England scored a pair of goals with one of them even coming from open play as they continue what feels like their destiny, at least on their side of the bracket. Read more »
Christopher Reina - Soccer Analysis
A World Cup Abstract: England 2, Sweden 0
A World Cup Abstract: France 2, Uruguay 0
France was sufficiently defensive and scored a pair of fluky goals to advance to the semifinals. Read more »
A World Cup Abstract: Sweden 1, Switzerland 0
Sweden has become the Italy of this World Cup with their organization and collective play. Read more »
A World Cup Abstract: Brazil 2, Mexico 0
Neymar created a beautiful goal taking on multiple defenders, laying it off to Willian and then continuing his run to receive the ball back for the tap-in. Read more »
A World Cup Abstract: Russia 1 (4), Spain 1 (3)
You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties. Read more »
A World Cup Abstract: France 4, Argentina 3
On Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and how France now feels inevitable. Read more »
Mourinho, Guardiola And Their Two Manchesters
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are playing a zero sum game on an even higher, more difficult level sharing Manchester than it was when they shared the Clasicos for two seasons. Read more »
The Soulless & Conservative Second Half Of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal
Arsenal were reliable title contenders during the first half of Arsene Wenger's tenure before evolving into a perpetual state of backdoor slides into Champions League safety in the second half. The parity coming with the EPL's TV money will take away his preference for reliable returns. Read more »
Zizou's Chance To Fix Perez's Real Madrid
It shouldn't matter how good a manager was a player, but it does for a club devoted to stars like Florentino Perez's Real Madrid. For this reason, Zinedine Zidane has as good of a shot as any to maximize the potential of this broken assembly of stars. Read more »
Tracing The Counterforces During This Clasico Era
It's getting closer, the end of this Clasico era defined by the dominance of Barcelona, mighty Real Madrid as the underdog upstarts, and the unavoidable and unceasing Ronaldo versus Messi debate. Read more »
Douglas Costa And The Exorbitant Cost Of Doing Nothing
Diego Costa has made Bayern practically unbeatable domestically, but they now also have their best shot of winning the Champions League under Pep Guardiola. He could have also been Jose Mourinho's. Read more »
Wenger, Van Gaal And The Accidental Art Of Malleability
The open, gorgeous play Arsenal built their reputation upon under Arsene Wenger still exists, but there is a tangible lack of guile and flexibility to their tactics both on the pitch and with their transfer strategy. Read more »
Grading The Deal: City Buys Raheem Sterling From Liverpool For $76M
City spent a lot of money to get Raheem Sterling, but he makes them much better, while it is all about how that money is spent for a Liverpool club that can't afford to stay average for much longer. Read more »
Barcelona's 122-Goal Monolith
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar became a shatterer of worlds this season, slowly developing the chemistry to form an attacking trio unlike any we've ever seen. Read more »
Reviewing The 14-15 Premier League Season
The 14-15 Premier League title chase had very little intrigue, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea made sure of that. But here's how the top-7 compared statistically. Read more »
Champions League Semifinals Preview
For Barcelona to win the Champions League, they will have to defeat their former legendary manager and then very possibly their biggest rival in what would be a Clasico in Berlin. Read more »
United In Hibernation
Manchester United is in third place in the EPL a year after being crisis, showing money and a little flexibility will always carry more currency than a well-considered plan. Read more »
Real Madrid Always Passing Go
Real Madrid buys good players and they sell the unneeded ones for even more than they paid to fuel their roster and adhere to Financial Fair Play. Read more »
Kanesanity
How Harry Kane keeps scoring goals, keeps getting new contracts and has become the new (viable) hope for Tottenham and even for England. Read more »
The Only Adventure Lionel Messi Has Left
Lionel Messi is publicly wrestling with the known unknown of having another crest to kiss following his goals and we’ll be on this watch until he leaves, retires or the trophies return. Read more »