‘Soccer Kicks’ Archives
American interest keeps on growing
All sports have pre-season games and soccer is no exception. In the last edition of Coastal Breeze News, I covered the growing number of Americans investing in soccer and the increasing interchange of players both from Europe to USA, and vice versa. A perfect example of this was the game between Manchester United and MLS All-Stars at the [...]
The first touch
The first touch is perhaps one of the most regularly repeated sayings used by soccer coaches, especially at levels above recreational play, although even at that level it should be drilled into soccer thinking. Basically, it gets back to the speed at which you control the receiving ball. Fumble with it and your chance has gone. A player needs to [...]
A world class game—from the World Cup to Marco
International soccer Well, for the non-soccer fans the World Cup is over. All you have to do is wait another four years (a mixed response, no doubt!) My personal experience over the recent weeks is that friends, colleagues and strangers want to talk about the game of soccer (do you mean football?) One great tournament. One great show, [...]
World Class – World Cup
Previously, I have covered the history of football (soccer), the World Cup, and the history and development of soccer boots (cleats). I haven’t talked about the actual soccer ball, which at present is under much scrutiny. Adidas traditionally designs a new ball for each World Cup tournament. It has been reported by both players and goalkeepers [...]
America, ready for some soccer?
My aim in writing this column is not to convert you into an ardent soccer fan but to give you a little history and appreciation of the game, with a global, USA, and Marco Island focus. For more history of soccer, go to my previous columns at coastalbreezenews.com. In soccer footwear makes all the difference: “Boot it”, a [...]
Are you ready for some Soccer?
The 2010 World Cup is being held in South Africa starting June 11th and World Cup fever is already spreading across the globe and, yes, the US is very much a part of it! “Does the US stand a chance?” is a regular question I am asked. Yes! Very much so, and what’s fascinating is that in the same group (Group C) in which they are drawn, are [...]
A history of soccer on Marco Island
The game of football goes back to the 8th century in medieval England when villages and towns were pitted against each other in game battles—no rules, just a battle of survival. The matches became so violent that the game was banned by the English authorities in 1331. Despite these efforts, over the following centuries, the game continued to [...]
