By Ben Nicholson
July 23 – Since MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the league’s intentions to add teams until it reaches 24 competitors, various states and cities have put their foot forward in hope of bringing the top US soccer league to their area.
July 21 – BMW Northern California has become the official automobile partner of San Jose Earthquakes, in time for the opening game of at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. BMW will be the presenting sponsor for the match against Seattle Sounders on August 2.
July 18 – Costa Rican fans living in the US will have the opportunity to see their World Cup heroes back in competitive action this September when the Copa Centroamericana kicks off in Washington with the Los Ticos taking on Nicaragua in the opening match.
July 17 – Keylor Navas, whose sensational performances in goal for World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica earned him worldwide plaudits, has had a stadium named after him back home.
July 17 – CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb says the expansion of the Soccerex sports business conference to his region will help create unity among the individual federations.
July 17 – With the 2014 World Cup over, and the US national team inspiring their nation for the duration of their stay in Brazil, eyes have turned to the MLS and particular attention to TV viewing figures and whether new-found national love of the world game is being sustained.
July 15 – Adidas have renewed their partnership with the Mexican national team in an eight-year deal that means they will provide playing and training kit up until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Canada is hoping to use next year’s Women’s World Cup as a springboard to bidding for the men’s equivalent in 2026 when in theory it should be CONCACAF’s turn to host.
By Ben Nicholson
June 24 – The MLS has experienced a 6.1% year-on-year average increase in attendance, as recorded prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup. The league average attendance currently sits at 18,497 spectators per game.
June 16 – Reports are starting to emerge that David Beckham may ditch his plans for a Miami expansion, instead opting to join a consortium led by, as of yet unnamed, Asian investors who are interested in bidding for Chivas USA.
By Paul Nicholson
June 13 – The CONCACAF congress last week included on its agenda the first report of its newly created Sports Integrity Department, delivered by Dr Laila Mintas. Her report included results on investigated cases and the announcement of a whistleblower hotline for fans, players, coaches and executives.
By Ben Nicholson
June 12 – The prospect of a Miami Beckham United gracing the MLS stumbled again after their plan B soccer stadium proposal has been shot down.
June 11 – Allegations have been made by supporters of Chivas USA that they were subjected to racist abuse by LA Galaxy fans during their MLS game last week.
By Andrew Warshaw in Sao Paulo
June 11 – CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb pledged to never to return to the confederation’s corruption-tainted past. In a dignified yet passionate address to the region’s 41 member nations at the CONCACAF congress here, Webb told delegates there would be no letup in maintaining the transparency showed in his two years in charge.
By Paul Nicholson
May 30 – Group 4 of the Women’s CFU Cup, the inaugural Caribbean Football Union event for senior women, kicks off today in Haiti. To date the tournament is being hailed a success despite the unforeseen withdrawals of Dominica, Guadeloupe and now Anguilla.