Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest controversy with the Portuguese national team raises an important question: Does any player, regardless of their stature, have the right to challenge a coach’s authority? We examine Ronaldo’s suspension, his declining influence on the field, and the difficult reality of managing aging superstars. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi continues to produce extraordinary performances at […]

How does a soccer coach go from beginner to expert? And why do so many coaches spend decades in the profession without ever reaching that level? The evolution of a soccer coach typically begins with trial and error, progresses into the familiarity and confidence of an intermediate coach, and, for a select few, eventually leads […]

In American soccer, who succeeds isn’t always determined by what happens on the field. From the players we promote to the opportunities they receive, the system is shaped by interests that often have little to do with sporting merit. We begin with the USWNT’s loss to Spain and what it reveals about the changing landscape […]