Latest news with #USLChampionship
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Oakland Roots SC fires head coach, assistant after early season struggles
Fans ecstatic to be back at Oakland Coliseum for Roots home opener Fans ecstatic to be back at Oakland Coliseum for Roots home opener Fans ecstatic to be back at Oakland Coliseum for Roots home opener The Oakland Roots soccer club announced Monday that the team has parted ways with head coach Gavin Glinton and assistant coach Jessie Cormier, following struggles during the first three months of the 2025 season. In a statement, team president Lindsay Barenz said the team's record "has not matched the momentum we've built off the field." Earlier this year, the Roots moved their home matches to the Oakland Coliseum following the departure of the Athletics baseball team after five decades in the East Bay. More than 26,000 fans attended the March 22 home opener at the Coliseum. As of Monday, the Roots have a record of three wins, one draw and seven losses, placing them 11th in the USL Championship Western Conference. "Our expectations for on-field performance are much higher than where we currently stand. We strongly believe in the group of players we've assembled and we're confident in their ability to compete in the USL Championship," Barenz went on to say. Glinton joined the roots as an assistant coach in 2022 and was named head coach last year, leading the Roots to the playoffs. He finishes his tenure with a 14-5-23 record. Team officials said a new head coach would be announced soon. The Roots' next scheduled match is against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday at the Coliseum.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Step By Step: Diego Luna's steady rise earns USMNT Gold Cup call-up
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Diego Luna is taking another step forward in a journey defined not by viral moments or hype, but by trust earned. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder has been named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for the upcoming warm-up matches ahead of this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup. The group is expected to become the official tournament squad when the final roster is submitted on June 4, barring injury or unforeseen circumstances. Advertisement It's a deserved recognition of what he's becoming: a dependable, dynamic contributor who continues to show up when it matters. This isn't a story of 'making it.' Luna would likely be the first to say that. It's about proving that he can be counted on—and about continuing to build trust within U.S. Soccer at the highest level. Diego Luna of the USMNT sports gauze to stop the blood flow of a nose break early against Costa Rica. (Photo by Roy K Miller/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF) Luna's 2024 MLS campaign with RSL forced national team staff to pay attention. With eight goals and 12 assists, he was a creative engine for one of the league's most surprising teams, earning MLS All-Star and MLS Young Player of the Year honors and consistently drawing plaudits for his vision, technique, and balance under pressure. Advertisement That form led to another senior national team call-up in January, where he made an instant impression. In a match against Costa Rica, Luna suffered a broken nose from a wayward elbow, then begged to stay on as a team physician fervently worked to staunch the flow of blood from his nose. With (then newly appointed) USMNT Manager Mauricio Pochettino's reluctant permission, Diego charged back into the fray with cotton wadding protruding from each nostril, immediately delivered an assist, and left little doubt about his commitment. The message to USMNT staff and the soccer world in general was loud and clear: he's not just flashy. He's reliable. He's a warrior. He belongs. 'Utah just really stood out': Utah Royals defender Alex Loera talks transfer to the Beehive State Advertisement When Diego Luna first arrived at RSL, fans quickly fell in love with his flair. His first touch, quick turns, and vision made him one of the most exciting young players in MLS. But breaking into the starting XI wasn't immediate. Minutes were sporadic, and while the talent was obvious, the trust from the coaching staff had to be earned. Luna's path to this moment hasn't been linear, but it's always led upward. He started playing at age three with Palo Alto Soccer Club, coached by his dad and oldest brother. From there, he spent time in the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, then made a bold move away from his family at age 15 to the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona. At 17, he turned professional with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship under coach Mark Lowry — now with Real Monarchs — before signing with RSL in June of 2022. That willingness to bet on himself, to take each next step with intention, has been a defining trait. Then came the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina — a turning point. Advertisement Before leaving for Argentina, where he delivered a breakout performance for the United States, Luna spoke on the 'Royal Riot Podcast' about how he views his journey: 'For me personally and my mentality,' he said, 'I'm the guy making my way up the ranks, step by step, going up the staircase.' Luna, known affectionately as 'Moon Boy' for his surname but also his style of play, dazzled everyone who watched the U.S. squad in Argentina, racking up goals, assists, and drawing global attention. More importantly, something clicked internally. On a follow-up appearance on Royal Riot Podcast after he returned to Utah, Luna spoke candidly about where he was before the tournament and what changed: (Photo by) 'I was lacking confidence,' Luna stated bluntly. 