football

Kick around about all things soccer; explore football's storied history, current events in the soccer sphere, the intricacies of the game and more.

The Richest Team in History
They went from punishing teams to the point where they were seen as dirty to losing so badly that the oft-used cliche: «The Laughing Stock Of The League» was theirs from appx 2005 — present. In fact, during the past several years there was a little talk that their performance had gotten so bad that the team wouldn’t be able to support itself and would have to relocate and start over again.
By Matthew Evans7 years ago in Cleats
10 Must Haves for Youth Soccer Players
Once upon a time, I was a youth soccer player, going from league to league and annoying the crap out of my parents in the process. Throughout my young playing career, there were tons of things I wish I did differently. Mostly, when it comes to preparation.
By Connor Brighton7 years ago in Cleats
Can Sunderland Come Back?
Relegation from the Premier League in the 2016/2017 season saw Sunderland placed in the second tier of English Football, the championship. A few of the clubs better players left during the summer, including Whabi Khasri and Fabio Borini, both on loan before securing permanent moves away. After sacking David Moyes and bringing in Simon Grayson, in hopes of getting promoted straight back to the Premier League, he actually became Sunderland's shortest serving manager, being hired on the June 29 and being sacked on October 31, following a 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers. The following week, we saw Robbie Stockdale take charge and the Black Cats succumb to a 1-0 defeat to Middlesborough.
By Potential Punts7 years ago in Cleats
The Future of Manchester United. Top Story - January 2019.
Who is Solskjaer? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a name all football fans will recognise. Beyond his recent role of caretaker "Manager at Manchester United," Ole has a well-decorated past, to say the least.
By Kayleigh Taylor7 years ago in Cleats
The 10 Best Soccer Books Every Player Should Read
I know what you're thinking: "Soccer is about playing, not reading!" Well, you're right in one sense. You can't become a great soccer player without, you know, playing soccer. There is another dimension to the game, however. It's not just about the physicality of kicking the ball or rushing the field. There is a mental element. The best players in the game know the history of each league in the world. They understand the evolution of the playing strategies and coaching tactics. There are a number of soccer books every player should read if they want to add this dimension to their own playing.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick7 years ago in Cleats
How the Fuck Are We Winning This?
Part 1: The Manager The Barcelona players had finally managed to get their captain off Louis’s star striker after the former had essentially attempted to murder the latter with his god awful tackle. Immediately he was over to the fourth official. "Is he gonna get sent off then?"
By Joseph Hart-Winks7 years ago in Cleats
Best Soccer Balls for Juggling
If you can juggle a soccer ball or are looking to learn to juggle, there are many soccer balls that can help you do just that. In fact, the secret in juggling is not necessarily in the ball, but in your skills. It is all about alternating feet, using high knees as well as your dominant foot to kick the ball high in the air, and finding ways to control the ball in the air so it doesn’t hit the ground. To do all this, you’ll need the perfect soccer ball for juggling that keeps its air retention, holds its shape, and lasts a long time as you move up the field towards the goal.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Cleats
Best Premier League Signings of 2018-19 so Far
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City → Manchester City) The Algerian winger has been an integral member for the Citizens. Despite a slow start at the beginning of the season, he seems to have found his place in Guardiola’s system, especially on the defensive side. Pressing and ball recovery are parts of his game that were always underrated but he has massively improved this season. According to Skysports, Mahrez is recovering possession of the ball on average, 7 times per 90 minutes which makes him the number 1 player in this category among City players. Offensively, he looks to have regained to confidence from his Leicester City days, although that was to be expected. With an in-form Mahrez, the Citizens can expect great things this season.
By Yannis Kanga7 years ago in Cleats
My Top 3 Candidates for the U.S. Men's National Team Coach. Top Story - November 2018.
Since the failure of 2018, there has been a long debate as to who should be the new manager of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT). The current interim coach, Dave Sarachan, has done a great job of introducing young talents to the group. He might deserve a chance to be considered among the candidates. With that being said, here are my top three candidates for the USMNT coach.
By Yannis Kanga7 years ago in Cleats
Soccer Player's Guide to Foot Care. Top Story - October 2018.
Do you think the best US Men's soccer players got that title without taking care of their precious pigs? Every footballer benefits from a soccer player's guide to foot care. In this game, your feet are your most valuable assets. All the fancy footwork in the world ceases to matter if you're dealing with turf toe, cramps, sprains, or athlete's foot. It's possible to guard against all of these problems as long as you care for your feet, toes, and ankles properly. In order to keep killing it on the soccer field, be sure you're equipped with the best info for foot care.
By George Herman7 years ago in Cleats
Three of the Best Ever British Managers
The word ‘Legend’ is often over used. That sentence alone has become something of a cliché in itself but the word legend still exists and is banded around as if being a club legend was a simple task to achieve.
By Andrew Macfarlane7 years ago in Cleats
Kicking and Screaming
In June of 1974, the Chilean National Football team or “la Roja” gathered for a speech presented by their head of state, Augusto Pinochet, before being sent abroad to the World Cup. Only nine months earlier, Pinochet had assumed the position as president of Chile after a successful coup d’etat which resulted in the death of former Socialist President Salvador Allende and the so called “interior war” propagated by Pinochet’s regime against civilians. This speech came days before the team was set to travel abroad to play in the World Cup tournament against West Germany. At the conclusion of the speech, the team members stood in a line as Pinochet and five government officials shook their hands. One member, Leonardo Véliz remembers this experience and stated that, “having to shake hands with the head of a government that practiced state terrorism was very difficult.” Another teammate, Carlos Caszely recalled the same moment, sharing a similar opinion as Véliz. However, Caszely did not submit himself to shaking hands and in that moment refused to do so. “A cold shiver went down my spine” he recalls, “when he started coming closer I put my hand behind me and didn’t give it to him.” According to an interview with the player, Caszely states that his refusal to shake hands with Pinochet came after news of his mother’s abduction and torture by the Chilean police. In retrospect, he believes the initial abduction to be a sort of warning for him to keep his silence about the state of the country while abroad. Caszely’s decision to not acknowledge Pinochet is widely regarded as the first public display of dissidence against the regime since it’s beginning.
By Kristen F7 years ago in Cleats