally important, soccer will become the third most popular sport in the near future.
In fact, LAFC lead managing owner Larry Berg <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/27/lafc-lead-managing-owner-larry-berg-mls-will-surpass-nhl-mlb-10-years">boasted this in 2020</a>: “I think [MLS] definitely have the demographics in our favor in terms of youth and diversity. I think we’ll pass baseball and hockey to be the number three sport in the U.S. behind football and basketball.”
<h3>Playing the game</h3>
The global nature of soccer and its relative ease of access means it persists in other avenues as well.
For example, simply playing the sport. There are a multitude of reasons that children in the United States avoid certain sports. Concussions largely push parents and children away from American football. Soccer is not immune to that, perhaps that is why we see <a href="https://usclubsoccer.org/head-injuries/#:~:text=More%20specifically%2C%20these%20players%20shall,which%20individual%20consideration%20is%20needed." target="_blank" rel="noopener">modified regulations regarding heading</a> for children in youth soccer.
Comparatively, soccer ranks third in terms of <a href="https://www.aspenprojectplay.org/state-of-play-2020/ages-13-17" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most-popular team sports for children</a> aged 13 to 17. Basketball and Baseball are the only two higher, with soccer edging out tackle football. The one caveat is that the survey, conducted by the Aspen Institute, is that flag football and tackle football are counted separately. Combined, American football ranks third.
Soccer may sit behind baseball, basketball and football, but it is comfortably in front of ice hockey, field hockey and lacrosse. Lacrosse and soccer are certainly growing among American youth. However, as things stand, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/07/10/why-soccer-is-bigger-than-hockey-in-the-united-states/">soccer is firmly the 4th most popular sport</a> in terms of popularity.
Baseball is slipping, in more ways than one. As <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/07/10/why-soccer-is-bigger-than-hockey-in-the-united-states/">Aram Gumusyan reports</a>:
<blockquote>Baseball is becoming more of a regional sport than a national sport. The World Series was once the 2nd-most watched team sports championship in America. But the <a href="https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/nba-finals-ratings-viewership-history/">NBA Finals</a> average audience beat the <a href="https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/world-series-ratings-historical-chart/">World Series</a> in 9 of the past 10 years.</blockquote>
<h5>Quantity of soccer games a big factor</h5>
According to <a href="https://nielsensports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Nielsen-How-the-Worlds-Biggest-Sports-Properties-Engaged-Fans-in-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nielsen</a>, soccer garnered the most engagements based on traditional and digital viewership. For example, among each major sports league, soccer occupied four of the top-five leagues in terms of broadcast hours. Due to soccer’s enormous and diverse fanbase, LaLiga, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and the Champions League pushed out more content than almost any other sports league. The one exception came from the NBA, which sat in third in terms of broadcast hours.
Digitally, soccer leagues remain at the top. In terms of followers, the Champions League, LaLiga and the Premier League rank in the top-four. Once again, the NBA reaches the number-three spot in the rankings.
However, while these leagues dominate in terms of follower count or broadcast hours, they remain relatively average in terms of growth. Of course, it is hard to grow a league that already has an extensive reach.
<h5>MLS making a difference too</h5>
One league going under relatively strong growth is Major League Soccer.
Generally, American populations look at MLS as a subpar league, something not up to the standard of the European game. Ergo, smaller crowds show up, less people care about in on social media and it warrants less recognition than other sports.
In the United States, there is a traditional big-four. The National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League are widespread leagues that receive considerable followings.
Historically, sure, these are the four most popular leagues in the United States. Few would argue with the pedigree of the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball. However, in the modern era, soccer edges hockey as the fourth member of that illustrious club in the United States. 
<h3>MLS influence on 4th most popular sport?</h3>
It can be hard for soccer in the United States to compare with such a drastically different timeline. The NBA began 75 years ago. The NFL, or at least the leagues that became the NFL, started just over 100 years ago. The NHL played its first season not long before then at 103 years ago. Major League Baseball holds the honor of being the oldest league, starting way back in 1903. However, the National League dates back 27 years before then.
