<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-c.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-c.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-122471" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141123_CMS_122466_didier-drogba-comic-c-600x491_b4ec4057.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=491" alt="didier-drogba-comic-c" width="600" height="491" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045145/didier-drogba-comic-c-600x491.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045145/didier-drogba-comic-c-150x122.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045145/didier-drogba-comic-c-300x245.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045145/didier-drogba-comic-c.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>
When I first heard that Didier Drogba’s story was being told in comic form, I waited in eager anticipation to get my hands on the book. See, I read comic books on a weekly basis and head straight to my local comic store after work each Wednesday to pick up new issues. I do this largely because I think some of the best stories being told right now are in comic books. Yes, comics have the stigma of being for children, but there are some rich, vibrant characters and plots in modern day comic books.
After reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0992686377/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0992686377&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=et00d-20&amp;linkId=A75PN6Q2BIKXRJ3N" target="_blank">Didier Drogba: Part 1: From Tito to Drogba</a>, it’s absolutely clear that the author, Gabin Bao, developed this story for a younger audience. That said, Drogba has lived quite an interesting life, becoming a paragon of sorts to an entire continent, and some of those themes peeked out just enough to keep me reading.
Let’s start with the writing, as that’s the backbone of any book. The story itself stays true enough to Drogba’s life, which, as I stated before, is fascinating. There are times when the depiction of the Ivorian striker seems a bit too perfect to be true. A bit of a character flaw is introduced while telling the story of his failing grades as a young student and his attempt to forge his aunt’s signature on a failed test, but apart from that, this book leaves out any negative aspects of his character. The book is also largely devoid of conflict aside from a couple of panels that showed he had to sneak out to train before his father could stop him; a subplot that evolves into nothing. Finally, while the grammar suffices, it’s clear that English was not the first language this comic was written in. There are awkward bits of dialogue scattered throughout that cause the characters to feel a bit stiff an unnatural.
The artwork is perhaps the book’s strongest part. Sketches and filtered, photorealistic backgrounds merge to create an interesting juxtaposition. I was, at times, a little unnerved at the fact that every character is smiling in every single frame, but it grows on you after awhile. On the subject of frames, this book follows the traditional style of varying frame sizes and positioning seen in just about every comic book. The composition stays fairly traditional though and the progression of frames is easy enough to follow, even for the youngest reader.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-122468 size-full" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141123_CMS_122466_didier-drogba-comic_b3e798f3.webp&amp;width=450&amp;height=603" alt="didier-drogba-comic" width="450" height="603" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045148/didier-drogba-comic.jpg 450w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045148/didier-drogba-comic-150x201.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045148/didier-drogba-comic-300x402.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"></a></figure>
There are a few instances in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0992686377/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0992686377&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=et00d-20&amp;linkId=A75PN6Q2BIKXRJ3N" target="_blank">From Tito to Drogba</a> that had me yearning for more. One moment in particular takes place right after his initial call up to the Ivory Coast at a time when his nation was split by an armed rebellion. The war obviously played a large part in Didier’s life and his future endeavors for the Ivory Coast and all of Africa, but the conflict is only mentioned on a single page before we cut back to Drogba on the pitch.
Part one of the striker’s life story ends with his transfer to Chelsea. The closing pages are perhaps the most engaging as they depict his struggle in making the decision to leave Marseille for the London club. Drogba’s current devotion to Chelsea is obvious, but he really wrestled with the initial transfer, which is explained in perhaps the most complete subplot in the entire book. There’s also a really great story of what happened when Drogba and Mourinho first met, but I won’t spoil that.
Ultimately, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0992686377/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0992686377&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=et00d-20&amp;linkId=A75PN6Q2BIKXRJ3N" target="_blank">Didier Drogba: Part 1: From Tito to Drogba</a> is intended for a younger reader who appreciates not only Drogba, but simply the sport of soccer. While adult readers will be found wanting, the first part of this comic life of Drogba would make a great gift for a young soccer player, particularly if he or she was just starting to read.
