As with many soccer coaches of his era, Joe Morrone did not fit the profile of what we would consider a modern soccer coach.
First, he did not have a background in the sport — "I think the first time I saw a soccer game, I was playing in it," Morrone said.
Then there was his appearance on the sideline — donning sunglasses and a suit and toting a clipboard that rarely survived the full 90 minutes.
When it comes to the most underrated players in the English-speaking world, you could certainly make a case for Brazil's Rivellino — a fantasy footballer with pioneering dribbling skills, an outrageous free kick arsenal and a left foot like a field howitzer. Rivellino was hugely admired by Pelé and inspired both Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, but these names have largely superseded Rivellino's own in football lore.
The 2022 World Cup draw released on Friday, April 1, placed the USMNT into a group with England, Iran and the winner of the UEFA playoff between Ukraine, Scotland and Wales. It’s a group a lot of American fans celebrated on social media as an easy group. Do the numbers back it up? Here’s a brief history of U.S. men’s soccer against its Group B opponents, including a spicy USMNT vs England history in World Cup play.
African footballers have been migrating overseas since the 1920s, when French leagues attracted some West African players. The migration of African talent to Europe intensified from the 1980s to the 2000s as football became more globalized and economically viable.
Thousands of African footballers have since found their way to Europe. Many have succeeded in carving a niche for themselves, like Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba, George Weah and Samuel Eto'o. The performances of these stars have reinforced the perception that the African continent has some of the best football talent.
The United States men’s national team punched its ticket for 2022 World Cup in Qatar — with a rather disappointing 2-0 loss to Costa Rica — on Wednesday for the first time since 2013. Just under a decade has passed since the last time USA qualified for World Cup.
King Otto, directed by Christopher André Marks, was released in select theaters and digitally (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vimeo, Vudu, etc.) on March 25, and we highly recommend it to anyone who has the slightest interest in Greece's incredible Euro 2004 triumph under the leadership of German manager Otto Rehhagel.
North Macedonia pulled off one the biggest upsets in sporting history on Thursday when the minnows took on European champions Italy in a World Cup playoff and somehow pulled off a 1-0 victory in Palermo.
This game could've been played 100 times and Italy wins 99 times.
But I watched this game from start to finish and I must say the North Macedonia win was absolutely deserved. I don’t know if I've ever seen a more valiant display of defending in my life. Italy recorded 32 shots but only five ended up on target.
STOCKHOLM — Sweden's all-time record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic is preparing to pass the torch to a new generation of young players such as Anthony Elanga as his side prepare for their World Cup playoff semifinal against the Czech Republic on Thursday.
The 40-year-old striker recalled playing with the Manchester United winger's father Joseph for Malmo FF over 20 years ago and he is now sharing a dressing room with his son.
The first time I heard it, I wasn’t quite sure what I was hearing. I attended the first USMNT-Mexico game after the 2002 World Cup meeting, a friendly in Houston, and kept hearing fans yelling “dos a cero.” I knew enough Spanish to translate the phrase, but I had no idea of the Dos a Cero meaning and history, let alone what it would turn into.
Little did I know back in 2003, but Dos a Cero would come to define the American perspective of the USA-Mexico men’s soccer rivalry for nearly two decades.
Seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady ended his brief retirement on Sunday when he announced he would be returning for a 23rd season in the National Football League (NFL).
Following are 10 sporting greats who enjoyed success after coming out of retirement:
MICHAEL JORDAN (BASKETBALL)
Basketball great Jordan shocked the sport when he announced his first retirement at the age of 30, months after winning his third NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1993.