Pascal Jansen is latest manager to take a bite at the Big Apple’s NYCFC
January 7 – MLS side New York City FC have named Dutchman Pascal Jansen as their new manager, succeeding Nick Cushing, who was dismissed in November.
Concacaf
San Diego FC looks south to build cross-border ties with Mexico’s Club America
January 6 – San Diego FC who are due to kick-off their inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign have unveiled a multi-year agreement to play perennial LigaMX super team, Club America.
Denver awarded 16th NWSL franchise, paying record $110m
January 3 – Denver has beaten off bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati to become the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) 16th team, paying a record $110 million for the franchise.
Concacaf picks Tigres’ Estadio Universitario for inaugural W Champions Cup finals
December 27 – Tigres’ historic Estadio Universitario stadium in Nuevo Leon, a suburb of Monterey, Mexico, will host the final four of the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup Finals in May 2025.
MLS unveils 2025 schedule; Leagues Cup waits until FIFA have left town, Inter Miami open in NY
December 23 – Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be the first MLS team in action in 2025 – of course – kicking off the season on February 22 at home to New York City FC at the Chase Stadium.
Saudi Arabia to guest at 2025 Gold Cup in US; final qualification play-offs set
December 20 – Saudi Arabia will compete at the 16-team Concacaf Gold Cup next summer, to be played predominantly on the West coast of the USA.
US academy league MLS Next aligns with Girls Academy to develop pro pathways
December 20 – The path to the top level of women’s soccer in the United States became a little clearer after MLS Next formed a strategic alliance with the Girls Academy (GA).
Canada’s Northern Super League start-up secures hummel as kit provider
December 19 – The start-up Northern Super League, the professional women’s league that launches in 2025 with six teams, has unveiled hummel as its official kit provider.
NCAA Soccer has a new Cinderella
December 18 – In the United States, the pinnacle for collegiate athletes is winning a National Collegiate Athlete Association (NCAA) title, and on Monday in a thrilling overtime classic, unseeded Vermont (15-2-6) won its first men’s soccer NCAA championship in programme history beating Marshall University (15-1-7).
The MLS-Liga MX Summer face-off for the Leagues Cup to change format in 2025
December 17 – The Leagues Cup will undergo a dramatic change in 2025 according to Liga MX president Mikel Arriola, who spoke to reporters on Sunday having taken over the reins as acting commissioner of the league after the surprise ousting of Juan Carlos Rodriguez.
Concacaf and MLS sign on for invitation-only business conference before Nations League finals
December 17 – Sports Business Journal and sister company Leaders in Sport will hold a soccer-focussed business of football conference next March 19-20, 2025 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.
Rodriguez quits Liga MX after clubs refuse to back $1.25bn Apollo deal
December 16 – Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the president of Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), resigned on Friday during a meeting of Liga MX club owners who disagreed with his proposed investment strategy for the league.
Montagliani reflects on Concacaf’s 8-year journey from darkness to light and their next steps
December 13 – Speaking at Concacaf’s annual Presidents’ Meeting in Orlando, FL, USA, last weekend, Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, reminded his member associations how far the organisaton had progressed over the past eight years.
Concacaf adds centralised final four format for Nations League’s B and C divisions
December 13 – Concacaf is expanding its Nations League B and C divisions to include a final four competition, starting with the 2026/27 edition.
Concacaf’s 2025 Champions Cup draws MLS contenders together in first round
December 13 – Concacaf has drawn the ties for its 27-team 2015 Champions Cup that sees 10 nations having qualified teams.