Comparatively, Major League Soccer is young. While other leagues came and went, notably the National American Soccer League, Major League Soccer continues to grow. Starting in just 1996, MLS was the new league established after the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Despite its public-thought not living up to the popularity of its competitors, the league has a solid, and growing home, across the country.
In fact, if we use the same Nielsen ratings as before, we see the MLS is actually one of the world’s, not just the country’s most popular leagues. Moreover, it shows that the MLS is fast-approaching the National Hockey League. First off, the cumulative reach of different leagues favors the NHL. Comparatively, the NHL has a cumulative reach of 359 million. However, according to Nielsen, 55 percent of that reach comes from China, where the NHL leads all U.S. events.
Personally, I cannot explain that phenomenon. The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/sports/basketball/nba-china-cctv.html#:~:text=China%20Central%20Television%2C%20a%20state,in%20Hong%20Kong%20last%20fall.&amp;text=China%20Central%20Television%2C%20the%20state,it%20would%20televise%20an%20N.B.A.&amp;text=expressed%20holiday%20blessings%20to%20Chinese%20fans." target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA’s circumstances with China</a> prevented the league from airing in the country for the 2020 season. Certainly, that contributed to the NBA’s low reach, and perhaps it expanded that of the NHL.
In terms of broadcast hours, the MLS exceeds the NHL despite having less teams and less games played per season.
<h5>Growth</h5>
It is great having large numbers, but executives and fans alike still want more. Whether that be more fans following teams or more games played, there is seemingly endless potential.
Fortunately for American soccer fans, MLS shows considerable growth over the last decade. Entering the 2019 season, MLS experienced a <a href="https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2018/gaining-ground-major-league-soccer-popularity-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">27% rise in interest</a> since 2012, according to Nielsen Sports Sponsorlink. Moreover, <a href="https://blog.koresoftware.com/blog/looking-at-mls-attendance-over-the-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stadium attendance continues to rise</a>. Since 2009, the average attendance of MLS games jumped by over 6,000 up to 2017. Similarly, the average percentage of capacity during MLS games moved from 70% to 93% on that same span.
<h5>Top-four league in the U.S.?</h5>
If we base popularity on capacity at stadiums, MLS would rank second or third behind the NFL and MLB. Of course, that is only because these two sports take place outside. As a result, the relatively smaller, indoor capacities of NBA and NHL are a reason why they are not higher.
A better look would be at average capacity percentage. As seen previously, the average percentage capacity entering the 2019 MLS season was 88.3 percent. Clubs like Atlanta United and Orlando City, both of which are relatively young clubs, helps that trend. Comparatively, the NHL averaged 96.1 percent capacity in 2019/20, the <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL hit 95.15 percent</a>, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA at 95.2</a> and MLB struggled to just <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/08/08/mlb-attendance-stadiums-future/1941614001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">66 percent capacity</a>.
Few would argue MLB is smaller than MLS. There is so much more than stadium capacity that goes in to popularity. For instance, the 2020 World Series represented the <a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/mlb/2020/10/28/world-series-tv-ratings-fox-low/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">least-watched Fall Classic</a> over the last near-60 years. The six games between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers yielded an average TV audience of 11.35 million people in the United States. The NHL, generally considered the smallest of the big-four leagues in the U.S., pulled in an average of <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/stanley-cup-final-tv-ratings-nbc-tampa-bay-lightning-dallas-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.15 million viewers</a> as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in six games. On the other hand, the 2020 MLS Cup Final brought in <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls-cup-final-tv-ratings-viewers-fox-unimas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1.071 million viewers</a> on FOX. Moreover, that number shows a 30 percent jump from the 2019 final.
Right now, MLS may not be as big as the other four leagues. That’s fair, but that is not necessarily the aim of this story.
Rather, soccer as a&nbsp;sport is bigger than hockey in the United States. In conclusion, it is officially the 4th most popular sport. Baseball, watch out.
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Soccer surpasses NHL as 4th most popular sport in United States

