Soccer Underdog Stories

This title introduces fans to the best underdog stories in soccer history, covering the highlights and characters involved in their greatest moments. The title features informative sidebars, exciting photos, a glossary, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

This is the greatest underdog story in World Football History. The 2015-2016 season of The Premier League was the season which made Leicester City Football Club worldwide known. Until now when I was thinking about English football I was thinking about Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool but from now on in my mind will be Leicester City. Leicester City - Champions of English Premier League 2015-2016

This title introduces fans to the best underdog stories in NFL history, covering the highlights and characters involved in their greatest moments. The title features informative sidebars, exciting photos, a glossary, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

An anthology of Latin American football fiction Eleven stories, one from each country in the South American World Cup qualifying group, plus Mexico (following the precedent set by the Copa América). Idols and Underdogs includes some of the most prestigious names in Latin American literature. A hymn to the jogo bonito, these short stories demonstrate, in stark contrast to its European counterpart, just how connected Latin American football is to its roots in the backstreets, barrios and favelas. Including Juan Villoro (Mexico), Edmundo Paz Soldán (Bolivia), Ricardo Silva Romero (Colombia), Sérgio Sant’Anna (Brazil), Sergio Galarza (Peru), Selva Almada (Argentina), Carlos Abin (Uruguay), Roberto Fuentes (Chile), Miguel Hidalgo Prince (Venezuela), José and Hidalgo Pallares (Ecuador), and Javier Viveros (Paraguay), this is a who’s who of Latin American fiction. Also contains author interviews, charting personal views on football and its intersections with politics, literature, and wider culture. Idols and Underdogs is an English translation of Por amor a la pelota: once cracks de la ficción futbolera. Translated by George Shivers, Shawn Stein and Richard McGehee.

Arguably the world's most popular sport, soccer has its own colorful lore, still little known in a nation only now beginning to give the game its due. This book offers the perfect opportunity to catch up on soccer's rich historyand to discover some of the funniest, most ironic, outlandish, and tragic stories ever to come out of the world of sports. Taking readers as far afield as the Faeroe Islands, Thailand, Madagascar, Belarus, Bhutan, and the North Pole, the selections inSoccer Storiesrange from the strange (Brazilian players paid in cattle by their cash-strapped club) to the wild (the Mexican prison warden who threw open all the cell doors in celebration of a World Cup victory) to the comical (the referee who ejected himself). Here is the plane crash that wiped out the Italian team on the eve of its fifth straight national championship; the spiteful African club that scored 149 goals against itself in one game; and the youngster who banked a shot into the goal off a passing seagull. As lively as it is informative,Soccer Storieswill engage fans of all levels.

October 10, 2017. The U.S. men’s soccer team loses in Trinidad and Tobago, and fails to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Winning soccer’s greatest prize never seemed more distant. Immediate fixes—a new coach, a revamped professional league, a commitment to coaching education—won’t put the USA in the global elite. The nation is too fractious, too litigious, too wrapped up in other sports, and too late to the game. In Why the U.S. Men Will Never Win the World Cup: A Historical and Cultural Reality Check, Beau Dure shows what American soccer is really up against. Using hundreds of sources to trace more than 100 years of history, Dure delves into the culture that only recently lost its disdain for the global game and still doesn’t have the depth of soccer insight and passion that much of the world has had for generations. The difficulty isn’t any single thing—the mismanagement of failed leagues, the inability to agree on a path forward, the lawsuits that stem from an inability to agree, or the unique American culture that treasures its homegrown sports. It’s everything. And yet, Why the U.S. Men Will Never Win the World Cup is ultimately optimistic. Dure argues that with the right long-term changes, the U.S. can build a soccer environment that consistently produces quality players, strong results, and a lot more fun on the international stage. Soccer fans and skeptics alike will find this a fascinating examination of America’s past, present, and future in the beautiful game.

Do you believe in the magic of soccer and its power to inspire young hearts and minds? Soccer is more than just a game-it's a source of inspiration, bringing moments that have influenced the course of history, kindled hope, and showcased the triumph of the human spirit. From Pelé's mesmerizing skills that captivated nations to Iceland's iconic Thunderclap in Euro 2016, these legendary soccer stories are a testament to the game's profound impact. Discover tales of resilience, like Lionel Messi, who overcame a growth hormone deficiency to become one of the greatest players ever, and Mohamed Salah, whose journey from a small village in Egypt to global stardom redefines what it means to dream big. They're all here, along with stories of: Hope Solo, who rose through challenges to become a goalkeeping legend in women's soccer. The Nigerian Golden Eaglets, showcasing the vibrancy and talent of youth in their World Cup victories. Leicester City's fairytale triumph in the English Premier League, a story of underdogs and unwavering determination. The Brazilian Samba in World Cup, a dance of skill, flair, and five historic victories. These 20 inspiring stories, suitable for kids and teens, are told in a lively, engaging style. Delve into the tales of players and coaches who not only made their mark on the field but also left a lasting legacy in society. "Inspirational Soccer Stories of All Times for Young Readers" is a celebration of soccer's most uplifting moments, offering a window into the lives of players who turned their dreams into reality.