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-a.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-a.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-122469" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141123_CMS_122466_didier-drogba-comic-a-600x531_f7d3767d.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=531" alt="didier-drogba-comic-a" width="600" height="531" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045147/didier-drogba-comic-a-600x531.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045147/didier-drogba-comic-a-150x132.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045147/didier-drogba-comic-a-300x265.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045147/didier-drogba-comic-a.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-b.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/didier-drogba-comic-b.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-122470" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20141123_CMS_122466_didier-drogba-comic-b-600x490_7a276271.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=490" alt="didier-drogba-comic-b" width="600" height="490" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045146/didier-drogba-comic-b-600x490.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045146/didier-drogba-comic-b-150x122.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045146/didier-drogba-comic-b-300x245.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/11/17045146/didier-drogba-comic-b.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>

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Review of Didier Drogba Comic Book, ‘From Tito to Drogba’

Review of Didier Drogba Comic Book, 'From Tito to Drogba' - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-107174" title="kasey-keller" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kasey-keller.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="266" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053430/kasey-keller.jpg 500w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053430/kasey-keller-150x79.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053430/kasey-keller-300x159.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"></figure>
Former United States goalkeeper and ESPN analyst Kasey Keller will be taking part in a Twitter chat Thursday, 6/26&nbsp;at 9:15 am EST ahead of the United States vs Germany match.
Fans can submit questions to Castrol GTX’s twitter page (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/CastrolUSA" target="_blank">@CastrolUSA</a>), and use the hashtag #AskKasey to get in on the conversation. This is a great opportunity to ask a US soccer legend about the USMNT and all things World Cup related.
Not sure of what to ask? How about his time in England when he played for the likes of Millwall and Tottenham Hotspur? What about his time with the USMNT (1990-2007)? Maybe you’re curious about his transition from the EPL to the MLS. Whatever you’ve got, Kasey is up for it. And really, what better way to prepare for the United States’ biggest game of the World Cup than talking to a USMNT veteran?

Tweet Your Questions to USA Legend and ESPN Analyst Kasey Keller On Thursday Morning

Tweet Your Questions to USA Legend and ESPN Analyst Kasey Keller On Thursday Morning - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_103866" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-103866" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103866" title="Kampion" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140618_CMS_103863_Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.18.02-PM-600x382_1220d5f6.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=382" alt="" width="600" height="382" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054229/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.18.02-PM-600x382.png 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054229/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.18.02-PM-150x95.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054229/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.18.02-PM-300x191.png 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054229/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.18.02-PM.png 817w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>Some of the playing cards featuring art by Adrián Oviedo, Asclê de Oliveira, Thiago Ramon Grizilli and many others.</div>
There have been several times in my life when I’ve run across something that I didn’t even know I wanted. For example, there are artists that add monsters to thrift store paintings, turning boring into amazing. I want one of those hanging in my living room. Google searching “birds with arms” was also something I stumbled upon that I could waste hours on (If you’re googling that right now, you’re welcome). The <a href="http://www.kampioncardgame.com/" target="_blank">Kampion card game</a> fits right into this category.
I’ve been into strategy card games since I was young. Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, and most recently Munchkin, have all been staples of game nights with friends. I love the artistry that accompanies card games, and the fact that most are easy to pick up, but difficult to master. When I heard that Kampion combined card strategy with soccer, I knew I had to get into it.
Kampion is still in the very early stages of development, but what’s currently available is impressive. So impressive, in fact, that I’m encouraging you guys to go and support this effort. As of now, physical decks aren’t available, but there are PDFs available online for free at <a title="kampioncardgame.com" href="http://www.kampioncardgame.com/">kampioncardgame.com</a> that you can print off, cut out, and play.
You’ll immediately notice the variety of artistic styles that make up the cards. No two are alike, which adds a really cool uniqueness to the game, but also some charm to the overall project. Lourenço Ferreira, the creator of Kampion, explains that the artistic variety wasn’t as much of a choice as it was something that happened organically.