Soccer is now the 4th most popular sport in the United States despite the 'big four' American sports leagues dominating the headlines.

Soccer surpasses NHL as 4th most popular sport in United States - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/jurgen-e1416444012148.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/jurgen-e1416444012148.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-122265" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141121_CMS_122260_jurgen-600x451_50bfaa6f.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=451" alt="Juergen Klinsmann" width="600" height="451"></a></figure>
Usually in football when your recent form is two draws and two losses, questions start to be asked of the manager in question. But with the current US National Team, surprisingly that’s not the case. In a sport that is usually so trigger happy, <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/10/25/jurgen-klinsmann-continues-to-challenge-american-soccer-both-on-and-off-the-field/">Jurgen Klinsmann</a> has skated while his team has suffered. Now this isn’t the same sort of situation that Mexico faced during the 2013 Hex, but the seeds of past problems are beginning to sow their roots again. How can Klinsmann and this US National Team avoid the same Second Cycle Syndrome that stymied Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley? First, problems must be acknowledged.
Alexi Lalas’ quote about the 2014 World Cup team summarized the group as a “better version of ourselves”. What he meant was the team played the same style it had popularized over the years, but a more technical version of it. Now, Klinsmann wants the US to play an expansive style and build from the back, rather than soak up and counter all the time. He has tried to implement that style while also maintaining some of the things that have worked in the past and sort of what worked in the World Cup. However, the problems that were papered over in Brazil are now showing themselves in London and Dublin.
Tactically, the team is set up naively. There is too much emphasis on the fullbacks to get width which leaves them exposed on the counter, while also not offering them support from wingers because the 4-1-3-2 formation that Klinsmann favors is far too narrow. The formation also puts immense pressure on the No. 6, in recent examples Kyle Beckerman, to clean up the many fires caused by the many faults of the formation while also putting unnecessary pressure on the center backs (one of whom doesn’t play CB for his club), and also the goalkeeper, which is why Tim Howard had to be so heroic against Belgium. That wasn’t necessarily a good Belgium team he was keeping out – he was more putting out the fires caused by his own team’s mistakes.
Klinsmann also sees players in roles where they do not belong. Michael Bradley isn’t, never has been, and never will be No. 10. He is a ball-carrier in midfield – a man to link up defense and attack and one who can do so brilliantly. He isn’t a pure No. 10 either because that negates his offensive instincts. But he is too good defensively to leave alone in a role that stymies his defensive instincts. When he was the tip of the diamond in a 4-4-2, the formation was unbalanced and lacked a defensive spine since Bradley’s defensive marshalling role was cut out.
This new experiment of Jermaine Jones at centerback is also wrong. He cannot play that role because he roams as he would do in midfield, which leaves his center back partner and full back woefully exposed on counter-attacks. Geoff Cameron is a serviceable right-back, but his lack of playing time at center back limits what he can do in that position on short notice. Relying too much on an out of form Jozy Altidore when the formation dictates that he doesn’t not have much cover behind hm is another insane decision that makes no sense, and still doesn’t. The USMNT should not be reliant on Altidore changing clubs in order to find his form again so that the team can find its form again. Even further down the line when players like Alfredo Morales, Mix Diskerud and others are examined, their roles aren’t quite right as well, and it seems like they are being shoehorned into roles that they don’t fit in for the purposes of a system that doesn’t work.
Klinsmann also does not want to admit to mistakes. Even his Mexican counterpart Miguel Herrera did as much after Mexico’s loss to Belarus by admitting his team underestimated them. He refuses to admit that call-ups such as Bobby Wood, Miguel Ibarra, Jordan Morris, and even Chris Wondolowski don’t make sense, or that he got his tactics wrong both against a superior Colombia outfit and an inferior (albeit not by much) Irish one. Sure his hand was forced due to injuries and <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/leagues-major-league-soccer/">MLS</a> playoff commitments, but that doesn’t mean he can’t work around them. A manager without a decent plan B is a failing one. He has finally brought in players like Greg Garza that deserved calls long ago, but his ignorance of other players cries of failings that normally would go beyond him, but since he is the technical director that falls at his feet as well.
The USMNT cannot go on and assume life in CONCACAF will go as it did during 2013 – that was an anomaly. Mexico is already looking revived and refreshed, and with Carlos Vela in fine form they might well be the best team in the region. Costa Rica is better than anyone ever thought before, and with a new manager might be able to throw some new things at both of the power centers. Honduras, Jamaica, Trinidad, and even Canada cannot be underestimated either. If the US dallies on the assumption that they can coast back to a World Cup, they are gravely mistaken.
This is not the time to panic. These problems can be fixed by expanding the player pool, which is why the upcoming January camp is so important, while also seeing Klinsmann look at himself as a manager and decide what path the US should go down in the future. At the moment, he is stuck between the past and a Bavarian future, and he hasn’t fully made up his mind on which road is better yet, so the result is a watery mess of both that has failed everyone.
Sure there is a generation gap in talent and that has something to do with the problems, but a good manager can fix those and make his team better for it. This cycle is too important to US Soccer as a whole to mess around for too long, because when the Hex comes around the US will be exposed and torn asunder.
The early symptoms of Second Cycle Syndrome are beginning to appear. They can be cured, only if the manager is willing to cure them himself.

