Belize team bus held up at gunpoint in Haiti before 2022 World Cup qualifier
March 23 – Belize’s national team was held up at gunpoint by an armed gang en route to their hotel from the airport ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Haiti.
Concacaf
Nutter? TTFA head coach Terry Fenwick ‘butts’ media chief days before World Cup qualifiers
March 17 – The Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) plumbed new depths of ignomy when head coach Terry Fenwick yesterday allegedly headbutted media officer Shaun Fuentes, twice, before then putting his hand to his face and pushing him. Fenwick had to be separated from Fuentes by his kitman.
Expanding NWSL to open with Challenge Cup in April
March 10 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will kick off its 2021 season with the NWSL Challenge Cup April 9.
Sacramento investor pulls out threatening future of MLS’s fledgling franchise
March 2 – Ron Burkle has pulled out as owner of Sacramento, citing the impact of the coronavirus to leave the future of the franchise that was scheduled to begin play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2023 in doubt.
US Soccer ends no-kneel rule
March 1 – The United States Soccer Federation has voted to end a ban on players protesting racial inequality and police brutality from kneeling during the national anthem.
SheBelieves Cup closes with US win and record ratings
February 26 – The SheBelieves Cup in the US completed earlier this week with a resounding 6-0 win over for the hosts over Argentina, two goals for Megan Rapinoe, and record viewing figures.
Dominican Republic and Curacao to host centralised Caribbean club competitions
February 24 – The Caribbean’s top regional club competition, the 2021 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship, will be centralised in the Dominican Republic, May 14-26 and, while the region’s Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield (CCCS) will be played in Curacao, April 23 and May 2.
US women have trial date on gender discrimination case pushed back to June
February 22 – The trial date for the gender discrimination lawsuit brought by US women players against the US Soccer Federation has been pushed back from May 5 to June 16.
MLS shifts season start back as players given dates to return to clubs
February 15 – The new season of Major League Soccer (MLS) will kick off on April 17 instead of April 3, the league has announced.
Mediapro returns to Concacaf fold with international sales deal
February 15 – The Mediapro Group have picked up the international rights to Concacaf’s club and national team competitions outside of the North America, Central America and the Caribbean region.
Guatemala to host Concacaf Futsal finals as nations seek World Cup 2021 slots
February 12 – Concacaf will hold its 2021 Futsal Championship will take place in Guatemala City, Guatemala, May 3-9, 2021.
Draw for Concacaf Champions League last 16 gives no easy routes for Mexico’s big clubs
February 11 – The draw for the last 16 of the Concacaf Champions League has pitched Mexican giants Club America against last season’s breakthrough team CD Olimpia from Honduras, who made it to the semi-finals last December.
MLS agrees pay deal with players’ union to 2027 and stays on course for April kick off
February 9 – Major League Soccer (MLS) and the players union (MLSPA) have voted to ratify the amended collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that will govern their relation until 2027, avoiding a potential lockout or strike before the new season kicks off.
Mexico and US in same group as Concacaf confirms Men’s Olympic qualifiers for March
February 8 – Concacaf has released the schedule for the eight-team 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying to be played in Guadalajara, Mexico, March 18-30.
Concacaf reformats its Champions League with expanded teams, groups and split calendar
By Paul Nicholson
February 4 – Concacaf is completely revamping its 16-team Champions League into a 50-team competition that will begin with a 2023/24 season and see its three regions open up group stages before going into the 16-team knock-out rounds.