<blockquote>“I could not afford to pay illustrators to build this project, so I just emailed a ‘few,’ hoping they’d want to join us for some fun and for the love of football. It’s now a few months later and we have more than 150 cards. Although in the beginning it was decided out of necessity, the art style ended up being the strongest part of the project. I made a first card to set the tone, then each illustrator used his or her own style, which makes the game so unique.” said creator Lourenço Ferreira</blockquote>
The majority of players on the cards are recognizable. The likes of Diego Maradona, Alexi Lalas, and Luis Suarez appear, and each are rendered in a unique fashion. I really can’t say enough about the wealth of artistic styles here.
<div id="attachment_103867" style="width: 417px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-103867" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-103867 " title="Lalas-Kampion" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140618_CMS_103863_Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.26.17-PM_bd69277c.webp&amp;width=407&amp;height=481" alt="" width="407" height="481" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054228/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.26.17-PM.png 407w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054228/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.26.17-PM-150x177.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054228/Screen-Shot-2014-06-09-at-4.26.17-PM-300x354.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px"></figure>Artwork by Dave Habennink, with a character named Lovecraftt who resembles Alexi Lalas</div>
There are currently a couple of games types available and another in the works. “Traditional” mode plays by the classic top-trumps rules where a particular statistic is chosen and each player draws cards. The player who draws the card with the highest chosen statistic wins that round. Each card has eight statistics, ranging from speed to temper. The statistics are ranked from one circle to five, and in the case of a few, five and a star (which is the highest). The second game type, “Evolution,” adds a few tricky rules to the “Traditional” game type. But what really interests me is “Revolution.” Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, this game type is still being beta tested and isn’t available. It does promise a deeper game with more strategy than the first two.
If you’re reading this and finding that you too need this (and didn’t even know it) I encourage you to check out <a title="kampioncardgame.com" href="http://www.kampioncardgame.com">kampioncardgame.com</a>, print off some cards, and play with your friends. If you like it, and want to help support, give these guys a follow on social media (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/kampioncardgame" target="_blank">@kampioncardgame</a>), or join their mailing list. They’ll let you know when crowdfunding officially begins. Whether you’re a card geek, like me, or just a lover of the beautiful game, this is a really cool idea that could become a bit hit.

Kampion: A New Competitive Card Game Featuring Famous Soccer Players Now Available For Download

Kampion: A New Competitive Card Game Featuring Famous Soccer Players Now Available For Download - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-78509" title="eric-wynalda" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140616_CMS_105060_eric-wynalda-600x290_c6b3e04b.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=290" alt="" width="600" height="290" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/07/17065659/eric-wynalda-600x290.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/07/17065659/eric-wynalda-150x72.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/07/17065659/eric-wynalda-300x145.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/07/17065659/eric-wynalda.jpg 660w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
World Soccer Talk’s Bo McMillan recently sat down with Eric Wynalda, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/11/turning-point-for-american-soccer-world-cup-usa-94/">third all-time leading goal scorer for the United States National Team</a> and current FOX Sports soccer analyst and co-commentator. Wynalda <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/01/06/eric-wynalda-to-be-named-atlanta-silverbacks-interim-head-coach-for-second-time/">is also the Technical Director of the NASL (US Second Division) Atlanta Silverbacks.&nbsp;</a>
Here’s the transcript of the interview ahead of USA’s game against Ghana:
Bo: How important is the United States’ performance in this World Cup in terms of the popularity of the sport here? How will their performance affect the growth of soccer in the US?
Eric: We are judged every four years on where we are as a soccer nation. Most countries aren’t on this fast track of growth. Most countries have maybe even hit the ceiling already in terms of fan support. But what ends up happening is their countries get excited at the idea of having a wonderful World Cup. For us, we’re always kind of just sitting there waiting to see what happens. I’ve never seen this country this excited about the game. I’ve never seen this kind of fan support. But you’re talking about the casual fan? Americans don’t get it if we don’t win the whole thing. That’s just the mentality. Jurgen’s quote didn’t help, “We’re not going to win the World Cup.” That probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say to the American people, especially the casual fan.
