By Paul Nicholson in Miami
December 8 – CONCACAF has completed the final draw for the CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2014. The eight team finals, to be played this October, will not only crown a CONCACAF champion but will also qualify three teams for the finals next year in Canada (Canada qualify automatically as hosts) with a fourth team getting a play-off against the third-placed CONMEBOL team.
By Ben Nicholson
September 5 – MLS executive officials have set a September 18-19 date to visit Sacramento to assess their potential as an expansion team, according to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is expected to be on the trip.
September 5 – The Jamaican Premier League launched this week with the announcement that Red Stripe has committed to the sponsorship of the competition for the next five seasons.
September 4 – A Female Coaches Advocacy Group has been launched in the US to encourage and promote women into coaching the game. The group is to start at the state level in Colorado and in Southern California with Cal South to create a state network of women in coaching to start dialogue with mentor college women to get involved in coaching.
By Ben Nicholson
September 3 – Jürgen Klinsmann (pictured) has again voiced his discontent with the MLS calendar, stating categorically that the structure is “not working anymore”. His wish is for the MLS to “extend the season. Obviously you get 21 teams next year. Start earlier, finish later, but open these slots for the national team program.”
September 2 – The final national team squads for the Central American Cup Tigo 2014 that kicks off tomorrow have been announced, boasting multiple World Cup players amongst MLS and Europe-based players. However, there is a strong contingent of home-based players in each squad, serving not only as a reflection of each nation’s best 11, but also as a point of comparison for each nation’s respective club leagues.
September 1 – MLS’ Sporting KC has announced a formal partnership with Brazil’s Fluminense FC. The two clubs will share philosophies, marketing strategies, business practices, and players too.
August 31 – IMG has picked up international TV sales distribution rights to a package of CONCACAF championships in 2015, including the Gold Cup and the Champions’ League. The deal will see IMG sell the rights in all territories outside of the CONCACAF region.
August 28 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced its new schedule format for the 2015 season. The fixtures will begin in April and finish in September, adding in a two-week break for the group stages of the Women’s World Cup.
By Ben Nicholson
August 28 – Las Vegas’ MLS expansion bid has taken a step forward by having the city and developers sign a term sheet outlining the project. $200 million has been assigned to develop a 24,000-seater stadium, $100 million for expansion fees, and a further $100 million for interest on the bonds issued by the city.
August 22 – MLS’ Philadelphia Union has renewed their deal with kit sponsor Bimbo Bakeries. The Bimbo logo will continue to appear on the front of their official shirts for the next five years, in a deal worth $11 million.
By Ben Nicholson
August 21 – MLS’ Atlanta expansion team has received more than 14,000 season ticket applications, three years in advance. The team is yet to possess a squad, manager, even a name, and won’t play a game until 2017. However, this has not prevented the local community showing their excitement.
By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – With just two weeks to go before the start of the Central American Cup 2014, telecoms group Tigo have stepped up as title sponsors for the championship which is being played in the US for the first time.
August 15 – MLS side FC Dallas has decided to delay creating their own USL team until 2016, and are instead seeking an affiliate for 2015. The USL is the second tier of professional soccer in the US.
By Paul Nicholson
August 13 – The debut of a team from Belize in the CONCACAF Champions League will have to wait for at least another season after confederation inspectors ruled that their pitch was unplayable. Belize Premier League champions Belmopan Bandits will be replaced in the competition by Costa Rica’s Club Sport Herediano.