Sunday Cup-o-American Soccer: Old and new MNT names, Jill Ellis’ future, and inequality in soccer

Every week we catch up on the news that wasn’t covered here on SSFC on Sunday morning. Start your day or finish up your weekend with a cup-o-whatever you enjoy at that time and be kind in the comments to one another, be excellent even...

What’s next for Jill Ellis?

Since retiring from managing the USWNT, Jill Ellis has kept something of a low profile. That’s partly due to the pandemic, but she’s been spending her time as an ambassador for US Soccer. Yahoo Sports interviewed her about her plans for the future and discussed some of the behind the scenes events during the 2019 World Cup. Of note, Ellis mentioned that she never wanted to make players feel uncomfortable by discussing their actions or stances off the field because it would impact how they played. She’s not sure about her future as of yet, but Jill - if I may - Atlanta United has a coaching vacancy...

Weston McKennie’s formative years

Charles Boehm wrote about the beginning of the road for Weston McKennie. The midfielder turned heads with his move to Juventus, but his whole story is an important one for youth development and the USMNT. Specifically, McKennie started on the road to Italy in the FC Dallas youth system. The article goes on to discuss the youth development strategy at the MLS club and why it’s been so successful at bringing in new talent.

USWNT stars show support for University of Alabama players’ protest

Taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter has become a common sight before sporting events in 2020. Athletes are clearly making their voices heard, but not all fans think it is appropriate. That was the situation before Alabama Women’s Soccer took the field last weekend when players received hateful comments after the protest. Taylor Morgan of the Crimson Tide posted a statement expressing why she decided to kneel and USWNT players Megan Rapinoe and Sydney Leroux noted their support of the team.

Atlanta United is not good, but George Bello is

It seems like everywhere you look now, there’s a young left back that could be starting for the USMNT. This is a nice change of pace from when it was a position of need for the last decade or longer. Among the MLS players that could deserve a look at the role is George Bello. Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has an article discussing his emergence this season.

A defining characteristic of soccer in the US

It’s no secret that in the US, soccer is representative of the broader inequities of American society in general. Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports has a deep dive into why the sport is so unequal. The article goes into the economic, cultural, and geographical factors that create the situation and what is being done to improve it.

An old name at striker re-emerges for the USMNT

Usually when Aron Johannsson’s name comes up in the news, it’s because he’s injured again. The road has been long, painful, and uncertain for Johannsson, at one time a promising striker for the USMNT. That career was derailed by injuries and a move from a top five league to Sweden. At 30, Johannsson is healthy and scoring again with Hammarby but still has his eyes fixed on the future. He spoke to American Soccer Now about his plans for coming back to the USMNT and a move to MLS.