The 2016 Copa America Centenario was already a big tournament for the United States to be hosting, but FIFA gave it a boost on Friday. FIFA Executive Committee’s approved adding it to the international fixture calendar, meaning players can be pulled away from their clubs to play in the tournament.
But other news coming out of FIFA was less cause for celebration. FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced the investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups would not be made public. Despite news reports alleging Qatar had bribed its way to winning the 2022 tournament, Blatter claimed no one on FIFA’s Executive Committee had called for the investigation’s report to be released.
And German-American striker Andrew Wooten had a good Friday abroad. For the fourth straight match, Wooten netted a late goal for SV Sandhausen and perhaps made his case for U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann to give him a senior team call-up.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI this Friday:
WEEKEND SOCCER PREVIEWS
This Weekend’s Soccer on TV
Americans Abroad: Weekend Preview
USL Pro Championship: A Look Ahead
College Soccer Weekend Preview: Syracuse vs. Virginia, Notre Dame vs. North Carolina Headline Week 5
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Report: Kinnear given permission to leave Dynamo if Earthquakes table an offer
With CCL elimination behind them, Red Bulls look to ride MLS form to postseason
Orlando City announce date of stadium groundbreaking
MLS preseason 2015 Desert Diamond Cup teams, schedule set
Jones shuts down Sporting KC rally to help Revs win
Soccer Friday: Your Running Commentary
MINOR LEAGUE SOCCER
OCSC’s Molino headlines USL Pro winners as MVP for a second time
Charlotte club willing to commit $2 million to stadium upgrades
OVERSEAS SOCCER
Wooten scores another late goal, but Sandhausen suffer defeat
FIFA/INTERNATIONAL
FIFA adds USA-based 2016 Copa America to international fixture calendar
Evening Ticker: FIFA report to remain private; Mourinho tracking Costa fitness; and more
Women players group issues “final notice” of lawsuit to FIFA, CSA on artificial turf
SBI STAPLES
The SBI Live Q&A (Sept. 26th Edition)
The SBI Show: Episode 167 (Talking MLS expansion draw, Americans Abroad, and more)
SBI College Soccer Top 25 (Sept. 26th Edition)
does this mean 2016 Copa America will be a huge moneymaker?
I pray Uruguay/Argentina gets some matches in LOS ANGELES