About the Soccer World Cup Blog
The world of professional soccer does not make headlines solely on the field–headlines are made off the field as well. Of course, when players are injured, teams are eliminated, or titles are won, it’s news. In professional soccer, what happens on the field doesn’t stay on the field, especially when it has potential to impact the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Professional soccer is creating more buzz than it ever has away from the field. Key players are moving—to new countries and new teams—with new sponsors chomping at the bit. Big companies are doing everything they can, including buying small companies, to ensure their dominance of the global soccer scene at the World Cup. Everyday, team nicknames are being debated, captains are being named, and rivalries are being ignited. All the while, the anticipation of the next World Cup continues, bringing with it all the drama that unfolds as the world waits to see the 32 competing teams take center stage.

Fans of professional soccer want a look inside. They want to know the ins and outs of the teams and players on the pitch and behind the scenes. There’s no better place to find it all than here on this Soccer Blog. For many of us, it’s the best way to South Africa.

Hey Hey Pele
You cannot stop Pele - as hundreds of gasping defenders learned over two decades. You can only hope to ignore him - which is quite the challenge...

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Fond Farewell to the ‘Boys’
From Steven Goff: The Hamburg edition of Bild, a salty and scurrilous German tabloid, said goodbye to the U.S. team in yesterday's editions with...

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Testing Their English
From Steven Goff: Following the Ecuador-Poland match in Gelsenkirchen, I found my way back to the train station at 1 a.m. for the long ride to...

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What’s a Brat Worth?
From Steven Goff: When I told family and friends I would be spending nearly six weeks in Germany, the typical response was, "That's a lot of...

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