An embarrassing setback for a country facing a monumental task: hosting the 2014 World Cup, and 2016 Olympics
World Cup
Is FIFA Facing a Player Revolt Against Racism?
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s walk-off could change the game
Should Belgium Be Considered a Genuine Contender for the 2014 World Cup?
Most of its players ply their trade in the English Premier League. So when will the world start taking the Belgians seriously?
Euro 2012 Superfan Dies from Sleep Deprivation
Jiang Xiaoshan went 11 nights without sleep to watch the tourney
Euro 2012: Soccer Gets its War On, But Players Can’t Take the Patriotism Seriously
How international tournaments remain an opportunity for nostalgic but usually harmless pantomime jingoism.
No, England Did NOT Invent Football (Soccer) As We Know It
A soccer official claims that the game has been “stolen” from England. Here’s why that argument is flawed.
Keeping ScoreSoccer
Japan Beats U.S. in Thrilling Women’s World Cup Final
Thank you, ladies of Japan and the United States. Thanks to you, the next time someone whines about the lack of excitement in soccer, we get to punch that person in the face.
Keeping ScoreSoccer
Women’s World Cup Final: 5 Things to Watch for in USA vs. Japan
The women’s World Cup title game, between the U.S. and Japan, in Frankfurt, kicks off at 2:45 Eastern time today. Here are five things to watch for in of the most highly anticipated games in U.S. soccer history.
Keeping ScoreSoccer
Why is America All Huffy About Qatar?
Really? That’s been the reaction of most Americans to the announcement that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. Perhaps such self-righteous American soccer buffs should try asking that of themselves. Really? As in, you’re really …
Holland Bests Uruguay, 3-2, to Reach the Final
Uruguay took the longest, most difficult route to the World Cup, the last to qualify in South American and only after winning a playoff. No wonder they wanted to stick around so long. Let’s also give Holland its due: this team deserves its spot in the World Cup final. Holland has run the table in both qualifying and in the World Cup. …
Orange You Glad You’re Not Brazil?
Wow.
Well, my earlier criticism of the Dutch is that they’ve tended to play up or down to the level of whatever team they’ve faced each day—a tactic that got them through the group round, but risked being trickier to replicate in the knock-out stage against the cream of the world’s footballing crop. The Netherlands not only …
“Insipid” Sounds About Right
Jeezo peezo. If that farce was a World Cup 1/8th final match, I wonder how we managed to avoid death by narcolepsy during the group rounds. Certainly the Netherlands deserved its 2-1 victory over Slovakia, but only because it lost what for the most part looked like a sleepwalk competition: the Dutch couldn’t quite manage to be as …
Keeping ScoreWorld Cup
From Paris: More On England Getting Robbed
Our Paris bureau chief, World Cup Blog contributor, and all-around football guru Bruce Crumley commented on my gut reaction post to the Frank Lampard play. Bruce’s post shouldn’t be buried in the comments section: he offers a clear, in-depth argument as to why instant replay is needed in soccer. Check it out below. Right on, Bruce!
