AP Photo/Paul White
USA's Jozy Altidore goes to score a goal as he is challenged by Spain's Carlos Puyol, right, during
their Confederations Cup semifinal soccer match in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 24, 2009.
Soccer: The World's Sport on the Web
The sport of soccer, known as football in most other countries, has earned its title as "the world's sport" for obvious reasons. Although Major League Soccer (MLS) is still trying to build soccer's popularity in the United States, the enthusiasm and intensity surrounding the sport is the most widespread in the world. Whether you want to see what the fuss is about, are a confused soccer parent, or just can't get enough of the sport, this guide takes you to the Web's best soccer sites. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
It's always helpful to know what you're watching before you watch it. This section sorts out all of the sites on the Web to give you a clear look into what soccer is and where it comes from.
- Although this guide calls the sport "soccer," the names soccer and football are used interchangeably on Web sites. The other kind of football you might be familiar with is referred to as "American football" on non-U.S. Web sites.
- Different organizations sometimes have different rules. Go to the rules or "laws of the game" section on the Web site of the organization that interests you.
For rules ...
, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, provides the rules most widely used in league play, making the Association an international soccer authority. Click on the blue button labeled "New Laws of the Game," or look below for a link to the rules formatted as a simple PDF file.
The U.S. Soccer Federation
's "Laws of the Game" page links to the most commonly used rulebooks and detailed accounts of game time procedures. All files are in PDF format except for a few PowerPoint (.ppt) applications.
has a list of archived articles, and questions and answers. If you can't find answers to your specific question, use the "Ask a Ref" link to submit a question of your own.
For history ...
includes three sections on soccer history. The "Early ball games" link gives insight into the sport's development from the games of ancient civilizations; "History of soccer" explains soccer as we know it today; and "Dream teams" lists and describes the three best soccer teams in history.
offers a history page with a short explanation of the origins of soccer, FIFA's own history, history of the FIFA World Cup, and a timeline mapping the changes of the rules.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame
Web site focuses specifically on soccer within the U.S. and has a timeline from 1620-2005 showing the development of American soccer.
As the world's game, soccer has many competitions played all over the globe. It can be tricky to keep track of them all. This section can help you make sense of soccer's organizational structure and help you find the competitions that matter most to you.
- International confederations preside over cup competitions among domestic leagues and international teams; they also handle World Cup qualifying matches.
- There are six confederations: North/Central America (CONCACAF); South America (Conmebol); Europe (UEFA); Asia (AFC); Africa (CAF); and Oceania (OFC).
- National federations govern domestic leagues and cups, as well as national teams. For example, the U.S. Soccer Federation governs the MLS, USL, and U.S. Open Cup for professional teams, and runs the U.S. National Team. Federations are also responsible for soccer as a whole in their country, overseeing amateur, youth and school competitions, and trying to increase soccer's presence.
- To find an index of national federations, use the "Countries" tab on the top, right-hand side of the FIFA homepage. Each country's profile features news, stats, standings, world rankings, and a link to the official federation site. Note that these links are not always in English.
- To find professional club leagues, use FIFA's country profile pages mentioned in the previous insight. Each profile features a table and fixture list for the premier domestic league.
- All the sites in this section feature history pages, news, stats, league table (standings), schedules, and team profiles.
For international soccer ...
governs international soccer, establishing rules and holding cup competitions for men's, women's, and beach soccer. It has extensive coverage of the World Cup, including travel guides for fans who want to make the trip. Its terrific "Classic Football" section has articles and video on the game's great players, teams, and World Cups.
(Union of European Football Associations) governs European soccer, which includes non-European countries such as Israel, Russia, and Turkey. Its marquee international event is the European Championship, a quadrennial event featuring the top 16 national teams. The site features ticket and visiting information for Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria. UEFA also runs the Champions League and UEFA Cup for the top professional clubs in Europe.
(Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) is the federation to which the United States belongs. CONCACAF holds the Gold Cup every two years for national teams and the Champions' Cup every spring for club teams.
For European professional leagues ...
The English Premier League
is the most watched sporting league in the world, featuring famous teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Look for information about The Football League, the feeder league to the Premiership.
is the Web's English alternative to La Liga's official site. Spain's La Liga, currently first in UEFA's rankings of European leagues, is famous for its exciting and free-flowing style of play. Its official site is in Spanish, but Soccer-Spain does a good job of delivering all of the content you'd expect from a league page without the slick design.
Italy's Lega Nazionale Professionisti
and its top-level league, Serie A, is the home to the defending European Champions, A.C. Milan. The league is known for its conservative style of play and rampant corruption, such as the Calciopoli
that saw defending champions Juventus demoted to Serie B.
The German Bundesliga
is the most attended soccer league in the world, drawing an average of 40,000 fans per game. It has also had the most scoring among the major European leagues for the last 17 years.
is home to the French Ligue 1, known for its low-scoring games and for being dominated by Olympique Lyonnais, the 6-time defending champions. In an attempt to increase scoring, the league has offered cash incentives to teams that win by multiple goals; more information can be found on the "Attacking Play Table
For American professional soccer ...
