Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Cleats.
How to continue the legacy of our grandparents
[Disclaimer: The original version of this article, addressed to the people of Rosario (Argentina), was published on Newell’s Old Boys’ official website on the 24th of April, 2020. The following is a direct translation that contains political and geographical references, and it is not intended to offend the residents of any territory.]
By Alejandro G. Conta5 years ago in Cleats
Promotion and Relegation?
The great debate of North American soccer enthusiasts: Promotion versus Relegation. Arguably since the early days of pro soccer the idea within the North American soccer landscape has been an ongoing debate (I’m talking specifically in reference to USA/Canada). Yet, roughly 100 years later North American soccer still does not have promotion and relegation at any level. This is made all the more curious by the fact that the pro/rel system is a system of league organization that is widely used throughout the world. Further still the fact that it is not part of MLS league makeup makes MLS one of the few first-division professional soccer leagues in the world where clubs don't have to fear of getting dropped to a lower league. But the question is why the resistance? Sports after all feed on drama and what better way to add drama than to include a tried and true method to a league looking to attract more fans. The way I see it promotion and relegation is not some monumental hurdle that can’t be overcome but one that has too many excuses as to why it can’t be accomplished.
By Sam Hazelwood5 years ago in Cleats
Top 3 Clubs that Lionel Messi Could Sign In 2020
A crisis is a word that gets used too readily when a team hits some bad form, but one is developing rapidly at Barcelona. After losing their La Liga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid, they were served up, a Champion's League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich. Barcelona were beaten 8-2 by the German giants in Lisbon, and now the Camp Nou club is in disarray. Manager Quique Setién got the sack along with sporting director Erik Abidal, losing by six goals simply isn't accepted at Barcelona. They're in danger of losing players, too, with defender Gerard Piqué volunteering to leave in a bid to help his club rebuild.
By Vishnu Aravindhan5 years ago in Cleats
Final Four (Part 3 of 4)
When I decided to write about this whole experience, I did not intend for it to be made up of multiple parts. But once I started, I realized that there was a lot more to write about than I originally thought. And still, I’ve left a lot out. Looking back to what was technically the second round (first round for us) of the national tournament against Notre Dame College, I remember the general vibe was “great we get an extra game”. As I mentioned before, the conference championship was our big goal that season and after coming up short, it almost felt like our season ended there. But it didn’t.
By Will Marshall5 years ago in Cleats
Final Four (Part 2 of 4)
I learned a lot in my four years of soccer at the University of Pittsburgh. My soccer IQ increased drastically in my last 2 and a half years. Thinking back on it now, it’s absolutely insane that I got to play for a coaching staff of that caliber. I was recruited by mostly Division III schools in high school. I didn’t play for a very high-level club. The high school I went to was not on the map for soccer, at least not since the 90s. I got to Pitt mostly because, like my year at West Chester, things just seemed to fall into place.
By Will Marshall5 years ago in Cleats
Final Four (Part 1 of 4)
Highmark Stadium sits in the shadow of Mt. Washington on the south shore of the Monongahela River. Built in 2012 on the same ground that used to house the Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Highmark Stadium became the new home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. It gave soccer a presence in Pittsburgh. I first stepped foot into Highmark Stadium some time in 2013. I started training there as a part of the Riverhounds Goalkeeper Academy. It was difficult to find consistent and quality technical goalkeeper training in the Pittsburgh area back then and the club I played for didn’t offer consistent goalkeeper training. I remember thinking about how cool it was that I got to train on that field.
By Will Marshall5 years ago in Cleats
Bye Football
Football was a sport I grew up playing, I can’t even remember when I first touched a ball because it was so long ago. Never in a million years did I think I was going be saying bye. I grew up playing recreational soccer, and my parents never agreed with me playing it but even though I put even more pressure on myself to make sure I was playing to my fullest potential.
By Yuni Liang5 years ago in Cleats
MY FOOTBALL: neighbourhood street football
When I was growing up, there was this park that my cousins and I would always go and play at before we could even walk. The park was always full of heaps of children that we played with and we would always be running around having the times of our lives and laughing. Then one day when we were a bit older a small junior sized astro football pitch was built at the park. The pitch was specifically built for the club who used to play there for their junior teams but it was open to the public to play on.
By Charlie Doukas5 years ago in Cleats
MY FOOTBALL: where it all began
Football, it truly is the world game. The connection between fans and their team, a sense of feeling connected within a family of people all over the world, people who don't even know you exist but share your same joy and passion through the same team you follow. The joy experienced by billions around the world when someone scores the match winning goal or makes that last minute goal line save. The roar of the crowd that shows the level of passion people reach together as a whole through football. The passion that allows everybody to enjoy their team with others who have that exact same passion. All of the emotion that football brings to people all over the world and how it links billions together no matter who they are or where they're from is what makes football the beautiful game.
By Charlie Doukas5 years ago in Cleats
Why German fans don’t care for matches any more
Due to the Corona crisis, the German Football League was also brought to a complete standstill. From May onwards, the ball is now rolling again - but without fans in the stadiums. The strict hygiene regulations make it impossible for football fans to visit a stadium and cheer on their favourite team. So the remaining matches of the season will take place without spectators.
By Anna Klaus5 years ago in Cleats
