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Morning Espresso, 3.20: Concacaf Nations League tonight, Japan qualifies for the World Cup
Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.
The Concacaf Nations League semifinals will be played tonight as the USMNT hosts Panama at 7pm followed by Canada vs. Mexico at 10:30pm, you can watch both on Paramount+. Excited to see a fully healthy Tyler Adams working under Mauricio Pochettino, curious to see if Josh Sargent can be the player for the USMNT that he's been at Norwich, and I want to see if Weston McKennie's desired "nastiness" comes out tonight in the team.
With meaningful games few and far between for the USMNT between now and the World Cup opener next June, this is an important test for Pochettino and the team.
Lots of eyes on Jesse Marsch and Canada as well against a Mexico side that has not been impressive for a little while now.
Japan booked their spot in the 2026 World Cup this morning with a 2-0 win over Bahrain. Takefusa Kubo scored a goal and assisted on the opener. They are the first to achieve qualification, joining the hosts for next summer's tournament. Australia moved a step closer with a 5-1 win over Indonesia this morning as well.
4 upsets in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup last night as El Farolito, Little Rock Rangers, and Virginia Dream knocked off pro teams to advance. The Des Moines Menace, stacked with former pros, also won although it's hard to put it in the same group as the other amateur teams. Sacha Kljestan scored twice as the Menace defeated Sporting Kansas City II.
One element of the USL promotion and relegation announcement yesterday that came out after the fact is that it is contingent on the first division professional league launching. Paul McDonough feels that it wouldn't be as "authentic" if it just includes the current USL Championship and USL League One setup. According to the USSF Pro League Standard, they'll need 12 teams in 3 time zones and in stadiums of at least 15,000 seats to start a first division professional league. I'm just hoping that the plans are more concerned with long-term sustainability than short-term buzz.
A new 7v7 event is launching internationally for women's teams called the World Sevens Football. The idea is for it be like grand slam events throughout the year and with a $5 million purse for each event. The first is set for May in Portugal and will include top women's professional clubs. Will it include current women's professional players?
UEFA Nations League quarterfinals today, Italy will be shorthanded against Germany at Mateo Retegui is out with a thigh injury.
Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago