http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5fP1rZXYSs

Pelé, a retired Brazilian footballer, is generally believed to be the greatest to have ever played the game. In this video, Pelé talks about the upcoming World Cup in Brazil in the summer of 2014, as well as memories of past World Cups. Pelé learned about the importance of the World Cup at a young age. He recalls watching his father crying when he was 9 or 10 years old. When Pelé asked his father what was wrong, his father responded: “Brazil lost the World Cup.” In response, Pelé recalls: “I don’t know what to say to him. I say ‘No don’t worry. Don’t cry. I’m gonna win one World Cup for you.’ Then this was 8 years later, I was 17, I was in Sweden and Brazil won the World Cup.” In Sweden in 1958, Pelé played in four matches and scored six goals. He later went on to lead Brazil to World Cup victories in 1962 and 1970.

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Pelé Promises His Father A World Cup Victory appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ja1ry0lhMs

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, soccer player David Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at the time, visited Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town to show his support for the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. He said of the charity foundation, “As a father with three sons, I appreciate the work that will be done at the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. I’ve been lucky to achieve what I have and giving back is important to me. I have children who are my life so if I can help, I would love too.” Beckham also comments on the symbolic role of sports in history and says of Tutu: “He’s a very special man.”

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David Beckham Visits Desmond Tutu During 2010 World Cup appeared first on Witnify.

Author: Heath Harckham

U.S. national team players Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey. Source: Creative Commons.

When the whistle blew after a tense and exciting game between the United States and Belgium in the 2014 World Cup’s final round of 16, U.S. players collapsed on the field–exhausted and defeated–having given their all but coming up short. Yet despite failing to advance, there is plenty of reason for pride and optimism for U.S. soccer.

DeAndre Yedlin, 20, playing in the MLS All-Star game. Source: Creative Commons.

While the team was defeated at the same stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, this time around they faced a more challenging opposition and far more trying circumstances at the group stage. Placed in the daunting Group D, known by the media and fans as the “Group of Death,” the U.S. managed to advance despite little belief outside of the team and its fans that it could do so. The team’s hard-fought 2-1 loss to a Belgium team brimming with young and talented stars was disappointing, especially considering how close the U.S. came to completing a dramatic extra-time comeback, but the never-say-die mentality of the U.S. players and their unrelenting teamwork made the defeat easier to swallow.

Potential future stars were also a bright spot in the gloom of American defeat. A core young contingent of the squad impressed and look to have bright futures in the U.S. team for years to come. World Cup rookie DeAndre Yedlin impressed in his three substitution appearances, and both John Anthony Brooks and Julian Green, 19 and 21 years old respectively, had brief but impressive competitive debuts for the team; Green beautifully scored the one goal for the U.S.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this game for the future of  U.S. soccer, however, is the sport’s growing popularity back home.

While viewership and interest in the national team has increasingly spiked every World Cup, 2014 garnered American enthusiasm and attention like never before. Viewership of the U.S. games consistently broke domestic viewership records. The first match against Ghana, a wildly dramatic U.S. win over their World Cup rivals, was the most watched U.S. men’s soccer game in America ever–until the games against Portugal and Belgium both surpassed that record.

-Before-

In addition to increased television viewership, cities throughout the nation held large public viewing parties for the matches, Soldier Field in Chicago, for example, hosted over 25,000 people for the game against Belgium–and seemingly every bar in the country was packed with attentive fans.

Social Media highlighted the elevated attention in the sport.

Twitter usage during the World Cup peaked when the U.S. played and Google and Facebook reported record trends of World Cup-related searches and posts in America. The U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who set a World Cup record with 16 saves in a single match during the Belgium game became a viral sensation for his heroics.

-After-

Though a constant critique of American interest in international soccer is in its fleeting nature, the expansion of Major League Soccer (MLS)–the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada–and the growing U.S. interest in European soccer leagues, suggests that the criticism is misguided. MLS has expanded into three new markets since the 2010 World Cup with two more set to join in 2015. In addition to its improving attendance numbers, the league has recently signed a lucrative T.V. deal, which will give it more national coverage and money than ever before.

The league’s progress can also be marked by its increased influence on the national team. Of the 23 men in the 2014 World Cup roster, seven play in MLS, which is three more than in the 2010 roster. While the league is still working to increase fan participation in some markets, in others like Kansas or in the Pacific Northwest regions of America, soccer culture is already thriving.

American World Cup players Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin, for example, play for the Seattle Sounders, a team with a passionate fan base that averages over 44,000 people a game for league matches. The growing exposure and quality of MLS has translated in a rise in quality of the talent pool for our national team, in addition to providing a competitive domestic league in which players can develop and improve their skills, it  also acts as a springboard for talented Americans to earn moves to more competitive European leagues, such with  Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. As domestic soccer continues to grow, the opportunities and resources for American players to succeed grow as well.

