De Maria to step down at Mexican federation, de Luisa to step up
March 5 – Mexico’s football federation (FMF) president Decio de Maria (pictured) has resigned and will leave his post after the 2018 World Cup. Yon de Luisa will take his place.
Concacaf
NASL cancels 2018 season but continues with law suits against USSF
February 28 – The North American Soccer League (NASL) has cancelled its 2018 season with three of its six clubs shifting to the National Premier Soccer League which kicks off this April.
Verizon grow North American OTT content with CONCACAF deal
February 28 – CONCACAF, who on Monday announced an expansion of their blue riband Gold Cup national team tournament, have followed up with the unveiling of a multi-platform digital media rights deal with Verizon for all its competitions.
Gold Cup to expand to 16 teams as CONCACAF opens up hosting to member nations
February 27 – The next edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the confederation’s blue riband national team tournament held every two years, will be expanded from 12 to 16 teams in 2019.
What next for the Cosmos and the NASL as court kills off their bid to keep D2 status?
By Paul Nicholson
February 26 – The already precarious future of the North American Soccer League (NASL) now looks even more uncertain after the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit denied the NASL’s appeal to obtain a preliminary injunction that would have reinstated its status as a Division 2 league for the 2018 season.
Caribbean Club Shield heads for Dominican Republic as top tier comp gets underway
February 21 – The Dominican Republic will host the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield this April 13-21. The 12-team championship provides a pathway for the region’s smaller football nations towards the newly formed 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League.
Cordeiro beats off big names and better fancied challengers for US Soccer presidency
By Paul Nicholson
February 12 – It took three rounds of voting before Carlos Cordeiro emerged triumphant in the ballot for the US Soccer Federation presidency. Cordeiro, who has been the US federation’s vice president for the last two years and an independent board member for nine years, fought off eight challengers for the post in what proved to be a canny campaign that appealed to the broader base of US soccer’s community.
Gulati’s gone but will Cordeiro allow US youth clubs to receive training compensation fees
By Paul Nicholson
February 12 – Sunil Gulati may now have left the presidency of the US Soccer Federation but he leaves behind one huge legacy issue in the shape of training compensation for youth players and whether the US is going to abide by FIFA rules and conventions or go it alone and continue to refuse the training payment solidarity principles.
FC Tuscon and South Georgia Tormenta are first franchises for USL’s new Division III
By Paul Nicholson
February 7 – The fledgling third tier professional division of US football – USL Division III has named FC Tucson as the second fanchise, following the announcement last week of South Georgia Tormenta FC as the first founder member of the league scheduled to kick off in 2019.
Presidential candidate Hope Solo slams USSF’s ‘profit before progress’ policy
January 31 – Hope Solo, the United States’ World Cup-winning goalkeeper who has thrown her hat into the ring for presidency of the US Soccer Federation, has filed a legal complaint against the USSF for what she claims is a “blatant violation” of a legal code protecting athletes.
Beckham’s Miami MLS franchise launched with south Florida fanfare and 2020 target
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – It’s taken over four years but it’s finally happening. Not rumours, not heightened speculation but from the man himself. David Beckham’s long-awaited team in Miami is up and running.
Mexico end 8 years of US dominance to take CONCACAF U20 Women’s title
January 30 – Mexico broke the four-championship winning streak of the US to take their first-ever CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s title at the weekend in Trinidad. A 4-2 penalty shoot out win made it third final lucky for the Mexicans who had lost to the US in 2010and 2014.
Beckham’s MLS franchise in Miami looks set for formal unveiling
January 25 – After almost four years in the making, David Beckham’s dream of heading a new MLS team has moved a crucial step closer to reality.
Wynalda pulls no punches as NASL backs him for US Soccer presidency
January 19 – The North American Soccer League has confirmed it is backing former US international Eric Wynalda in the U.S. Soccer presidential election race which climaxes on February 10.
Montagliani turns to twitter to clean up Trump’s shit storm
January 15 – CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani has wasted no time moving into trouble-shooting mode in the wake of Donald Trump’s “shithole” slur that will do little to find favour among FIFA’s federations as the bid for the 2026 World Cup enters a key phase.