For ranking methodology and other information about the series, see the original post. To read the about the No. 3-rated stadiums, Old Trafford and Anfield Road. To see all "soccer mecca" entries click here. No. 2 Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (Estádio do Maracanã), Rio de Janeiro Open Since:...
After losing in Jamaica last night, the U.S. Men's National Team is now in very real danger of
crashing out of World Cup qualifying with an embarrassing thud. The scenario, once unthinkable, is
now entirely plausible if the U.S. fails to win its remaining home matches, against Jamaica next
week and..
England's win over Sweden was fantastic. No question about it. After arguably their best half of
football in a decade (going back to the victory over Argentina in the 2002 World Cup), Roy
Hodgson's men showed tremendous resilience in coming back to defeat Sweden and leave Zlatan
Ibrahimovic and his..
The quadrennial UEFA European Football Championships are not often kind to the host nations. Only
once, in 1984, has the home side won the tournament. Four years ago, Switzerland and Austria didn't
survive the group stage despite some high hopes, particularly in the former's case (true story:
on...
For the first time in nine months we are facing a weekend with no top flight soccer action in the
northern hemisphere. (We're talking men's professional soccer here and no, Major League Soccer does
not qualify as top flight). What better time to take a look at the main event of this summer's
soccer..
In the end it's just that simple. Chelsea FC, the team that for two thirds of the 2011-2012 season
could do little right, did just enough to defeat Bayern Munich yesterday and claim their first-ever
Champions League (or equivalent) trophy. In so doing, Blues take the throne of club soccer and
the...
Chelsea fans don't want to hear this, but today their club faces a monumental task that will in all
likelihood fall short. The reference here is of course to the return leg of the UEFA Champions
League semifinal with Barcelona that takes place at Camp Nou stadium. Blues shocked just
about...
Apparently, anointing Manchester United as English Premier League champions was a bit premature
after all. Because after today's results, the gap between first-placed Man United and second-placed
Manchester City is a mere five points. There are five games left, including an uber-crucial...
It's an off year for English football. Despite all the money and hype, amid all the alleged racist
abuse and "handshakegate"s and other drama, English teams have consistently come up short in
international competitions. Take Arsenal. Here is a team that sit fourth in the English Premier
League,...
Tim Ream, whom Bolton acquired from the New York Red Bulls this week, is a quality defender and
very nice young man who should help the team in its struggle against relegation. Bolton fans should
just be advised against expecting too much, too soon. I watched Ream closely the last two seasons
at..
Yesterday's 2-1 loss at Napoli has left Manchester City in a very precarious position in their
Champions League group. Citizens now have to defeat Bayern Munich in the final matchday and hope
Napoli somehow draw or lose at Villareal. The same Villareal that have a whopping zero (0) points
from five..
"Major League Soccer's big investment seems to have paid off." So begins a piece from the Economist
arguing, effectively, that the $250 million the league invested to bring David Beckham to MLS was
worth the cost. "Mr Beckham's star power has helped legitimise the league, encouraging other
stars...
Why can't the U.S. build a soccer star? This was the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article.
It's a compelling question and one that deserves our attention. In the past month or two we've had
a Chinese woman win the French Open, a German win the NBA Championship and a Northern Irishman
(are..
Few people would mistake Diego Armando Maradona for a sane man. That has been clear for some time
now--probably since he first entered the public conscience nearly 30 years ago. How else to
describe somebody who supports the political regimes of Venezuela, Cuba and Iran (while dodging
taxes, or...
Few people would mistake Diego Armando Maradona for a sane man. That has been clear for some time
now--probably since he first entered the public conscience nearly 30 years ago. How else to
describe somebody who supports the political regimes of Venezuela, Cuba and Iran (while dodging
taxes,...
