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world cup

USMNT Team News vs Belgium: Folarin Balogun, Mark McKenzie

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While absolutely anything and everything is political, we'll try to keep this very important first point as apolitical as possible. You can't be against birthright citizenship, and rooting the United States Men's National Team. That's because the USMNT leading scorer, Folarin Balogun, is only an American international due to birthright citizenship. Exactly 25 years ago, today, … [Read more...] about USMNT Team News vs Belgium: Folarin Balogun, Mark McKenzie

FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time

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If there is one word to describe this upcoming 2026 World Cup, it's "exclusionary." If you wanted the right to buy tickets to the matches, you had to first win a lottery. As with all lotteries (an exercise that Voltaire called "a tax on stupidity"), a very VERY low percentage of entrants actually won. Which means you must turn to the secondary market, where ticket prices are so … [Read more...] about FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time

USMNT Has Two More Chances to Inspire Excitement for Home World Cup

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The run-up to every World Cup inevitably leads to a series of news stories that expose the worst inherent elements of the host nation. These "off-the-pitch concerns/problems/issues" are consistently in the public consciousness in the weeks leading up to the quadrennial soccer/footbal/futbol tournament. In the case of the United States of America and 2026, the sociopolitical … [Read more...] about USMNT Has Two More Chances to Inspire Excitement for Home World Cup

More Money For Sports In Brazil And Chicago, More Problems

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Thing about television is that it only shows you the unpleasant and the uncomfortable when it makes for better theater. Rarely is such the case in viewing sports. Besides the actual game action, a national broadcast is going to feed you shots of local peculiarities and regional foodstuffs during timeouts. Going in and out of commercials you get the blimp views of the stadia … [Read more...] about More Money For Sports In Brazil And Chicago, More Problems

BBC Announcer attributes Spain Euro 2012 win to “unbelievable amounts of sex: (video)

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It was a weekend of Freudian slips for sports casters. ESPN's Andy Katz first tried to describe the "bulging discs" in the back of Jared Sullinger with an omission of the letter s. And told us in NSFW language about Sullinger's sexual arousal. Then yesterday Alan Shearer was trying to articulate the team's success in the Euro 2012 Final; right after Spain crushed Italy in … [Read more...] about BBC Announcer attributes Spain Euro 2012 win to “unbelievable amounts of sex: (video)

UEFA Euro 2012: Spain vs. Italy final preview

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After 30 games played and 72 goals scored, just one match remains in the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament.  In a rematch from the group stage, reigning World Cup champion Spain will attempt to defend its Euro crown against an Italian team that appears to be peaking just at the right time.  Can La Furia Roja take home yet another major tournament title?  Or will Mario Balotelli and the … [Read more...] about UEFA Euro 2012: Spain vs. Italy final preview

UEFA EURO 2012: Knockout stages preview

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Just 12 days removed from the opening match in Poland, Euro 2012 has been as good as advertised and more, with 60 goals scored and not a single 0-0 draw in 24 group stage matches.  Host countries Poland and Ukraine each treated their fans to close and controversial thrillers before narrowly missing the knockout stage, while four teams that won their opening match (including … [Read more...] about UEFA EURO 2012: Knockout stages preview

Where Will David Beckham Play Next Season? France? England?

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The Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer are embattled in a playoff race. These games could be the end of David Beckham’s tenure in the United States. Beckham is certainly in the twilight of his career, but he's still an effective player, and best in the world at set pieces.. The Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake in the conference final as the cloud of Beckham’s … [Read more...] about Where Will David Beckham Play Next Season? France? England?

World Cup Quarterfinals Preview

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With only 8 teams left in the World Cup, it is only fitting that I give you a few random lists of top 8’s. Eight Reasons to keep watching the World Cup post-USA: From here on out there are no longer any lopsided match-ups. Any team is capable of winning it all at this point. Make sure to call off of work for Germany vs. Argentina on July 3 at 10 a.m. (ET). This game is … [Read more...] about World Cup Quarterfinals Preview