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☆ She’s Got the Hardest Job in Soccer. Can She Keep Winning?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Bruce Schoenfeld | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

“People tell me they don’t exist.” The next morning, she would fly to Chicago on federation business. Her predecessor, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned under pressure in March 2020 while struggling to manage a dispute with the U.S. women’s national team. U.S. Soccer was being sued in federal court by players on the U.S. women’s team. “She recognized that U.S. Soccer was going through an almost existential crisis,” says one of those advisers, Don Garber, who is the Major League Soccer commissioner and also a board member. “Soccer looks a lot different today than it did when she took over,” says Kyle Martino, who played in M.L.S.

Persons: Cone, ”, Carlos Cordeiro, Goldman Sachs, Mike Cullina, ’ ”, Cordeiro, — Cone, “, Don Garber, don’t, let’s, Kyle Martino, Cindy Organizations: U.S, women’s, Soccer, U.S . Soccer Foundation, Major League Soccer, Club Locations: Chicago, U.S, United States, America, M.L.S

☆ Megan Rapinoe: USWNT star says US has ‘weaponized’ women’s sports against trans people, and is ‘trying to legislate away people’s full humanity’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

And now on the eve of her final Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe has taken aim at recent policies that aim to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports. “We as a country are trying to legislate away people’s full humanity,” she told Time magazine in an interview. In recent months, transgender women’s participation in a number of sports has been prohibited with the introduction of new regulations. The House bill would prohibit transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. “I see trans women as real women.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, ”, “, It’s, Biden, ” Rapinoe, Dave Chappelle, Chappelle, Laurence Griffiths, ’ Organizations: CNN, US, National, Women’s Soccer League, Athletics, WA, U.S . House, Republican, Democratic, White, GOP, IX, ”, Tokyo Locations: WA, “

☆ Trinity Rodman, daughter of an NBA legend, shines for USWNT before team departs for Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Trinity Rodman scored twice as the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) beat Wales 2-0 on Sunday in its final warmup game before the Women’s World Cup. Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, came on as a second half substitute before scoring a brace late in the game. In 2021, Rodman made history after becoming the youngest woman ever selected in the NWSL draft. She was named NWSL Rookie of the Year later that year as she helped her team lift the NWSL title. Rodman made her highly-anticipated debut for the national team in 2022 and is part of a new generation of players looking to cement the USWNT’s legacy as the greatest team in women’s soccer.

Persons: Trinity Rodman, Rodman, Dennis Rodman, “, ”, Vlatko Andonovski, Karen Ambrose Hickey, Sipa, Megan Rapinoe Organizations: CNN, United States Women’s National, Wales, Washington Spirit, Reuters, Washington Locations: United, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Netherlands, Portugal, San Jose , California

☆ For Rapinoe, a Final Send-Off Before a Final World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Claire Fahy | More About Claire Fahy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Megan Rapinoe began her long goodbye with the equivalent of a homecoming. In the decade and a half since she became a professional soccer player, Rapinoe’s career has taken her to soccer clubs on two continents, to Olympic Games on three and, soon, to a fourth World Cup. Rapinoe, 38, grew up in Redding, Calif., about 250 miles north of the site of Sunday’s game, PayPal Park in San Jose. She estimated that about 40 of her family members and friends had made the trip south to see the United States beat Wales, 2-0, in its final game on American soil ahead of the Women’s World Cup that starts later this month in Australia and New Zealand. “This is the closest that I’ll ever get to play to Redding in my career,” Rapinoe had said on Saturday.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, I’ll, Redding, ” Rapinoe Organizations: Olympic Games, women’s, PayPal, United States, Wales Locations: Rapinoe, Redding, Calif, San Jose, United, Australia, New Zealand

