latest articles by Derek Reese
Wrexham
/ 1211 days agoThe Wrexham AFC story: America's new fascination
Wrexham AFC, a Welsh club in the fifth tier of the English league system, has vaulted into the consciousness of the soccer world over the past two years. To help tell their story, we spoke with soccer commentator (and lifelong Wrexham supporter) Bryn Law to learn more about the Wrexham AFC story. After being purchased […]
News
/ 1212 days agoWhy soccer fans prefer promotion and relegation
Promotion and relegation is a system used throughout most of the soccer world. Clubs move up and down their country's standings based on their relative strength via results on the field from season to season. And soccer fans all over the world overwhelmingly prefer it to the alternative. The alternative is the franchise system. One […]
News
/ 1213 days agoWhat is promotion and relegation?
Promotion and relegation is one of the key mechanics across much of the global sport called soccer. But what is pro/rel, as it's commonly abbreviated? If you're a new fan, especially coming from American sports, you might be completely unfamiliar with the concept. What is promotion and relegation? At the most basic level, promotion and […]
News
/ 1215 days agoWrexham FA Cup replay added to ESPN2 vs Sheffield United
The magical Wrexham FA Cup run continues to enthrall soccer fans in the United States. And the hype of everyone's new favorite Welsh side has led to next week's Wrexham FA Cup replay airing on ESPN2, as well as ESPN+. The move to the big cable network comes after the initial FA Cup 4th Round […]
Reader Mailbag
/ 1217 days agoReader Mailbag: Answers to your soccer streaming questions
It's World Soccer Talk Reader Mailbag time again. This week, we're talking FA Cup and Championship on ESPN+, soccer on HBO Max, and the FIFA Women's World Cup on FOX. Don't forget to add any questions you might have about soccer and/or streaming in the comments below, and we'll do our best to answer those […]
News
/ 1219 days agoSoccer games on Paramount+ in February
There's plenty of soccer games on Paramount+ this February. Here's a rundown of some of the best action coming our way: UEFA Champions League After a condensed schedule of Group Stage games brought on by the Qatar World Cup in November and December, the world's biggest club competition is back on Valentine's Day with the […]
News
/ 1222 days agoSoccer games on ESPN+ in February
There is lots to love in the offering of soccer games on ESPN+ this February. Here's what you can look forward to in the second month of 2023: FA Cup Don't miss any of the FA Cup games through January 30. And watch all of them via ESPN+, which includes their new whiparound show. League […]
News
/ 1223 days agoESPN's Wrexham FA Cup game to feature star talent
ESPN is pulling out all the stops for this weekend's Wrexham FA Cup game. The Red Dragons host Sheffield United of the Championship in the FA Cup Fourth Round at the Racecourse Ground this Sunday at 11:30 AM ET. The game airs live on ESPN+. The rising Welsh club has had its share of memorable […]
News
/ 1224 days agoSoccer games on Peacock in February
Wondering about the soccer games on Peacock coming up in February? Here's what you can tune in to on the streaming service next month: Premier League The English Premier League is certainly the crown jewel of the Peacock sports lineup. The competition rolls on as the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United […]
News
/ 1232 days agoWhat times are the Women's World Cup games played?
The 2022 men's World Cup is in the history books, and now just seven months away the biggest event for the women kicks off in Australia and New Zealand at the expanded 32-team 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Kickoff times for viewers in the United States were less-than-ideal for games coming from Qatar, and unfortunately […]
Wrexham
/ 1236 days agoWhy Americans find Welcome to Wrexham so compelling
Both within soccer circles and amongst the general public, there's no doubt that Americans love Welcome to Wrexham. The FX docuseries following the exploits of Welsh non-league side Wrexham AFC debuted in late summer 2022 to rave reviews. And it has churned up an American fanbase for a down-on-its-luck club battling in the fifth tier […]
News
/ 1237 days agoSuper League: The War for Football: Apple's next soccer hit?
Many soccer fans know Apple TV+ for its irreverent comedy series Ted Lasso. Live soccer arrives later this Spring when the MLS/Apple $250 million, 10-year rights deal delivers the MLS Season Pass app, which will feature every MLS regular season and playoff game in one place for the first time. World Soccer Talk got a […]
News
/ 1237 days agoHow to improve the MLS Cup Playoffs format
The MLS Cup playoff format could potentially be significantly altered, as early as the 2023 season, according to a report. The latest idea being floated by the league is a best-of-three series for the first round of MLS Cup Playoffs. This proposal now supersedes a previously reported "World Cup style" format that would have featured […]
News
/ 1244 days agoWrexham popularity boosts ESPN viewership in USA
The growing popularity of Wrexham AFC in the United States is boosting ESPN's viewing numbers for the FA Cup. The fifth-tier Welsh side has risen to global relevance thanks to the 2020 takeover by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and the "Welcome to Wrexham" FX TV series following the club. Viewership for the […]
World Soccer Talk
/ 1248 days agoHappy New Year from World Soccer Talk
As we close out 2022 and look ahead to 2023, everyone here at World Soccer Talk would like to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year! We thank you for trusting us for your soccer news, schedules and analysis in 2022 – and what a year it was! Starting with ourselves, we unveiled […]