The ‘Don’ commissioned for another two seasons as MLS boss
December 5 – The ‘Don’ of Major League Soccer (MLS), commissioner Don Garber, has had his contract extended to the end of the 2027 MLS season by the board of governors.
Federations
Canadian Tire signs on as founding partner of Northern Super League
December 5 – The Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s football league, has unveiled Canadian Tire Corporation as a Founding Partner in a landmark multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.
St Louis’ CityPark stadium wins global design award
December 4 – CityPark stadium, the home of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City, has been awarded the 2024 Prix Versailles World Title in the sports venues category.
USSF prices top coaches out the game with world leading costs for courses
December 3 – It has been said that one of the biggest problems concerning player development in the United States is the lack of quality coaches. From mom and pop volunteers, to various forms of unqualified enthusiasts, the tactical, technical, physical, and mental side of football are given short thrift in search of easy wins, and a quick buck.
Collateral damage? Herdman steps down from Toronto FC as Canadian drone scandal casts long shadow
December 2 – Implicated in the Canadian drone-spying scandal that has already cost Canadian women’s coach Bev Priestman her job following the Paris Olympics, John Herdman has resigned as coach of Toronto FC, though his resignation has not been directly linked to that scandal.
USSF backs away from mandating youth soccer registration changes, leaving it to leagues to decide
November 29 – Last month as reported by Inside World Football (https://tinyurl.com/zynnae8x) the US Soccer Federation (USSF) announced that they would be reviewing how the soccer ecosystem chooses to register players.
MLS coaches caught in revolving doors as managers across the country are pink-slipped
November 27 – In the National Football League in the US, the last game of the regular season is known as ‘Black Monday’ as assorted coaches receive their pink slips. Major League Soccer does not have a true equivalent, however, Monday after the conference finals has proven to run ‘Black Monday’ close.
Mata follows Beckham into MLS ownership with stake in San Diego FC
November 22 – Former Manchester United, Chelsea, and Spain star, Juan Mata has announced that he’ll be joining the investment group behind Major League Soccer’s (MLS) newest franchise, San Diego FC, as a part owner.
Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy takes MLS coach of the year award
November 21 – Columbus Crew head coach, Wilfried Nancy, has been announced as the 2024 Sigi Schmid Major League Soccer (MLS) Coach of the Year, becoming the first Crew head coach to earn the accolade since the award’s namesake, Sigi Schmid, in 2008.
Michelle Kang donates $30m to US Soccer for women’s programmes
November 20 – Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit that plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has donated $30 million to the US federation’s women’s and girls’ programmes according to United States Soccer (USSF).
US Open Cup minnows battle for a shot at taking an MLS scalp
November 20 – The US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States having first been played in 1914.
US College soccer learning the lesson that football is a year-round activity
November 19 – There was a time, not so long ago, that National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Soccer was the pathway to the professional game, and Major League Soccer stardom. However, with the rise of academies in the US, the pathway has stalled, and the relevance of the college game has faded.
Angel City FC pick Cal Lutheran University for new performance centre
November 18 – Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) are increasingly becoming the gold standard of women’s soccer have taken the next steps by truly looking to separate themselves from the pack announcing the largest dedicated performance centre in NWSL history.
NWSL is booming but Houston Dash find it slow going
November 15 – The Houston Dash, a professional women’s soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has been experiencing significant turmoil and changes in recent months, and the hits keep coming.
Ex-Liverpool and EA Sports boss Peter Moore to launch pro team in US
November 14 – Peter Moore, former CEO of Premier League and EA Sports president and Electronic Arts’ chief competition officer, is back in the football business.