Manchester United is one of the world’s biggest sporting brands with a valuation of over $3.69 billion in 2017. That price point makes it the most valuable club in all of global soccer. But the billions haven’t always been there with a club that came from humble beginnings. In fact, the club was only valued at $2.7 million in 1980. But Chairman Martin Edwards changed all of that, and in the process, made history. Simply put, the rise of
If you love numbers, data, soccer, or a just a great read, you will absolutely love the 2018 World Cup edition of Soccernomics from Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski. Yes, this is Moneyball for the beautiful game. While there won’t be a movie starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, there are plenty of beautiful statistics and a pair of mathematical rock stars as authors. These statistics are enough to restore your optimism for soccer in the United States. We did miss
Johan Cruyff is arguably the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. He excelled at every stop with his impact heaviest in Holland, Spain, and the U.S. He rose to the top of the club and international game and never left. It’s quite easy to see that he is bigger than Pelé, Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo, and di Stéfano combined. But Cruyff’s legacy is not limited to the pitch, he left his mark everywhere he went. That legacy extended to the board room,
It’s easy to say that lacrosse is on the rise in the United States. It’s often called the country’s fastest growing sport and for good reason. The college game, both men’s and women’s, has absolutely exploded with games regularly appearing on major networks like ESPN. Major League Lacrosse (MLL) is entering its 18th season with nine teams; its playoffs were featured on Twitter and CBS Sports. Teams regularly average crowds in the thousands. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) also boasts nine teams
Friday night’s matchup between Cleveland SC and FC Columbus at Highland HS in Medina, Ohio was historic for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the game was the first-ever match for both of the new NPSL teams, the first true opportunity for fans and supporters to experience this level of competition. It also was the highest level of soccer ever played in Medina County thanks to Cleveland SC’s selection of a venue different from their
All seemed to be lost in Ohio soccer in mid-December of 2017. Columbus Crew SC announced a possible relocation to Austin, TX in October. That was followed by an unexpected hiatus from Dayton Dynamo FC in November. By mid-December, the possibility of no high-level soccer in the Buckeye State became a reality with the folding of AFC Cleveland. But now months later, in early April of 2018, hope has been restored. The Save the Crew movement continues to stay relevant thanks to
There were literally dozens of titles that came out after Leicester’s unbelievable 5000-1 run to a Premier League title. Some were about the team as a whole, others focused on key players like Jamie Vardy. But none accurately showed Claudio Ranieri’s tremendous influence on the club. That is until now. Cover Art Courtesy of Trafalgar Square Publishing Hail, Claudio!: The Man, the Manager, the Miracle by Gabriele Marcotti and Alberto Polverosi is the definitive text on Ranieri and the Leicester City experience.
Photo Courtesy of Konami Konami’s PES League World Tour is one of the most prestigious events in all of eSports. We were able to speak with an American gamer who played a prominent role in the event. Mojtaba Khavari, also known as Mojtaba_USA and team leader of All Stars, is from Moorhead, Minnesota. How did you get into eSports? When did you begin playing PES? Well, first of all I’m a big fan of soccer so I’m just following my heart and wherever
“An accomplishment, to me, is winning the whole thing. I want to go to the next stage.” Those are the words of Graham “Skamzz” Ellix as he prepares to represent Columbus Crew SC at the first-ever eMLS Cup next month. Photo Credit: Crew SC Communications He’s already beaten 2010 FIFA Interactive World Champion Nenad Stojkovic for the right to wear the Black & Gold at PAX East in Boston. Ellix defeated Stojkovic, who played college soccer at Cleveland State with current Crew