The soccer world sheds a tear for fans, players, and civilians that lost their lives in Egypt a few days ago. Many much better equipped media outlets and more knowledgeable folk reported on the incident and shared their thoughts. Here’s some of the essential reading:

Last Wednesday, in the Egyptian city of Port Said, fans of rival soccer clubs fought and 73 people were killed. It was pandemonium – players were also attacked. The police did next to nothing. Recently elected Parliamentary members blamed the military for allowing the violence to escalate. Many fear that the military will use the bloodshed as a pretext to justify “law and order” ordinances and stall the democratic transition. Others also blamed the security for not thoroughly frisking fans before allowing them to enter. The Egyptian league has since suspended operations. (NY Times)

James Dorsey points out that there was plenty of smoke before the fire. The two rival fans had clashed during the same game in the same stadium last year. Also, before the match, the rival fans tweeted hateful and threatening messages to one another. On a political scale, the well organized and often violent Egyptian fan clubs, known as ultras, have continued to oppose the military’s prominent role in Egyptian life. On the other hand, the Egyptian public has grown sick of protests and just wants a return to stability and economic growth. Dorsey asks – did the Military allow this violence to try and drive a wedge between the ultras and the public? (Turbulent World of Middle Eastern Soccer)

In light of the violence, protesters took to the streets throughout Egypt. Among them was Bob Bradley, the current coach of the Egyptian National Team, and his wife. Bradley’s show of solidarity was welcomed, and his remarks focused on his empathy with the victims’ families. Whether his comments were irritatingly apolitical or intelligently tactful, I’ll let you decide. (Dirty Tackle)

Sophia Azeb examines in depth the history of Al Ahly S.C., explains the Ultras movement and its anti-colonial beliefs, and ultimately concludes that the fighting in Egypt should not be labeled a “football riot.” In contrast to fascist Ultras in Europe, Al Ahly S.C. and other soccer groups consistently rejected the Mubarak strategy to use sport as dope for the masses. They have been pro-democratic reforms. Sadly, Mohamed Aboutrika, a player on the field and prominent public figure in the revolution that toppled Mubarak, was attacked and thereafter announced his retirement from soccer. Shortly after the violence, a truce  was made between supporters of Al Ahly and Zamalek, the supporters group of rival club Al-Masry. Obviously, there’s more at stake then just games and goals and kicks and fouls.  (Soccer Politics)

Two players for Al-Masry have noted the unusual inaction of the police. For example, one player who watched the game from a nearby cafe reported that he saw armed thugs walk by police. Conspicuously, the steel exit doors for Ahly supporters were locked shut. Several were trampled to death. Spectators claimed to have heard the police egging on the violent Al-Masry ultras. (Guardian)

Many commentators have speculated as to the role and action/inaction of the military. However, these conspiracies bring to mind “Two Sides of Perversion” by Slavoj Zizek. Basically, in our minds we strive to explain our existence by a divine entity. We attribute order to that entity. Nevertheless, we often overreach in our daily analysis, and project conclusions based upon circumstantial evidence. Many asserted similar conspiratorial claims against George W. Bush in the aftermath of 9/11. Obviously, the military needs to be held accountable for failing to control the violence. However, if we assume the military’s omnipotence in our own minds, if we ascribe nefarious superpowers to them, if we see the military’s hand in all aspects of life from our hearts to our minds, then the military has already planted the seeds of collective submission. (Slavoj Zizek)

Recently deceased former Czech President Vaclav Havel wrote an essay titled “Power of the Powerless.” At the time, he was an activist and his concern was the communist regimes that swept across Eastern Europe. He noted that the greatest power of dictatorships was civic isolationism. Fear, distrust, and separation allowed regimes to splinter the civilian population. Nobody trusted their neighbor. Anybody could be a spy. However, this fog of fear masked the harsh reality: an impotent state that could never truly defeat an informed and united population. Thus, Vaclav called for the formation of informal civilian associations, based on hobbies. His belief was that these interactions would build bonds of trust among citizens, tearing at the heart of the dictatorships’ fear-mongering. As applied to Egypt, the Ultras (and online social communications) played a large role in the protests and bringing down Mubarak. The great threat now is that the military will dissolve those associations, fear will prevail, and democracy will suffer. (Vaclav Havel)

Elliott’s soccer eBook, An Illustrated Guide to Soccer & Spanish, is on sale for under $5 at Amazon for a limited time. Check it out here.

