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
Beach Soccer is a form of soccer played on a beach or some form of a sandy surface. Across the world, beach soccer is also known as ‘beach football,’ ‘sand football’ or “beasal.” The origins date back to the end of the 19th century when European sailors in coastal Brazil started playing the game on … Read more
A new Major League Soccer season is upon us. Twenty-six teams (including two expansion teams) will battle it out for the MLS Cup. Historically, the league’s global reputation hasn’t been excellent. It’s mostly seen as a tournament where some big-name athletes choose to “retire” while collecting a nice paycheck. But when Atlanta United entered the … Read more
“Our society believes that football killed Andrés. No, Andrés was a football player killed by society.” These were the words of Francisco Maturana, the illustrious Colombian manager. When asked years later about the murder of Andrés Escobar shortly after an infamous first-round elimination from the 1994 World Cup. Maturana is considered the father figure and … Read more