In a recent Barclays Premier League soccer match from England, I saw a banner declaring, “Chelsea is our religion. Stamford Bridge is our church.” That catchy motto, however, is not limited to that south London club or its stadium. Most of the teams in the world’s best soccer league have similar sayings. And, while I…
Read More »The world of international football was shocked last week when Sir Alex Ferguson, longtime manager of Manchester United (the world’s most popular club team), retired at the age of 71. His storied career came to a close just days after his Red Devils captured Man U’s 20th league title—just one more feather in the cap of…
Read More »As a fan of Liverpool Football Club, this has been a challenging year. With their fourth manager in the last four years, the storied Reds have not exactly been a model of stability (for that, take a look at the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers). But when 39-year-old Brendon Rogers was hired last summer,…
Read More »In the English Premier League, arguably the best soccer league in the world, the action in front of the goal can often be a blur. In fact, when players are crowded into that confined space and the ball suddenly ends up in the back of the net, it can even be difficult to tell who…
Read More »I trust that you and yours had a blessed and wonderful Christmas day yesterday. It is an extraordinary time—and one that many of us cherish. The day after Christmas, however, is a different thing. It is a day for returns and cleanup and exhaustion. In the United Kingdom, however, it is more. The day after…
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Jesus Christ left the glory of heaven to come to Earth and walk among us. Enjoy a special Christmas edition of Sports Spectrum as we celebrate “Immanuel, God with Us.” Hear from professional soccer player Ella Masar, and a special Scripture reading from KOA Radio Sports Director, Mark Johnson. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ…
Read More »World soccer experiences something several times each season that is utterly unique in sports—the international break. For the last 10 days, the greatest players in the world have left the clubs that pay their salaries and have brought them fame to spend these days competing for their respective national teams. Frankly, it is an extraordinary…
Read More »In the English Premier League, and throughout world football, finances have become an increasing problem. “Financial Fair Play” has become the buzz phrase to describe the desperate need for fiscal accountability among football clubs. The amounts of money being paid to and for players has skyrocketed to unbelievable levels, prompting financial practices that have brought…
Read More »As I write this, I am in a hotel in Asia where I have had the opportunity to watch a bit of Barclays Premiere League football (soccer) from England. It seems as if it’s on television 24/7 even here. As a former college soccer player, I still love watching the “beautiful game” even though we…
Read More »I remember all too well my younger days of playing fall sports—first football, and then soccer. What those two sports have in common (aside from both being referred to as “football”) is that training camp (at a collegiate level) was held in August—when the weather is hot and humid and draining and there is no…
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