photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

Conmebol's Copa America is the oldest international continental tournament in soccer, and 2016 will mark its 100th birthday.

That could also be the year that many American soccer fans have a dream come true.

According to Mexican outlet mediotiempo.

Major League Soccer's seventeenth season begins in less than two months and as the teams prepare for the on pitch action their fans will prepare to follow them from not only stands, but with social media.
Their two main online allies? Facebook and Twitter.
Since the beginnings of MLS in the mid-1990s the Internet has exploded and in the last five years the advent of social media has changed the face of sports in the United States and the world.

Some readers might recall the blurb that was posted about the launch of the first episode of the Pitch Invasion podcast last month. Pitch Invasion Editor and former Section 8 Chicago Chairman Tom Dunmore interviewed the former head of Supporters Direct, Dave Boyle.

Boyle is currently preparing to travel to Portland for the Independent Supporters' Council meeting.

One thing American soccer fans, especially MLS fans, obsess over is attendance statistics. In the general public we are a minority "niche" sport, casual Americans don't care, steeped in foreign-ness and all things immigrant. Never mind that high school participation has not seen a decrease since it was first tracked and soccer is the number 5 sport in high school for boys and girls (the girls are soon to take #4 away from softball).

The face of the United States in the Middle East right now isn't President Barack Obama, any elected official or a military leader. It is Bob Bradley.

The 53-year old Bradley, who coached the United States national team to the second round of the 2010 World Cup after they captured their opening round group, took over as national team head coach of Egypt this past September.

Josh Gatt is not a player many American soccer fans have seen play, but he is already considered one of the best young Americans playing in Europe.

The speedy Michigan native has enjoyed an outstanding start to his professional career, going from 18-year-old newcomer to 20-year-old transfer target, having already made one upward move from Austrian club SCR Rheindorf Altach to Norwegian champions Molde.

CNN's Piers Morgan (left) does a weird thing with his mouth after he speaks. His lips pinch tight. As if the torpedo tube is being sealed until the next salvo. It can be quite intimidating. It fits the style of a man who was previously employed as a tabloid editor in the warfare of English newspapers.

The Montreal Impact announced on Friday that more than 25,000 tickets were already sold for the home opener at Olympic Stadium, March 17, against the Chicago Fire.

The Impact are hoping to create a new record for attendance at the Olympic Stadium with additional sales leading up to the home opener.

Soccer outside Europe has gained in popularity in recent years, with David Beckham making a high profile move to the MLS in North America, a transfer that transformed soccer into a sport with a widespread global profile and exposed a new generation of potential players to the game, but the latest FIFA tournament, the African Cup Of Nations, has failed to catch the public's imagination.

On Thursday, world soccer's governing body released the following statement after more than 70 soccer fans were killed following the Al-Ahly - Al-Masry Egyptian Premier League game on Wednesday, February 2nd. FIFA is deeply saddened by the tragic incidents which led to the death of football fans and others at last night's match in Port Said.

At least 74 soccer fans died as deadly riots broke out in Port Said after a soccer match between Al Masry and visiting Al Ahly. Fans from Al Masry invaded the pitch after their team beat Al Ahly, 3-1 and clashed with their rivals. Most of the deaths were attributed to the ensuing stampede as supporters desperately tried to make for the exits.

Sunday's battle between Chelsea and Manchester United is being promoted in FOX TV commercials as the "Greatest live Premier League match in US television history." Unfortunately the advertising may irk some soccer fans in the United States who will...
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Sebastien Le Toux could be announced as a Vancouver Whitecaps player as soon as tomorrow, with no player going sent to the Philadelphia Union in return, according to Irfaan Gaffar.

The soccer reporter announced over Twitter that the deal to bring Le Toux back to the Pacific Northwest, known affectionately as Cascadia to North American soccer fans, would happen this week.

Any number of products try and connect with soccer fans through official partnerships, event activation and commercial spots. Typically, soccer related marketing is part of a much larger general interest campaign. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Sports energy drink Golazo bucks that trend by focusing on the game of soccer.

Relive the 2010 World Cup through this amazing documentary by One Goal. Their film project followed the American Outlaws (and other American soccer fans) to South Africa. Their footage shows the amazing passion for soccer in the United States and the future for the sport in this country.

The day after U.S. soccer fans celebrated the women's CONCACAF win and their Olympic qualification comes word that the WPS is on ice for the 2012 season.

Word began to filter out via players and bloggers on social networks like Twitter Monday morning, and the league officially made the announcement midday.

Sometimes it seems Galaxy midfielder David Beckham spends more time on a soccer field showing off his abs than his set pieces as he wanders the field shirtless at the end of games. So this soft porn excerpt ad is nothing new to most soccer fans and will likely be

As we discussed when commenting on the new MLS Spring destination in Arizona, preseason is a great opportunity to sell the sport and the league in a less formal setting. MLS seems to be making use of this opportunity and allowing fans to connect to players and teams in the off season. Over the weekend, the New York Times took a look at the league's relationship with the City of Tucson, where a number of MLS franchises are spending a portion of the preseason.

U.S. Soccer fans were dialed in to yesterdays' FA Cup fourth round clash between Everton and Fulham that featured Tim Howard, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. The home side walked out 2-1 winners, with Donovan serving up assists on both goals for the Toffees. The win was the first for Everton against Fulham in their FA Cup history.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, the two best field players in American soccer, and two of the most popular players in American soccer history, are set to do battle today in the FA Cup (3pm, Fox Soccer Channel).

