United States international and West Bromwich Albion striker Daryl Dike will not be available for the USMNT’s upcoming game against Mexico on Wednesday. Dike will be ruled out of action for up to nine months after suffering an Achilles injury, West Brom announced on Tuesday.

Dike was stretchered off from West Brom’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City in the EFL Championship on Saturday, requiring an oxygen mask as he was escorted from the field of play.

“Albion striker Daryl Dike will be sidelined for six to nine months after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at Stoke City on Saturday,” the club’s statement read. “A scan has since confirmed surgery is required to repair a full rupture of the USA international’s right Achilles, after which he will begin his rehabilitation. Albion’s medical and sports science teams will provide Dike with all the support he requires to return to full fitness later this year.”

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The United States men’s national team learned its opponents for the 2021 Gold Cup. The draw for the tournament, which took place in Miami on Monday, placed United States in Group B and pitted the USMNT against Canada and Martinique.

One more team will join U.S., Canada, and Martinique following a mini-qualifying tournament. On one side of the bracket, Haiti faces the play. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while Bermuda and Barbados are set to square off on the other side. The winners of the respective sides of the bracket will play in a single-elimination game for the final spot in Group B.

“I think it’s a strong group,” said USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. “Canada has a great generation of players coming through. I think it’s going to be a great, competitive match. The other opponents, we’ll see who gets in the fourth spot, but it’s definitely a good group.”

Reigning Gold Cup champion Mexico was placed in Group A, where they will play El Salvador, Curacao, and team to be determined later. Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Suriname were placed in Group B, while Honduras, Panama, Grenada, and Qatar play in Group B.

Check out the complete draw below.

The 2021 Gold Cup will be held between July 10 and August 1 next year. The host cities are yet to be announced.

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The US Men’s National Soccer team lost in a disappointing matchup with Jamaica in a tuneup for this summer’s Gold Cup.

The Stars and Bars dropped their match to the Caribbeans by a 0-1 final in a match played on home turf in Washington, DC.

The United States pressed Jamaica throughout the match, but their efforts were not ultimately rewarded with a goal.

Jamaica, on the other hand, scored a goal in the 60th minute to seal a victory with a shot by substitute Shamar Nicholson. This was all they needed in order to claim a confidence-boosting victory.

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter was happy with his team’s effort on Wednesday, but recognized that it wasn’t enough, saying “Overall, the effort was okay, but we performed poorly tonight.”

A performance like Wednesday night’s was certainly not what the Americans were looking for heading into the Gold Cup.

The CONCACAF tournament kicks off on Wednesday, June 18th with a game against Guyana.

Fortunately for the USMNT, they have another chance to tune up on a Saturday before the tournament in another friendly match against Venezuela. They’ll look to sharpen up their tactics and get into a good rhythm before the Gold Cup, a tournament in which they are considered one of the favorites.

The post US Men’s Soccer Loses 1-0 to Jamaica in Friendly appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although Borussia Dortmund’s winger Christian Pulisic is grabbing the majority of the headlines, United States men’s national soccer team has another rising young star that plays in Germany; Schalke’s midfielder Weston McKennie. After spending the majority of his youth career with MLS’ FC Dallas, McKennie decided to make an unexpected decision in 2016 and join Schalke, instead of singing Homegrown Player contract with Dallas.

According to the 19-year-old, who spoke on Friday with Associated Press, this was the right decision since it made him tougher.

“It definitely gave me tough skin. I’ve always been mentally strong. I think that’s one of my strengths. I don’t let a lot of stuff get to me,” – said McKennie. “Not a lot of outside factors can influence my decisions and how I live my life, and how I play the game, as well. You just learn many things and learn quickly, and you have no choice but to learn quick. Otherwise, the train moves on and you’re left behind.“

He also discussed his decision to join Schalke, explaining that he wanted to play on a higher level.