'I underestimated myself in a lot of categories. Going to the World Cup showed me that I should be very confident—that I need to have the confidence and know that I can do what I'm asked of, with RSL and with the National Team. I need to keep my head down and work—just play the game. Giving the fans a show and creating chances for my team—that's the thing I love and what I play for.' Advertisement Since that return, Luna has evolved from a promising prospect into a complete, game-in-game-out contributor. RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni, a U.S. World Cup veteran himself, has seen that evolution up close. 'Look back to Luna when he first got here—hesitant to work defensively for the team, he was a really one-sided player,' Mastroeni said. 'He's now doubled down on his work, become our best defender from the front and scores all the goals for our team. It's a beautiful place from a coaching perspective to have players that are willing to work really hard for the team, work really hard for themselves, and then they end up making the difference in their lives — no one else does.' That trust — between player and coach, and now between player and national team — is what's made this Gold Cup call-up possible. Advertisement Cabral saving games in first season with RSL That evolution has translated into more frequent and meaningful looks from U.S. Soccer, first under Gregg Berhalter in a January 2024 friendly against Slovenia and then under Pochettino this past January, and now in a tournament setting with this summer's Gold Cup squad. It's the last competitive tournament the U.S. will play in before the 2026 World Cup. In a tournament built for testing depth and evaluating trust, Luna will once again be able to prove that he belongs. Luna's international status became a talking point after he was controversially left off the U.S. Olympic roster in 2024. Some speculated he might switch his international allegiance to Mexico because he felt disrespected by the USMNT. Advertisement But Luna never said that. In fact, since arriving in MLS, his stance has been consistent: he's always been open to representing either country and willing to speak with whoever calls. There's never been drama—only dedication. 'It's something you want to work for,' Luna said at a crossbar challenge last fall when asked about the possibility of both nations vying for his presence. 'Continue to play and get the eyes on us, and from there, you let God and fate decide what happens, who is going to pull the trigger for you, and who will give the best opportunity.' This call-up isn't a political move or a reactionary olive branch. It's the natural result of a career built on showing up, improving, and making an impact. Advertisement Now Luna's climbing another step. If he delivers again, he'll push himself further into the 2026 World Cup conversation. Not as a long shot or luxury pick, but as a legitimate option in the U.S. player pool. (Images courtesy: John Dorton and Robin Alam via Getty Images) 'It's exciting to be in that group,' Luna said after training on Wednesday. 'It's another big opportunity for me to prove myself and showcase myself. (I'm going to be) taking advantage of each opportunity I get, leading into the 2026 World Cup.' Because for all the undeniable talent and eye-catching flair that Diego Luna brings to the pitch, it's his ability to be counted on when the going gets tough — over 90 minutes, over a season, over multiple camps — that sets him apart. Advertisement The Gold Cup will offer a new challenge, but also a new opportunity. The tournament will feature moments that require tactical maturity, physical resilience, and emotional control—all qualities he's shown in growing doses. Ariath Piol talks goals, red cards, and his journey to RSL Ask him what he wants to accomplish in this camp, and Luna shares not vague ambitions, but concrete goals. 'Getting as much playing time as I can would be the number one thing,' Luna said. 'Getting starts. Earning the trust in the pre-camp. Just making sure that I'm there day in and day out, giving it my all, and producing for the team. Getting assists and creating chances for the team and hopefully scoring my first goal.' Advertisement But he's also not getting ahead of himself. Luna's not interested in speculating about playing in the World Cup because he knows he's gotten where he is by staying in the moment. 'The 2026 squad thing, it's not in my head right now,' Luna said. 'I'm focused on here at RSL right now, and when the time comes to go with the U.S., that's where I'm focused. So it's kind of- focus on what you're doing on that day.' In a setting with the USMNT that often reveals who's ready for more responsibility, Luna will get to show the same thing he's shown since he was three years old: when he's on the field, he belongs. For 'Moon Boy' the sky has never been the limit- it's just the next step. Latest headlines: Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Axios
5 days ago
- Sport
- Axios
Dallas gets another professional soccer team
The Dallas-area sports scene is getting even bigger with another men's professional soccer team. Why it matters: Atlético Dallas will be part of the United Soccer League, which is adding a division to create a promotion and relegation structure, similar to ones common outside the U.S., like in England's Premier League. The Division One league launches in 2027-28 to rival Major League Soccer. Context: USL already has two divisions: USL Championship (second division) and USL League One (third Division). Dallas will play in the USL Championship division. The latest: The club unveiled their logo and team colors this month. The logo features a Mexican gray wolf and a rattlesnake. The team colors are Texas topaz, blackland crude, silver ore and white. Zoom in: FC Dallas, an MLS team, was founded in 1995 as the Dallas Burn. The launch came a year after the Cotton Bowl hosted six games for the 1994 World Cup. Dallas Trinity FC, a USL Super League women's team, is in their inaugural season at the Cotton Bowl.
