Tag Archives: soccer

Preparing for the World Cup

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

FIFA requires real grass for its World Cup stadia, so NRG will be installing grass in 2026. The World Cup won’t hit Houston for another 28 months, but NRG Stadium and city officials already are preparing for the seven matches … Continue reading →

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Houston to get seven World Cup matches

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Not bad. Houston will host seven matches in the 2026 World Cup. In the expanded 48-team tournament, NRG will host a Round of 32 match on June 29 and a Round of 16 match on July 4. The group stage … Continue reading →

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Let’s host the Women’s World Cup, too

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m all in. The United States and Mexico submitted a joint bid Friday to co-host the 2027 Women’s World Cup that, if successful, would see the North American neighbours stage global soccer’s two showcase events in back-to-back years. Belgium, Germany … Continue reading →

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More World Cup events on tap for 2026

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. The 2026 World Cup soccer tournament is expanding by 24 games, and Houston is prepared to handle any added games. FIFA voted Tuesday for a change in format to the 48-team event by adding games. The total of 104 … Continue reading →

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NWSL releases its report on abuse by coaches

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

The followup report names some names that hadn’t been named before. Widespread misconduct, including sexual abuse, manipulation and mocking athletes’ bodies, has plagued the National Women’s Soccer League for a decade, according to an investigation commissioned by the league and … Continue reading →

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That US Soccer report on abuse allegations in the NWSL

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a lot, and as the head of US Soccer says, it’s just the first step. The independent investigation into player abuse in women’s professional soccer found a long list of failures by National Women’s Soccer League coaches and executives, … Continue reading →

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We should soon find out what’s been going on in the NWSL

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Good. U.S. Soccer says an investigation into alleged abuse and misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League is expected to be completed by early next month. The investigation, led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, was initiated last … Continue reading →

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Houston wins its bid to be a 2026 World Cup host

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent. The World Cup is coming to Houston. FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, chose Houston as one of 16 sites for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to be co-hosted by three nations: the United … Continue reading →

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We will learn Houston’s fate as a World Cup site this week

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a long road. On June 16, FIFA will announce its host cities for the 2026 Men’s World Cup set to be held within the U.S., Canada and Mexico. If Houston is one of the 16 locations chosen for … Continue reading →

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What is going on with the Houston Dash?

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Nothing good. The Dash have suspended coach and general manager James Clarkson, who is being investigated by the NWSL and its players association. The suspension came “in light of initial findings received this week,” the Dash said. The team opens … Continue reading →

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COVID puts NHL on pause

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

A bit of an ominous throwback. The NHL is beginning a leaguewide shutdown Wednesday amid a rise in positive COVID-19 test results among players, and with 10 of the league’s 32 teams’ schedules already paused and their facilities closed. The … Continue reading →

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Last chance to make a good FIFA impression

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Coming to the end of this very long process. Houston’s diversity is being played up in the city’s recent push to host the 2026 men’s World Cup. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joined forces with … Continue reading →

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The home stretch for the World Cup

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We will soon learn whether or not Houston gets to host 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Houston’s bid to be one of the 10 host cities in the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup is entering the stretch run. Since … Continue reading →

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In case you needed another reminder that this coronavirus thing is dangerous

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Here you go. The Orlando Pride have withdrawn from the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup after six players and four staffers tested positive for the coronavirus, a significant setback for a league attempting to become the first in American professional team … Continue reading →

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MLS agrees on its restart, WNBA still considering options

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

More sports coming. The MLS Players Association voted Wednesday to approve a revised collective bargaining agreement with the league. The new deal will run through 2025 and clears the way for Major League Soccer to resume its 2020 season via … Continue reading →

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Reopening 3.0

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Who wants to go to a water park? Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Tuesday announcing additional services and activities that can resume under his second wave of reopenings, allowing food courts in shopping malls to reopen immediately and giving … Continue reading →

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NWSL will be the first American sports league to return to play

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see how it goes. The National Women’s Soccer League will become the first U.S. team sport to resume play June 27 with a month-long tournament in suburban Salt Lake City, and the rebuilding Houston Dash hope the unique format … Continue reading →

