Culture

The most powerful sporting moments aren't always during gameplay or even on the field at all — there are moments that are bigger than the sport itself.

Soccer has always been larger than the physical game played on the pitch; it's a way of life, an escape for supporters all over the world to come together and be a part of something bigger than themselves. If you aren't a part of it you wouldn't understand, but being a hardcore fan comes with elevating highs and deep lows. Your daily emotions rely heavily on how it's all going. 

I love Sam Obisanya. I know, he’s a fictional character, but the world could use more footballers like Sam.

I’m pretty used to getting hate mail these days. When you discuss human rights in relation to soccer, people get pretty upset and are not afraid to send anonymous emails spewing hatred toward me, which ironically proves my point more often than not. 

I’ve never gotten as much hate mail as I have this week when I reported on Carli Lloyd refusing to join her teammates in kneeling to protest the ongoing racial inequalities in the U.S. and around the world. 

Earlier this year, I swore off FIFA Ultimate Team. I became sick with the meta of FUT and the feeling of being cheated by the game. But just when I thought I was out, they’re pulling me right back in.

On Friday, Clint Dempsey dropped this little video, announcing he’ll be a part of the FUT Heroes lineup available in FIFA 22 at launch. I will 100 percent buy a game just to play as a fisherman who moonlights as the greatest male soccer player Texas has ever produced. 

Back in 1979, the New York Cosmos set an NASL record for most points in a season, one that would obliterate any Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga or Serie A points record. Led by Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto, the Cosmos racked up an unthinkable 216 points in a 30-game season. 

More of that, please.

No game brings people together from around the world like soccer, just like no sandwich is able to unify our global taste buds quite like a PB&J. Millions will find joy in watching the competition in Japan, just like tens of millions enjoy peanuts for their versatility, taste and nutritional value. 

To celebrate the teams that are competing for the highest honor on the women’s side of the tournament, we’re teaming up with the National Peanut Board to examine each country’s passion for the game and love of peanuts.   

Alright, it’s been long enough that we can’t get yelled at for early-scene spoilers: I need to talk about that Tomorrow War soccer scene.

“The Tomorrow War” is one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters, an action-sci-fi movie streaming on Amazon Prime. It opens with a terrifying glimpse into a future where Qatar is actually allowed to host the World Cup next year. Oh, and there are scary aliens too.

In 1999, the USWNT was on top of the world. Americans fell in love with the 99ers who won the Women’s World Cup on home soil, with Brandi Chastain’s shirtless celebration becoming one of the first soccer moments to transcend into mainstream culture in the U.S. 

Twenty years later, the USWNT was back on top of the world. Megan Rapinoe led the USWNT to a fourth Women’s World Cup, but the love didn’t necessarily follow. Half of the country hated the team for reasons having little to do with soccer.