Categories
Miami News US Soccer USWNT

Life without soccer: U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone known as ‘painfully honest,’ ‘even keeled’

Plus the faces of Inter Miami’s new broadcast team, how the NISA is giving back and creative solutions from FC Cincinnati to train through the MLS moratorium.

Every day MLS, the NWSL and the USL are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pro Soccer USA will provide the latest news and updates, examples of what the soccer community is doing to pass time and some recommendations for readers to keep busy while hunkering down at home.

The Latest

What can U.S. Soccer players, staff and fans expect from new president Cindy Parlow Cone? Several of her former teammates on the U.S. women’s national team weighed in on their best memories from playing alongside her on the 1999 World Cup championship roster and at the University of North Carolina in an article from Sports Illustrated.

Parlow Cone took on the role after former president Carlos Cordeiro resigned following outrage over sexist language used in a federation court filing during on ongoing equal pay litigation with the USWNT. Parlow Cone has said she previously had no interest in taking on the role, but she is now hoping to provide balance and consistency as the federation navigates unprecedented territory following the postponement of the 2020 Olympics.

From never backing down to star Mia Hamm to winning the NWSL title in Portland, her former teammates and colleagues described her as a “painfully honest” and “even keeled.” For that reason, many of them voiced their complete support of Parlow Cone as she looks to lead U.S. Soccer forward.

“I was just saying, ‘I am sure your head is spinning right now, but we’re going to support you in every way we can,’” Hamm said, describing her first conversation with Parlow Cone after her appointment. “Because we love the national teams. We believe that you can do good and that you want to make a positive change. We’re here for you.’”

Read the full story from Sports Illustrated here.

Inter Miami announces 2020 broadcast team

Although it’ll be several weeks — at the least — before this crew will debut on the air, Inter Miami announced its broadcast team this week.

The group was headlined by Ray Hudson, a long-time NASL player who spent a stint with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Tampa Bay Rowdies before becoming the inaugural coach of the Miami Fusion. A staple of the Miami community, Hudson is known for his fiery personality and has since been a commentator and host for ESPN and Sirium XM.

The broadcast team also includes former Orlando Pride and Canadian national team player Kaylyn Kyle, who is the daughter-in-law of former Orlando City coach Adrian Heath.

NISA raises money through Feeding America

Although the National Independent Soccer Association isn’t hosting games currently, the league is still working to make an impact in its community. 

The league is partnering with Feeding America to raise funds for communities and individuals suffering from food insecurity throughout the coronavirus crisis. 

FC Cincinnati finds creative ways to train

After more than a decade with Manchester United, sports performance director Gary Walker was pretty sure he was prepared for the new challenges of working in MLS with FC Cincinnati. A global pandemic wasn’t entirely on his radar.

The coach is now using creative approaches to keep on top of his athletes’ diet, fitness and mental health. This includes boosting their supplements to make up for a lack of daily time outdoors; tailoring specific workouts based on each player’s position group and injury history; and checking in daily to monitor players’ sleep patterns and moods. 

“There’s far more important things going on in the world right now than football, … but obviously this is our industry,” Walker said. “From the physical perspective and the technical staff’s perspective, it’s a difficult period.”

Read the full story here.