Rory Smith
Posts
For Sweden, the Right Way to Play Is the One That Wins
The World Cup semifinal between Spain and Sweden will be a battle of styles, of passing versus pragmatism. Opponents discount the latter at their peril.
Australia Beats France on Penalties to Reach World Cup Semifinals
Australia needed 10 rounds of penalty kicks to confirm its place in the team’s first semifinal, and extend its country’s wild ride.
A Premier League Love Story Has Heartbreak Ahead
Luton Town’s rise to the world’s richest soccer league proves England’s fabled merit system still works. What happens next may show that it does not.
Spain Beats Netherlands to Reach First World Cup Semifinal
Salma Paralluelo’s goal in extra time delivered a victory over the Netherlands and a date with the Japan-Sweden winner.
A Tiny Gap Reveals a Yawning One for the U.S. Women’s Team
The idea that the United States was eliminated from the Women’s World Cup by a millimeter is an illusion. Denying that will only guarantee more...
World Cup: Netherlands Beats South Africa to Reach Quarterfinals
A goal in each half delivered victory, and a date with Spain. But a South Africa striker made the day as difficult as possible.
At the World Cup, the Field Thins and the Contenders Expand
After 48 games, half of the teams have been sent home. And yet it feels as if the field of potential winners is bigger than...
Spain’s Team Went to War. Now It Has to Win the Peace.
A failed rebellion against Coach Jorge Vilda ended with a dozen players dropped for the Women’s World Cup. Those who remain might be good enough...
The Gaps Get Smaller as the World Cup Gets Larger
Expanding the Women’s World Cup was a good idea. Just not for the reasons FIFA thinks.
Lionel Messi
The Argentine star’s signing is seen as a way to push soccer into the American mainstream. But it’s already there.