Bo: With the difficult group that we were drawn into, does Klinsmann get a free pass for this World Cup?
Eric: No. No he doesn’t. And he shouldn’t. If you notice, as soon as we saw the draw, his argument was it was that it was unfair for him to be evaluated with his group. So what did he do? He immediately negotiated for four more years, and changed things around quite a bit. He has his people around him now. It is a whole-new look federation. I mean, we all have different opinions on what will make this a successful World Cup. I’ll just tell you this. If we don’t get a win, if we do not win a World Cup game, he will probably be let go.
Bo:&nbsp;With this roster, we have a mixture of veteran players and young talent. Who will need to step up and shoulder more of the weight in this tournament?
Eric: You look at a guy like Graham Zusi who’s a bit older, but playing in his first World Cup. That’s got to be invigorating for him. He’s going to go through a whole slew of emotions. He’s going to run a little faster, he’s going to be a little quicker. We’ll find out in a hurry how good we’re going to be. I actually think this team will play a lot better than expected, especially in that first game. Because, one, we need to. And two, right down the spine, we do have enough experience. Guys like Dempsey, Bradley, and Howard will be the calming voice in the locker room and probably get us through those first 20 minutes.
Bo: The current system of finding young talent in the United States relies heavily on colleges and young travel team programs. Do you think this current system is adequate to discover that next big talent?
Eric: No. We’re nowhere near it. The infrastructure that you see in Europe is far more organized than what we have. My argument is, instead of looking oversees to see what players we can find, it might be more advantageous to start looking into some backyards here in America. There are a lot of possibilities we’re overlooking on a continual basis. I’ve got a kid on my team (Atlanta Silverbacks) right now, and I’m not afraid to talk about him. His name is Poku and he’s from Ghana and he got married to an American girl. Poku is American. He’s 21, 6’1”, and he’s one of the best soccer players, obviously in this league (NASL), but he might be too good for the MLS too. He can play anywhere. He literally lives down the street in Atlanta. He happens to be living here because he had a school visa that expired and he had to figure out a way to stay in this country. Now he’s here, and he’s legal, and he’s good.
Bo: So what changes do we make?
Eric: You hire the right people and you stop being lazy. Stop being afraid. Just because you got an email that said you have to put your jacket on and go to some division one game, don’t be afraid to talk to people. Watch that division three game, or the Mexican league game in East LA that happens to have a 20-year old kid who looks pretty good. People will say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” and give you a million reasons not to give him a chance. But there are a million reasons TO give him a chance. We’ve missed the boat a lot. Our coaching in this country is not good. Let’s just say that. The moment that we finally discover a player, the moment he’s been discovered by the powers that be in this country, is the moment we start destroying him. That’s what happens. Nobody wants to admit it, but we’ve got a bunch of coaches that over-coach and turn players into what they want them to be as opposed to letting them become who they are. Power trips and PowerPoint presentations are dictating the show right now. There aren’t enough soccer minds out there making soccer decisions.
Bo: You’ve seen a lot of success in your career both on and off the pitch. What kind of legacy do you want to leave with United States soccer?
Eric: To be fair, I think I can have a far greater effect on the game in the next 10 years than I’ve had in the last 20. What I was able to accomplish as a player… well, it has its good moments, and it has its bad moments. It’s all experience that, if I don’t use it, if I don’t pass it on, it’s useless. The frustration for me has been exclusion. Maybe people don’t like the truth. Maybe people don’t like to…. I don’t know, maybe people don’t like solutions. Because if you come in with a solution, what does that mean? It means you’ve probably just got 10 people fired. So those people are going to protect their jobs. It’s a dangerous path that you walk if you’re a guy like me who just wants to make a difference. You kind of have to play ball and play that political game of not saying anything to make sure that people trust you enough that they’ll be able to put you in a position where you can help but know you won’t say or do the wrong thing in the wrong moment. If anyone has been paying attention to my career as a coach, I don’t think I’ve had very many missteps.
