Is MLS taking first steps to break the NCAA development bonds?
By Ben Nicholson
July 28 – The MLS has formed a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), making the school its exclusive education partner.
Concacaf
Mexico secure seventh Gold Cup title as Reggae Boyz finally miss a beat
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – Mexico won their seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup last night with a 3-1 win over the tournament’s surprise package Jamaica who made Gold Cup history by being the first team from the Caribbean to reach the final.
Panama fury escalates as they now call for refs committee to resign
By Paul Nicholson
July 24 – The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), bitter at their semi-final loss in the Gold Cup to Mexico on Wednesday evening have escalated their public complaints, now calling for the resignation of the whole CONCACAF Referees Committee citing “insulting and shameful” refereeing. The demand was made in a statement on their website.
Reggae Boyz jammin to Gold Cup final to meet Mariachi Mexicans
By Paul Nicholson
July 23 – Not even the FBI could prevent the Caribbean having their day in the Gold Cup sunshine in the US. A history making 2-1 semi-final victory over the US in Atlanta yesterday catapulted the Reggae Boyz from Jamaica into a final against Mexico in Philadelphia this Sunday.
Brazil vs Argentina Superclassico in San Francisco scrapped
By Samindra Kunti
July 23 – A September friendly between Brazil and Argentina in San Francisco has been cancelled as the fallout of the FIFA corruption scandal continues. Problems with Full Play have impeded the staging of the match.
Beckham forced to go less posh, settling for Little Havana in Miami
By Ben Nicholson
July 21 – David Beckham appears to have found a mutually agreeable site in Miami for his long awaited MLS franchise. The city’s resolve to push Beckham away from its prime real estate has forced him to resort to the less desirable land next to Marlins Park, home to a Major League Baseball team, which is west of downtown in Little Havana.
MLS players agree wage rises through to 2019
By Ben Nicholson
July 20 – MLS players have overwhelmingly ratified the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through 2019 with a 91% vote in favor, putting behind them the disagreements over the terms that threatened to delay the start of the 2015 season.
Caribbean storm sweeps across Gold Cup with disturbing force
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – An unexpected Caribbean hurricane has swept through the group stages of the Gold Cup in the US, and it has nothing to do with sports politics or financial corruption.
Street Soccer builds a home in Times Square, NY
July 10 – New York hosts the US Women’s Victory parade today. On Sunday it hosts a very different football event when Manhattan’s Times Square will be the venue for Street Soccer USA’s four-a-side tournament.
Cuban crisis: team late, striker defects and then Mexico hit six
July 10 – Six players plus the head coach failed to show up in time because of visa issues whilst another was reported to have defected as Cuba were trounced 6-0 by Mexico Thursday at the opening of the Gold Cup in Chicago.
MLS flexes salary rules putting $10m into player marketplace
By Ben Nicholson
July 10 – The rumors that the MLS is to introduce a ‘Core Player’ materialised on July 8 in the form of ‘Targeted Allocation Money’. The new rule amounts to each MLS club receiving $100,000 per year for the next five years for the purpose of investing in their roster outside of their player salary budget.
Warner case on hold as Trinidad waits for US extradition paperwork
By Andrew Warshaw
July 10 – Shamed former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has won more time in his bid to avoid being extradited from his native Trinidad and Tobago to the United States to face corruption charges as part of the FBI probe into widespread corruption involving senior FIFA and other footballing officials.
Allstate takes the Gold Cup Trophy on Tour
July 8 – Gold Cup sponsor Allstate Insurance is activating its partnership with the additional moniker as the Official Protector of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Trophy. The activation will see Allstate take the Gold Cup Trophy on a seven-city tour across the US during the tournament which kicked off last night in Texas with a win for the US over Honduras.
CONCACAF dumps agency as Traffic comes to a standstill
By Paul Nicholson
July 8 – CONCACAF have ended their representation agreement with embattled marketing agency Traffic Sports USA with immediate effect. The announcement was made on the opening day of the Gold Cup, an event that Traffic owned exclusive rights to and had sold all of the current sponsorships for.
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup opens tonight with Dallas sell out
By Mark Baber
July 7 – CONCACAF have announced that all tickets have been sold for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader in Dallas this evening which kicks off at the 20,500 capacity Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.