CNN —US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe, a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, has announced she will retire at the end of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist from London 2012, will play in her fourth and final World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to her NWSL team OL Reign. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”Megan Rapinoe has won two World Cup and Olympic gold with the USWNT. In her domestic career, Rapinoe won the French league title and French Cup with Lyon in the 2012-2013 season and has won three NWSL Shields with the Seattle Reign and OL Reign. “When you talk about players performing on the biggest stages, she’s right up there with the best to ever do it for the US Women’s National Team.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, “ I’ve, ” Rapinoe, “, we’ve, Brad Smith, ”, Cooper, Shields, “ Megan, Kate Markgraf, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, Women’s Soccer League, Wales, National Team, US Soccer, Ballon, Lyon, Seattle, US, National Locations: Australia, New Zealand, United States

☆ Megan Rapinoe: US star says next month’s World Cup will ‘blow the lid off’ global business opportunities for women’s sports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Ben Morse | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Women’s National Team (USWNT) star Megan Rapinoe believes the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup will serve as the launching point for global business opportunities for the sport and beyond. Rapinoe predicts the tournament will serve as a game-changing event for women’s sport across the globe. It feels like this is a paradigm shift or a moment we’ll look back to and say ‘nothing was ever the same after this women’s World Cup,’ and what we’re going to be able to do. All bets on the women’s World Cup - I just think it’s going to be an incredible event.”Rapinoe celebrates having won the 2019 Women's World Cup. The Women’s World Cup runs from July 20 through August 20.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, ” Rapinoe, Rapinoe, you’re, “, Mikoaj Barbanell, USWNT, – Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, ” FIFA Locations: Carson , California, Australia, New Zealand, India

☆ Four players suspended after hostile soccer game between USA and Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Four players have been suspended after last week’s bad-tempered soccer match between the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico, which was marred by pushing and shoving between the two teams. The contest was also ended about four minutes early following discriminatory chants from the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The four players who were red carded during the match on June 15 have all been handed suspensions for “on-field player misconduct,” continental governing body Concacaf announced on Friday. The USMNT won the match 3-0 and went on to win the Nations League title with a 2-0 victory against Canada three days later. In the upcoming Gold Cup, the USMNT faces Jamaica in Chicago on Saturday and Mexico plays Honduras in Houston on Sunday.

Persons: Mexico’s César Montes, USMNT’s Weston McKennie, Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga, César Montes, Matthew Ashton, Montes, McKennie, USMNT Organizations: CNN, US, National, Concacaf, Nations League, Canada Locations: Mexico, Las Vegas, Jamaica, Chicago, Honduras, Houston

☆ USWNT reveals Women’s World Cup squad – with a little help from Biden and Taylor Swift
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) announced its squad for the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday as it bids to win its third consecutive title. Alongside the experienced core – Morgan, Rapinoe and O’Hara become the 10th, 11th and 12th USWNT players to be selected for four or more tournaments – is a selection of players making their World Cup debuts. The first lady added: “Joe and I can’t wait to watch this team soar at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup begins on July 20 and is being cohosted by Australia and New Zealand. The USWNT will begin its campaign to win its third successive Women’s World Cup title on July 22 against Vietnam in Group E. It has also been drawn alongside the Netherlands and Portugal.

Persons: Vlatko, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz, Kelley O’Hara, Alyssa Naeher, – Morgan, Rapinoe, O’Hara, Alyssa Thompson, Trinity Rodman, Dennis, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Shaquille O’Neal, Biden, Joe, ”, Morgan, Swift, ” Swift, “, ” Andonovski, we’ve Organizations: CNN, US Women’s National, NBA, US, National Soccer Team, ”, FIFA, Vietnam, “ Locations: France, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal

☆ World Cup: Software using AI finds almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were sent during Qatar 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Monitoring software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) found almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were aimed at players, officials and coaches during the Qatar World Cup, according to a new report released by FIFA. In total, 20 million posts and comments were analyzed across all major social media platforms, successfully verifying the identity of 306 account owners that sent abusive messages. In total, 434,000 posts were flagged by AI and reviewed by humans, the report said, with the abusive messages coming from 12,600 different accounts. It hurts our families.”Of the abusive messages, 38% came from Europe, 36% from South America, 10% from Asia, 8% from Africa and 8% from North and Central America. When grouped together by country – all players, teams and official member association social media handles – France received the most abuse, with England in second and Brazil third.