Eric Wynalda spoke to World Soccer Talk on behalf of Sony’s sponsorship of the 2014 World Cup.

Wynalda: Klinsmann will be fired if US doesn’t win World Cup game

Wynalda: Klinsmann will be fired if US doesn’t win World Cup game - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/worldsoccertalk/" target="_blank"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/worldsoccertalk/" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-101888" title="world-soccer-talk-pinterest" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140522_CMS_101887_world-soccer-talk-pinterest-600x320_222f0bf0.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=320" alt="" width="600" height="320" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054815/world-soccer-talk-pinterest-600x320.png 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054815/world-soccer-talk-pinterest-150x80.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054815/world-soccer-talk-pinterest-300x160.png 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054815/world-soccer-talk-pinterest.png 1262w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>
Part of the magic of the World Cup is seeing players suit up and represent their countries in the world’s biggest tournament. Ask any player and they’ll tell you it’s an incredible honor putting on his nation’s colors and playing for all his fellow countrymen watching. In the history of the tournament there have been some really great kits, and some really horrid ones as well. This World Cup will be no different.
We’ve taken the time to collect every home and away (and in two cases, third) kit that the teams will be wearing this summer. Sure, you’ve known what your country’s jerseys will look like for a long time now, but have you seen how awesome the Cameroon kits are, or how the Honduran kits have a huge “H” on the front, Scarlet Letter style? There will be some real jems in Brazil this summer. <a href="http://goo.gl/TbUJGJ" target="_blank">Head over to our page</a> so you can be in the know come June.
And if you’re on Pinterest, be sure to follow us at <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank">pinterest.com/worldsoccertalk</a>&nbsp;for World Cup photos, soccer stickers and other great images for soccer fans.
Or if you’re interested in ordering any of the shirts featured, see the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/04/30/buy-world-cup-soccer-jerseys-official-shirts-from-all-countries-playing-in-brazil/">complete collection here</a>.

Browse Through All of the World Cup 2014 Kits: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Browse Through All of the World Cup 2014 Kits: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-99026" title="peter-wilt-indy-eleven" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven.png" alt="" width="635" height="346" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven.png 635w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven-150x81.png 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven-300x163.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven-600x326.png 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/peter-wilt-indy-eleven-250x135.png 250w" sizes="(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px"></figure>
We got to sit down with a very busy Peter Wilt, President and General Manager of Indy Eleven, the newest NASL club in the United States. He talks everything from buying players to the growth of soccer in America.
We kept the background noise in to give you a better sense of the intimate workspace that Indy Eleven functions out of. The office is small, and it’s hectic, but there’s a ton of eagerness and excitement as the club kicks off their first season.
This is the second part of our behind-the-scenes series about life at America’s newest soccer club, Indy Eleven. Read our article from last week that went behind the scenes at the club.
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An exclusive interview with Peter Wilt, Indy Eleven’s GM

An exclusive interview with Peter Wilt, Indy Eleven's GM - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-98791" title="indy-eleven-office-meeting" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/indy-eleven-office-meeting.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="640" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055746/indy-eleven-office-meeting.jpg 640w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055746/indy-eleven-office-meeting-150x150.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055746/indy-eleven-office-meeting-300x300.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055746/indy-eleven-office-meeting-600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></figure>
Editor’s note: Indy Eleven plays its first match this Saturday evening&nbsp;when the team battles Carolina Railhawks in the NASL, the second division of US soccer. The debut of a brand-new soccer club is an exciting milestone in the growth of the sport in the United States, so we wanted to capture the excitement and to find out what goes on behind the scenes before a league game is played. We sent World Soccer Talk’s Bo McMillan to Indianapolis, where Indy Eleven were gracious enough to allow him complete access around the office and with the team, where Bo was able to be a fly on the wall during the exciting period of this club’s history. Here’s what he discovered.
&nbsp;
Eight people sit around a table in a small corner office in downtown Indianapolis. It’s early, and a slew of coffee mugs cover the table, sending wispy bits of steam towards the ceiling.