Major League Soccer
is the premier American club league with 12 (soon to be 13) teams in the United States and one in Toronto. Unlike most other leagues across the world, MLS has a postseason playoff to determine the league champion, and it does not have a promotion/relegation system.
The United Soccer Leagues
comprises the First Division, Second Division, and Premier Development Division, which make up the second, third, and fourth tiers of American soccer, respectively. There is also a Women's League (W-League), which, since the demise of the WUSA in 2004, has been the premier women's soccer league in North America.
With the abundance of league, cup, and international competitions, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest news and stats; the picks in this section can help you do so.
- For basic player stats, look at the league sites listed in the "Where can I find leagues and governing bodies?" section of this guide.
For statistics ...
calls itself "The World Football Historian." The site lives up to that name by listing all major cups and tournaments with details, rankings, years, and statistics. Track the scores and stats from different regions of the world, or search through the different competitions by year.
covers statistics of the major soccer tournaments and leagues. Choose the appropriate link to find a game, and then visit the "Detail" link for more specific information on that game, including scorers and scoring times.
For statistical analysis ...
hosts the Actim Index, which rates players in the EPL, The Football League, and the Scottish Premier League through analysis of statistical data. The data takes into account such factors as goals, assists, cards, passes, dribbling, crosses, clearances, and other common plays. Each player is ranked by position and overall performance.
uses stats to predict the outcome of a game, assigning a percentage for each team's possibility of winning, losing, and drawing. It covers many European leagues, including obscure leagues such as the English 5th division and Slovenian League.
Soccer evokes a high level of passion among its fans and followers. Hear what people have to say in this section's picks.
- Magazine subscriptions to soccer magazines are some of the best sources for information from knowledgeable authors. You can use print magazines' Web sites to either subscribe or read limited content straight from the Internet.
For news ...
keeps track of soccer game scores all over the world. The menu on the left has a tab with national league scores and updates, and a second tab with international scores. The news sections can also keep you updated on new developments.
includes several articles and general commentary on its homepage. The "Spotlight" box below the main story features insight from ESPNsoccernet's collection of experts. The site also features "correspondents
" for EPL teams, made up of fans who write blogs about their teams.
For professional commentary ...
offers news articles, interviews, and other commentary on nearly every professional league in Europe or America. You can learn about league updates, tournaments, and other big developments.
is Sports Illustrated's online publication. Its soccer page includes top stories and opinion columns, including guest writers from World Soccer Magazine.
World Soccer Magazine
provides updates on everything that relates to soccer. Read its current news headlines, opinion articles, and special features, or browse the menu on the left for sections such as "Interviews," "Profiles," and "Talent Scout."
For blogs ...
publishes the news and ramblings of its various bloggers. Inevitably, some writers are a bit less family-friendly than others. The posts, or "Offside Calls," are often laced with sarcasm unless they're strictly sports-related, and they are fully searchable. Sift through the content based on country and league with the categories on the right.
The Soccer Weblog'
s title is pretty self-explanatory. The posts are mostly about the latest news in the soccer world accompanied by the author's own musings, the occasional photo shot, and very frequently a streaming video example of the post's subject.
Soccerphile Football Blog
's author chronicles his own fantasy soccer and even betting insight, and mentions soccer news updates. Sift through entries using the links on the left to categorize content by date (in the "Blog Archive") or by subject matter.
The Washington Post
hosts the "Soccer Insider," a frequently updated (often multiple times per day) blog related to every aspect of U.S. soccer news. Within the text, you'll find links to outside articles, video clips, and featured highlights.
For message boards ...
is home to the most popular message boards for American fans, with over 100,000 registered users. The most popular topics are the U.S. National Team and MLS, with each team having its own section.
There isn't a lot of soccer being broadcast in the United States but the Internet makes it simple to find live soccer on TV and online. There are also plenty of radio podcasts to keep you hooked in to the latest developments in the world of soccer.
- Some streaming games require software you may not have on your computer. Be sure to check the technical requirements beforehand so you don't miss kick-off as you wait to download new software.
To watch soccer on TV ...
tells you everything you need to know about watching soccer on a TV. Click on the "Channels" guide
for a listing of TV channels that air games and highlights. What's soccer on TV without beer, you ask? Visit the "Pubs
" link to find local watering holes with soccer on their TV screens.
is an alternative to watching TV on an actual TV set. With clips and montages from soccer programming, the site allows you to watch the most exciting, controversial, and important minutes of soccer programming straight from your computer.
offers live, pay-per-view matches for the Champions League and Euro 2008 on your computer. There are also some match highlights and news features available for free.
offers live games online for a yearly subscription. Click the "MLS Live" box or visit MLSLive.tv
. There are also game highlights available for free.
For podcasts ...
has a biweekly podcast featuring many of the site's writers. The discussion tends to focus on English teams, though it does cover the soccer world as a whole.
World Soccer Daily
is a call-in show on Sirius Satellite Radio hosted by English ex-pats living in California. They primarily discuss the EPL, the England and U.S. national teams, and MLS, though they are known to disparage American soccer. Host Steven Cohen can also be seen on Fox Football Fone-in every Tuesday night on Fox Soccer Channel. You can also download podcasts using iTunes.
