Posts from ‘October, 2010’

In The World is a Ball somewhere there’s a rant about how, in England, being a “professional” football player means something vastly different from what it means in Italy. Or Spain. Or Germany.

TORONTO — In a sports bar one recent night, the bartender was giving away collectible beer glasses bearing the Toronto F.C. logo and motto, “All for One.” For some, those words are hard to swallow right now.

These are desperate days in Toronto. Within a month, it seems, Toronto F.C. has gone from a beloved team to the focus of bitterness and anger. There is an interim coach and, at 8-13-7 before Saturday’s game, no possibility the team will make Major League Soccer’s playoffs. Ticket prices are rising. Some players have been invisible on the field, and others want more money. Continue reading

Ireland moves on shakily after loss to Russia in Dublin. Backs to the wall, boys… Continue reading

Which is kind of like the World Cup in the writing racket. About our man Mario Vargas Llosa – “To assuage his lifelong passion for football he has written about the game for El País.” Continue reading

Euro 2012 Qualifying. Ireland vs Russia. In Dublin. Oh Lordy. Continue reading