The <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mnSlWItInS/" target="_blank">Indy Eleven office</a> is inconspicuous. A small sign hangs by the front door of a large building, all but lost among the bustle of the city around it. You’d easily miss it if you weren’t looking for it. Inside, though, things are different. Each member of the staff wears the red and blue of their club. Most elect to wear a pullover or a t-shirt with the Indy Eleven logo, some wear suits with a pin depicting the crest. If the outside is inconspicuous, the inside is anything but.
The team members sit around the table, chatting idly, and waiting for the meeting to start. Moments later, Peter Wilt walks into the room. Even if you’d never heard of him, you’d know he was important by the way everyone responds to him. He seemingly unintentionally commands the room.
Peter is the General Manager, and by the looks of him, with an Indy Eleven scarf around his neck, the club’s biggest fan. His name may be familiar to those who closely follow soccer in the States, especially near Chicago. Peter has had his hands in the creation of several clubs, but he’s most known for the inception of the Chicago Fire, one of the oldest clubs in MLS.
Peter takes a moment to open his notebook then looks up with a smile.
“Raise your hand if you’re overwhelmed,” he begins.
The room unanimously confirms his suspicions by putting their hands in the air. They have smiles on their faces, but they know time is of the essence. Every single person in the office has one date on his or her mind, April 12th. The kickoff to the 2014 North American Soccer League season, and Indy Eleven’s first-ever competitive match, happens in just days. They’ve had fifteen months to prepare, but ask anyone in the office and they’ll tell you they’d love another fifteen.
Indy Eleven was first announced in early 2013 as a NASL expansion team. The NASL, which is comprised of thirteen teams, is categorized as a Division II soccer league in the United States, and sandwiched between MLS and USL PRO. The league itself is relatively young, but names like the New York Cosmos carry a lot of history in the States. The Indy Eleven staff have several goals, but chief among them is to become the flagship team of the NASL. Usurping teams like the Cosmos is a tall order in itself, but to have that goal in mind before a single regular-season game has been played is nothing short of ambitious.
Ambitious is actually a word that perfectly defines Indy Eleven. These men and women sitting around the table are fighting to make this club relevant in a city that holds two of the biggest sporting franchises in the United States, the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. They don’t see these teams as direct competition, but they understand they’re coming into a market that’s become accustomed to sporting excellence.
“The challenge is to prove we’re a credible organization,” Peter Wilt admits. “To prove that soccer can be successful in Indiana. There’s a large void in the sports marketplace in Indianapolis that Indy Eleven fills. All the kids who grew up playing soccer? Now they’re adults. They have a passion for the sport, not just because they play the sport but also because they follow it on television and on the Internet. [Soccer] is very accessible now, much more so than even five years ago. They all have their favorite teams in Europe but now they want a local team they can feel connected to.”
These things are on everyone’s minds as they sit in this meeting. The hands go down, Peter continues to smile, and they dive into it. The first order of business? Ponchos. The sun is shining through the windows, but rain is expected later that night, and for the next three days. This will threaten two friendlies scheduled for that time period. Several minutes are spent discussing how many ponchos to order and whether or not to have a logo included on them. It’s tedious, and numbers fly around the room, but they know it’s important to be prepared to contend with the elements if they want fans showing up to their games and sticking around.
Next? Garbage. Tom Dunmore, vice president of marketing (editor’s note: and former <a href="http://pitchinvasion.net/" target="_blank">Pitch Invasion</a> blogger), has a separate meeting in a few minutes to discuss logistics of trash pickup after matches. They also discuss electrical issues at Carroll Stadium, their home field, and where the food trucks will park on the property. The meeting isn’t glamorous by any means. The squad itself isn’t even mentioned. But these are critical elements that have to be running smoothly in the background if they’re to achieve the excellence they’re striving for.