The excitement over this 2014 World Cup highlights America’s growing and overdue affection for the world’s favorite pastime. This game alone may not catapult an interest in soccer past any of the other major American sports, such as “American football,” but if it continues its current upward trend, the sport will become popular in the United States more than once every four years.

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[Blog] U.S. Soccer & 2014′s World Cup–Defeated But on the Rise appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Qz109jW9A

U.S. soccer fans around the nation and in Brazil celebrate a dramatic victory over their familiar World Cup opponent, Ghana, on June 16, 2014. After the U.S. exited their last two World Cups at the hands of Ghana, the United States Men’s National Team finally beat Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup match. A goal in the 82nd minute by André Ayew seemed to crush any hope for a U.S. victory and set the stage for a dramatic Ghanian comeback but an eighty-sixth minute header by John Anthony Brooks–making his competitive debut for the U.S. national team–earned the U.S. a dramatic late victory over an opponent that had sent the U.S. home from the tournament early twice in the past eight years.

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U.S. Fans Celebrate Win Against Ghana at 2014 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19w1j4n10Zg

When he was nine years old, Pelé remembers his dad crying because Brazil had lost the 1950 World Cup to Uruguay and he told his father not to worry because he would win the World Cup for Brazil one day. Pelé, who is considered to be one of the best football players of all time and is a national hero in Brazil, goes on to describe his career and his favorite moments playing the game.

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Young Pelé: ‘Daddy, I’m Gonna Win the World Cup for You’ appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjr3ZIxogA

In this 1998 interview, Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel explains why English goalkeeper Gordon Banks’s save, which prevented Pelé from making a much-anticipated goal in the 1970 World Cup was the best he’d ever seen. Banks skillfully made contact with the ball via the tips of his fingers getting it over the crossbar–Brazil still won the game 1–0 but the save is considered to be the best in football history.

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Gordon Banks’s 1970 Save appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zufLNvHa1BM

Swiss professional tennis player Roger Federer describes meeting Pelé, a retired Brazilian footballer considered to be one of the best players of all time. In their meeting, Pelé presents him with an autographed image of himself playing in the 1958 World Cup final match against Sweden.

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Roger Federer Meets Pelé appeared first on Witnify.

Author: Sarah Dejak

You never know what to expect from the tournament that comes every four years and breeds passion and patriotism throughout the world. Take a look at some of the most outrageous events this sport has ever seen:

If you are an avid fan of soccer, you may read about the “Old Trafford brawl” so you may know more the history of the game.

1950 Uruguay World Cup team. Source: Wikipedia

14.) Brazil is Upset by Uruguay: Uruguay struggled throughout the entire FIFA World Cup in 1950 and, when they barely made it to the finals, everyone was sure that their Brazilian opponents would be the winners. After Brazil gained the lead shortly after halftime, creating a score of 1-0, Uruguay equalized the game with a goal by Juan Alberto Schiaffino. With 11 minutes left in regulation, Alcides Ghiggia of Uruguay hit the winning goal and cinched one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. Source: Wikipedia

13.) The Football War: Known as the “100 Hour War,” this game was fought in 1969 between Honduras and El Salvador because of building tensions over immigration and territory. It created widespread riots between the two countries during the 1970 FIFA World Cup.

1970 Brazil World Cup squad. Source: Wikipedia

12.) Brazil Wins Their third World Cup: In 1970, the ninth World Cup tournament was played and, for the third time, Brazil becomes champions. This team, which was made-up of legendary players like Carlos Alberto and Pelé, is often thought of as one of the greatest World Cup teams ever–securing Pelé as one of the best athletes in soccer of all time. It was also the first World Cup tournament to be broadcasted around the world in color.

11.) The Underdogs: The 1990 Cameroon World Cup team put African soccer on the map when they defeated the reigning champs, Argentina, with only nine men on the field for their side.

Pelé. Source: Wikipedia

10.) Pelé’s 1958 World Cup Performance: At only 17, Pelé helped lead Brazil to their first World Cup title with a 5-2 win over Sweden in the final. He was the youngest player in 1958 to be in a World Cup tournament and scored six goals while doing it.

9.) The Battle of the East and the West: West Germany hosted the 1974 World Cup amidst the Cold War tension. Their rivaled counter-country, East Germany, was drawn to be in the same group as them. When the two teams played each other, West Germany was favored to win. To the surprise of many, East Germany capitalized on a goal in the 77th minute that pushed them past West Germany. The game was one of passion and patriotism for each side and their opposing political viewpoints made the competition even more fierce. If gaming is your passion, why not explore the exhilarating world of betting on EURO88, where your enthusiasm for games can intersect with the chance to turn it into an engaging and potentially rewarding experience.