Christmas time fast approaches. Slowly, the universe disconnects from the web. We sip eggnog. We talk with family members. We exchange gifts. Co-workers get embarrassingly drunk at holiday parties. Dormant hands get grabby. Title VII lawsuits get filed soon thereafter. But before you sign that release of claim waiver and confidentiality agreement, enjoy these footy links:

Remember when FIFA said they were going to release documents on December 17th and we got all excited? Well, there is no Santa Clause. Nor financial transparency. Just unkept promises. The release has been delayed due to “legal privacy concerns.” And the Qatar bid will not be re-evaluated. On the plus side, Sepp has now gone almost an entire week without uttering a racist or sexist or homophobic remark. He must have had dental surgery.

Over at the Classical, James T of Unprofessional Foul has a nice look at the evolution of the German National Team. More Turkish. More Tunisian. More flair. Less headers. (Classical)

Vaclav Havel, Czech President and pro-democracy activist, has passed away. One of his great theories was that informal associations were key to combating dictatorships. This makes perfect sense, as dictatorships rely on fear, distrust, and pitting private citizens against one another. Read one of his essays at (Slate) Now, apply it to soccer in Egypt. Ultras, groups of militant soccer fans, were essential to taking down the former President and are now confronting the military. (TWMS)

For some lighthearted fun, Brooks toyed with photoshop and removed the green complexion of Harry Redknapp. He looks horrid, but has definitely turned into a Grinch. His tax woes have left him a joykill, and he doesn’t want his players to enjoy xmas. (Dirty Tackle).

In other news, the long awaited Pitch Invasion book has been released. You can get the eBook edition for $5.99 or the print version for $11.99. I highly recommend this book, although the nostalgia factor is a bit high for us old-timers.

Have you ever wondered how Andres Villas-Boas got to where he is? Or where he may end up? Me neither. Yet the folks at SF spin comic gold out of these topics in a flowchart. (SurrealFootball)

Barcelona beat up on Santos in the Club World Cup, and Neymar received some criticisms back in Brazil. Deportes Mais ran a clever “Missing Child” pic of him on their cover. (Unprofessional Foul)

Lastly, Darren Bent went Christmas shopping this past weekend. THE MONSTER! Yet as the only human being who goes shopping on the second-to-last Saturday before Christmas, he received ire. And, to be fair, he also kinda skipped out on watching his own team Aston Villa play. Granted, he was injured. However, you’d expect some emotional investment in his own team. Right? Wrong. He actually has an airtight defense. (The DA)

Don’t you just hate those arrogant, talented, supremely handsome Americans? Me too. Well, this American had the pleasure of writing for and speaking with some friends from across the Atlantic, and the results were marvelous. At least in my humble imperialist American opinion.

First, I penned a piece for the excellent 200 percent. My topic? The endless carousel of 4th division “professional” soccer teams in South Texas. Corruption. Graft. Mirages. Unpaid wages. When the franchise system and poverty collide, the results are catastrophic. Enjoy it here, assuming you enjoy the macabre.

Second, I have an article forthcoming for the nascent Spiel magazine, a Liverpool-based football & lifestyle magazine. You can check out a PDF of the Preview Issue here. You gotta pay for the issue with my article though (which is due out in two weeks). My article’s topic? The lingering mirage of rugged individualism that we foolishly use to characterize Ronald Reagan’s Presidency & Hugo Sanchez’s playing career at Real Madrid. It is so 80′s it hurts and, if you are a guy, while reading it your shoulders will swell in size and your hair will grow curly and long.

Lastly, and slightly more stateside, I had fun with DC-based Mirit and UK ex-pat James Tyler at Nutmegradio. We got our podcast on and I answered some very personal questions, like if I prefer Fakefutfanatico to Fakerfutfanatico. Listen here, if you dare.

Remember that time I wrote that post which was neither funny nor insightful and wasted your time? Well, I’ve found an easy solution for both you, the reader, and me, the writer. Links!