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USMNT Must Avoid A Letdown After Their Promising World Cup

USMNT Must Avoid A Letdown After Their Promising World Cup - World Soccer Talk

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Perhaps the biggest break out star for the USA coming out of the 2014 World Cup was Jermaine Jones. The German-American midfielder played exceptionally well in Brazil and overnight became one of the more popular soccer stars in America. Jones capitalized on his World Cup performance and new found popularity by signing a multi-million dollar contract with the New England Revolution of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/leagues-major-league-soccer/">MLS</a>. Now a bonafide star in MLS and a highly recognized face of the US Men’s National team, is Jermaine Jones on the verge of being phased out of the US squad before the 2018 World Cup? I think after October’s friendly with Honduras in Baca Raton Florida, the answer might very well be “yes”.
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started Jones, normally a midfielder, at right center back for the contest and Jones handled the transition remarkably well. The intended hope of making the switch is to open up more opportunities for the younger midfielders, such as Mix Diskerud, while also shoring up the somewhat unstable backline with a veteran presence. By all accounts the move was a success. Diskerud was more assertive on the ball in the offensive third while also being more engaged through the midfield and Jones displayed an excellent awareness for the position.
The problem that I see with the move is that Jones will be 36 by the time the World Cup comes to Russia in 2018 and may already be a long shot to make the squad. The New England Revolution depend on Jones in the midfield, making a switch to the backline at the club level incredibly unlikely. Klinsmann has shown a pattern of selecting players whose role on at their clubs support his plans for them on the international level.
From calling out Clint Dempsey’s lack of appearances in Champions League play to his encouraging club transfers for Brek Shea to England or Maurice Edu back to MLS, Klinsmann is notoriously pushing players to use their club experience to prepare for US call-ups. So where will that leave Jones if over the next couple of years Klinsmann wants him on the backline but New England needs him in midfield?
By giving up his spot in the US midfield now, Jones allows Klinsmann ample opportunity to find a replacement for him. Mix Diskerud is emerging for the US squad and a position switch for DeAndre Yedlin from right back to the midfield is all but guaranteed to happen in the next year. Plus, there is still Michael Bradley to consider.
While Bradley did not have a stellar season for Toronto FC, it is more likely than not that he will maintain the form needed to keep his spot on the US roster. Real Salt Lake’s Luis Gil is also an emerging star that will certainly garner attention in the lead up to Russia 2018. Suddenly the midfield is getting very crowded.
A move back to the middle may not be possible for Jones. If playing center back becomes his only real chance of making another world cup squad, what kind of chance is that really?
The backline is inexperienced but not without talent. Matt Besler, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez, Michael Orozco, Tim Ream, Greg Garza, AJ De La Garza, and Geoff Cameron are all younger than Jones and each of them will be competing for a place on the World Cup roster. There is also Fabian Johnson to consider. Johnson has already shown an ability to play both midfield and defensive back. At 26, Johnson is capable of blocking Jones’ roster spot at both positions.
If the purpose of having Jones on the backline is to raise the level of play, by implication it would mean an improvement in the play of others as well. Therefore, if he is successful and does improve the quality of play of the rest of the defenders, will he play himself out of roster spot for the World Cup?
Jones, of course, is not the only one facing the prospect of aging out of roster spot. Kyle Beckerman made his first World Cup roster this past year at the age of 32. Although Beckerman played well, it is unlikely that he fits into Klinsmann’s future plans. With Landon Donovan retiring and DeMarcus Beasley, Tim Howard, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/07/10/watch-clint-dempseys-appearance-on-the-david-letterman-show-video/">Clint Dempsey</a> also encroaching on retirement age, it is very likely that many of biggest names in USA soccer will be absent from the next World Cup. It would seem almost a shame the breakout star from the previous World Cup would be absent as well.
However counter-intuitive as it may seem, it is quite possible that Jones’ superb play will be his downfall. Obviously, when it comes to the national team, Jones would not want to be selfish and switching positions will certainly be a benefit to the squad but leaving his natural position open for the emerging stars of the midfield while improving the quality of play of the younger defenders may just result in Jones becoming replaceable at two positions.

