January 26 – The steps towards a professional league in the Caribbean took another pace forward with the second meeting of the Caribbean Premier League Task Force which reviewed regional stadium infrastructure study with a view to identifying which countries could host league matches.
January 21 – Beach Soccer fever is building across the CONCACAF region. With a record number of 16 nations heading to El Salvador for the regional championship in March and a Beach Soccer World Cup qualification place at stake, the confederation has unveiled its tournament logo and announced January 27 as the date for the draw.
By Sam Nicholson in Philadelphia
January 15 – The world’s largest coaches association is holding the world’s largest convention for coaches in Philadelphia, USA. The five-day National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA) opened yesterday with more than 4,000 coaches and 10,000 attendees from around the country expected to attend.
January 13 – The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is fading into the distance as CONCACAF gathers in Miami, Florida on Thursday, January 15 for the preliminary draw for the qualification rounds for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Games will be played March 23-31.
January 12 – The US appetite for big tournament soccer is growing with 24 cities in 18 states having indicated an interest in hosting matches in the 2016 Centennial Cup America (Copa America Centenario).
By Paul Nicholson
January 9 – CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb says that his focus is on his region. Speaking to Insideworldfootball, Webb was reacting to speculation linking him to running for the FIFA presidency, but said: “I am the president of CONCACAF and that is my 100% commitment. That is my responsibility, that is my job, that is my focus.”
By Ben Nicholson
January 9 – Debate over the eligibility of Frank Lampard to stay playing in England at Manchester City and miss the start of the MLS season for his new club New York City (NYFC) has continued over where NYCFC stands in relation to the contractual ownership of the player. The issue has raised questions on the status and commitment of Steven Gerrard who leaves Liverpool to join LA Galaxy in July.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – Former England captain Steven Gerrard, the latest footballing icon to further his career in the United States, as expected has chosen Los Angeles Galaxy where David Beckham made his name in the country.
January 7 – Mexico will host the 2016 FIFA Congress in a year which is increasingly becoming of huge importance for the country and its regional confederation CONCACAF.
By Paul Nicholson
January 7 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has appointed Jeff Plush as its new Commissioner. Plush has a background in soccer having been managing director of Colorado Rapids in the MLS from 2006 to 2011 and a board director of English Premier League club Arsenal with specific overview of the global media business.
December 30 – David Beckham’s prospective MLS franchise in Miami has stalled ever since the city batted down several stadium proposals. Beckham’s group has been quietly licking its wounds over the past months while other US cities have been loudly courting the MLS in hope of receiving an expansion bid.
December 29 – CONCACAF has announced its 2014 annual awards winners with inspirational Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas and US goalscorer Abby Wambach winning the vote for the Male and Female Players of the Year.
December 29 – Houston Dynamo, of the MLS, has changed its game face with two big announcements in the run in to Christmas. Firstly, they secured Owen Coyle’s services as Head Coach. Secondly, they have switched USL affiliates.
December 23 – MLS expansion team newcomers, New York City FC and Orlando City SC, have secured official local television partners to showcase their inaugural seasons in the league.
December 22 – “Soccer-specific” stadiums seem to be spawning all across the US. In the last week D.C. United and Las Vegas both received financial backing from local councils to build their own respective stadiums.