Kaka conducts the greatest Q & A session in the history of soccer (Dirty Tackle)

Iranian football has its own regional rivalries. Don’t you just detest those snobs from Tehran? (In Bed with Maradona)

Is it legal for the English FA to criminalize third party ownership of players’ playing rights? (Footy Blog)

Also, in terms of footy finance, a bank in Dubai has set up a soccer-related Hedge Fund. I hear they are betting heavily on Carlos Tevez being moody and Roberto Mancini overreacting. The no-apology odds are 2:1. (TWMES)

Two weeks ago, a select few shared some very nice Peel-good moments (Sport is a TV Show)

Manchester City should be wary of past quick starters who faded near the end of the EPL (ESPN)

Time to point and laugh. Chelsea’s dreams of a move away from Stamford Bridge were shot down despite heavy lobbying (200%)

On the field, the Blues have been attempting new pressing-tactics as implemented by Villas-Boas (Zonal Marking) However, to press you have to push up the back line, and Arsenal feasted on the positionally challenged outside backs and lead-footed Terry (Zonal Marking)

English soccer is posed to borrow a page from the NFL and adopt the “Rooney Rule” – a rule designed to give minority candidates a fair shake in hiring decisions (Soccer Politics)

I also reflected upon race and discourse – daring to ask if how we speak about race really reflects a complex reality (Run of Play)

In marketing news, the NY Cosmos marketing team decided a few weeks ago to fire their current CEO. Nobody knows exactly what he was doing, but he probably diluted the Cosmos brand just by “existing” and actually thinking they may want to have a “team.” (Unprofessional Foul)

Mario Balotelli is waving a tsunami of confidence – to the point that he is openly flaunting the FIFA snood ban and wears a custom Super Mario snood at training (WAATP)

Nutmeg Radio penned a beautiful Arsenal-Arsene lament which dares to ask – what happens when the world keeps spinning yet your philosopher king keeps his feet firmly planted in place? (Run of Play)

Not all is well in South Africa. Local poor were forcibly relocated to shack towns to make way for World Cup tourists. The World Cup came and went. But the poor? (KCKRS)

AC Milan has gone from the Christmas Tree formation of Carlos to the Pine Cones of Allegri. (Catch-22)

Berbatov has gotten a run of games with United, but there’s one problem – it’s put in jeopardy his unemployment compensation application. (Fisted Away)

Elliott’s soccer eBook, An Illustrated Guide to Soccer & Spanish, is available for only $5.99 on the Kindle, Nook, and at Goodreads. Check out a free preview here.

After much deliberation and feedback, the soccer eBook is now available in a DRM-less ePub format at Goodreads. Right here. What does that mean? Well, for those folks who do not have a Kindle or Nook, you can now purchase the book for $5.99 to then download and read on pretty much any other device. If you rock the open source Calibre, you can read it. If you use Adobe Digital Editions, you’re also included. And, of course, you can simply use the Goodreads eBook reader by simply signing up.

Speaking of the eBook, Robert of theTwoUnfortunates wrote a positive review that you can check out here. Terry Duffelen, blogger, podder & Socrates co-founder, also had some kind words to say about the eBook at Goodreads. And thus far the ratings have been squarely in the 4-5 range. Not too shabby. I’m still riding on a wave of confidence and my Vampire-High school-Law firm legal thriller/comedy series will be available from Doubleday in May of 2013.

But seriously, I promise to stop proudly boasting about the eBook until at least the new year. Scout’s honor. Books are like kids – once you have more than one, they all start to look the same & you eventually forget their names. Now, the links.

We’ll start with me. Two of my all-time favorite sites, Sport is a TV Show and FistedAway, presented some prime posting opportunities. First, I waxed on why you really hate Manchester City. My conclusion is that your simple envy and jealousy blind you to the truth – the Sheikh is desperate to buy your attention and affection. Given him neither. (SIATVS)

In case you didn’t see it, Arsenal FC actually won a game this past weekend. As the world’s leading Gunner-satirist who, while a Manchester United fan, has immense respect for Wenger & his sporting project, I penned a few words at Nick & Rob’s fine site. And, as per usual, a wave of Gunner-trolls took personal offense.I would just like to clarify that when I wryly poke fun at the intangible sporting entity which occupies your free time, it is only in lieu of punching you in the face. Please, get angry. Pretend that I have punched you in the face. (Fisted Away)

