A Few of the Great Soccer Moments of 2019
Great Visuals And Role Models Going Forward in 2020
Wishing all our readers a very Happy New Year 2020! We hope this new year brings you much fun and joy on and off the field. May you find peace, love, and personal success. As we ring in the new year, here are a few soccer noteworthy items to ponder!
Megan Rapinoe Made A Difference
Megan Rapinoe and the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team made a huge impact, transcending the sport and standing up for what is right in 2019. Holding the World Cup trophy high for the fourth time, our USA women are role models for the next generation, as well as this one.
And, yes, Lionel Messi won his record sixth Ballon d’Or.
2019 The Best FIFA Women’s Player, Rapinoe never flinched in the face of adversity and rose to meet every challenge. On the field, Rapinoe scored six World Cup goals and added three assists during those coveted games, earning the best player, Golden Ball and the top scorer, Golden Boot awards. Playing in a crowded stadium, Rapinoe and her team heard fans chanting “Equal Pay” and has stood up for equality with pride. Unfortunately, the lawsuit and equal pay dispute with U.S. Soccer Federation still linger as we enter the new decade.
One person can really make an impact, especially if you are surrounded by other people who are committed to being great.
Looking Ahead: Coolest MLS Club Calendar – New York City FC
In case you missed it, the 2020 MLS schedule was released on December 19th and tickets are selling well. The NYCFC Boys in Blue have the best look going forward with a cool calendar as they gear up for Season 6 in what most people agree is the greatest city in the world. The season starts on March 1, with the home opener on March 14.
NOTE: New expansion clubs Inter Miami FC and Nashville SC will officially join the field. Everyone is wondering about the impact David Beckham‘s Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, better known as Inter Miami FC … fans will soon see what this British cultural icon can do in the MLS behind the white line.
Zlatan is Zlatan … only now back in Italy.
When the news broke on November 13, no one was particularly surprised that Swedish soccer starZlatan Ibrahimović was not returning for the 2020 MLS season with the LA Galaxy. Did being on a team that lost to Los Angeles Football Club in the first El Trafico showdown hurt that much?
Same Zlatan. Different Devil. @acmilan Arrivo pic.twitter.com/2sU0su3Jtt
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) December 27, 2019
Leaving the five-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy before they kick off their 25th season in Major League Soccer at the age of 38, Zlatan announced he was bringing his talents back to the Italian club AC Milan.
Z. 🔙🔴⚫#IZBACK pic.twitter.com/TbibEQ0oYB
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 27, 2019
The “I Came, I Conquered,” Ibrahimović tallied 52 goals and 17 assists in 53 starts for the LA Galaxy. What is cool is Zlatan is the first superstar player of his caliber to move on from the MLS back to a European club — although this could say more about how far AC Milan has fallen. Time will tell.
Looking Ahead: First Woman to Coach in 2020 USL Season – Carrie Taylor at SD Loyal
Breaking the “grass” ceiling, Carrie Taylor is the first female coach in today’s USL to coach a professional men’s soccer league in America … and San Diego is proud to have it be with their expansion team, SD Loyal.
The USL is second division soccer, right under the MLS. This is Landon Donovan‘s team, and as head coach, he has made a great, groundbreaking decision selecting Taylor as his first assistant … Unfortunately, this is a decision that shouldn’t be groundbreaking at all in 2020 and hopefully, this helps people realize women can coach men.
Great Year for Keith Tozer’s World of Futsal
Keith Tozer’s World Of Futsal podcast has now reached mainstream listening … at least for our world of soccer and futsal. Listen also on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
WORLD OF FUTSAL PODCAST
— Keith Tozer (@Ktozerusafutsal) January 4, 2020
Today’s World of Futsal SoccerToday guest is the Head Coach of our USWNT Vlatko Andonovski. So wonderful to have him on the show and hear about his journey and his support of Futsal here in the U.S. To listen click on:https://t.co/nZKSX5m7GO pic.twitter.com/CWI4oH1wCh
MUST LISTEN!! If you haven't yet, listen to this episode where Keith Tozer talks to U.S. Soccer Star and MLS MVP Landon Donovan.
— Keith Tozer (@Ktozerusafutsal) December 13, 2019
Listen here: https://t.co/g5cmxgLyqi pic.twitter.com/x2TWiVEFO8
Tozer, the former head coach for the U.S. Soccer Men’s National Futsal Team has interviewed major players from the court and field and has more than 150,000 downloads. Definitely the podcast to check out and listen to in 2020.
Kim Wyant – NYU’s Men’s Soccer Coach Continues To Inspire and Break Barriers Five Years Later
“If You Can Make it in New York City, You Can Make it Anywhere” is a great saying and appropriate for Kim Wyant who is the only woman to lead a men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association soccer program and the first to lead a men’s team to the NCAA Tournament. #WeAreNYU
Christian Pulisic is U.S. Soccer’s Male Athlete of 2019 and the “Youngest Player” to Win this Ever
The youngest player (twice) to win U.S. Soccer’s 2019 Male Athlete of the Year, Christian Pulisic won this award also in 2017. American born Pulisic was transferred to Chelsea almost a year ago for a reported $73 million and only in his early twenties, he is the most expensive American player ever.
Beating Landon Donovan, who was the youngest player at age 22 to win this recognition in 2004, Pulisic earned the U.S. Soccer award for his excellence at the highest level of the sport. Donovan won Male Player of the Year an incredible four times, so keep working hard Pulsic.
Player To Watch: Gianluca Busio
Signed by MLS’ Sporting Kansas City when he was only 16-years old, Gianluca Busio signed a Homegrown Player contract with Sporting KC and is one of the youngest players ever to sign an MLS contract. He played in 22 of Sporting KC’s 34 league matches this season, and that is the fifth-most time on the field in the league for a teenager.
Smart, well-spoken and very talented, Busio has a positive vibe that will serve him well as he makes his mark on the game he loves. This midfielder ranked No. 10 in MLS soccer.com’s “22 Under 22” for 2019. Busio also captained his USA squad in a 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup match and was named a finalist for 2019 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year, losing out to Sergiño Dest. Interesting Fact: U.S. Soccer called Busio “The most experienced professional to ever represent the USA at a U-17 World Cup ….”
Editorial Note: Obviously Gender Should Not Dictate Opportunity. Working together we can make 2020 a great year for everyone.
Happy New Year!
