I’ve posted an essay defending inequality (?!?) over at the League. Don’t get mad yet—I’m talking about athletic inequality. Here’s a sample: All of the resulting fluidity often prompts complaints about the transfer market’s lack of fairness. These come from fans of big and small clubs alike, for we are all democrats now. We need parity … Continue reading
Yesterday Barça thumped Real Madrid again, 3-1—in Madrid. They’ve made such a regular habit of pantsing the “merengues” (which, come to think of it, isn’t a particularly intimidating moniker) that it’s getting hard to think of them as rivals anymore. Since José Mourinho arrived to head up the Castillian squad, “The Special One” has beaten … Continue reading
On the heels of Wednesday’s soccer post over at The Run of Play, I’ve just published another soccer column in the Washington Post. This one’s part of a back-and-forth that I proposed to their sports editors as a run-up to this Saturday’s friendly between FC Barcelona and Manchester United. Here’s an excerpt from “Why you … Continue reading
I have a new piece (my first) up this morning at The Run of Play. It’s about how European soccer tempts American fans to look past the field of play for deeper existential meaning. Here’s a small snippet: So on one hand, soccer-as-proxy is healthy. It diverts ethnic conflicts and solidarity around community identities into … Continue reading
Want to know why Barcelona keep chasing Cesc Fàbregas, despite Arsenal’s apparent unwillingness to sell? You’ve got to begin at the beginning. Més que un club, the Cataláns say, and they mean it. More than a club. It’s not just about the stylish play or the (supposed) sportsmanship; it’s not about the UNICEF affiliation or … Continue reading
I’ll spare you the rhetorical pyrotechnics. FC Barcelona won, and won beautifully, in the Champions League Final yesterday. Here’s a sampling of press coverage: Gabrielle Marcotti in the Wall Street Journal: “Barcelona: Champions of the World“ Matthew Futterman and Jonathan Clegg (also WSJ): “A Track Team That Also Plays Soccer“ John Brewin at ESPN: “Barça … Continue reading
Today FC Barcelona plays Manchester United in the Champions League final (2:45PM EST). It’s a rematch of the 2009 CL final, and it’s going to be a phenomenal game. Força Barça! Visca Catalunya!
A sweep of the Twins? On the road? To get back over .500? Are you KIDDING? Somebody pinch me. These can’t be the Tigers. Those can’t be the Twins. But MORE seriously…don’t do this to me, Tigers. If you’re planning on collapsing in August, just spare me the heartache and do it now. If I … Continue reading
Messi’s First Registration Card With FC Barcelona: Complete with cute little kid signature.
So now what? 4 Clásicos down, and two more to go in August: have we learned anything? Start with The Run of Play‘s Brian Phillips. He posted an excellent set of reflections last week on some lessons learned: For the Wengers, Mourinhos, Fergusons, et. al., it’s as if soccer itself, the entire system of the game, … Continue reading