In terms of legitimate news, victims of the Hillsborough tragedy will finally get to see all the documents produced during the resulting investigation. David Conn squarely puts the blame on local governments & businesses who in the immediate aftermath tried to point fingers instead of looking in the mirror. (Guardian) Writing from a distance both spatially and temporally, Richard Whittall, young Canadian soccer writer extraordinaire, beautifully articulates what “Hillsborough” as a concept means to different people. (Footy Blog)

And, just to keep the kabal atmosphere going, James Tyler of Unprofessional Foul made his debut at ESPN. JT, not to be confused with Justin Timberlake when off the dance floor, summed up the prevailing sentiment that the United-Liverpool game kinda stunk. Both managers started off with defensive lineups, and even the helter-skelter of the last ten minute was more hurricane than rip-roaring EPL tide. (ESPN)

Also, I’ve been tearing into the Digital Edition Issue Two of the Blizzard. It’s available in PDF, ePub, and Mobi on a pay-what-you-want basis. In reality, it should have a price tag of at least $5 to $10 per issue. I really enjoyed Jonathan Wilson’s recap of the recent Copa America, which included some cool soccer Spanish terms like “enganche” and “garra.” (The Blizzard)

We satirists have struggled to properly mock Tevez for his recent childish antics. Maybe we’re gassed, or maybe the audience has ran out of empathy and the knives are too sharp. Regardless, Chris Toy’s images of Tevez t-shirts are hysterical, especially the third. Thanks for showing us the way, Chris! (Studs-Up)

TV rights. They are kinda important. In fact, maybe more so than foreign ownership. For a thorough and meticulous probe into the world of finances and football, there’s no better place. Even if this “Ramble” is a bit too close to FIFA for comfort.(Swiss Ramble)

Lastly, Charlie Davies has filed a lawsuit against a K street nightclub and Red Bull for throwing a party and serving alcohol to the drunk driver the night of his fateful crash. I side with C.D. and am absolutely outraged that these establishments are allowed to serve alcohol in blatant violation of the 18th Amendment of the Constitution and the Volstead Act. I only hope that current President Woodrow Wilson launches a full executive inquiry into this flagrant disregard for the rule of law. (Washington Post)

If you blow into the Ocarina, then you will find a link to the past. However, no matter how hard you blow into your respective Kindle, PC, iPad, or cell phone, you are stuck here in the present with me. Don’t get too depressed now, because I’ve put together a neat list of link-worthy footy topics for your consumption. Bon apetit.

Not all summers are pleasant. In 1998, a young and optimistic US team went to France with hopes of advancing out of the group stages. Instead, they lost all three games, scored a single goal, and came in dead last. Some blamed luck, some blamed the coach, and a decade would pass before the truth about a curious omission would come to light. Re-live the tears. (In Bed With Maradona)

As promised, I wrote about three great new sports websites & ePublications: Grantland, the Blizzard, and the Classical. Check out my quirky curriculum to help you evaluate which site fits your personal tastes best! (The Footy Blog)

Here is Part Two of my series for FoxSoccer on Hispanics & US Soccer. It’s basically a critique of tokenism/affirmative action and also a pretty please to not expect my ethnicity to turn the US program into Spain anytime soon. (Fox Soccer)

This will probably blow your mind, but I am not the only person who writes about soccer. In fact, one of my favorite articles of the year was written by another person on another site. The premise? That Arsene Wenger could easily solve Arsenal’s rightback problem with a Golden Corral franchise. (The Short Fuse)

This is probably the saddest soccer story of the last month. South Africa tied their qualifying game and celebrated, assuming they had qualified for the African Cup of Nations. However, they were mistaken. The tie-breaker was head-to-head games, not goal difference. D’oh! (Washington Post)

In terms of podcastery, after much anticipation, Jason Davis and Jared DuBois finally debuted the Best Soccer Show. It is part of the North American Soccer Network, will be on twice a week, and is definitely worth a listen, if not an iTunes subscription. Find out more here: (Youtube) Or follow on twitter (Best Soccer Show)

