Soccer Monday: USMNT reaches Gold Cup semis, summer friendlies and USA '94 memories
Everything you need to know about the world's No. 1 game
It was another weekend dominated by the Gold Cup, a quartet of matches highlighted by the United States and Canada playing an absolute thriller on Sunday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
The Americans ultimately won 3-2 on penalties after the game had ended 2-2 following extra time. The USMNT next play Panama on Wednesday in the semifinals at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
Here are three things from this past weekend:
3. USMNT reaches Gold Cup semis
Incredible drama in Ohio on a night when Matt Turner’s two saves in the shootout helped the United States stay alive at this Gold Cup.
In a game that was scoreless until the 88th minute, the U.S. tied the score when Canada’s Scott Kennedy had an own goal in the 115th minute, six minutes after Jacob Shaffelburg had put Canada ahead.
Brandon Vazquez had given the USMNT a 1-0 lead, but Steven Vitoria made it 1-1 in stoppage time with a penalty kick after a hand ball on Miles Robinson.
In Sunday’s other quarterfinal, Jamaica edged Guatemala 1-0. In Saturday’s quarterfinals, Panama blanked Qatar 4-0, while Mexico defeated Costa Rica 2-0. As a result, Mexico will play Jamaica in the other semifinal, also scheduled for Wednesday, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
On the line is a spot in this Sunday’s final at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The USMNT are the defending champions.
2. Gearing up for another European club season
The 2023-24 Premier League season kicks off in about a month, the first of Europe’s five major domestic competitions.
The season starts Aug. 11 when Manchester City, the defending champions, play on the road against Burnley. You can check out the full calendar here.
Serie A, meanwhile, unveiled its fixture list just last week. The season starts on Aug. 19. You can check out the schedule here.
Ligue 1 and La Liga both start on Aug. 13, while the Bundesliga picks up again on Aug. 18.
The summer transfer season continues, while preseason friendlies get into full swing starting this month with a series of high-profile friendlies in the United States.
1. Remembering USA ‘94
Finally, here’s a trip down memory lane where the destination is the 1994 World Cup that was held in the United States, a seminal moment for the game’s growth in this country.
This is why I was excited to appear on the latest episode of the Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast with co-hosts Shahan Petrossian and Paul Whittle to discuss what to this day continues to be one of the greatest World Cups in history.
Brazil won the title after defeating Italy 3–2 in a penalty-kick shootout at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The game had ended 0–0 following extra time, marking the first time a World Cup final was decided on penalties.
In regards to American soccer, the legacy of that World Cup is felt to this day. The creation of MLS in 1996 and the USMNT’s ascent as a regional power are just two examples.
In other news: England won the European Under-21 Championship 1-0 on Saturday following a penalty-kick save in stoppage time by James Trafford. He kept out Abel Ruiz’s spot-kick in the 99th minute. The winning goal came in the first half on a Cole Palmer free kick. … The Brazilian FA officially announced that Carlo Ancelotti will be the next manager of Brazil, but not until next year’s Copa America. The Italian is currently manager of Real Madrid. Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz will manage the team for the next 12 months. … With the Women’s World Cup just 10 days away, the USWNT defeated Wales 2-0 on Sunday in San Jose, their last friendly before the tournament. Trinity Rodman tallied a brace. A day before, veteran U.S. striker Megan Rapinoe announced she would retire at the end of the 2023 NWSL season.