Mexico mourns loss of women’s football pioneer Marbella Ibarra
October 19 – Mexican football is mourning the loss of one the pioneers of the women’s game in the country following the murder of Marbella Ibarra.
Concacaf
New US pro-league NISA shakes off the covers with first team announcement
October 17 – The US will likely have more than one third tier league in 2019 with the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announcing that Connecticut will have team, though the club’s specific location, ownership and team name will be revealed in the coming weeks.
US and Canada secure France 2019 slots, Mexico crash as Panama and Jamaica battle on
October 15 – The US and Canada will contest the final of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship this Wednesday. Both teams qualify for the France 2019 Women’s World Cup. The final automatic slot for France 2019 will go to either Panama or Jamaica.
Panama dump Mexico out of France 2019 contention, Jamaica and Costa Rica still in hunt
October 11 – Panama broke Mexican hearts with a 2-0 win in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, dashing Mexico’s hopes of qualifying for a third consecutive women’s World Cup. The United States hammered Trinidad and Tobago, consolidating their position of supremacy in the region.
Stadium issues force Penn FC out of USL, but club granted 2020 slot for third tier
October 10 – The USL, operator of the second tier of US professional soccer and soon to launch a professional third tier, has granted USL side Penn FC a spot in League 1 for the 2020 season. The club will go dark for the 2019 season and not compete in the USL.
MLS expansion hopefuls Tampa Bay Rowdies sold to MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays
October 3 – One of the best-known club names in US football, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who boasted English legend Rodney Marsh and Brazil’s Mirandinha on their roster in the late 1970s, have been sold to the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.
New Canadian Premier League secures Macron kit deal for 2019 kick-off
October 2 – The Canadian Premier League (CPL), which is scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in 2019, has signed a long-term deal with Italian apparel company Macron.
Concacaf plot route to Soldier Feld for 2019 Gold Cup final
September 28 – Chicago’s Soldier Field will be the venue for the final of the 2019 Gold Cup on July 7. The tournament, the blue riband national team competition in the Concacaf region, will be played in 15 venues across 13 cities in the US.
USL unveils new structure as it rebrands its three leagues for 2019
September 27 – The United Soccer League (USL), the fast growing organiser of the second and third tiers of US professional football, has unveiled a new organisational structure and corporate rebranding of its top three leagues. The rejig also brings its PDL development league more identifiably under the USL corporate imprint.
Orlando to host 2019 MLS All-Star game; Campeones Cup kicks off tonight in Toronto
September 19 – Major League Soccer has named Orlando as the host for the 2019 MLS All-Star Game played between a selection of the league’s top players and an international club.
Spanish players to decide on 15-year plan to play LaLiga fixtures in US
September 11 – Landmark proposals to play a top-flight Spanish league game in the USA has taken another twist with reports that the players will have the final say.
Beckham names MLS franchise Inter Miami and unveils club logo
September 5 – David Beckham is to call his MLS franchise Club Internacional de Futbol Miami – Inter Miami CF – and has unveiled the club’s logo.
US and Mexico grouped in regional title battle and 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers
September 5 – The US will face Mexico in the group stages of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship to be played 4-17 October and which will qualify teams for the 2019 World Cup in France next summer.
Puerto Rico women’s team protest over FPF support at Argentina friendly
September 4 – The Puerto Rican women’s team have protested against their working conditions in a friendly international against Argentina, demanding the Puerto Rican FA (FPF) improve basic amenities so the team can reach its longterm goal of becoming internationally competitive.
Leaders of the free world meet; media gets a red card
By Paul Nicholson
August 29 – It was a moment worthy of the reality show star that he is and the global leader he wants to be seen as. US president Donald Trump met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House yesterday to bang the drum for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in North America.