Also, in the audio consumption department, if you are not listening regularly to the Total Soccer Show podcast, then it’s your own fault. And if you have never heard of the “Wikipedia Game”, then it’s time to re-consider that condo you live in on Mars. Seriously, imagine Jeopardy but soccer-specific and therefore you have a chance of winning. (Total Soccer Show)

Also, the players at UNC-Asheville are pretty good at soccer. However, this video shows they are even better at Angry Birds. I just salivate thinking about Ronaldinho attempting to play this real-life-soccer version. (Youtube)

Lastly, this was a great week here at the site. We published three posts on Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, just like we always do. Care to re-live the greatness of this experience? Of course you do. (Futfanatico)

I’ve been hopping all over the web these past two weeks. Why? Well, some great sites have asked me to put finger to keyboard, and I have dutifully obliged. Think you can keep up?

Let’s find out.

First, I waxed for the Free Beer Movement “Brews and Views” series on the current state of US soccer at large. I noted that, at least in terms of MLS, we have reached the nether land between indie label and mainstream success. The pressing dilemma – can MLS stay affordable and accessible to the American middle class, or will corporate suites soon price us out of seeing games in the flesh? (Free Beer Movement)

I also partook in the “End of Gender” debate over at the Good Men Project. We dared to ask – what role does masculinity play in athletics? Of course, I penned a tribute to the tall, broad-shouldered, and super muscular epitome of soccer masculinity: Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona & Spain. (Good Men Project)

Lastly, some major posts for reputable sites are forthcoming. For example, I will soon mock you for hating Manchester City at SportisaTVShow. If you are not subscribed to said fine online publication via RSS, then you are an idiot and must correct this deficiency immediately. Click here. Also, Richard Whittall, of A More Splendid Life, has taken over the reins at theFootyBlog for TheScore. You should also subscribe via RSS here and promptly expect my thoughts on Grantland, the Blizzard, and the Classical. I even created a clever grading scale for said sites.

And I am doing a two-post stint for FoxSoccer on how and why US Soccer has managed to exclude Hispanics. Here is the RSS feed for that fine online publication. Expect fireworks and trolls a-flaming.

If you are still not sick of me, just a reminder that, ahem, my soccer eBook “An Illustrated Guide to Soccer & Spanish” is available for only $5.99 on the Amazon Kindle, the Amazon Kindle Fire, the Amazon Kindle Fire Inferno, and the Amazon Kindle Fire Inferno Backdraft. For Kindle blog subscribers, and everyone else, you can check out a free preview here.

So, a new sports website, featuring the likes of Bethlehem Shoals, Eric Freeman, and Fredorrarci, is nearing lift off. There’s just one problem: NASA has privatized space travel, so these fine gentlemen need your kind contributions to get this ship off the ground. They have around two weeks left to raise about $10,000 – a bit of a task, but they’ve already raised over $40,000.

Here’s the deal.

Take the five minutes to create a KickStarter account and donate to this worthy, nascent site. Right now. Before you forget. All donations, even as little as $1, will result in a cool reward. You can make a difference, regardless of what your brain and/or life experiences say. Imagine your modest donation as the tiny snowball rolling down Mt. Everest, slowly growing in size & strength until plastering the unsuspecting Sherpa village below.

For those of you who miss my voice, literally, I was a guest on the TotalSoccerShow podcast where we talked about my soccer ebook and also the “Latin influence” on the USMNT. Listen here. For those who miss my writing, I penned a blasphemous tongue-in-cheek post at FistedAway which speculated on why Kaka has dipped in form at Madrid. Read here.

I also wrote a piece a few months back at Run of Play about human trafficking & youth soccer in the developing world. Brian Blickenstaff at Slate recently posted about suspicious activities in Qatar – are they recruiting African youths for humanitarian purposes or to stock their own national team for 2022? You decide.

And, in all its glory, the digital edition of the Second Issue of the Blizzard is now available. I highly recommend it.

Lastly, on a smart sports writing but not soccer related note, Pitchers & Poets is doing some cool posts and tweets on the kinda new American novel “The Art of Fielding.” I’m participating and encourage you to as well.

Yes, the transfer rumor treadmill reached an obnoxious pitch right before international friendlies & European qualifiers pitting sharks against minnows. Yawwwwwwn. But don’t worry – the first few weeks of the European season have breathed life into some of my favorite blogs. And these links should put a smile on your face.