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The NBA inches closer to a return

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll know more soon. NBA teams are expecting the league office will issue guidelines around June 1 that will allow franchises to start recalling players who’ve left their markets as a first step toward a formal ramp-up for the season’s … Continue reading →

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MLS has a plan to start its season

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

That’s Major League Soccer, and their plan may sound a bit familiar. With no indications of when it could resume the season in home markets, MLS has proposed placing all 26 teams in the Orlando area this summer and playing … Continue reading →

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Still waiting to see which cities will get to host World Cup games

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Houston’s right in the mix, and after that we’ll see. This time last year, former Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti began to find his stride after leaving the team in late 2018 to lead the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid … Continue reading →

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MLS comes to Austin

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to the big leagues. After a long and often rocky courtship, Austin and Major League Soccer became a match. The league formally welcomed Austin as its 27th franchise with a raucous downtown party Tuesday full of chanting and flag-waving, … Continue reading →

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FIFA World Cup update

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Still a year away from a decision. Houston is among 17 American cities vying to become one of 10 host cities selected when the finalists are trimmed by 2021. The 2026 World Cup will also include 10 games each in … Continue reading →

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The World Cup and its possible infrastructure effects

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Assuming Houston does get to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that could spur some major projects, for transportation and recreation and who knows what else. Houston will not receive final word on the bid until … Continue reading →

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Here comes the FIFA World Cup

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Three cheers for the three nations. In a long-anticipated vote on Wednesday, the joint bid of the U.S., Mexico and Canada defeated Morocco, its only challenger, as 200 national soccer federations cast their ballots to cap FIFA’s annual Congress. The … Continue reading →

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Houston makes final cut for FIFA 2026 bid

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Now it’s up to FIFA. The Houston Dynamos might have to make some room: Space City has been included in the bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Thursday, officials announced that Houston is one of 23 cities … Continue reading →

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Cricket in Houston

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

If cricket ever becomes a big deal in the US, the Houston region will play a key role in that. Houston has had adult [cricket] leagues since the 1970s. Most players, then and now, are from Commonwealth countries – nations … Continue reading →

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Houston part of bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. Houston and NRG Stadium are on an official list for cities and venues that may be considered to host a FIFA World Cup match if the event comes to North America in 2026. The United Bid Committee of the … Continue reading →

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More on the cost of a bathroom bill

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever one thinks of the Texas Association of Business, you have to hand it to them for their lobbying focus on the great potty issue. With the legislative session just weeks ahead, the Texas business community is digging in its … Continue reading →

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NCAA removes all championship games for 2016 and 2017 from North Carolina

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Actions, they have consequences. Based on the NCAA’s commitment to fairness and inclusion, the Association will relocate all seven previously awarded championship events from North Carolina during the 2016-17 academic year. The NCAA Board of Governors made this decision because of the cumulative actions taken … Continue reading →

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Pasadena seeks hockey team

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I wish them luck. Pasadena city officials and a group of developers recently discussed working together on a $357 million sports and entertainment resort development to be built in the convention center area. The focal point of the proposed 200-acre … Continue reading →

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Ching and the Dash

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good move. A few weeks after he was sent into retirement with the first MLS testimonial match, the face of the Dynamo will attempt to build Houston’s new National Women’s Soccer League franchise. Brian Ching will be the managing director … Continue reading →

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Meet the Houston Dash

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

They’re Houston’s newest sports team. The Dynamo announced [Thursday] the launch of the Houston Dash, a women’s professional soccer team that will enter the National Women’s Soccer League as an expansion team for the 2014 season. Owned and operated by … Continue reading →

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Bringing the NWSL to Houston

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I approve of this. The Dynamo are in talks about securing an expansion franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League, which features U.S. national team stars Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach. The eight-team NWSL played its inaugural season … Continue reading →

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Sale of Dynamo to Les Alexander falls through

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From the weekend: Anschutz Entertainment Group has turned down Rockets owner Leslie Alexander’s offer to purchase the Houston Dynamo and the 30-year lease on BBVA Compass Stadium, effectively ending any further negotiations between the sides. “Ownership evaluated the offer,” Dynamo … Continue reading →

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