The Italy National Team have started preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Coach Cesare Prandelli has called up 31 players (30 plus the 4th goalkeeper Mirante). This list must be reduced to 23 before heading to Mangaratiba, 100 km from Rio de Janeiro, where the Azzurri will have their headquarters during the tournament. […]

At the start of next season, two of the biggest powerhouses in Europe will be missing from continental soccer altogether. Manchester United and AC Milan tried to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, but both fell short in the final matches of their respective league campaigns. In numerous sports, wild cards can be awarded […]

Exciting times are ahead at Manchester United. After suffering their worst season in recent memory, there is quiet optimism among the club and fans that a return to normalcy, and winning trophies, is close. While the sacking of David Moyes may have caused this new wave of optimism, the announcement of Louis Van Gaal as […]

Some would say this is a thankless task — picking a starting XI and a bench from the three relegated sides. I examined the three relegated sides to see what could be salvaged and turned into a functional, if not stylish, Premier League team. Stats, whether you love or hate them, paint a clear picture […]

Atletico Madrid won the Spanish Primera title on the final day of the season with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona. At the other end of the table, Osasuna and Real Valladolid were relegated and will join Real Betis in La Segunda. Atletico Madrid won their first La Liga title since 1996 after drawing 1-1 with Barcelona […]

There is a new way of looking over soccer tactics, conducting team practices, and giving management a better understanding of their soccer club and players: Performance Analysis. We are starting to see more companies provide information in regards to performance analysis — companies such as StatDNA and Opta provide club teams or fans information on […]

Admit it, you’re addicted to collecting the Panini World Cup stickers. You’ve bought tons of packs and now you’re turning to friends in order to trade for those specific players you want in your album. Keeping up with all the stickers can be difficult though, and flipping through you album to see who you need […]

Soccer in this country has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last two decades. Some of that growth has been spurred on by the success of the U.S. Men’s National Team as well as the U.S. Women’s National Team. Undoubtedly, some of that growth is a result of a more financially stable MLS. […]

Portugal, one of the group stage opponents for the United States, has released its final 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup. The shock cut was that of Ricardo Quaresma who made the squad for Euro 2012 but did not feature in that tournament. Braga's Rafa Silva appears to have been selected in Quaresma's place. […]

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, […]