“It was a hard decision for me, of course, because I’d been at Dallas so long. And you can’t just be like, ‘Oh, here comes Schalke. It’s a big club. Let me just throw out Dallas right now,’” – he said.”I’ve never said anything bad about the MLS, but it’s not at that level yet, obviously, and many people, maybe they’ll be like, ‘Oh, he’s bashing the MLS.’ But it’s the truth. The Bundesliga is one of the top leagues if not the top league of teams in the world.“

McKennie already established himself as a part of Schalke’s rotation and played in 23 Bundesliga games in the last season. This also earned him a call from USMNT’s interim coach Dave Sarachan, who made him part of the team that faced Portugal in a friendly on November 14, 2017. The youngster responded accordingly, scoring a goal in his debut and showing that USMNT future is brighter than some people think.

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The United States men’s national soccer team might be in for a bright future despite missing to qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia. The U.S. faced Bolivia in an international friendly on Monday night and came out with an easy 3-0 win. To make things more exciting, it was a win that USMNT managed to clinch with the help of its young players. While the team’s brightest young star, Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, had to miss the game due to an injury, others stepped in.

After Walker Zimmerman scored the first goal of the game in the 37th minute, teenagers Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah added a goal each in the second half for a comfortable win. This was the first goal in USMNT jersey for all three goal scorers. Besides them, five players made their international debuts versus Bolivia, with U.S. roster having 11 players who were 21 or less. USMNT’s caretaker manager Dave Sarachan decided to give younger players a chance to show what they know and they responded in an impressive manner.

“I thought for good segments of the game, the soccer was pretty good,” – said Sarachan after the game. “I thought in the first half we had a number of opportunities to bury some chances, but we looked young. We looked young in terms of patience and quality, but that’s what these games are all about.“

This was an especially eventful game for the 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain youngster Timothy Weah. While he struggled with making correct plays in the first half, Weah bounced back in the second half and put on an impressive display.

“[Weah] was all over the shop,” – said Sarachan about his young star. “He looked like a kid who has never played at a higher level, [then] a guy that was looking to come out of a game where he wasn’t even sure if he was hurt, [and later] to flying and beating guys.“

Dave Sarachan then decided to reflect on another 18-year-old scorer against Bolivia, Werder Bremen’s Josh Sargent, who made his debut for USMNT.

“We’re very thin at the No. 9 position in American soccer in my opinion,” – he said. “So here’s a kid that has progressed throughout all the age groups and [youth] World Cup settings, and I’m not projecting Josh to be a starter from here on in with the men’s team, but he possesses a certain mentality and frame. And why not look at him at a time when you can? We need goal scorers, we need to give them opportunities, and so for me, I didn’t even think twice about it.“

However, this young squad will have their true test in the upcoming weeks when it faces Ireland and France in the upcoming friendlies.

The post USMNT’s Young Stars Show Potential in 3-0 Win over Bolivia appeared first on SportzBonanza.

As U.S. Soccer Federation continues their search for Bruce Arena’s successor, former France and Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc revealed on Monday that he turned down the opportunity to take over the United States men’s national soccer team.

“I was approached to coach internationally but it was a no. Especially when it is not your own country,” – Blanc told to Le Parisien. “International coaching must touch your national [roots]. Because of this, I turned it down.” The magazine said that the international job offers in question were from Australia and the United States.

Blanc also added that he is more interested in taking over a club. He hasn’t coached since 2016 when PSG sacked him after he failed to lead the team past the Champions League quarterfinals.

Previously, Blanc’s agent Jean-Pierre Berne revealed that both of these nations were looking for his client’s services.

“He’s looking forward to starting again, but he doesn’t want to coach for coaching’s sake. He wants to try to get a big project, at a big club. If the project doesn’t arrive, we’ll see. We get offers all the time, from clubs from national teams…,” – said Berne before adding: “The USA, Australia for the World Cup…“

The U.S. Soccer federation, however, said that they didn’t have any formal talks with the candidates. “We have not had formal discussions with any potential candidates at this point in our coaching search,” – said the Federation’s statement.

It is believed that the USMNT won’t get a coach until February 2018 when the presidential elections in the Federation will take place.

Dave Sarachan, who led the team in the friendly against Portugal is expected to make a return in the January’s friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The post Laurent Blanc Isn’t Interested in Taking Over the USMNT appeared first on SportzBonanza.

United States international and West Bromwich Albion striker Daryl Dike will not be available for the USMNT’s upcoming game against Mexico on Wednesday. Dike will be ruled out of action for up to nine months after suffering an Achilles injury, West Brom announced on Tuesday.

