by Aleks V | There are many reasons to look forward to the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The draw, to take place on December 1 (10 a.m. EST, 15 GMT) in Moscow's State Kremlin Palace, will not only determine who plays who next summer, but will also set a historic precedent. Sports broadcaster and former England striker Gary Lineker will share hosting duties with...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | @aleksvee Illustration: Aleks V | Photos: Listas en 20minutos.es, MUFC, Atlético Madrid When France Football announced their 30 nominees for the 2017 Ballon d'Or in early October, no one was surprised to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi make the list. The prestigious honor, awarded annually to the world's best player since 1956, has gone back and forth between Ronaldo and Messi for the past nine...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | @aleksvee While the NASL and USSF put up their dukes in court and more potential candidates line up for the latter's presidential race, I can't help wondering there's a simpler solution to the age-old problems faced by U.S. soccer. Poorly run leagues. The absence of promotion and relegation. Corruption. Remove the soccer element, and you get a typical government. Although incumbent USSF president Sunil Gulati...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Sheffield FC Club & Community Manager, Chris Dolby, talks about his work at Sheffield FC, his football career, and what it was like to meet Pelé. Photos courtesy Sheffield...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Aleks chats with Calum Oakenfold, who recently moved up from being Ladies Development Team Manager to working as the Ladies First Team Coach with Zoe Johnson. All photos...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Aleks chats with sports therapist, Neil Snelson, who works with the Sheffield FC Ladies Development Team. All photos - Sheffield FC via Flickr. How did you come to...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Matt Pindar talks captaining the Sheffield FC Veterans SC at the San Siro, working as the club's kit man, his charity work, and more. All photos - Sheffield...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Aleks chats with Sheffield FC Veterans SC right-back, Chris Clifford, who featured in the team's historic friendly games in Italy, getting an assist against Dexter Calcio at the San Siro...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | On this day in 1972, Rangers FC won their sole European trophy, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, in a dramatic 3-2 battle against Dynamo Moscow at Camp Nou in Barcelona. In honor of the 45th anniversary of the historic final, here are some lesser-known facts about the game: 1. The first Soviet team in a European final Dynamo Moscow in the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup Final....

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, Aleks chats with former Sheffield FC Ladies defender, Natasha Cooke, on her time at the club. Cooke was instrumental in helping the team win the treble in the...

Continue Reading

by Aleks V | 2017 marks the 160th anniversary of the world's first football club, Sheffield FC. Sheffield 160 is a bi-weekly series that goes behind the scenes of the historic club through interviews with players and staff. This week, former Sheffield FC forward, Conor Higginson, recalls his time at the club and talks about his football career in general. Conor Higginson at Sheffield FC. Photo: sheffieldfc.com What were your...

Continue Reading