Category Archives: The Beautiful Game

The ugliest soccer and football jerseys

Posted on by

It turns out that the beautiful game isn’t always that good looking. Football or soccer creates some visually stunning moments, whether it’s Argentina’s 25 pass goal against Serbia, my 35-yard strike, the time Pele thought he had scored against Gordon Banks, or quite simply, David Beckham.

But that’s not always the case. There’s still racism in the sport, hooliganism, Aston Villa, the 1990 World Cup Final and of course, plenty of fashion faux paus. You see, it’s difficult to watch the beautiful game when you are visually nauseated by the jerseys on your favorite team. For example.

Mushroom Kingdom FC?

Mushroom Kingdom FC?

Faber Reusch 93-94 pink-lila Wosz 10 v

Faber Reusch 93-94 pink-lila Wosz 10 v

I can’t imagine having to support one of these teams, let alone play for one of them. I guess I would take of my shirt to celebrate after every goal. Or every pass, tackle or throw in.

The researchable internet already has some great resources to highlight the ugly game. Check out this post by Oddly Enough. Or this more general post by Bleacher Report. Or incredibly, Ugly Football Kits. Do some research, pull out your Alexi Lalas 1994 US jersey and join the conversation.

In the meantime, enjoy some of my favorite finds in this Pinterest board I created. Aren’t I fancy?

My Pinterest Board

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Giving Thanks to The Guardian Football Section

Posted on by

I’m using Thanksgiving Day to give a cheers to The Guardian newspaper across the Atlantic ocean for providing me with years of, well, news. But news with incredibly accuracy, integrity and brilliant sarcasm, especially when digitally flipping through the The Guardian Football section – superbly written coverage with personality, sass, wit and desert dry humor. Thank you.

Like a British postcard - a pint, taxi and The Guardian

Like a British postcard - a pint, taxi and The Guardian (sitting in Covent Garden a couple of years ago).

A couple of years ago, I was quoted in a Guardian story about ArtBabble – and although I was pretty proud of that, I was more honored to have made it into The Guardian (because it features the Football section I had come to adore). I’ve been loyally following their coverage for a good 10 years now.

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Art Installation: The Perfect Penalty Kick

Posted on by

Title: The Perfect Penalty Kick
Artist: Daniel Incandela
Materials: Steel goal, netting, 309 leather soccer balls

Over the years, penalty kicks have provided the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Nations have cried with despair or joy as their teams have hoisted trophies as a result of one penalty kick, one miss, or one goal as it flies past the keeper. Grown men have collapsed on the field after a miss, a save or a piece of misfortune, standing 12 yards from the goal, thousands of fans feeling the same pain. I wrote about the meaning of penalty kicks, here.

Installed Render of The Perfect Penalty Kick

Installed Render of The Perfect Penalty Kick - small gap in upper right hand corner

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

The greatest goal I ever scored

Posted on by

I played forward in soccer. I scored plenty of goals – tap-ins, PK’s, headers, volleys, lucky, brilliant, mediocre and one unforgettable one. This is the story of that unforgettable goal, written by my teammate and very good friend 8 years ago. I saved it for a reason.We’re still friends for a reason.

Let me summarize. I scored a goal 8 years ago. My friend who played alongside me, wrote about that moment and sent it to everyone on the team. I saved it. I sometimes read it if I was having a bad day. I also joked I would tell my (future) son about this goal. I wasn’t joking about that – and lately I’ve had plenty of bad days.

Taken by another dear friend - drinking on the soccer sidelines

Taken by another dear friend - drinking on the soccer sidelines

So here is the story. A story about me, about great moments, about taking risks, about the unexpectedness of life and the love of friends. Oh, and the beautiful game. Enjoy…

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

Penalty Kicks

Posted on by

As an Englishman, discussing penalty kicks invariably ends in tears. We’re talking about soccer or football here, where one player stands 12 yards from goal and tries to place it past a goalkeeper. The odds are in the penalty takers favor. Unless you are English. Check out this Wall Street Journal article if you are really interested about England’s knack for choking. I’ve seen it enough.

England Team

England at Soldier Field in 2005 (no penalties that day)

I used to play soccer a lot. I don’t as much anymore – job, travel, baby, etc. I’m okay with that. But this past Sunday I did. It was my first full match in a year. I played 80/90 minutes on a hot day, hard ground. It was an absolute blast. I took a penalty.

Continue reading →

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post