Tag Archives: Actual Soccer Journalism

MLS – Boldly Going Where the NHL Has Already Gone Before?

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So, MLS President Mark Abbot said that Southeastern markets would support an MLS team. Granted, he used some pretty minced word and just appeared to play to the fans on hand, but, I ask – would Southeast expansion work?

I know that I blog about MLS infrequently. Yes, I do MLS Cup reflections. I also did an MLS Manifesto way back in the day. I also poke fun at the MLS website when appropriate. But the MLS labor dispute a few years ago pointed me in an odd direction: the NHL. Basically, I feared a crippling stoppage that would kill the league’s momentum. In terms of Southeast expansion, the NHL offers some pointed lessons. Continue reading “MLS – Boldly Going Where the NHL Has Already Gone Before?” »

Football Debt – Under a Microscope & From Afar

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Everyday, a football club owner falls into the media’s cross hairs for some reason or another. One of the common gripes is that Owen Owner is a no good corporate raider. Without a doubt, some investment banks and American executives fit this Barbarians at the Gate caricature perfectly. We can all thank our lucky stars that Liverpool ran out of town Gillete and Hicks before administration entered the equation. Currently, Rangers are in some trouble. Sadly, Portsmouth FC may soon cease to exist.

However, some businesses practices draw criticism but deserve a closer look for two reasons. First, these practices show that sometimes a “loan” can be superior to equity from a business perspective. Second, and more importantly, these practices highlight perhaps the greatest structural conundrum of our time: how tax rates and corporate law have joined to favor debt over ownership. Continue reading “Football Debt – Under a Microscope & From Afar” »

United v. Liverpool – The Shadows of Greatness Linger

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Everybody wants to talk about Luis Suarez. He was charged with racism, served his suspension, and has returned to play. Done. Was he petulant before the game? Yes. But since when was that novel? I’m more interested in this little thing called the field. On said field, players kick balls. In fact, just yesterday, a game was played on said field. Manchester United won 2-1. However, despite the win, several none-Suarez disturbing images marred the view. Continue reading “United v. Liverpool – The Shadows of Greatness Linger” »

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid As Explained By A Trite Journalist

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So, in case you have resided in a cave on the large rock in outer space formerly known as planet Pluto, Real Madrid played Barcelona in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey. Based on secondhand accounts, ’twas a most enjoyable spectacle. Teams scored goals. Teams kicked soccer balls. Teams ran. At the end of 90 minutes, the two teams tied 2-2. On global goal difference, Barcelona advanced 4-3. Most importantly, Pepe did not stamp on anybody’s hands and Busquets did not call any players mono. Thus, Barca fans accepted the narrowest of victories and Madrid fans  boasted about effort & dedication & spirit.

Yet, of course, a third class of person watched the game. The kind that write under deadline pressures. Here is what he or she or it wrote in a vain attempt to explain the sporting phenomena. Continue reading “Barcelona vs. Real Madrid As Explained By A Trite Journalist” »

Essential Tips For Restoring Fernando Torres' Confidence

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Players are people. If you prick them, they bleed. Despite a professional existence that involves getting kicked, not all are invincible shoulder-goal-popping memes. They have feelings. If they sit on the bench for not scoring goals, then their confidence dips and they score less goals. It’s a brutal cycle. And it’s one in which Fernando Torres finds himself.

But there is hope. Thanks to my total lack of knowledge, education, and experience as neither a psychiatrist nor a coach, I have some ideas for El Nino. We can hopefully restore his confidence in a few simple steps. Continue reading “Essential Tips For Restoring Fernando Torres' Confidence” »

The Recent Highs & Lows of Manchester United fandom

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For the last decade, the greatest benefit to being a Manchester United fan has been the license to perpetually wear a smug grin of satisfaction. Liverpool only qualified for the UEFA league again? Poor King Kenny. At least Andy Carroll has curbed his drinking problem and keeps the bench nice & warm during winter. Arsenal struggling to start the season? Well, at least they’ll get a cash injection from Barcelona in the transfer window. Lately, though, the tides have turned.

Continue reading “The Recent Highs & Lows of Manchester United fandom” »

First Ever Futfanatico Mailbag Brought to You by You, the Fans

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Rocking chairs. Porches. Cross-stitching. Some things were made for long international breaks before worthless international friendlies. Entertaining and insightful sports writing is not one of them. At least not in these here parts. Instead, we bring you the next best thing – random thoughts and musings sent our way via electronic mail from you the reader.

Thus, if you don’t like this post, then you only have yourself to blame. Why didn’t you send in a more entertaining email? Tsk tsk. Now let’s reach into the illustrious mailbag and see what’s going on….. Continue reading “First Ever Futfanatico Mailbag Brought to You by You, the Fans” »

The Greatest Soccer Headlines Never Blogged

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The soccersphere has become a very introspective place. Blogs, media, money, turnover. These topics rule the day. On the one hand, the battle for attrition has left us sans redranter, with a burned out Tom Dunmore, and sent OzCitySoccer into a cruel SEO domain repurchase cemetery. On the other hand, the Guardian picked up Zonal Marking for a Monday column, Brian covers soccer for Slate, and Mr. Peck’s blog was basically purchased by Yahoo. Some fall by the wayside, some climb. Some argue that a “subscription model” is a de facto donation button. Others insist otherwise. The basic question remains: why do we blog?

I won’t lie – the temptation to turn my beloved site into a niche focus group has been great at times. Some mornings I wake up and Plan B looks pretty darn good. The theme would be obvious – the personal lives of US players living and playing in Scandinavia. Did Chris Rolfe get a new haircut? You read it here first! Did Benny Feilhaber close on a tasteful yet affordable sublet? Details & Pics!

But then a realization strikes me – my creativity trumps my fact-gathering capacities. Also, though you won’t hear it from many other bloggers, sometimes I am too much of a perfectionist and “miss a headline.” The changing world of soccer pulls the rug out from under my feet. What happens to these perfectly crafted posts? No, I do not tear them up in a drunken rage. I do not throw my laptop against a wall and shatter it to a million pieces. Rather, they sit in the long line of posts, crying to be shared.

So now, for your reading pleasure, I give you the greatest soccer headlines never blogged. Continue reading “The Greatest Soccer Headlines Never Blogged” »

A Toast & Roast of Ye Olde Ivory Coast

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For those who have forgotten, I am covering the Ivory Coast at the delightful World Cup blog. I recently wrote a two part series on an overlooked part of the Portsmouth FA Cup run – the resurgence of Aruna Dindane. And the nasty contract squabbling behind the curtains. It’s a bit more traditional journalism than the regulars are used to, but I found the story compelling. Enjoy Parts One & Two.