Persons: –, FIFPro –, “, Mark, Anthony Kaye, It’s, Harry Kane, Kellyn Acosta Organizations: CNN, Monitoring, Qatar, FIFA, Canada Men’s National Team, England, France, Men’s National Locations: Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North, Central America, France, Brazil, England

☆ Brazil wears all-black kit for the first time in its history as part of team’s anti-racism campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Duarte Mendonca | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Brazilian men’s national team wore an all-black kit for the first time in its 109-year history during a friendly match against Guinea in Spain on Saturday as part of the team’s anti-racism campaign. Pau Berrena/AFP/Getty ImagesFIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Brazilian delegation Thursday, announcing his full support for the anti-racism campaign. As for the match, Brazil won 4-1 with goals scored by Joelinton, Rodrygo, Eder Militão and Vinícius. Vinícius was invited by Infantino to participate in a FIFA anti-racism committee with players who will help suggest a course of action to deal with discriminatory behavior in football, the FIFA president said on Thursday. Brazil is set to play its next friendly match on Tuesday against Senegal in Lisbon, Portugal.

Persons: “, Vinícius, Pau Berrena, Gianni Infantino, Joelinton, Eder Militão, Guirassy, Pele, Infantino Organizations: CNN, men’s national, Guinea, Espanyol, FIFA, Federation, Real, Valencia, Getty, Brazilian, Brazil, Brazilian Federation, Senegal Locations: Spain, Barcelona, Brazil, Real Madrid, AFP, Lisbon, Portugal

☆ After Dispute With a Star’s Parents, Gregg Berhalter Reappointed to Coach U.S. Men’s National Team
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones, gregg, reyna

☆ USA and Mexico soccer match ends early amid homophobic chants
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

But this Concacaf Nations League semifinal – marred by dirty tackles, pushing and shoving and even a torn jersey – ended in ugly fashion. Twelve minutes of stoppage time was added, but the referee opted to end the game around four minutes early amid the discriminatory chants from the crowd. “Chants heard during the game led to the activation of the anti-discrimination protocol by the match officials. Sergiño Dest shoves and Gerardo Arteaga were both shown red cards for this altercation. Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersFifteen minutes later, Mexico defender Gerardo Arteaga and USMNT star Sergiño Dest were both shown straight red cards for pushing each other during another altercation between the two teams.

Persons: –, Weston McKennie, Louis Grasse, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, César Montes, Weston McKennie –, Dest, Gerardo Arteaga, Lucas Peltier, Sergiño Dest Organizations: CNN, US Men’s National Team, Mexico, Allegiant, Concacaf Nations League, North, Caribbean Association Football, Concacaf, FIFA, Mexican Football Federation Locations: Las Vegas, Central America, Mexico, Canada

☆ Folarin Balogun: What to expect from the 21-year-old who outscored Lionel Messi last season ahead of his USMNT debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Folarin Balogun recently committed to representing the United States men’s national team (USMNT), ending years of speculation about whether the 21-year-old would choose to play for the US or England on the international stage. Here’s all you need to know about the prodigious striker ahead of his potential USMNT debut against Mexico. Stu Forster/Getty ImagesOn the pitch, Balogun has refined his game over the past two seasons. After the Arsenal man’s haul last season, Barker also believes this could be just the beginning for the striker. “I’m not sure he will be an elite, world class player,” Barker said, “but you certainly wouldn’t bet against him.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Folarin Balogun, Gregg Berhalter’s, Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, “, James Williamson, Flo, unforthcoming, Balogun, Art de, Charles McQuillan, ” de Roché, it’s, Roché, de Roché, he’s, Stu Forster, “ He’s, ”, Alex Barker, ” Barker, Oliver Giroud, Roberto Firmino, Messi, Germain, Francois Nascimbeni, Balogun’s, Barker, John Dorton, who’s, that’ll, De Roché, Xavier Laine, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, France’s Ligue, United, United States men’s national, Mexico, Arsenal, Premier League club’s, Middlesbrough, Ligue, Reims, CNN Sport, Millwall, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, West Brom, EFL Championship, Twitter, ”, Paris Saint, “, Getty, USSF, US, USSF ‘ Locations: USA, Argentine, Brooklyn, United States, England, Qatar, Netherlands, New York, Millwall’s, Reims, Ligue, AFP, Canada, Mexico, France