For decades, every EPL-loving fan has looked down their nose at continental teams, rightly asking “How would they fare on a cold Tuesday night away to Stoke?” Now, with Stoke in European competition, we will finally get that answer. And what is Stoke doing to prepare for the cream of the European crop? Making sandwiches. (Fisted Away). Note: this story got picked up by some sarcastically challenged folks at Dinamo Kiev, which resulted in some serious and hysterical confusion (Dinamo Kiev)

In Spain, the free spending Duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona have started to burn some bridges with mid-sized clubs. Who’d have thought that hogging most of the TV revenue would have angered so many clubs…desperate for TV revenue. (La Liga Loca)

The transfer window closed in typically dramatic fashion, but not before a series of rumors spread throughout the internet and twitterverse. Then fizzled. And, of course, Sky Sports was lurking about, hoping to pick up a scoop on the latest player-loan-to-lesser-term. (The DA)

A few weeks ago, Barcelona finally managed to sign Cesc Fabregas. Oddly, on the same day as the consummation of the deal, Arsene Wenger deadpanned to journalists that “he did not see any players leaving.” Well, he was either dead-panning or totally naive. (Studs Up)

An international conspiracy is underway to make all t-shirts the exact fricking same. Date. Location. Repeat. Re-wash. Recycle. (Sunshine Room)

Owen Hargreaves has leveraged his now famous exercise video into a deal with Manchester City. The Blues are counting on Hargreaves to fill the “always injured and racks up the wage bill” hole left by the loan of Roque Santa Cruz. I imagine he’ll succeed. However, United fans got mad and created a clever billboard. (Unprofessional Foul)

Soccer scribes love to write “curious case” in headlines for player profiles. They also love to pen “a tale of two halves” for soccer recaps. However, for TV pundits and transfer deadline day, the trite term of choice is “what to make of the transfer window.” This is the best idea yet. (Surreal Football)

Of course, the pains & angst from the heated Superacopa between Madrid and Barca still linger. A clever fan of Real Zaragoza donned special “Mourinho-proof” glasses at his side’s league game vs. the merengues. He fared better than his team. (Off the Ball)

Lastly, the Classical, a nascent sports website featuring the writing of Fredorrarci, is kickstarting towards its funding goal, but only has 20 so days left. Please help them make their dream a possibility. Even a $1 donation gets something. (The Classical)

It’s summer, you’re bored, your favorite blogger isn’t posting as frequently, and he has not yet published his magnum opus that will forever change your life. What do you do?

Rest easy – we have some recommendations to make this June, July, and August bearable. Or, rather, adorable kitten LMAO-able.

First and foremost, the Blizzard Issue One is excellent. For those not in the know, a collection of talented footy writers have formed a sort of spiritual “super ninja dojo” that is dedicated to the irreverent. This positive energy has materially manifested in a quarterly publication on such odd topics as the Israeli national teams’ first few games, the tragedy of Greece’s greatest player you never heard of, and the alternately coherent and rambling ramblings of Pep Guardiola’s mentor. And you choose the price. Read it. Now.

The WSJ took potshots at bare-knuckles sports journalism, in which guys or gals with mics crowd a locker room after games to get recycled soundbites. The Blizzard offers a resounding answer to these criticisms. It has interviews, but the writers ask tough questions and the persons interviewed give honest and refreshing answers. In that sense, they combine the access of ESPN with the targeted wit of Deadspin. I repeat – read it. Now.

Second, Jennifer Doyle of From a Left Wing is doing a series on her experience in trying to organize an Adult Soccer League in inner city LA. The series is titled “Soccer in the City of Angels” and offers a refreshingly candid view of race, gender, and socioeconomic relations through the prism of sport.

Already, the series has dealt with how once open expressions of prejudice now manifest themselves in subtle biases (similar to my Balotelli racialism bias post). For example, a well educated lawyer telling a professor that she “doesn’t belong” in an inner city neighborhood? Deliciously ironic and devilishly dastardly. Another example: one of the linesman walked out of a game because he felt “pressure” during a game for a bad call. Isn’t that the definition of the job? But when you are in the “inner city”, you interpret the same verbal frustration of players differently. But should you?

