Paul Kennedy recently noted at Soccer America that we owe a big thank you to Koman Coulibaly, the suddenly world-famous referee who made a controversial call against the U.S. a few days ago. “He accomplished what no one else could in more than 100 years. He made Americans care passionately about soccer.” Indeed, I may… Read More »
Since last December’s World Cup draw, the Algerian team has been, to my mind, underestimated. They’ve certainly had their ups and downs, and the coach has taken risks by incorporating some new players who weren’t present in qualifying. And the goalie who played so well against England, Raïs M’Bohli, did so during his first full… Read More »
“After the USA-Slovenia rollercoaster ended Friday afternoon, our entire nation seethed at one man alone. Koman Coulibaly’s phantom call was inexplicable at the time, and it still remains mystifying no matter how many times you replay the free-kick itself: no offsides, no fouls (aside from the slew of Slovenian ones), nothing at all. It was,… Read More »
It’s strange to say, but I felt a powerful sense of relief after France’s defeat by Mexico. I’ve been rooting for France steadily since 2006, through the crash-and-burn of Euro 2008, through a qualifying campaign that constantly seemed like Waterloo (with Serbs instead the English), through the ire of Ireland, optimistic to a fault. Now… Read More »
I am probably watching soccer with the wrong person. As my friend D. and I walk through the 40-degree heat of downtown Belgrade, where she grew up and returns in the summers, I spot a building-high vertical banner of an enthusiastic, fit young man in body paint hawking soda. “Refresh Your World!” it implores. I… Read More »
At its best, the US team plays a Joe Dimaggio game Pete Rose tough. Soccer is the middle class’s way of making their boys into men.
Check out this interesting song, a collaboration between 11 different MCs, produced in Dakar and Italy, that provides a multi-lingual soundtrack/celebration/critique of the World Cup.
Ryan Brown, a Duke University student currently writing for Salon.com, has just published an excellent piece urging us to remember that the U.S. has already won a World Cup. As she provocatively concludes: “This summer, though, all eyes will be on the men’s team, and I for one am cheering for them, hoping that one… Read More »
Picture this, if you will, for a moment: a five-year-old boy named Gelson Fernandes arrives with his parents from the Cape Verde islands in the town of Sion, in Switzerland. From an Atlantic island of the coast of Africa, the family has moved to a beautiful but snowy town perched under glaciers in the French… Read More »
As Spain prepares to take on Switzerland on Wednesday, the world is abuzz with anticipation. Not only are Spain joint favorites with Brazil, but the tournament needs the Spanish team like a fish needs water. After one of the drabbest opening rounds in memory, fans everywhere are looking for reasons as to why things are… Read More »
