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.

U.S. Offensive Woes
I just worked on some data that will probably run in tomorrow's Post as part of the U.S.-Ghana preview. Now, I realize stats are not as illuminating...

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Where Everyone Is Above Average
The Sam’s Army player ratings are in for Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the U.S. and Italy, and they seem exaggeratedly favorable....

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The Paradigm Has Shifted
We’re not ones to knock the competition, and we’ve always admired the feature writing at The Wall Street Journal, but the article...

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FIFA Tie-Breaking Rules
With the United States, Ghana, Italy and the Czech Republic facing a complicated denouement in their Group of Death’s final matches on...

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The U.S.: Four Years of Misapprehension?
For those of you who keep pining for a United States in which everyone cares deeply about soccer, we refer you to The Onion’s vision of...

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Bad for the U.S., Good for Comedy
Thanks and a tip of the hat to Karl in Aurora, N.Y., for recounting for us the lighter side of the Americans’ 3-o debacle at the hands...

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Bruce Arena Speaks
Steve Goff has filed an early piece on the U.S. Tuesday news conference. Bruce Arena had plenty to say ... On the overall play: "I don't think...

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The Velvet Demolition
Good news for the Czech Republic: it looks as if Jan Koller’s hamstring injury is not nearly as serious as it first seemed. According...

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