Rory Smith
Posts
Soccer’s Fastest-Growing Market Is the One for Ideas
Wealthy teams accustomed to pursuing players are simultaneously competing for the signatures of a new era’s most sought-after talents: data analysts.
Manchester United Fires Solskjaer After a Loss Too Far
Lopsided defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City had the one-time fan favorite teetering. A humbling loss at lowly Watford finished him off.
Who Has Qualified for the 2022 World Cup?
The kickoff to the World Cup in Qatar is a year away, and most of the favorites have already booked their places. The winner, in...
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Transfer Rumors From Another Age
Talk about stars headed to Barcelona and Real Madrid conveniently leaves out an important fact: Neither club can afford them at the moment.
Erling Haaland and Norway Miss the World Cup
Norway’s failure to qualify for Qatar means Erling Haaland will have to watch from home. Norway has taken it in its stride.
For Qatar, the World Cup’s Glamour Is the Payoff
As the 2022 field starts to take shape, there is a sense that the host nation, after a decade of scrutiny and criticism, will at...
Uruguay Braces for the End of Its Golden Generation
No South American nation has performed as well as Uruguay over the past three World Cups. Now the country’s three million people wonder if the...
Barcelona Femení and the Pursuit of Perfection
Barcelona Femení is the champion of Spain and Europe, and perhaps the most dominant club team in the world. The team’s coach and his players...
From Beckham to Ronaldo: When the Solution Is the Problem
The New York Times - Sports: Reshaping a team to suit a single player comes with a heavy cost: The thrills fade, and the problems...
At Wrexham and Elsewhere, the Soccer Is Just a Story Line
The New York Times - Sports: In a steady stream of documentary series, more and more clubs are turning themselves into content. But where does...