America’s first official formation in 1916. Source: Wikipedia

8.)“The Game of Their Lives:” In 1950, a weaker U.S. team made-up of part-time players upset the skilled English team, which was seen to be the favorite in the tournament, when they beat England 1-0. The result was so unlikely–it is rumored–that British newspapers  had already printed the news with an English victory of 10-1 before the game started.

7.) El Salvador Humiliated in Spain: During the second game in the first group stage of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the biggest scoring differentiation occurred between the two teams in World Cup history. El Salvador was defeated by Hungary, who was projected to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament, 10 to 1.

Escobar playing for Columbia in 1994 FIFA World Cup. Source: Wikipedia

6.) The Deathly Consequences of Escobar’s Own Goal: Andres Escobar was a defender for the Columbian World Cup Team during 1994. Columbia was playing the United States during the second match of the World Cup. Escobar, in an attempt to disrupt a cross from American midfielder John Harkes, accidentally tipped the ball into his own goal. Ten days after this incident, Escobar was shot dead outside a bar. Many believe it was because he had caused powerful drug lords that had gambled on the game to lose large amounts of money.

5.) The Unimaginable Six Goals: In 1978, Argentina was the host of the World Cup and there was a lot of pressure on them to win the whole thing. When Brazil beat their opponent in the group 3-1, it forced Argentina to have to win against their opponent by six goals. Historically, this is a difficult feat in the World Cup, and to everybody’s surprise, Argentina pulled it off, allowing them to advance to the next round. Brazilians claim that Peru threw the match, as it was  too much a deficit to beat a team by. Nothing was ever proven. 

1998 FIFA World Cup. Source: Wikipedia

4.) Goal or No Goal: It was West Germany vs. England during the final game of the 1966 World Cup. By the end of regulation, the game was tied 2-2, sending the game into overtime. The controversy arose from an English goal in extra time that gave them the lead. The ball was struck, hit off the crossbar, and was deflected down onto the goal line. None of the referees knew if it actually crossed the line or not, but they ended up blindly awarding the goal to England who would later go on to win the match 4-2.

3.) The Invisible Penalty: During the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Norway was the underdog, as they had to face Brazil, the defending world champions. As the second half was winding down, it looked like Brazil would be the winners; that is, until American referee Baharmast called a penalty kick in favor of Uruguay. This eventually led to Uruguay winning that game and advancing. The call was very controversial since, from all the camera angles, there seemed to be no foul committed. The next day, however, a camera angle nobody else had seen proved there was a foul committed and that Esfandier Baharmast was correct in making that call.

Zindane’s Headbutt. Source: Flickr, Chelsea_nj

2.) Zidane’s Head-butt: After Italian defender Marco Materazzi provoked French attacker Zinedine Zidane with harsh words concerning his mother and sister, Zidane snapped and head-butted Materazzi in the chest. Zidane received a red card and was not allowed to finish the World Cup final. France went on to lose the match to Italy in penalty kicks 5-3.

1.) The “Hand of God:” In the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, Argentina was playing England. Diego Maradona, a soccer legend who played for Argentina, scored one of the most controversial goals in World Cup history. Maradona, unable to match the size of English goalkeeper Peter Shilton, struck the ball out of the air with his hand instead of his head. It was sneaky enough so that the referees couldn’t see it and Maradona, knowing what he had done, played it off as a legal goal. It counted and Argentina went on to defeat England 2-1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB-q_v_gGvY

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[Blog] The 14 Most Memorable World Cup Moments appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB-q_v_gGvY

Retired soccer legend Diego Maradona talks about the controversial goal he scored during the 1986 Fifa World Cup quarter-final against England which was held in Mexico City on June 22, 1986. Maradona explains how he fooled the referees into thinking he had scored the goal with his head, when in actuality, he scored the goal with his hand. The goal became known as the “Hand of God” goal and is still one of the most controversial events in World Cup history.

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Diego Maradona Interviewed on His ‘Hand of God’ Goal appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fESPK2cmjpY

Zinedine Zidane, retired soccer legend and member of France’s World Cup team, explains in an interview why he head-butted Marco Materazzi, a retired member of Italy’s World Cup team, in the FIFA World Cup finals held in Germany on July 9, 2006. Zidane describes the harsh words that Materazzi provoked him with about his mom and sister. He also apologizes to the public and states that this action was inevitable after the “hard” words since he is only human.

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The Head-Butt Heard Around the World appeared first on Witnify.