Dike was stretchered off from West Brom’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City in the EFL Championship on Saturday, requiring an oxygen mask as he was escorted from the field of play.

“Albion striker Daryl Dike will be sidelined for six to nine months after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at Stoke City on Saturday,” the club’s statement read. “A scan has since confirmed surgery is required to repair a full rupture of the USA international’s right Achilles, after which he will begin his rehabilitation. Albion’s medical and sports science teams will provide Dike with all the support he requires to return to full fitness later this year.”

The post USMNT Striker Daryl Dike Out for Nine Months appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The United States men’s national team learned its opponents for the 2021 Gold Cup. The draw for the tournament, which took place in Miami on Monday, placed United States in Group B and pitted the USMNT against Canada and Martinique.

One more team will join U.S., Canada, and Martinique following a mini-qualifying tournament. On one side of the bracket, Haiti faces the play. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while Bermuda and Barbados are set to square off on the other side. The winners of the respective sides of the bracket will play in a single-elimination game for the final spot in Group B.

“I think it’s a strong group,” said USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. “Canada has a great generation of players coming through. I think it’s going to be a great, competitive match. The other opponents, we’ll see who gets in the fourth spot, but it’s definitely a good group.”

Reigning Gold Cup champion Mexico was placed in Group A, where they will play El Salvador, Curacao, and team to be determined later. Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Suriname were placed in Group B, while Honduras, Panama, Grenada, and Qatar play in Group B.

Check out the complete draw below.

The 2021 Gold Cup will be held between July 10 and August 1 next year. The host cities are yet to be announced.

The post U.S. Draws Canada and Martinique in Group B of 2021 Gold Cup appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The US Men’s National Soccer team lost in a disappointing matchup with Jamaica in a tuneup for this summer’s Gold Cup.

The Stars and Bars dropped their match to the Caribbeans by a 0-1 final in a match played on home turf in Washington, DC.

The United States pressed Jamaica throughout the match, but their efforts were not ultimately rewarded with a goal.

Jamaica, on the other hand, scored a goal in the 60th minute to seal a victory with a shot by substitute Shamar Nicholson. This was all they needed in order to claim a confidence-boosting victory.

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter was happy with his team’s effort on Wednesday, but recognized that it wasn’t enough, saying “Overall, the effort was okay, but we performed poorly tonight.”

A performance like Wednesday night’s was certainly not what the Americans were looking for heading into the Gold Cup.

The CONCACAF tournament kicks off on Wednesday, June 18th with a game against Guyana.

Fortunately for the USMNT, they have another chance to tune up on a Saturday before the tournament in another friendly match against Venezuela. They’ll look to sharpen up their tactics and get into a good rhythm before the Gold Cup, a tournament in which they are considered one of the favorites.

The post US Men’s Soccer Loses 1-0 to Jamaica in Friendly appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although Borussia Dortmund’s winger Christian Pulisic is grabbing the majority of the headlines, United States men’s national soccer team has another rising young star that plays in Germany; Schalke’s midfielder Weston McKennie. After spending the majority of his youth career with MLS’ FC Dallas, McKennie decided to make an unexpected decision in 2016 and join Schalke, instead of singing Homegrown Player contract with Dallas.

According to the 19-year-old, who spoke on Friday with Associated Press, this was the right decision since it made him tougher.

“It definitely gave me tough skin. I’ve always been mentally strong. I think that’s one of my strengths. I don’t let a lot of stuff get to me,” – said McKennie. “Not a lot of outside factors can influence my decisions and how I live my life, and how I play the game, as well. You just learn many things and learn quickly, and you have no choice but to learn quick. Otherwise, the train moves on and you’re left behind.“

He also discussed his decision to join Schalke, explaining that he wanted to play on a higher level.

