Sunday Cup-o-American Soccer: News, artificial intelligence, and an important announcement

It’s Sunday and I hope your weekend is going well dear readers. I spent yesterday apple picking, it was lovely... thank you for asking. We’ve been playing close attention to everything happening around the world of the country of US Soccer and bring you some news that we didn’t make a post about. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee or frothy brew of lionsmane tea if that’s your thing and be nice as you always are in the comments.

Sam Mewis on learning new things in the WSL

The departure of USWNT players headed to England opens up new opportunities for the players. Midfielder Sam Mewis spoke about her goals for moving to Manchester City with Yahoo Sports. She specifically mentions wanting to improve her decision making and trying to learn new tactics as opposed to the fast transition style she’s accustomed to. With signs that the gap in quality for between the Americans and rest of the world is closing somewhat, learning and adapting to new styles will be imperative for the US Women to keep their edge.

This isn’t my idea

I do not like this, I do not like it one bit. One of the most obnoxious things that I’ve ever seen was the USSF Presidential election a few years ago. I am guilty of making it obnoxious, but it was maybe the worst thing ever. I promise not to take it as seriously this time around. There’s going to be not one but two of these between now and 2022 according to Front Row Soccer. I’d prefer that we get none of them ever and that the federation just dissolve itself and we try anarchy for a little while.

What I’m saying is that I’m running.

Good news folks, we finally have a concise answer to one of the questions about Pro/Rel

I guess now we can go back to finding out if jet fuel can melt steel beams. If you don’t know what you just read, AI has a better sense of US Soccer than most pundits do. When the machines take over and use our bodies as batteries it’s nice knowing that I’ll be powering a soccer bot so can still be connected to the game.

A groundbreaking player in NWSL

Men in Blazers talked with Madison Hammond with the OL Reign about being the first Native American player in the NWSL.

A new and important podcast

Give Major League Soccer credit, they’re giving their black players a voice and a platform to voice their opinion on Black Lives Matter. The first episode was released this week hosted by Calen Carr. The former MLSer interviews several players, including Ike Opara, Reggie Cannon, and Jeremy Ebobisse and gives insight into how the players are supporting Black Lives Matter and on the player strike that led to matches being cancelled last month.

Julian Araujo is a rising star to watch

A somewhat unsung 19 year-old winger/right back is becoming one of my favorite players in MLS this year. Julian Araujo seems to either immediately nutmeg someone, foul an opponent to death, or just seemingly be everywhere. He’s a lot of fun and is coming into his own in MLS this year. The Los Angeles Daily News interviewed him this week and he talked about how he’s maturing as a player and his passion for helping farm workers in Southern California.