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Seattle/US Open Cup
In case you are unfamiliar with the US Open Cup, here is everything you need to know about the 103rd edition. Side note, if the Seattle Sounders are able to win the tournament this year they will tie Bethlehem Steel FC and Maccabi Los Angeles for the most titles in Open Cup history.
The Seattle Sounders enter the fourth round of the 2016 U.S. Open Cup against the Kitsap Pumas tonight. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the game.
We know the perks of being in the Seattle Sounders academy are pretty good, but this week it was better then anything imaginable. "One of the coolest things I’ll ever do in my life," added U-16 midfielder Cameron Martin. "So far in my life, it’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done, just being on the same pitch as some of my idols. "
One of the most intriguing games of fourth round is between NYCFC and the New York Cosmos. It's a bit of a revenge game since last year NYCFC lost to the Cosmos.
The big boys enter the fray during the fourth round of the Open Cup, but it might be the little guys who make the most noise.
Sporting KC won the Open Cup in 2015. KC begins their 2016 tournament bid Wednesday with a trip to Minnesota United FC. Sporting KC credits past success in the Open Cup to placing a greater emphasis on winning the tournament than most MLS teams.
Copa America/USMNT
With the US Men's National Team in the knockout stage of Copa America Centenario on Thursday. here are five things to know about their opponent Ecuador.
Klinsmann's 2016 US Men's National Team is pulling a Germany 2006 on us, and it is wonderful to watch. Too often soccer observers, in their rush to be wowed by the artistry of players further up the field, overlook the talents of defenders. Let not these arch-miserabilists, these professional rejecters whose contributions are measured in the negative (shots blocked, passes intercepted, chances killed), be overlooked. Defense has been the name of the game for the USA.
Sticking with the defense Brad Guzan is taking his chance and not looking back, well maybe enough to find a new club team but on the USMNT he is the new no. 1.
John Brooks has established himself as a stalwart starting centerback for the USMNT during the Copa America. Now, can Brooks also help elevate the USMNT to the next level?
Enough about the defense, what about the offense? USMNT striker Bobby Wood hasn't had a chance to practice with his new club team Hamburg, but Wood has already impressed his new coach Bruno Labbadia with his performances at the Copa America.
Kids need to be kids and attending your senior prom is one of the last major events that a kid has before they take the leap or fall into adulthood. For Christian Pulisic missing Prom wasn't an option; getting back to the USMNT was a bit harder.
The future is bright and incomparable for Pulisic, but that won't stop others from worrying about him or comparing him to Freddy Adu.
Brazil head coach Dunga has been fired after failing to reach the knockout rounds with the Selecao at the Copa America Centenario.
Euro 2016
Italy gets a much needed boost in confidence with a victory over Belgium in their first game at Euro 2016.
Iceland made their European debut on Tuesday and walked away with a respectable draw against Portugal. Ever wonder how Iceland made it to the Euro's?
Would you believe it if I told you the oldest player to ever appear in a European Championship game was a bald goalkeeper in sweatpants? oh and his team won their game yesterday.
Russia has been given a suspended sentence, and will be disqualified from Euro 2016 if there is crowd trouble at their remaining matches in France. A leading Russian football official has praised the fans involved in violent clashes that marred the start of Euro 2016, and has encouraged them to "keep it up". UEFA might have to actually enforce the rules.
World Soccer
Perhaps the biggest story of the football year is in east Asia and not Leicester, where Eastern won the Hong Kong Premier League title in April. The wait since the last championship had been 21 years but the headlines were all about the 27 year-old head coach Chan Yuen-ting.
Manchester United can't wait for the Euros to be over, why you ask? Because then they can present Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the media.
Major League Soccer
The North American Treble, never heard of it? Neither had I, but there are few teams that could pull it off this year.
Major League Soccer is starting to reap the benefits of their academy and reserve systems. D.C. United and Atlanta United each have signed U-17 national team players to homegrown contracts this week. Chris Durkin will play with D.C. United and Andrew Carleton will play with Atlanta United. Carleton has a few highlights he would like you to see.
Has FC Dallas built an empire with their academy system? At the U16 and U18 level one could argue there is not better, and with the playoffs ready to start next week look for Dallas to show their class.
Did PRO pull a no no? The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) filed a claim with the National Labor Relations Board back in April after PRO "engaged in unlawful direct dealing." Those referees always have a different way of looking at the game!!