Jermaine Jones could be unfortunate World Cup 2018 absentee

Jermaine Jones could be unfortunate World Cup 2018 absentee - World Soccer Talk

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Whether it’s promotion and relegation, or major USMNT players leaving Europe for the riches of MLS, Jurgen Klinsmann has taken numerous whacks at Don Garber’s piñata recently. And Mr. Garber, desperate not to lose any PR or standing in the eyes of the growing American soccer populace, fought back. It does reek of desperation, but would be expected in a battle between MLS and the USMNT; whose aspirations are almost never one in the same. So, are you <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/15/why-don-garbers-outburst-against-jurgen-klinsmann-is-good-news-for-mls/">Team Garber, or Team Klinsmann</a>? &nbsp;Share your opinion&nbsp;in the comments section below.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/14/mls-next-needs-to-address-approaching-irrelevance/">Major League Soccer</a> is growing rapidly, and the USMNT players like Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are a major part of that growth. Growth is also coming from players who are not USMNT fixtures, or even American, and that’s the nature of every soccer league in the world. However, Don Garber does need the US Men’s National team to be successful in order to grow his league even further. That’s where Jurgen Klinsmann comes in.
Despite Jurgen being a long-time resident of California, which now means that his sons are playing for US Youth Teams instead of German ones, he’s still married to how he was developed in German club academies, and married to the idea of the European game being the best development option. And he’s not wrong. However, he not only has to juggle the many facets of US Soccer, which include college soccer, lower leagues that often get overlooked, and the many quirks of MLS, but also the top of the game in Europe. American soccer is far more complicated and less streamlined than the game in every other country, especially Germany, so it would make sense that Jurgen would be married to his ways.
So when the two forces meet, it results in a hot take match. Don Garber has every right to be mad about Klinsmann dissing MLS because it does do damage to the league in the eyes of soccer fans on the fence, and he’s looking out for the growth of his own league. On the other hand, nothing in Klinsmann’s contract with the USSF dictates that he has to agree with MLS at every turn. He’s been frustrated and turned back by the league in many avenues, including the league playing games during international breaks so some of his best players are not available to him, not to mention watching some of his best players have a dramatic dip in form when they moved to MLS. Whether those two things are hand-in-hand are up to interpretation.
Both men can do better to improve the relationship between MLS and the USMNT, because a healthy relationship would be the best thing for US Soccer. Jurgen is correct when he says that Europe is the best for many players because of the testing ground it is to play in Germany or Spain or England (even as he called up many new players from MLS, NASL and even college soccer in his tenure), but publicly calling out MLS doesn’t do him any good in terms of good will with a man he needs to have at least some good will with.
The conflicts between MLS and the US National Team are not new, and they will always exist since the goals of both organizations are not one in the same. Flinging verbal barbs and calling sheltered conference calls make both Garber and Klinsmann look weak. MLS has an important role with the US National Team, and the USMNT has an important role within MLS. They can work together, because they have in the past.
But if you’re taking sides, both men are equally wrong. American soccer might sometimes be childish but it doesn’t need two of the three most important men inside it to prove that.

