No. 23: Senegal Shock The World (Japan & South Korea, 2002) Nowadays it’s traditional for the host nation to play in the World Cup opener, but back in 2002, it was the current holders France who started the first ever World Cup to be played on Asian soil. The French side were the favorites for […]

Last week during "upfronts," those giant press conferences where television networks pimp their new programming to advertisers, ESPN president John Skipper was asked whether his network would bid on the next Premier League contract, which would begin in 2016. "We'll be interested in it," Skipper told the press. "We love the English Premier League." This […]

Last week, UEFA levied severe Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions against Manchester City FC and Paris Saint-Germain, among several clubs. In the wake of the settlement that averted a potential court case for the governing body of European football, much has been written about FFP. I have for a long while felt that FFP is […]

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney tweeted yesterday that he is looking forward to working with Louis Van Gaal. And I sincerely believe that is true. Perhaps Rooney, Robin van Persie and Van Gaal can propel United to heights forgotten. However, I believe it is more likely that this will turn out to be Rooney’s last […]

Ryan Giggs retired from professional football Monday penning a letter to Manchester United fans thanking them for their support. Giggs’ retirement coincided with the appointment of Louis Van Gaal as manager and Giggs taking on a new role as assistant manager. Van Gaal is not a long-term solution. The Dutchman has never lasted more than […]

The final of the 2014 UEFA Champions League, on Saturday May 24, will be the fifth one-country final, and Atletico Madrid's first Champions League final in history. Diego “El Cholo” Simeone has singlehandedly transformed a team that was falling behind before his arrival in 2011. The season before Simeone, Atletico finished 7th in La Liga, […]

Part of ESPN's 2014 World Cup coverage included eight new 30 For 30 documentaries with two feature length films and six shorter 30-minute films. All eight films have covered a range of topics including national tragedies in Ireland and England to the disappearing of the Jules Rimet Trophy, each as exciting and different as the […]

The Oranje. The Royal Netherlands Football Team (KNVB), aka Netherlands or Holland, is a team well known for its moments of brilliance, but so often eclipsed by moments of madness. Their fans can always be seen wildly cheering on their team decked out in orange with a smattering of red, white, and blue. Well known […]

No. 24: Gemmill's Solo Stunner For Scotland (Argentina, 1978) Whilst it may seem an unfathomable prospect these days, Scotland were actually a very good soccer team towards the back end of the last century. I kid you not! Boasting arguably the world’s finest footballer at the time in Kenny Dalglish, the toughest player in the […]

Manchester United have confirmed that Louis van Gaal is set to become manager after Netherland's World Cup journey ends this summer. Van Gaal, who has won multiple titles in Holland, Spain and Germany, has signed a three-year contract, which will see him take over at the club in time for the 2014/15 season. The Dutch […]

Though it is certainly tempting to call Liverpool’s 2nd place finish in the 2013-14 Premier League season a capitulation, it was not that. Despite not winning the title, Liverpool pushed Manchester City all the way – a situation few could have predicted after the previous season’s 7th place finish. As Liverpool’s rival fans sang Steven Gerrard’s name […]

The World Cup is nearly upon us and as the anticipation is ramping up for the biggest sporting event on the planet, so will the debates, talking points, narratives and clichés. No doubt soccer fans from all over will gather together with like-minded friends and discuss everything there is to talk about regarding the World […]

No. 25: Donovan Sends The States Crazy (South Africa, 2010) After draws in their opening two games of the 2010 World Cup, the United States Men’s National Team knew that they had a wonderful chance of making it to the knockout stages. A hard earned 1-1 tie with England was followed up by a pulsating 2-2 […]

Australia Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has selected his 30-man Provisional Squad for the upcoming World Cup. “We’re excited to announce the preliminary 30-man Socceroos squad for the World Cup…. We’ve selected a squad we believe will represent the people of Australia with pride on the biggest stage in world sport,” Postecoglou said at the official […]

Can you believe it? It’s just 26 days until the World Cup gets underway in Brazil. The host nation will kick off the tournament against Croatia in the competition curtain raiser, paving the way for a month jam-packed with top quality soccer. Lovers of the beautiful game will be able to sit back and sample […]