☆ Phil Neville: David Beckham's Inter Miami 'part ways' with head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Manchester United and England star Phil Neville has been sacked as head coach at David Beckham’s Inter Miami, the team announced on Thursday. Beckham, 48, is one of the co-owners of Inter Miami, alongside brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. “He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans. “Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach. He guided Inter Miami to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2022 and, according to the club, he has helped progress several youth academy prospects’ careers.

Persons: Phil Neville, David Beckham’s, Neville, Beckham, Alex Ferguson, Jorge, Jose Mas, Phil, ” Beckham, “ Phil, Jim Rassol, Reuters “, ” Neville, “ I’m, ”, Jason Kreis, Javier Morales Organizations: CNN, Former Manchester United, David Beckham’s Inter Miami, United, English Premier League, Inter Miami, ” Inter Miami, New York Red Bulls, MLS, Eastern Conference, Miami, England women’s, Inter, FC Dallas, Reuters, Inter Miami CF, Club Locations: England, Beckham, Miami, New

CNN —At first glance, the idea of a former NFL legend and a former US Women’s National Team star wanting to bring “global eyeballs” to an English soccer club might seem an unusual ambition. Its inhabitants have also been hit particularly hard by the UK’s cost of living crisis, which hasn’t been lost on JJ Watt and his wife, Kealia. “Burnley is a special club. “All I want to do is help tell their story. “The success of the football club this year has given such a boost to Burnley and the surrounding area.

CNN —South Korean soccer star Son Jun-ho has been arrested in China for allegedly accepting bribes as Beijing clamps down on alleged corruption in the upper ranks of Chinese football. A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday the ministry was aware of Son’s situation and that local Korean diplomatic missions were providing consular assistance. Wang said China would provide South Korean officials with the “necessary facilitation” to perform their consular duties. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it had written to the Chinese Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation regarding the player on Tuesday but had not yet heard back. Vice President Kim Jeong-bae was checking on Son’s condition with the South Korean Foreign and Sports Ministries, a KFA official told CNN.

☆ JJ Watt does pub crawl ‘research’ after investing in Premier League-bound Burnley
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Just getting to know the supporters, I want to earn their trust by showing them how much we care and how passionate we are. “It’s research, I’m doing research – and lots of pints of Guinness along the way. The Royal Dyche took to Twitter to mark Watt’s visit, sharing an image of him behind the bar on Monday. Lovely gent, such a great reception in the pub from all us Claret fans,” the pub added. Kompany is best known for his exploits as the captain of Manchester City, with whom he won four Premier League titles.

☆ JJ Watt and Kealia Watt invest in Premier League-bound Burnley FC
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After retiring from professional football in the NFL earlier this year, JJ Watt is turning his hand to soccer as he and his wife Kealia announced their investment in English club Burnley FC on Monday. In a statement released by the club, JJ Watt said: “When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition. Kompany is best known for his exploits as the captain of Manchester City, with whom he won four Premier League titles. Manager Vincent Kompany has guided Burnley back to the Premier League. Burnley’s chairman Alan Pace said of the Watts’ investment: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family.