Do You Support Team Garber or Team Klinsmann?

Do You Support Team Garber or Team Klinsmann? - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/10/landon-donovan1.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/10/landon-donovan1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-118929" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141014_CMS_118895_landon-donovan1-600x429_4b2d845b.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=429" alt="landon-donovan" width="600" height="429"></a></figure>
As we’ve discussed for weeks now on this site, the new MLS brand (“MLS Next”) comes at a time of incredible importance to the league. For most of the front office and media, the focus has been on the league’s future and how bright it looks. However, the league needs to take a hard look at the present if it even wants to have a future considering the American soccer landscape is more challenging than it seems.
The league office decided to launch its rebrand to coincide with some major changes to the league. You can argue the last major rebrand was after MLS shut down its Florida franchises in the early 2000s as a cost-savings measure and tried to consolidate the finances to save the league from going under, thereby laying the groundwork for slow gradual expansion, the slow and thoughtful acquisition of superstars, and the careful management of every aspect of the MLS experience. MLS Next is a celebration of the culmination of that experiment – a new big-money franchise in New York backed by Manchester City FC and New York Yankees, the return of soccer to Florida in Orlando and supposedly Miami, and cities outbidding each other to try and become the next MLS franchise. Beautiful new soccer-specific stadiums dot the U.S. landscape, the U.S. Soccer Federation needs its best players from the league, and the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/05/12/mls-to-announce-90-million-per-season-tv-deal-with-fox-espn-and-univision/">new TV deal triples television revenue</a> despite a history of terrible TV&nbsp;ratings.
Such a bright future overshadows a troubled present, for even though some franchises are getting stronger, some of their colleagues are struggling. Chivas USA is a PR embarrassment, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/12/new-york-red-bulls-edge-one-step-closer-to-playoffs/">New York Red Bulls</a> may lose its name and major stars, DC United still doesn’t have a stadium and New England doesn’t have a clue. The league also has to figure out what to do with franchises like Philadelphia, Montreal and even Toronto, who have passionate fans but whose ownerships situations are fraught with making one mistake after another. While the Sounders and Sporting KCs of the world are trotted out as the future of MLS, their fellow clubs threaten the success that they could be building.
But this is nothing new and not a new line of attack against the league. And, to be blunt, the league is in a position where it is powerful enough that it can drag dying franchises along with the successful ones to the point they are sold, rebranded or shut down. However, the threats from outside the league are the real dark clouds on the horizon, and the league may not be able to weather the storm.
Domestically, the new NASL is causing some discomfort in league offices. While not as popular or visible as the “first tier”, the league has shown it is willing to experiment and be creative to gain attention while drawing the contrast to not being “the corporate” league. The rebuilt Cosmos may be the best example of the danger to the league – drawing on the nostalgia the Red Bulls never had, the club is building its coffer and reputation among a fan base that yearns for the older days while still being glitzy enough for younger fans. NASL is still a way off, but their business model of drawing comparisons to the old NASL is a smart strategy that could work in the long run.
