Happy Wednesday folks! Tonight is Leg 2 of the MLS Eastern Conference Finals between Toronto FC and Columbus Crew SC. The first leg last week was a scoreless draw, but with Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco back in lineup for Toronto after being suspended for Leg 1, there’s sure to be some excitement. Alright, here’s the news:
D.C. United will not get to play all its home games next season at new stadium | Washington Post
D.C. United will likely play as many as 4 home matches next year at other venues before Audi Field is expected to open during the summer. Where those games will be is unknown, with Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles), Navy-Marine Corps Stadium (Navy Midshipmen), and Richmond’s City Stadium (Richmond Kickers) among the possible venues for those matches. We will probably learn more next month when the MLS home opener dates are likely released by the league, but it is unlikely there will be a scenario where the Black-and-Red play all 17 home matches at Audi Field in the 2nd half of the 2018 season.
WNT to open 2018 schedule on Jan. 21 vs. Denmark in San Diego | U.S. Soccer
The United States Women’s National Team will open up their 2018 slate with a match against Denmark, ranked 12th in the world, in San Diego. The Danish, surprise European Women’s Championship runners-up this past summer, just last weekend agreed to a contract agreement with their football federation, ending a months-long dispute that caused the team to boycott a World Cup qualifier in October and accepting a 3-0 forfeit loss to Sweden.
Kyle Martino is running for U.S. Soccer president to rebuild the sport’s culture | SB Nation
U.S. Soccer Federation presidential candidate Kyle Martino, who is taking leave from his job as a Premier League analyst for NBC Sports to run, sits down with the mothership to discuss his plans for changing American soccer and his reasons for running for U.S. Soccer president.
Witness says South America’s top officials were most corrupt | Associated Press
Boy, things are getting interesting in the U.S. federal corruption trial of the former soccer heads of Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. Former Colombia soccer head Luis Bedoya testified that the trio voted for Qatar over the United States during the vote for the 2022 World Cup, and that they were the continent’s most corrupt people in the game of soccer. Bedoya pleaded guilty in 2015 to racketeering and conspiracy charges but has now flipped to testify as a federal prosecutorial witness. This could escalate over the next couple weeks.
FIFA World Cup: 742,760 tickets sold before Russia 2018 draw | BBC
Over 740,000 tickets have been sold for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with more ticket purchases coming from the United States than any other nation outside of hosts Russia. Guess interest hasn’t waned here in America.
Schalke 04 came back from a 4-0 deficit last weekend to draw Borussia Dortmund 4-4 in one of the great matches of the year. To commemorate the comeback, Schalke released a special shirt for its fans.
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Official Poster unveiled at Moscow Metro | FIFA
The official 2018 World Cup poster has been released, and it pays tribute to one of Russia’s most famous players, Lev Yashin.
West Brom: Alan Pardew set to be named as manager | BBC
West Bromwich Albion is set to name the Silver Fox, Alan Pardew, as their new manager. He would replace Tony Pulis, who was fired last week.
In closing I leave you with a small request: tomorrow, take some time to listen to the greatest album ever created. Michael Jackson’s Thriller turns 35 tomorrow, as does this guy. Enjoy your Wednesday folks, and hit the comments with any news that was missed!
