John Doyle | The World is a Ball

So many books, so much to choose from, etc. (Hopefully, too, somebody, somewhere, has my book The World is a Ball on a Best Soccer Books list.) Number four.

La Roja: How Soccer Conquered Spain and How Spanish Soccer Conquered the World (Nation Books) by Jimmy Burns.
Jimmy Burns, a man whose family played a role in Spain’s bitter history in the 20th cenutry, is always good on the Spanish game. Here, in a scholarly book that begins with the arrival of football – in the mines of Andalusia, near Seville and hard by the Portuguese border – he traces the often dark ebbs and flows of the game that Spain made its own… Continue reading

This Love Is Not For Cowards: Salvation and Soccer in Ciudad Juárez (Bloomsbury), by Robert Andrew Powell.

I first came across Robert Andrew Powell’s beautiful book through an interview Carol Off did with the author on CBC Radio’s As It Happens. The Mexican city of Ciudad Juárez, just across the border from the U.S. has been brutalized by the drug wars there. Murder after murder, day after day. Powell spent a year there, tracking the ups and downs of the Indios the local soccer team, one that exists with profound meaning in the city’s agony. Wonderfully told, his story has the sort of observation and anecdote that explains so very much… Continue reading

So many books, so much to choose from. Etc.

Finding the Game: Three Years, Twenty-five Countries, and the Search for Pickup Soccer (St. Martin’s Press) by Gwendolyn Oxenham. Much more than a companion to the great documentary Pelada, which Oxenham made with partner Luke Boughen, this account of the journey around the world to play pick-up soccer and make Pelada, is a fabulous read. Hey eye for the telling detail is magnificent and there are scenes in Brazil and in Palestine that are unforgettable. A stand-out too is her description of playing inside a jail in Bolivia. All the detail comes together in what is an exceptional celebration of football’s allure and meaning… Continue reading

So many books, so much to choose from. Didn’t read everything in 2012 and best-of lists are things of wispy substance, but here’s four great soccer books. (Hopefully, too, somebody, somewhere, has my book The World is a Ball on a Best Soccer Books list.)

El Clasico: Barcelona v Real Madrid: Football’s Greatest Rivalry (Bloomsbury) by Richard Fitzpatrick. This is a truly fine, informative, lively and well-written book. Fitzpatrick takes the time to explain the context of the Madrid/Barca rivalry in terms of history and politics but doesn’t merely set down the old stories and convenient mythology. In some instances he demolishes cliche. He’s very good on the financial aspects, especially Barcelona’s wealth, which… Continue reading

“The government appeared to have lost control of Port Said, a major city, after a court sentenced 21 soccer fans to death and their supporters poured into the streets.”

Analysis of the reasons for the deadly soccer riot last year that begat this chaos.

In a way, Egypt is the soccer world in microcosm – place where soccer clubs essentially replaced political parties during years of political repression. The clubs became stand-ins for movements and instruments for expressing beliefs and attitudes… Continue reading

John Terry

“Most of Michael Owen’s goals have come in the past.” – Dan Walker.

Football/Soccer quotes of the year (UK version) Enjoy… Happy Holidays from the author… Continue reading

Alex Ferguson. Photo: PA

Alex Ferguson’s secrets of successful management, at Manchester United. As told to Harvard students. Interesting… he learns from an orchestra’s co-ordination, among other things… Continue reading

Jean Yves Poame trains with the Republic of Ireland under-15 squad prior to its departure to Qatar. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/Irish Times

The Republic of Ireland Under-15s scored a remarkable 3-0 win over Juventus in Qatar yesterday with Zachary Elbouzedi scoring twice and Jean Yves Poame once… Continue reading

Trapattoni must go. He has ruined Rep of Ireland. And, if he won’t go, he must change tactics. Crisis in Ireland…
“Trapattoni is persevering with a plan that is doomed to fail, and those who support him in his role are doing likewise.”… Continue reading

Canada’s Dwayne De Rosario (in air) heads the ball against Panama’s Amilcar Henriquez during their 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Toronto September 7, 2012.(MIKE CASSESE/REUTERS)

Rockin’ at BMO last night. Great atmosphere, mad game. Hoarse today. Canada won, thank the Lord and DeRo… Continue reading

Spain’s national soccer team player Xavi Hernandez controls the ball during a training session of the Spanish squad at the Soccer City area in Las Rozas, outside Madrid September 5, 2012.(SUSANA VERA/REUTERS)

In Europe, the Road to Rio and World Cup 2014 starts today. Oh. My. God… Continue reading

Rooney: Already old rubbish..? James Lawton weighs in

I’ve spent a good deal of Tuesday talking to radio stations about Canada 3 USA 4 (in extra time) at the Olympics. Most of the questions asked of me are legit. (I’ve declined to do TV interviews. On this subject, television is formidably stupid.) Was the referee biased? Why is there no video replay in soccer? Why is FIFA investigating? Is this why soccer has never taken off in North America? I try to explain that, really, the game was heartbreaker but nobody in the whole wide world of soccer is going to change the rules because some Canadians feel an injustice was done.

Always I try to keep in mind my own words. The end of The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness & Meaning of Soccer… Continue reading

In achievement, in money, in all areas. Superb, clear analysis from Bobby McMahon in the online Forbes… Continue reading

Toronto FC forward Reggie Lambe (19) scores past CD Aguila goalie Benji Villalobos. (Photo: CP/Nathan Denette)

Well done the lads!

Toronna FC achieve 5-1 win over Club Deportivo Aguila in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League… Continue reading