But unlike other sports, it is the international leagues that threaten the major domestic league. In terms of TV ratings, Liga MX and the EPL lap MLS’s ratings, with the Premier League, especially,&nbsp;making a huge dent in the English-language American&nbsp;sports scene. Expanded cable coverage and the popularity of the FIFA video games make the American sports consumer more aware and comfortable with these foreign leagues, and they are waking up to this knowledge. International friendlies and tournaments have been lucrative for clubs both during the friendlies themselves and in terms of brand loyalty. It is not a coincidence that the fabled <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/07/premier-league-and-uefa-eye-expansion-to-united-states-says-report/">“39th&nbsp;game” is now being discussed as a reality</a> with the United States identified as one of the prime locations for the games overseas. American fans have had to settle for “meaningless friendlies” in their backyard for years, but a game that actually matters is a game changer. American fans could feel as connected to their adopted clubs as their English brethren, which would really drive brand loyalty.
But what does this mean for MLS? World-class soccer is more accessible every day to the American soccer fan, and despite claims otherwise, the vast majority of the American sports-watching public prefers the best athletes in their sport to local teams. This is why the Japanese baseball league and Russian KHL have not taken off in the States: the best athletes for those sports are in MLB and the NHL.
So how can MLS adjust to these threats and establish themselves as a viable soccer option?
1. Double down on the local angle
Until the talent level of the league rises to that of other international leagues, MLS loses making direct comparisons between its players and those overseas. This is where the league has stumbled in recent years, going out of its way to be dismissive of critics who maintain there is a gulf in talent between MLS and the top leagues. Yes, fans flock to the best but the league would be best served focusing on its own markets rather than trying to continually compare itself to international markets.
What does this mean practically? It means you make sure that every owner has a strategy to tie that club to its hometown. The Los Angeles Galaxy should be involved in every possible community event, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/10/11/david-villa-scores-on-his-melbourne-city-fc-debut-video/">New York City FC</a> should be as “New York” as the Yankees, and teams like the Revolution whose ownership seems to simply be using the local community as a convenience should be moved out. You lose the ability to market your league internationally but you sell your franchises to the local fans that are your best source of revenue at the moment. The campaigns write themselves – “watch Manchester United on TV in the morning then come support YOUR TEAM in the afternoon”. Those other clubs may be ones you root for, but your local MLS club is the one you are a supporter of because, like you, it is part of your community and world. This would require a major mind-shift in the MLS front office and would be controversial but when you can’t compete on a level playing field, you need to be creative.
2. Split the league in two
The sooner MLS acknowledges that the United States and Canada are not European countries with more confined geographic areas, the smarter it can be about its scheduling and rivalries. MLS needs to adopt the old MLB model – two conferences that never play each other until the playoffs. You will lose some prestige games on your schedule, but you’ll make up for it with the intrigue factor come playoff time.
Here is how it could work – split the current league in half and add four cities to each conference. You expand your geographic footprint without diluting your schedule. Teams only play their conference foes until the playoffs where teams that qualify are ranked based on results (say top four teams from each conference). This would be unique to this market and add an element of intrigue if your team makes the playoffs.
3. Continue to partner with video game makers and technology systems
MLS in recent years has been ahead of the curve in embracing technology. Rumor had it the MLS rebrand was announced when it was because FIFA15 contained the new logo. This is incredibly smart. As kids and adults warm to soccer more and more through playing video games, the more they see MLS teams and players tied to the game the more they will see the league in a positive light.
Additionally, the league should not miss a chance to adopt new technology. Whether that’s the latest health tracking system on the market for athletes, advances in shoe or clothing technology or ways of communicating the league should be seen as the league of “what’s next”, almost the Apple of international soccer.