☆ Women’s soccer is having a moment — except in the boardroom
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Norway’s Karen Espelund was “appointed” not “elected” to the position due to her role as chair of the Women’s Football Committee, UEFA told CNN Sport over email. Norwegian Football Association President Lise Klaveness told CNN that the popularity of soccer isn't mirrored in female representation at UEFA. We tend to forget that because we compare it to the phenomenon of men’s football,” Klaveness says. The prize money for this year’s women’s World Cup, which kicks off on July 20, will increase by 300% to $150 million, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced last month. “They don’t really know: What are the differences between men’s and women’s football?

☆ The Premier League’s Fiercest Battle Is at the Bottom of the Standings
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In a single dizzying winter of soccer, U.S. men’s national team star Weston McKennie went from Italy to Qatar to figuring out life in a part of England known as West Yorkshire. McKennie had joined Leeds United on loan until the end of the season. And despite linking up with two other American players at the club, Brenden Aaronson and U.S. captain Tyler Adams, very little about the Premier League felt familiar.

☆ U.S. Soccer Report Finds Gio Reyna’s Parents Tried to Undermine Coach Gregg Berhalter
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Gregg Berhalter was coach of the U.S. men’s team during the 2022 World Cup. An independent investigation commissioned by U.S. Soccer has found that the family of star men’s national team member Gio Reyna tried to dissuade the federation from renewing U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter in the job. The report, published Monday, examines the bizarre fallout from Berhalter’s decision to bench Gio Reyna, one of the team’s up and coming talents, at the 2022 World Cup. Reyna’s parents—the former U.S. men’s captain Claudio Reyna and former women’s national team player Danielle Egan—were upset about Gio’s lack of playing time in Qatar and resented Berhalter’s revelation after the tournament that the problem had been Gio’s attitude.

☆ China Stumbles in Pursuit of Xi Jinping’s Soccer Goals
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Chun Han Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

HONG KONG—For years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pushed to transform his nation into a soccer powerhouse. That quest has become an own-goal, exposing the limits of his top-down control. China remains a perennial underachiever in the game some eight years into Mr. Xi’s soccer overhaul. Its men’s national team still languishes in the middle tier of international rankings, below the likes of Iceland, Iraq and Panama. Some top professional teams have slashed players’ wages or collapsed after they and their corporate owners lost revenues amid pandemic disruptions and a property-market slump.

☆ Draymond Green Sets Us Straight on the Real N.B.A.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( David Marchese | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +20 min

Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Draymond Green Sets Us Straight on the Real N.B.A. Celtics have a die-hard fan base that’s going to root hard for the Celtics. But when I’ve listened to it, it’s not as if you’re saying things that are all that far away from what pundits or analysts are saying. I don’t think it affected who I was, who I am, because my mom never allowed it to. So when I say what he said is irrelevant, I’m saying that from the standpoint of, Let me not deflect.

☆ The 20-Year-Old Star at the Center of the U.S. Soccer Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The biggest surprise of the U.S. men’s national team’s campaign at the World Cup last November came a couple of hours before any American kicked a ball in the tournament. Coach Gregg Berhalter had published his first starting lineup in Qatar and one name wasn’t on it: Gio Reyna. Reyna was one of the most talented players at Berhalter’s disposal and already established with a major European club at Borussia Dortmund. So after he missed the Americans’ first World Cup match in eight years, a 1-1 draw with Wales, much of the conversation revolved around him. “I’m good to go.”

☆ U.S. Men’s Coach Gregg Berhalter Regrets Comments on Gio Reyna That Ignited Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Gregg Berhalter had just returned from coaching the U.S. men’s national team in the World Cup last month, when he appeared at a conference in New York to talk about leadership lessons. Told that whatever he said would remain in the room, Berhalter spoke candidly about his team’s campaign. What he never expected was for his thinly veiled comments about Gio Reyna, the young American star he chose to bench due to poor attitude in practice, to turn into the strangest scandal in the recent history of the U.S. men’s national team.

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