AO Talking Points 2.18

It’s been a week in US Soccer. We’ve got new news on the future of the Confederations Cup, the USWNT GM, and a ton of strong performances from our MNT guys abroad. Let’s get to talking!

The Scoop with Cordeiro

USSF President Carlos Cordeiro spilled the beans on Monday that FIFA will most likely say “bye bye” to the Confederations Cup before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Cordeiro told The Athletic that the competition would likely be replaced with a competition to settle a 48-team field in the future.

But that’s not all that the president laid on the line. He also said that the Gold Cup could be on the chopping block in the future, being replaced with a potential competition involving both CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.

But hey, we’ll always have the most beautiful team goal of all time in the 2009 Confederations Cup, right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXkModt0v1s

USWNT GM

But wait, there’s more! In the same piece in The Athletic, Cordeiro provided more insight into the process of hiring a General Manager for the USWNT. While he didn’t layout a specific timeline, he said they are down to 11 candidates, both men and women, and that they hope to announce who will be filling the position soon.

The Legend Continues

USWNT legend and hall of famer Cindy Parlow Cone became the new US Soccer Vice President this weekend at the federation’s Annual General Meeting. She’s filling the position previously held by Cordeiro, and if her past is any indication, she’s going to be one hell of a VP.

Decisions Decisions

Gregg Berhalter has a lot of decisions to make for his March roster - and that makes us happy. After solid performances from the domestic-based players in January, our Bundesliga boys are showing their strengths, too. Notably, Tyler Adams got his first assist since joining RB Leipzig. And boy, was it a beaut.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1096837154758549506

And even though he was slotted in at right back this weekend, Weston McKennie received another round of rave reviews after helping a 10-man Schalke secure a point.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1097655159025393664

Speaking of Bundelsia Boys, we do have some bad news to bear. Christian Pulisic is out with an injury sustained this weekend, and will miss at least Borussia Dortmund’s next game. He SHOULD be fully fit come time for the USMNT camp in March.

February 18, 2019