If there ever was a death that shook the football world, then the untimely death of Welsh player and manager Gary Speed was it. Speed ultimately took his own life, and it was something that no one saw coming. It wasn’t until a letter that was addressed to his wife, Louise, that the reason he … Read more
Champions League games are often defined by nights of individual brilliance. This was the case when an out-of-form Real Madrid traveled to Old Trafford to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning Manchester United in 2000. The game itself was a spectacle, a goal-fest, but the occasion also marked the apotheosis of midfielder Fernando Redondo in the … Read more
The present-day Everton Football Club began their playing days in 1878 under the name of St Domingo’s, a Methodist chapel situated in the north end of Liverpool. Changing to their present name one year later, they continued to play their home matches on Stanley Park, a piece of open parkland that still separates them from … Read more
Ernst Happel, one of the greatest soccer managers ever. The name alone brings a smile to the face of every true soccer fan. A name that makes us all wonder for a moment if there are still such sincere rebels in the soccer world who dared to set significant challenges to themselves, to dream of … Read more
The game Episkyros is the mother of modern-day soccer. Played between two teams and a ball, Episkyros was an ancient Greek game that has transformed into the modern version we watch today. Two teams would have an equal number of 12 to 14 participants. The rules of the game allowed using your hands. They would … Read more
When people think of football legends, El Príncipe is frequently overlooked. Still, Enzo Francescoli was one of the best players of his era, arguably on par with peers Maradona and Zico. This Uruguayan and River Plate star deserves to be recognized, both for his achievements on the field and his ability to inspire a younger … Read more
Canada was primarily a British country in the years leading up to and during World War Two. However, immediately following the war, thousands of people from all over Europe emigrated to Canada, dramatically changing the demographics from Anglo-Saxon to multi-national. The change in the makeup of the population turned Canada soccer on its head. Canada … Read more
Every soccer team has a unique look. From Real Madrid’s royal white to Argentina’s legendary stripes, there are innumerable iconic soccer jerseys. Still, few are synonymous with success and history as Brazil’s canarinho: the unmistakable vibrant yellow base with green accents. At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Brazil was torn between embracing tradition and … Read more
Bobby Robson is one of England’s greatest soccer managers. In a career that spanned over four decades, Robson would manage professional clubs such as Fulham, Ipswich Town, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Newcastle United, and the pinnacle for any Englishman, the English National Men’s Team. It could be argued that the beautiful game has lost … Read more
Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He did not always demand the final word. He did not always expect to dictate how his club’s money was spent in the transfer market. The … Read more