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.
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.