Sport

How do you plan for devil magic?

So Pep Guardiola has to eat shit again. I’ll pause if that sentence makes you giggle (I know I am). Once again, armed with probably the most stacked team in Europe — as he was in Munich, and because he has been in Manchester — and armed with the most cohesive team in Europe, and […]

Sport

The USMNT is crafty in the middle but dangerous at both ends… to themselves

Being panicky and reactionary about the USMNT is now part of the deal. Perhaps it’s a sign we’re growing up. Fuck, three weeks ago, the US qualified for next fall’s World Cup (and got something of a favorable draw), Christian Pulisic was starting regularly for Chelsea — looking good doing it, too — and Gio […]

Sport

What is it Manchester United are trying to do?

At the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s run as Manchester United, they got absolutely dog-walked by Liverpool and Manchester City at home. The combined score was 7-1, but no one would have been surprised had it ended up 17-0. Plenty will tell you it should have. Even for the notoriously directionless yet complacent United… Read […]

Sport

OK, maybe it’s time to have a talk about Gregg Berhalter

The natural inclination is to arm the nukes to drop on USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter after his comments that the U. S. “dominated” Canada, despite losing 2-0 and managing just three shots on target. The initial reaction is that he’s completely deluded, doesn’t know what he’s watching, and all while having huge talent… Read more…

Sport

Liverpool and Manchester City hurl everything at each other in game of the season

It’s rare that games between the top-table inhabitants of soccer can live up to the billing. They usually cancel each other out, the fear of losing greatly outweighing the benefit of winning, and you might get the odd goal here or there in contests that are high on tension and intrigue but low on anything […]

Sport

Yes, it’s a gold medal for Team USA, but what does that mean?

Nobody is going to argue that this was the best men’s basketball team the United States has sent to the Olympics. They’re gold medalists today thanks largely to Kevin Durant — throughout the tournament and including the title game against France; deciding that play time was over, and proceeding to wreck shop. But… Read more…

Sport

Man City’s Pep just can’t help himself

Perhaps the true sign of a great manager is how long he can leave his team on autopilot once his system and tactics are installed. While each game requires minor adjustments here or there, they shouldn’t amount to much more than the grade on the tires. The engine remains the same. And no team should […]