Directly after this meeting is another. The previous meeting was subdued, efficient, and logistical, but this one is bustling. It takes place in the same small corner room, but nearly everyone is involved. The room is literally overflowing with people. Among them is Juergen Sommer, Indy Eleven’s head coach, who sits on one of the windowsills because all the seats at the table are taken. Others sit on the floor, some just outside the meeting room door. There isn’t enough room to come close to accommodating everyone, but they make do.
There’s an air of anticipation as the meeting kicks off. Just yesterday, Indy Eleven sent out a press release announcing the signing of Brazilian midfielder Jose Kleberson. Everyone is expecting the former Manchester United player, and 2002 World Cup winner, to be a huge boon to the franchise. At 34, he’s no longer in his prime, but they all believe he still has a lot to offer on the field, and they know his name alone will draw audiences.
“Anyone see the Kleberson billboard on their way into town this morning?” Peter asks.
The room erupts with voices keen to share their excitement over the huge sign displaying their new superstar’s face.
John Koluder, head of public relations, slyly raises his hand.
“I saw the billboard yesterday,” he says, then pauses for a moment. “While Kleberson was in my back seat.”
The room erupts again. Even if Indianapolis’ commuters don’t know who Kleberson is, they’ll see the words “World Cup winner” next to his face. It all comes down to credibility. They know they have it, but now they’re trying to prove it to the community. Kleberson is a symbol that the world’s game has come to their city.
The afternoon brings yet another meeting. This one focuses primarily on the friendly later that evening against Peter Wilt’s former club, the Chicago Fire. The normal meeting room that was filled earlier is still taken, so the most critical staff members for tonight’s match sit around what is essentially the lobby of their office space. Schedules for the night are handed out, and they’re specific. At 6:53pm the teams will come out to warm up, and at 7:18 they’ll clear the field. The clubs will have a few minutes to do some final preparations in the dressing room before the national anthem kicks off at 7:30. At 7:32, the teams shake hands, and 7:33 sees the coin toss, Finally, at 7:33 and 45 seconds the whistle blows. It all seems overly planned and tedious, but the discussion centers on ensuring the start time is as close to 7:30 as possible.
One of the major challenges is the fact that the friendly will take place at Purdue University, not Carroll Stadium, where the majority of preparations for the season have taken place. Purdue is nearly an hour and a half away and there’s a lot to do to make sure everything goes well. Since Indy is hosting the friendly, it’s their responsibility to take care of the Fire and set them up with anything they need. Locations of proper dressing rooms and transport to the grounds are immediate issues that need resolving.
Peter is one of the few lucky enough to have nabbed a seat on the couch. His laptop is in front of him, his schedule is to his side, and he’s on the phone with his contacts over in Chicago. Somehow he’s juggling it all, and what’s more impressive: he’s completely composed. If he and his team are going to pull this off, he has to be. It’s not just about tonight, or even April 12th. This is the birth of a franchise, and Indy Eleven have made sure they’ve hired the type of people that can keep up with this balancing act.
A little while later, John Koluder sits in his office organizing social media for the week of the club’s launch. He’s typing instructions to his staff while explaining the climate of the office. “It’s exhilarating. It’s….frantic…” He struggles to find a few words that can sum up the past fifteen months. Outside his office someone runs down the hallway at full speed. “I’m running with scissors!” she screams as she whizzes by. “That,” John says as he points to the now-empty hallway. “That’s what the climate around here is like.”
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-98792" title="indy-eleven-office-door" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140410_CMS_98789_indy-eleven-office-door-600x800_d13f091b.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=800" alt="" width="600" height="800" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055745/indy-eleven-office-door-600x800.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055745/indy-eleven-office-door-150x200.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055745/indy-eleven-office-door-300x400.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055745/indy-eleven-office-door.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
Talk to anyone in the office and they’ll tell you Indy Eleven is seeking to do something special in not just the NASL but the United States. They want to reach a level of success that seems lofty. Their five-year goals are audacious, including filling an 18,000-seat stadium and offering the best sporting experience in Indianapolis. But they haven’t given themselves these lofty goals just to inspire their staff; they really believe they can achieve them. Of course, everything goes back to their main goal: “We want to win championships and serve the community. Everything else is an extension of that.” That mission statement is loaded. Competing for championships is straightforward enough, but how does a club adequately reach out to a community at such an early stage in its development?
