Robert Hay

As I wrote my recent article on five reasons Italy should be afraid of Costa Rica, even I had a hard time not considering the Azzurri the heavy favorites in the match.  They had turned back an England side that looked better than recent Three Lions teams and showed few of the weaknesses that had […]

Even though the eyes of the soccer world are focused on Brazil, the transfer market is heating up back in Europe. One of the hottest rumors floating around England is that Arsenal are interested in signing Mario Balotelli. Depending on what you read, Arsenal new kit sponsors Puma may be willing to offset some of the […]

Jurgen Klinsmann has always had a close attachment to Jermaine Jones. Whether it was because he was one of the first high-profile German dual nationals to come play for the United States in this squad or he positionally was key to Klinsmann's ideal formation, the German-American coach has always stood up for the midfielder even […]

In the modern game, we have lost out on the candid and honest interview in the media.  That’s why the sound bites after Brazil’s 3-1 victory over Croatia were so good.  Croatian coach Niko Kovac was right to say after the match about referee Yuichi Nishimura, “I had a feeling that the referee had one […]

One of the things that bugs me most about popular culture is the lack of quality fictional moves about soccer. Bend It Like Beckham may have been the last good fictional account where soccer played a prominent role, and even that is not that wonderful of a movie.  Arguably The Damned United is fictional (and there […]

The spectacle that took place outside and inside the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday was probably missed by most soccer fans.  The lead-up to the Coppa Italia final was full of anticipation – both Fiorentina and Napoli play an open and exciting brand of soccer. And Rafa Benitez, with a win, could secure a trophy with […]

At first glance, all seems right in Serie A this season.  Traditional power Juventus is atop the league table with the scudetto seemingly in hand, a resurgent traditional power in A.S. Roma sits behind them, and in third is big-spender and recent title challenger Napoli.  None of the top teams currently are tainted with scandal, […]

Are you ready for some SOCCER?  Tonight is the debut of Soccer Night in America, which this week means Friday.  Portland and Philadelphia will kick off around 10:30 PM ET.  That plus an 11 PM kickoff in the #LAvNY match means East Coast soccer fans will have a few late nights (as West Coast fans […]

MLS has a major problem with Toledo.  No, not the city in Ohio but the referee Baldomero Toledo.  The MLS midweek game last night was excellent – it had drama, a touch of irony, and a late goal leading to a 1-1 draw between the Whitecaps and Revolution.  What the match didn't have was 11 […]

Good evening everyone, and happy MLS First Matchday Eve. As promised, our week in review feature is shifting to Friday to cover the week's news and items that flew under the radar. As expected, most of these involve preparations for tomorrow's matches. Make sure you take our poll at the end of the post as well to let […]