The May 24th issue of Sports Illustrated magazine features a World Cup cover story penned by Grant Wahl. According to Wahl, it’s the first time soccer has graced the SI cover since David Beckham had his chops on it in July, 2007. Wahl added that he has three lengthy stories inside on the topic of the world’s game.

Bravo Sports Illustrated. I remember in the 80s and early 90s when it was extremely rare to see even a mention of soccer in the magazine which was (and is?) a staple of American sports culture.