Before Bruce Arena arrived in May 2019 in the dual role of head coach and sporting director, the New England Revolution likely would have been satisfied with reaching the Final Four of the MLS Cup Playoffs. But Arena changed expectations after snapping a three-year streak of playoff absences, then … [Read more...]
Brett Maron shares lessons learned from New England to Kristianstads DFF
While growing up, Brett Maron (Billerica, Mass.) set her sights on becoming a professional goalkeeper. But finding a team with an open goalkeeping position was not easy, and the Fairfield University alum kicked off her career backing up and splitting duties with Alyssa Naeher (Stratford, Conn.) and … [Read more...]
Nantucket-raised Caio Canedo poised to play for United Arab Emirates
Like millions of Brazilian youngsters, Caio Canedo hoped to someday play for the Seleçao in a World Cup. But after moving to Nantucket with his family, Canedo changed direction, contemplating a U.S. men’s national team call-up. Neither country came calling, though Canedo’s lack of a green card was … [Read more...]
Chaka Daley: Diversity within the coaching ranks is essential
When Michigan head coach Chaka Daley talks about being a minority, he often refers to the “five percent” of Black soccer coaches at the Division I level. Daley, who played for Providence College and the New England Revolution, named his colleagues in the Black coaching fraternity: Ryan Anatol (Stony … [Read more...]
Steve Ralston: Youth players are so much more advanced now
In early March, Steve Ralston was in Guadalajara, Mexico, assisting U.S. Olympic head coach Jason Kreis with preparations for Concacaf qualifying. When the tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ralston returned to his San Francisco Bay Area home, and was soon faced with another … [Read more...]
Shalrie Joseph: MLS academy league will maximize the potential of players
Growing up in Grenada, and then moving to Crown Heights in Brooklyn, N.Y., the youth soccer scene Shalrie Joseph experienced was drastically different than what many of his New England Revolution teammates developed in. As a teenager, the four-time MLS Best XI selection clashed with seasoned … [Read more...]