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hearts boss keen for management return as he eyes chance to turn possible rival
A former Hearts and Dundee United manager has admitted he is looking to return to the dugout. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson has revealed he is keen to return to the dugout in the near future - but has not received any recent approaches. The 44-year-old has been out of work since leaving American USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies just four games into their season as his 18-month stay in Florida came to an end. Despite being linked with a number of vacancies in recent weeks, the former Hearts boss has admitted he has not been approached by any potential employers during that time and stressed there are two short windows where roles could become available. That said, jobs in the Premiership are not off the table for him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When asked if there was an interest from clubs, he told PLZ Soccer: 'Not at the moment, no. Obviously there's a few jobs come up but nobody has approached me on that side of things. We will just wait and see what happens. You have these wee periods in football, especially as a manager, you have the end of the season, the start of pre-season, where there's movement and then the next one will probably be September or October. 'I'd really like to get in now because I think you get that opportunity, first to recruit players and secondly to do a pre-season and actually build it because if you wait later in the year, you are generally taking over somewhere that is having having a difficult period and the players are already there. It's just firefighting until the window.' 'I'm open to anything at the moment' Here's where some of the most recent Hearts managers are now | SNS Group The high points in Neilson's managerial career has come with promotion from the Championship after guiding Hearts back into the Premiership on two separate occasions and achieving the same feat with Dundee United in 2020. The former Scotland international admitted he would be open to managing in the second tier once again - but stressed his next role will be decided by the strength of the relationship he feels he would have with key figures within the club. 'Potentially,' he replied when asked if he would consider a Championship role. 'I'm open to anything at the moment. Obviously, the Premiership in Scotland, there's abroad, there's interest in England as well. The Championship is a league I know very well having been promoted out of it three times. At this moment in time for me it's just if a club wants to speak to me and if we speak is it something we'd like to do together - because I think it comes down to the relationship with the players, which comes eventually, but the biggest relationship is with either the sporting director or the CEO depending on the structure. You have to get that feel for the club and say what do we want to do, does your vision match my vision and if we do that, how are we going to do it.' Your next Hearts read: New Hearts kit revealed for season 2025/26
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arizona Digest: Arizona State men's golf headed to NCAA Championships
It's springtime in Arizona, and there's plenty of activity. College baseball is heading toward the postseason. Phoenix Rising FC's USL Championship soccer and Arizona Rattlers seasons are in full swing, with new women's soccer club Desert Dreams FC's inaugural season soon to start. Advertisement Here are the news and events happening around Arizona sports. ASU men's golf headed to NCAA Championships The No. 5 Arizona State men's golf team is headed back to the NCAA Championships after finishing second at its regional held in Bremerton, Washington, at Gold Mountain Golf Sun Devils finished at 25-under 839, just three shots back of No. 7 Florida (28-under 836). Sophomore Connor Williams shot 7-under 209 and finished fifth, while freshman Peer Wernicke tied for eighth at 4-under 140. The NCAA Championships will take place May 23-28 at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad. —Jenna Ortiz This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU men's golf headed to NCAA Championships