“It was a hard decision for me, of course, because I’d been at Dallas so long. And you can’t just be like, ‘Oh, here comes Schalke. It’s a big club. Let me just throw out Dallas right now,’” – he said.”I’ve never said anything bad about the MLS, but it’s not at that level yet, obviously, and many people, maybe they’ll be like, ‘Oh, he’s bashing the MLS.’ But it’s the truth. The Bundesliga is one of the top leagues if not the top league of teams in the world.“

McKennie already established himself as a part of Schalke’s rotation and played in 23 Bundesliga games in the last season. This also earned him a call from USMNT’s interim coach Dave Sarachan, who made him part of the team that faced Portugal in a friendly on November 14, 2017. The youngster responded accordingly, scoring a goal in his debut and showing that USMNT future is brighter than some people think.

The post U.S. Midfielder Weston McKennie: Joining Schalke “Gave Me Tough Skin” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The United States men’s national soccer team might be in for a bright future despite missing to qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia. The U.S. faced Bolivia in an international friendly on Monday night and came out with an easy 3-0 win. To make things more exciting, it was a win that USMNT managed to clinch with the help of its young players. While the team’s brightest young star, Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic, had to miss the game due to an injury, others stepped in.

After Walker Zimmerman scored the first goal of the game in the 37th minute, teenagers Josh Sargent and Timothy Weah added a goal each in the second half for a comfortable win. This was the first goal in USMNT jersey for all three goal scorers. Besides them, five players made their international debuts versus Bolivia, with U.S. roster having 11 players who were 21 or less. USMNT’s caretaker manager Dave Sarachan decided to give younger players a chance to show what they know and they responded in an impressive manner.

“I thought for good segments of the game, the soccer was pretty good,” – said Sarachan after the game. “I thought in the first half we had a number of opportunities to bury some chances, but we looked young. We looked young in terms of patience and quality, but that’s what these games are all about.“

This was an especially eventful game for the 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain youngster Timothy Weah. While he struggled with making correct plays in the first half, Weah bounced back in the second half and put on an impressive display.

“[Weah] was all over the shop,” – said Sarachan about his young star. “He looked like a kid who has never played at a higher level, [then] a guy that was looking to come out of a game where he wasn’t even sure if he was hurt, [and later] to flying and beating guys.“

Dave Sarachan then decided to reflect on another 18-year-old scorer against Bolivia, Werder Bremen’s Josh Sargent, who made his debut for USMNT.

“We’re very thin at the No. 9 position in American soccer in my opinion,” – he said. “So here’s a kid that has progressed throughout all the age groups and [youth] World Cup settings, and I’m not projecting Josh to be a starter from here on in with the men’s team, but he possesses a certain mentality and frame. And why not look at him at a time when you can? We need goal scorers, we need to give them opportunities, and so for me, I didn’t even think twice about it.“

However, this young squad will have their true test in the upcoming weeks when it faces Ireland and France in the upcoming friendlies.

The post USMNT’s Young Stars Show Potential in 3-0 Win over Bolivia appeared first on SportzBonanza.

As U.S. Soccer Federation continues their search for Bruce Arena’s successor, former France and Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc revealed on Monday that he turned down the opportunity to take over the United States men’s national soccer team.

“I was approached to coach internationally but it was a no. Especially when it is not your own country,” – Blanc told to Le Parisien. “International coaching must touch your national [roots]. Because of this, I turned it down.” The magazine said that the international job offers in question were from Australia and the United States.

Blanc also added that he is more interested in taking over a club. He hasn’t coached since 2016 when PSG sacked him after he failed to lead the team past the Champions League quarterfinals.

Previously, Blanc’s agent Jean-Pierre Berne revealed that both of these nations were looking for his client’s services.

“He’s looking forward to starting again, but he doesn’t want to coach for coaching’s sake. He wants to try to get a big project, at a big club. If the project doesn’t arrive, we’ll see. We get offers all the time, from clubs from national teams…,” – said Berne before adding: “The USA, Australia for the World Cup…“

The U.S. Soccer federation, however, said that they didn’t have any formal talks with the candidates. “We have not had formal discussions with any potential candidates at this point in our coaching search,” – said the Federation’s statement.

It is believed that the USMNT won’t get a coach until February 2018 when the presidential elections in the Federation will take place.

Dave Sarachan, who led the team in the friendly against Portugal is expected to make a return in the January’s friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The post Laurent Blanc Isn’t Interested in Taking Over the USMNT appeared first on SportzBonanza.