I am incredibly excited for the men’s World Cup that begins today. It is my favorite sporting event because it is long enough that one can get completely ensconced in it and because of its global aspect: I love knowing that I am sharing the experience with hundreds of millions of people around the world.Continue reading “It’s World Cup Time!”
Tag Archives: soccer
Books Acquired Recently: Sports Edition
Lions, Bernard. 1000 Football Shirts: The Colours of the Beautiful Game. 2013. New York: Universe, 2014. One thing I love about football (i.e., soccer) are the uniforms, and I have also been obsessing about the sport even more than usual lately because of the upcoming World Cup, so when I found out about this bookContinue reading “Books Acquired Recently: Sports Edition”
Thoughts on Landon Donovan’s Exclusion from the U.S. World Cup Roster
I am still stunned by the news that Landon Donovan has been left off of the U.S.’s final 23-man World Cup roster. Donovan is the best American soccer player ever, and while he is no longer in his prime, he certainly has some good years left in him. It is a bold move by nationalContinue reading “Thoughts on Landon Donovan’s Exclusion from the U.S. World Cup Roster”
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United’s bizarre, disappointing season ended today with a 1-1 draw at Southampton. Ryan Giggs coached his last match as interim manager, and it is a good bet that his substitute appearance in the last home match earlier this week was his final one as a United player. Giggs has had a tremedous career sinceContinue reading “Ryan Giggs”
Books Acquired Recently
Ferguson, Alex. My Autobiography. London: Hodder, 2013. I am a huge Manchester United fan, so of course I had to buy Sir Alex’s autobiography. It will be interesting to see what events from his 26-year reign at Old Trafford (not to mention his successful time at Aberdeen) stood out to him enough to write about.Continue reading “Books Acquired Recently”
Books Acquired Recently: Holiday Gift Edition
This post lists the various books I’ve received as gifts this holiday season. I actually didn’t ask for very many this year (I went a more purely aesthetic route, getting some snazzy clothing and several pieces of art), hence the small number, though I’ll probably buy a few more with some holiday cash. There areContinue reading “Books Acquired Recently: Holiday Gift Edition”
Thoughts on the 2014 World Cup Draw
Well, the United States will have their work cut out for them in the 2014 World Cup, as they have been drawn in the Group of Death with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana. A win in the first match against Ghana is a necessity, and then the U.S. will have to hope for a result againstContinue reading “Thoughts on the 2014 World Cup Draw”
Thoughts on the U.S.A.-Honduras Match
I attended the U.S.A.-Honduras World Cup qualifier in Sandy, Utah last night. Although I’ve been a dedicated soccer fan for over twenty years, this was my first opportunity to attend a professional match, and it was a fantastic experience! I will attend another one as soon as possible. Here are some thoughts and observations aboutContinue reading “Thoughts on the U.S.A.-Honduras Match”
Two Portrayals of Soccer Fandom
I am currently reading John King’s 1996 novel The Football Factory about soccer fan culture and its causes in 1980s/early-1990s England. I also just read Sarah Lyall’s recent New York Times article about attending English soccer matches, which I found via one of my favorite soccer websites, When Saturday Comes. The contrast between the twoContinue reading “Two Portrayals of Soccer Fandom”
David Beckham’s Retirement
David Beckham has announced that he will retire from soccer at the end of the season. He has had an excellent career, which most people forget because now he is more well-known for his off-the-pitch celebrity activities than for his footballing. In his honor, here is a link to the highlights of the 1999 ChampionsContinue reading “David Beckham’s Retirement”
Daniel Shank Cruz 