Le Blanc quits Concacaf to return to club game with Thorns FC
November 2 – Concacaf’s head of football operations, Karina LeBlanc, has been named general manager of American NWSL club Thorns FC.
Concacaf
Montagliani highlights transformational year for Concacaf as it emerges from Covid
October 25 – Speaking to Concacaf member associations at the confederation’s 36th Ordinary Congress, president Victor Montagliani (pictured) praised his members for their commitment to the game and highlighted the “groundbreaking moment” of the US Department of Justice’s award of $70 million.
Panama and El Salvador sanctioned with closed stadia for fans’ homophobic chants against US
October 18 – FIFA has sanctioned both Panama and El Salvador for discriminatory chants by their fans during recent World Cup qualifiers. Both incidents incurred in games against the US.
Mexico and US lead Concacaf qualifying but Canada make big move
October 14 – Mexico and the US maintained their lead at the top of the Concacaf qualifying table for the Qatar 2022 World Cup with wins over El Salvador and Costa Rica but the team of the sixth round of matches was Canada who turned on the style to beat Panama.
Vandervort joins USL to lead new women’s league
October 14 – Amanda Vandervort, formerly of players’ union FIFPRO, has become the first president of the United Soccer League (USL) Super League, the organisation announced.
Mexico open up gap in Qatar 2022 qualifying as US downed by Panama
October 11 – Mexico are back at the top of Concacaf’s Qatar 2022 qualifying after another seesawing round of qualifiers that saw Panama stun the US and Canada draw with Jamaica.
Covid travel issues force start of Concacaf W Qualifiers back to February 2022
October 11 – Concacaf has been forced to push back the start date of its Concacaf W Qualifiers to the FIFA Women’s Window in February 2022. The new timetabling has been necessary because of issues with travel and different quarantine restrictions across the region due to the Covid pandemic.
Trinidad and Tobago chaos over who actually owns the House of Football
By Paul Nicholson
October 8 – The soap opera of the Trinidad and Tobago FA continues to lurch from storyline to storyline with seemingly no end to this high seas Caribbean drama that FIFA’s Normalisation Committee were meant to draw a line under.
US and Mexico lead 2022 qualifying but Canada keep pressure on
October 8 – The US and Mexico have gone joint top of the 8-team final qualifying group for the Qatar 2022 World Cup after four matches, but a feisty Canada are not letting them run away with qualification, forcing a 1-1 draw in Mexico City and sitting two points behind them in the group.
US and Mexico lead 2022 qualifying but Canada keep pressure on
October 8 – The US and Mexico have gone joint top of the 8-team final qualifying group for the Qatar 2022 World Cup after four matches, but a feisty Canada are not letting them run away with qualification, forcing a 1-1 draw in Mexico City and sitting two points behind them in the group.
Edmonton to host Canada’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers as bid for 2026 host status intensifies
October 7 – The fast-improving Canadian men’s team will host two of their crucial Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying matches in Edmonton, Canada, one of the two Canadian cities bidding for a 2026 World Cup hosting.
US women’s soccer shocked to standstill over NWSL sexual harassment allegations
October 4 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), until last week a picture of positivity, progress and growth, has reacted swiftly to the multiple allegations of sexual harassment that resulted in the firing of North Carolina Coach Paul Riley but which senior players have said is also a wider league problem.
Riley becomes third NWSL coach to fired for sexual misconduct since August
October 1 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage have dismissed their English head coach Paul Riley following allegations of sexual misconduct. He becomes the third NWSL coach to be fired for misconduct since August.
Drug trafficker Brunswijk banned as Concacaf disqualifies Moengo Tapoe and CD Olimpia
September 27 – Concacaf has disqualified Suriname’s Moengo Tapoe and Honduras’ CD Olimpia from the Concacaf League with immediate effect because of “serious breaches of integrity” following an investigation into Ronnie Brunswijk’s 54-minute cameo in the match and visit to the opponent’s dressing room with cash in hand.
LigaMX clubs continue CCL run with Monterrey to host Club America, October 28
September 24 – Mexican clubs are set to retain their grip on the Concacaf Champions League for a remarkable thirteenth consecutive season, with LigaMX sides Club America and Monterrey now scheduled to play off in the final at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey on October 28.