FIFA World Cup 2014 Draw: Open Thread

Yesterday, the World Soccer Talk team was assembled in Bristol CT as guests of ESPN. During pre-production for Thursday’s ESPN FC show previewing the World Cup Draw, an ESPN staffer shouted “Nelson Mandela died.” Suddenly everyone on the set led … Continue reading →

Brazil are the record World Cup winners, they’re playing at home and they’re the bookmakers’ favorites. Never mind Nostradamus, even Mystic Sally can probably envisage Thiago Silva hoisting aloft the Jules Rimet trophy next July. Despite lacking the panache of … Continue reading →

Walking out of the 2006 World Cup Draw in Germany, Bruce Arena knew that the United States’ tournament was over before it even started. Despite boasting a strong side that would climb into the top ten of the FIFA World … Continue reading →

Moyes Out?…Really?…So soon? On May 12 2013, shortly after Manchester United beat Swansea City 2-1 at Old Trafford, outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson addressed his home supporters and thanked them for sharing the countless memories with him at the club. United’s … Continue reading →

The anticipation is building for Friday’s World Cup Draw, live from Brazil, where the world will find out who will play who in the ultimate soccer tournament on the globe. The draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be … Continue reading →

Sunderland and US international striker Jozy Altidore finally scored his first Premier League goal for Sunderland today. Altidore scored for the Black Cats in the first half of the match against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. Altidore, with his … Continue reading →

We’re set for the busiest day in the 2013/14 Premier League season so far, with nine matches all kicking off. If you live in the United Kingdom, only one of the games is televised (Swansea-Newcastle on BT Sport). For those … Continue reading →

While Manchester United were recently protecting a precious one goal lead against Southampton, manager David Moyes made the most negative change in his short United career thus far. He took off the energetic Wayne Rooney, and replaced him with Chris … Continue reading →

Paolo Rossi stars in a creative new World Cup TV commercial. After getting a shave in a barber shop in Brazil, Rossi tries to pay with a credit card. It’s only then that the Brazilian barber realizes that it’s the … Continue reading →

Following the launch of the official World Cup ball for FIFA World Cup 2014, adidas has released a video featuring the brazuca ball. The video includes plenty of stars from Argentina, Brazil, and Germany, backed by the brilliant song by … Continue reading →

There’s been a lot said lately about MLS expansion, but on a recent edition of ESPNFC, analysts Taylor Twellman and Steve Nicol had a fiery exchange that distilled the MLS expansion debate right down to its essence. Lincoln v. Douglas-esque … Continue reading →

In the last couple of weeks, referees have been under a substantial amount of media pressure after Andre Marriner’s penalty decision at Stamford Bridge and Wes Brown’s red card at Stoke. It was therefore important that the referees had a … Continue reading →

adidas has officially launched the 2014 FIFA World Cup match ball. The ball, named brazuca, was named back in September 2012 following a public vote in Brazil involving 1 million football fans; the name “brazuca” is an informal local term … Continue reading →