3 Ways MLS Can Combat the Fierce Competition From Foreign Leagues

3 Ways MLS Can Combat the Fierce Competition From Foreign Leagues - World Soccer Talk

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After a combined score of 12-0 in a two game friendly series with Mexico, the United States Women’s National Team seems to be sitting in prime position heading into CONCACAF qualifying. There is little question on the American’s ability to perform at the tournament, sitting as heavy favorites to take first, the question centers around which players head coach Jill Ellis will choose to fill her 20 women roster.
The USWNT’s latest friendlies against their southern rivals answered several question (at the same time creating a handful more) that will make Ellis’s decision on that much more difficult as the team prepares for October.&nbsp;
Klingenberg and Rodriguez have made their case
Klingenberg spent most of 2014 her time in Sweden in the Damallsvenskan, but made it back in time to help the Houston Dash in four NWSL games.
The 26-year-old defender has not been a regular call up into camps but seems to have caught the eye of Ellis as she garners more playing time for the Americans. She played a full 90 in the first friendly followed by 61 minutes in the second.
Mexico’s offense didn’t provide much of a test for the outside back, but was more impressive was how easily Klingenberg was able to move up the pitch. She was critical in driving the ball down the right flank and into the attacking third to services crosses into her teammates.
It is hard to tell where Klingenberg sits on the depth chart. She is in a mix of outside defenders that include, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, Stephanie Cox and the young Crystal Dunn.
Amy Rodriguez will have an even harder time cracking Ellis’s lineup as she goes up against Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Christen Press and Sydney Leroux for what could be three to four spots on the top line.
Rodriguez was another questionable figure when camp call ups where being made throughout 2014. She saw 10 minutes coming off the bench against France in June, but hadn’t seen a start since the Algarve Cup in March.
Ellis gave the 27-year-old striker her chance in the second friendly where she was able to open the scoring in the nine-minute off a Mexico turnover. Rodriguez quietly finished her 28th international goal with a chip over the goalkeeper from 18 yards out.
Rodriguez has been scoring goals like that all year with 2014 NWSL Champions, FC Kansas City. She had 13 goals in the regular season and three in the playoffs – including a brace in the NWSL Final.
“I think that A-Rod gained a lot of confidence in the NWSL,” Wambach said. “The confidence factor is huge for any striker. For her to be in top form right now, playing really well – I don’t know what decisions Jill is going to make for out qualifying roster, but I know that Amy has done everything possible to put herself up for it.”
Morgan and Wambach are better together
2014 was riddled with injuries for America’s top striking duo. Morgan suffered from a prolonged ankle injury, which sidelined the striker for almost a year while veteran Abby Wambach faced an eye injury followed by knee issues.
But two friendlies against Mexico showed just how dangerous these two strikers can still be, especially together. They displayed flashes of 2012, when the duo matched a 21-year-old record set in 1991 with a combination of 55 goals between the two of them.
In the first friendly against Mexico, Morgan assisted on both of Wambach’s goals. Though the U.S. played a 4-3-3 formation throughout the two games, the forward duo made to the attack seem like a 4-4-2,using their typical 1-2 combination of speed and strength.
It’s a safe bet to assume that both Morgan and Wambach will make it on Elli’s qualifying roster but who will be the third forward that plays with this chemistry charged pair?
Ellis is sticking with the status quo
Former U.S. head coach Tom Sermanni was criticized for inconsistencies in his lineups, leading a loss of chemistry on the field. Ellis doesn’t appear to be making the same mistake.
Ellis made four changes between the two Mexican friendlies, giving players a chance to showcase their abilities to work though the attack in the 4-3-3 formation while maintaining a possession oriented style of play.
“Jill has done a great job of coming in, obviously on short notice, and rallying everybody and getting everybody on the same page,” said midfielder Megan&nbsp;Rapinoe in an interview with <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ellis-has-tough-decisions-to-make-in-picking-uswnt-world-cup-squad-091914">FOX Sports</a>.” Getting everybody fired up and ready to go and consolidating going into qualifiers.”
Even while one of her player’s face serious repercussions from legal action in the coming weeks, Ellis stood by a consistent and familiar starting XI, which included keeper Hope Solo. Even allowing the No. 1 keeper to sport the captain’s armband in the later game.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/09/08/2014-concacaf-womens-world-cup-qualifying-matches/">CONCACAF qualifiers</a> open for the Americans against Trinidad &amp; Tobago in Kansas City on October 15.

3 Things We Learned From the Latest USWNT Friendlies

3 Things We Learned From the Latest USWNT Friendlies - World Soccer Talk

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