In the aftermath of the U.S. men’s national team’s 1-0 loss to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, concerns arise about their readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting ongoing issues with aggression, breaking down defenses, and lack of depth in the player pool. Manager Mauricio Pochettino faces limited time and opportunities to make improvements before the World Cup, with the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup serving as a crucial test for the team’s progress and cohesion. Injuries to key players like Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson have impacted the team’s attacking capabilities, raising questions about the team’s ability to compete on the international stage.
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A-Leagues seek to stop ‘player-spend arms race’ with strict $3m salary cap
The A-League Men will implement a hard salary cap of $3 million for player wages starting in the 2026/27 season to combat unsustainable spending by clubs, while allowing one marquee player outside this cap. APL chair Stephen Conroy emphasized the need for financial stability, as many clubs, including Melbourne Victory, face significant losses. The new cap replaces the current $2.55 million soft cap, and further reforms will adjust spending based on revenue from the 2027/28...
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