The series is candid, illuminating, and offers delightful prose. Read the first entry here.

Third, Chris from Studs-Up, Michael from Zonal Marking, Jason from MatchFitUSA, and some other people I don’t know very well have formed a new soccer site called KCKRS. I have little clue where the editorial direction of this site will lead, but the post on the history of Athletic Bilbao’s jersey was delightful. Even if the headline used the phrase “Curious case” for the 1,000,000th time in the history of sports writing (FYI I am also guilty). As long as the site doesn’t turn into a shiny portal for kit and boot press releases, the sky’s the limit with the talent on board.

Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy, has launched his own website named Grantland. If you can get past Simmons’  crass “guys only trip to Vegas” jokes, then you can find some really honest and insightful takes on sport and fandom. My own site owes so much to the Sports Guy and his role in the media shift from a player-focus to the fan-experience, that I can’t judge too harshly.

If anything, Bill has been blogging at ESPN for the last decade, it was just disguised in website/column form. I am glad to see him in his natural habitat. One of the early posts, about watching a Cubs baseball game from a nearby rooftop, captured the essence of Wrigley Field from afar. Once again, I’m not sure about the editorial direction, but let’s hope they stay the course. Brian wrote a tennis piece for Grantland about Roger Federer and tigers and king cobras, which is a pretty good sign. Also, the Chris Ryan article on the good-natured, libation consuming ambiance outside of Wembley was pretty entertaining. Keep rowing!

If you are in the mood to turn back the clock, Attempting Thought has a nice summary of the infamous Preston squabble of 1884 – when money first started to filter into the amateur game and corrupt it. It’s nice to know that as my beloved United signs Ashley Young and tosses suitcases of cash at Nasri, we can all blame the true culprits for capitalism in sport: Preston North End, not Manchester United. Bastards.

At the other end of the capitalism spectrum, the excellent Swiss Ramble has the lowdown on the finances at Real Madrid. And it’s not as bad as you think. Madrid has decent and diversified profits. Whew. But the more democratic 2015 TV deal just may toss a wrench in the green-making-machine. Until then, try not to hurt your head when diving into a pool of golden coins ala Scrooge McDuck.

In the middle east, the Arab spring also has sadly sown a summer of despair in Bahrain. Mohammed Hubail, a member of the Bahrain national team, has been sentenced to two years in jail for his participation in protests. The terms “closed door proceedings,” “special security court,” and “martial law” should send a shiver down your spine. James Dorsey at TWMES has more interesting details on the striker and the situation. And in an odd twist, it’s kinda FIFA to the rescue. The Swiss freedom-fighters are investigating to possibly suspend the Bahrain FA due to the government’s “political interference in sport.” We can only hope that relations remain acrimonious and these two democratically-deficient organizations don’t start exchanging ideas.

In South America, once proud and great Argentine club River Plate stared relegation in the eye for the first time ever in its 100 plus year history. They lost the first leg of the promocion playoffs and held onto the primera by a thread. HEGS had all the podtastic insight beforehand. As for the second leg game, River led 1-0 at the half, but coughed up a fluky goal to dig their own grave. They did get a penalty kick, which forward Pavone shot directly at the goalie’s feet. And, for the first time in its history, River is now a second division club. Some Boca fans were sad in a super-villain died sorta way, but many are simply ecstatic.

Lastly, if you can get over your Duke prejudices from college basketball, then Soccer Politics should be in your Google Reader. A Gold Cup post by Laurent on the Chicharito chasm between Mexican and American casual sports fans brilliantly details a rift that will take decades to merge. If ever. Of course, most Mexicans don’t know who Tom Brady or Peyton Manning are. But I blame the NFL lockout.

As you may have noticed, I am not wading in the transfer-rumor mill, which was analyzed quite well by Brian in a Slate piece last year and recently by Brooks of DT fame for Life’s a Pitch. Basically, I spend 9 months out of the year making weird crap up that loosely revolves around soccer, and summer is when people steal my thunder. Thus, I opt to avoid the crowded beaches until late August, perhaps early September.

In the meantime, stay tuned for our July 4th announcement of the book contest winners and perhaps a PDF teaser. And a word to the wise: be careful when eating chicken.