Rory Smith
Posts
Want to Lose a Lot of Money, Fast? Buy a Small Soccer Team in England.
The country’s lower leagues offer a tempting entry to ownership. But the sport’s economics mean even multimillionaires can struggle to compete.
Soccer Watchalongs Like Stretford Paddock Offer a Broadcast Alternative
Soccer fans are tuning out broadcasts in favor of watchalongs: streaming parties where you hear what you want to hear and see everything except the...
Can This Man Make Soccer Smarter?
Ian Graham helped transform Liverpool from a faded giant into soccer’s most cutting-edge club. Now he wants to do the same for everyone else.
Selling Saudi Soccer, One Like at a Time
The standard of play in the Saudi Pro League doesn’t matter when no one’s watching the games.
Spain Wins World Cup as Its Talent Trumps Its Troubles
A team that had endured all that Spain has in the past 12 months should not be able to win a World Cup. And yet...
Wanted: Female Athletes. Multiple Vacancies.
Australia’s major sports need talent to stock their women’s leagues. They are all looking at the same athletes.
For Spain and England, a Swift Rise Is Also a Warning
The Women’s World Cup finalists showed how quickly title contenders can emerge. But believing the hard work in women’s soccer is over is a mistake.
England Ends Australia’s Run and Reaches World Cup Final
Answering a Sam Kerr goal with two of their own, the Lionesses advanced to an all-European final against Spain.
The Matildas and the World Cup Crack Australia’s Code Wars
The World Cup has added a new dimension to a national sporting conversation often dominated by the rivalry between rugby and Australian rules football.
World Cup: Spain Beats Sweden to Reach First Final
A late goal by Spain, an answer from Sweden, and then a dramatic winner by Olga Carmona that moved the Spanish one win from the...