fifa
The ins and outs of the international football association; the most recent news and coverage in the FIFA universe.
Champions League Final 2019
The 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League is the 64th season of Europe's Premier Club Championship organized by UEFA. It is also the twenty-seventh season since it was called UEFA Champions Club's Cup. The final of the UEFA Champions League was played at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain. The match was between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. This was the second all Englishmen final after the final of 2008, which was between Manchester United and Chelsea in Moscow.
By om parkash7 years ago in Cleats
Minnows No More...
Mexico. Costa Rica. The United States. Panama. Honduras. These are household names in terms of being perceived as the footballing powers of CONCACAF, both in terms of the regions biannual tournament (the Gold Cup) and in representing the region at the World Cup. Yet, the waves of change are being made this year by teams not even ranked within 50 positions of FIFA’S world ranking system. Maybe it’s still early to call the recent results waves, rather they are ripples across the water of what we all know as the established hierarchy of CONCACAF. Regardless, those at the top and elsewhere might want to take notice, because even the biggest waves started as ripples.
By Sam Hazelwood7 years ago in Cleats
Barcelona About to Land Antoine Griezmann
As the calendar turns to July and the transfer season is in full swing, the three-year saga to whether or not Griezmann will leave Atlético Madrid has seemed to reach its climax as he is in the process for a move to FC Barcelona. This would obviously be one of the biggest signings in the window so far, trailing Hazard to Real Madrid, and probably the most interesting signing of the window. These two questions loom: What position will he play? What implications will his inclusion have on the rest of Barcelona's current squad?
By Space Zebra7 years ago in Cleats
USMNT: The New Era Begins...?
The game against Jamaica was set up to be a triumph for the US. This was supposed to be the showcase of how far the team had come since the appointment of Gregg Berhalter as head coach of the USMNT after the dismal period since the departure of Jurgen Klinsmann. Yet, the game fell flat and that’s all the commentators could seem to focus on for the full 90 minutes. As if implying that their expectations for the team were much higher. From my standpoint at the time of watching the game it seemed a little premature to have such high expectations for a team whose majority of its players don’t play together on a consistent basis and whose coach was newly appointed to the position only a few games ago. Combined with the fact that the player pool is strictly speaking weaker depth wise at every position than any generation before it. And whose best players, like many other high profile nations, were coming off of grueling overseas seasons. Some might suggest this is no excuse. That they are professionals and should be up to the challenge. True they are professionals but how many of us, the fans on the couch or in the stands, have ever played a season as long as most of their players endure? So I had to ask myself “Why did the pundits have such high expectations? And were they reasonable?” In a short word. No.
By Sam Hazelwood7 years ago in Cleats
Finding Value in Transfers
Much like NBA free agency, the summer transfer window in soccer provides the opportunity for clubs to change the dynamic of their team going into the next season. For fans, it provides a sense of hope that the changes made will bring positive results for their clubs going into the future. The buzz around the window also keeps the discussion and media coverage around club soccer going year-round. Unfortunately, too many clubs go about it the wrong way.
By Space Zebra7 years ago in Cleats
Champions League Quarter Finals: Who's In, Who's Out
The round of 16 was full of shocking results with Ajax defeating reigning champions Real Madrid five to three on aggregate, Manchester United's shock comeback over PSG, and Liverpool's incredible road win against Bayern Munich.
By Ryan Moretti8 years ago in Cleats
The Resurrection: Serie A and Its Rebirth
For years now, all I have heard is how far superior the big three leagues of Europe are compared to the rest of the continent, specifically the Italian Serie A. I'm referring to the Barclays Premier League, La Liga, and the German Bundesliga. All the major US soccer outlets bang away about how these three leagues style of play is far and away better than Serie A. While I will concede that of the big three, the EPL is the best right now at being able to attract the huge names within the sport. It does make me wonder how good that is for the EPL as a whole due to the fact that many players who go there are then forced to sit on the bench who would otherwise star for another team in the very same league, La Liga/Bundesliga or the other leagues of Europe. Therefore, I will focus primarily on the EPL in relation to Serie A. Everyone is allowed their opinion. But this is why yours is wrong about Italian football. Let me take you back and show you how far Italian Serie A has come from a mere ten years ago. I will focus primarily on the current Top 6 within the league and hopefully reshape your definition of what makes a league a "great league."
By Sam Hazelwood8 years ago in Cleats
Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus!
In a move that could very well be the transfer of the summer, Juventus has snatched Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. After nine years, 16 trophies, and 451 goals, Ronaldo will go from wearing the crisp white of Madrid to the sterling black and white of Turin.
By Colin Chiakpo8 years ago in Cleats
Croatia: The Least Surprising Dark Horses of Russia 2018
Croatia’s 3-0 win over Argentina in their second World Cup group game may have come as a shock to many in the footballing world, but to those who have kept a keen eye on the recent performances, the scoreline would have been the perfect example of how well they can play.
By Patrick Hollis8 years ago in Cleats