“It’s hard to say how the community will respond to you,” says Koluder. He believes it’s critical that all of Indiana, not just Indianapolis, believes this is their team. “Yeah, it’s less direct competition with the other teams [Colts, Pacers, Indians] and more just creating the emotional bonds we need to build a grassroots fan base.”
Grassroots. That word may as well be on the club’s kits. Indy Eleven’s tagline is, “The World’s Game. Indiana’s Team.” To properly serve the community, this club must become the community.
“It’s the Brickyard Battalion, you know?” Says Wilt. “And the Indiana Soccer Association, and community leaders that really stepped up and supported this. It’s a bottom-up, grassroots effort, which people have taken ownership in. They feel like this is their team, and that’s the key to any successful sports franchise. It’s important that the community feels a sense of ownership, and that’s hard to do in a short time period. Normally that emotional connection comes over generations. But it’s special here because those emotional connections have been created in very short order.”
Peter’s statement is bold. That type of connection to a team can take decades. But he means it, and later that night he would prove it.
Once the staff gets to Purdue later that day they meet for a few moments to ensure everyone knows what they need to do. When they’re done, they split and each person does his or her best to stick to the schedule outlined earlier that day. As they work, everyone seems to have the same question, “Are people going to show up?” No one is sure exactly how many people will come tonight. They’ve sold plenty of tickets, but it’s an hour-and-a-half drive from Indianapolis, and the wind is uncomfortably strong, while the clouds threaten rain.
Any fears of a small turnout are quickly erased the minute the gates open, however. People pour in and before long the stands are full. Most notable among all the supporters is the Brickyard Battalion, the hardcore supporters group of the Indy Eleven. They occupy a small set of bleachers behind one of the goals and they’re so loud they drown out the announcer’s voice coming over the PA. They sing songs about Indy and beat a massive drum, making their presence felt across the small venue. It’s exactly what Peter had talked about. These fans were sold, and Indy hadn’t even played its first competitive match. This group barely knows most of the players, and they’ve only known the name of their club for just over a year, yet they cheer like they’ve been supporters all their lives.
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-98793" title="indy-eleven-team-lined-up" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140410_CMS_98789_indy-eleven-team-lined-up-600x400_90ce7533.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=400" alt="" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055744/indy-eleven-team-lined-up-600x400.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055744/indy-eleven-team-lined-up-150x100.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/04/17055744/indy-eleven-team-lined-up-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
The match starts, and wears on. Indy Eleven fall behind the Fire, but the passion on the sidelines never fades. The fans continue to sing, and Peter Wilt can be seen walking around the stadium, moving from group to group, never making it far before being surrounded by both Indy Eleven and Chicago Fire fans. He does disappear for a time, and then reappears amongst the Brickyard Battalion. He stands on the highest bleacher seat; hands raised high in the air, in full voice, with a scarf around his neck. He’s looking upon something he’s helped create, watching what his hands have made.
Emails from Indy Eleven staff continue to come in that night until well past 1:00am, more than seventeen hours since the staff arrived in the office that morning. They’ll be back in the office at 8:00 am tomorrow, too. Then they’ll do it all over again later in the week when they scrimmage Indiana University. Rest will not be in abundance in these last days before their debut. Every day will be critical. Sleep is for those who aren’t busy creating their own dreams.
Editor’s note: To learn more about Indy Eleven and to find out how to get tickets, visit the club website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.indyeleven.com/" target="_blank">www.indyeleven.com</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;The club’s supporters group also has its own website, which can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://brickyardbattalion.com/" target="_blank">www.brickyardbattalion.com</a>

Behind the Scenes at Indy Eleven, America’s Newest Soccer Club

Behind the Scenes at Indy Eleven, America's Newest Soccer Club - World Soccer Talk

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