Today's Fulham-Everton clash serves as the perfect event to showcase the match-up of two players who have been U.

In a much anticipated match up, Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, and Everton host Clint Dempsey and Fulham in a FA Cup clash that American soccer fans will be eager to watch.

Argentine lower league side Club Atlético Talleres got on the radars of soccer fans around the world last year when it used some revealing pictures of a local soccer babe...

On the eve of the much-anticipated American Civil War between Everton and Fulham, American soccer fans are relishing the chance to see three of their best players take the pitch at the same time at the highest level of competition. ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

It's about time, right? We've got ourselves a U.S. National Team writer. Mike Cardillo, who we've been reading for YEARS on his site, "That's On Point", for US preview/reviews and English Premier League musings will be providing some coverage of the Nats as they begin their 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Barca holds off Madrid rally to reach cup semis World Soccer Yahoo! Sports.

Barcelona once again got the better of their closest rivals in La Liga by knocking out Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. After taking a two goal lead over Real, Barcelona were pegged back to 2-2 as the game finished in a draw.

All images courtesy of One Goal USA

If you've made plans for Thursday, February 2, cancel them. Because that evening marks the Philadelphia premier of LADUMA at 7:30pm at the Ritz East. Made by two local filmmakers, Ashwin Chaudhary and Jon Korn, Laduma is "the story of how soccer united the South African people against Apartheid, and how the sport brought Americans together in the magical summer of 2010.

Argentine lower league side Club Atlético Talleres got on the radars of soccer fans around the world last year when it used some revealing pictures of a local soccer babe...

Ahh. I've finished my exams. I can say it's been a very long week, and I'll be getting my grades back tomorrow. Fingers crossed, people.

But, beside talking about me, I want to point out that this was an immensely significant week for American soccer, and one that really gives us a glimpse into where it'll be going in the near future.

Soccer fans! This Saturday come out to Mickey Byrnes in Hollywood to check out USA vs Venezuela at 9PM. Come join the American Outlaws South Florida for a great night of fun and prizes, starting with a PS3 FIFA '12 championship prior to the game. (Starting at 7 pm)
During half time of the USA vs Venezuela game the Ultras, South Florida's premiere soccer supporters group, will be giving away 4 tickets to the Mexico vs Colombia game scheduled for February 29, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Liverpool FC might be coming to Fenway Park next summer. The Boston Globe reports the Reds are in talks with Italian club AS Roma about playing a preseason friendly at the historic park in late June or early July.
"Throughout its 100-year history, Fenway Park has seen some of the best in athletic competition," Fenway Sports Management president Sam Kennedy said.

Hooligans in Rochester Have a Ball
By: Shane Badger
The Rochester chapter of the American Outlaws (AO) sponsored the first annual Western New York Soccer Supporters Ball, held at Matt Wambach's infamous Back Nine Grill in Rochester, New York Saturday evening.

Episode 02: Eric Wynalda is the Art Bell of American Soccer

On this edition of the show, I explain why Eric Wynalda is the Art Bell of American Soccer...and why it's either a clever bit of genius or he's just completely insane. Either way, American soccer fans should be warned not to take him seriously.

New York-area soccer fans are in for a summer treat.

Brazil and Argentina will square off in a June 9 friendly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., pitting the two South American rivals and some of the top players in the world against each other. The date falls on a FIFA international fixture date, meaning that first-choice players like Lionel Messi and Neymar should be available for selection, though that is far from being a certainty at this point.

Tigres Triumph: Tigres' players, seen here celebrating their team's league title after beating Santos de Torreon Dec. 11, begin their championship defense this weekend as the Mexican league begins anew (AP Photo). If it isn't enough that American soccer fans will experience the longest MLS season ever this year, while

By Justin Shaffer - SEATTLE, WA (Jan 5, 2012) US Soccer Players --Previously, we previewed the year ahead for club soccer and now we give you a look ahead at 2012's jam-packed international calendar. Between the Olympics, European Championships, and World Cup qualifying, 2012 should be a huge year for soccer fans.

Two shirts we hope to never see on the field for the USMNT again...The new year is less than a week old and today (supposedly) Major League Soccer is releasing the 2012 schedule. American soccer is right around the corner! There's no time like the present to make a few "New Beers Resolutions" for both the upcoming domestic season and the year as a whole.

By Clemente Lisi – MONTREAL, CA (Jan 4, 2012) US Soccer Players – There is nothing like the start of a new year to fill one with hope and anticipation. For USA soccer fans, there's a lot to look forward to from the National Teams and Major League Soccer. The senior side starts their road to Brazil with World Cup Qualifying.

Voting is closed and Sporting Kansas City's remarkable re-brand is the big winner of the American soccer business story of the year according to your votes. Sporting's win speaks volumes about the power of social media, as the team effectively used Facebook and Twitter to get out the vote. As we said in our posts about Sporting's remarkable transformation, the team managed its re-brand with great skill both on and off the field.

The Beckhams will not be setting up their French court much to the chagrin of Paris society.

The French elites had been predicting which side of the Seine the Court of Beckham would be established. Existentialists in cafes debated whether this important choice would determine whether he played in left or right midfield for Paris St.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Happy New Year from all of us at the Philly Soccer Page. The Union's first kick is only 70 days away.

Some New Year Tweets

Philadelphia Union: Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for a memorable 2011...see you in 2012! #DOOP

Philadelphia Independence: Have a safe and wonderful New Year Independence fans, WPS fans, Soccer fans!