We’re thinking, books we reviewed, reported on, or excerpted, this year may very well help you find presents for your soccer family and friends. They included memoirs from one of the greatest players in MLS history and from a previous American soccer era — the NASL’s Cosmos. The latest by Simon Kuper, also interviewed recently […]
reviews
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Simon Kuper on seeing Messi's Barcelona impact up close, the Cruyff phenomenon, and Soccernomics' latest twists
Simon Kuper was born in Uganda to South African parents but spent his formative years in the Netherlands idolizing Johan Cruyff. He began writing for World Soccer magazine at age 16 and by the time he graduated from college he had a book deal to explore the intersection of soccer and politics around the world. […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Rachel Markus on the amazing films that look at life through soccer
When Rachel Markus was a young soccer player, she attended Nick Zlatar’s soccer camp. She loved learning the game. But at night the staff showed movies of old World Cup games. She hated that. Markus’ soccer career was derailed by back surgery at 14, but her passion for the sport never died. She became a […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
'What Happened to the USMNT' book draws many conclusions from a handful of games
The implicit conclusion of What Happened to the USMNT: The Ugly Truth About the Beautiful Game will sound like heresy to anyone working in player development in the USA today. The problem with the U.S. men’s soccer team, authors Steven G. Mandis and Sarah Parsons Wolter strongly imply without saying directly, is not necessarily a […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Matt Eliason: The man in 'Messi & Me' on going pro, scoring, struggling, and being grateful
How’s this for the plot of a movie? Walk-on lands a spot on Northwestern University’s Division I men’s soccer team. He has a solid career; goes to the MLS Combine. Isn’t selected. A couple of years later, working a “real” job, his former coach calls. Does he want to play against Lionel Messi in an […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
SA Library (Memoirs & Biographies): Dwayne De Rosario serves as perfect tour guide to a colorful era of MLS
The latest addition to Soccer America’s collection of memoirs and biographies recommended by staff, friends and interviewees comes from Dwayne De Rosario, winner of four MLS Cups. From Mike Woitalla‘s review of DeRo: My Life by Dwayne De Rosario with Brendan Dunlop: “The DeRo book is attractive to longtime North American soccer fans who will enjoy […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
'An industry swimming in a toxic stew of gender inequality'
BOOK REVIEW: ‘Sidelined: Sports, Culture and Being a Woman in America‘ by Julie DiCaro (Dutton) * * * * * * * * * * Several soccer clubs in the UK and the rest of Europe took a four-day timeout from social media this past weekend to protest against hate speech on the internet. It […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
SA Library: Steve Hunt adds insight to NASL's glory days as a youngster from England with the Cosmos
A recent addition to Soccer America’s collection of books recommended by staff, friends and interviewees revisits the glory days of the NASL’s New York Cosmos. From Ian Plenderleith‘s review of I’m With the Cosmos: The Story of Steve Hunt By Steve Hunt with Ian McCauley: English winger Steve Hunt was among several young players to […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Pele, the brutal dictator, and the 1970 World Cup
Review: “Pelé” (Pitch Productions, streaming on Netflix) * * * * * * * * * * What does Pelé have in common with the Beatles? They are both mass cultural phenomena, huge in the 60s. They’re both the greatest in their field, you could argue. And the release of yet another book or movie […]