The 2 G's
is hosted by Gary Richards and Graham Bell who, like the World Soccer Daily hosts, are two English ex-pats in California. They are less opinionated than WSD, tending to be more laid-back and analytical, as well as more supportive of MLS.
is an MLS podcast hosted by Shep Messing and Greg Lalas. Every week during the season, they discuss the league's top stories and interview players. Since this podcast is produced by MLS, the hosts are rarely critical of players, teams, or the league.
The 606 Podcast
is a call-in show hosted by the BBC. Almost the entire show is calls from fans, who talk about the English national team or their favorite EPL teams.
The best way to truly appreciate a soccer game is from the stands, singing and cheering alongside soccer fanatics. This section guides you through the process of purchasing tickets and gives you several tips for making the process easier.
- The World Cup has tricky procedures for acquiring tournament tickets. You will undoubtedly want to get started on the application process very early. Here is some helpful information on getting some of the most sought after tickets to a sporting event:
- Residents of most countries will be able to order tickets from their own national soccer association. Go to that nation's Web site for more details on their specific application process.
- You can also order tickets during FIFA's own public sales period through the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Center (FWCTC). Applications must be made in writing and can be obtained through the Web site or by contacting the organization via mail or telephone. For contact information and more, visit FIFA.com.
- Auctions and classifieds sites such as eBay and StubHub are good venues for finding tickets (possibly overpriced) from peers after games sell out. For more information, see the findingDulcinea Sports Guide.
- Be wary of scalpers. Before planning to acquire tickets from a scalper on game day, it might be helpful to investigate your state's scalping laws.
- Often the most reliable way to get tickets to games is to check league or tournament Web sites for their reputable online ticket offices. In many cases, this will be the only official way to get tickets, and you will save a lot of money, comparatively, when you buy tickets from the official sources before they are sold out.
- Sites such as http://www.optasoccer.com/ acknowledge their often exorbitantly high prices. This site clarifies, "Our prices are much higher than the face value of the tickets. This reflects the degree of difficulty, and, of course, the cost of obtaining tickets."
- Check privacy policies and always exhibit cautious behavior when dealing with third party ticket sales.
For tickets ...
's ticketing site is the official spot for all of the MLS teams' ticket sales. Click on your team's logo to pick a seat in its stadium.
The Premier League
shows availability for the English teams' tickets for scheduled league play. If the tickets are not sold out, click the yellow icon next to the team name for more detailed information or to link to the official team Web sites for more opportunities.
World Cup Tickets
is an unofficial ticket sales site for the largest soccer tournament. Use this Web site for tickets from third parties well in advance of the actual World Cup dates. Take a look at the "Soccer Tickets
" section for more tickets to large games and tournaments.
offers packages with travel plans, accommodations, and game tickets. Register or pre-register for different club and league matches, U.S. matches, tournament matches, and even international-friendly matches. You can also sign up for notifications of upcoming package offers on this site.
For stadium information ...
The Stadium Guide
has an index of the world's soccer stadiums. Each stadium has pictures, a brief description, and links to the official team and stadium sites. "Tickets" gives advice on how to buy tickets in a given country, including links to useful sites.
Although it might not seem that staring at your computer screen could transform you into a better soccer player, using the guidance of those more experienced than you can often prove very beneficial to your game. Use the Web sites in this section to read about the proper techniques for different soccer skills, good methods for training, specific drills that exercise your use of different abilities, and even guidance and advice for coaching teams and running practices.
- While advice can be very helpful, most players find that game experience is the best way to improve and test your competitive spirit. Check out the "Where can I find a place to play?" section of this guide to find leagues and pickup games in your area.
- Learning from the pros is another common method to improve at soccer. Check out the game highlights for specific moves and skills or watch full games to observe strategy and team movement. The "Where can I find radio and television coverage?" section of this guide includes streaming video that you can use for learning.
For tips and advice ...
Soccer Training Info
has articles on improving your soccer game in terms of mindset, strategy, and conditioning. Look at the menu on the left for advice on specific skills and techniques. Many of the footwork skills link to videos of professional examples.
features "How to Teach Basic Soccer Skills," a long list of links to articles that explain the fundamental ideas behind different soccer moves and strategies. With a separate section for offensive and defensive skills and even a guide to practice plans, this is a great tool for learning the keys to teaching and playing soccer.
gives tips and advice on perfecting the most fundamental soccer moves. Some sections have different methods and subsections for different skill levels. The "Related soccer questions" guide you through personal development and training.
For drills, exercises, and coaching ...
offers several pictures and explanations of drills for soccer practices. Along with the basic instructions, you'll find coaching points, setup, and possible variations. Navigate through the drills by choosing an age group at the top of the page.
Coaching Soccer 101
is authored by a coach and recreational player who is dedicated to making soccer fun for kids. He gives advice to coaches in the form of drills, guides, and online tools. Each drill has an appropriate age group and a simple diagram of the setup.
The North Alabama Soccer League
provides a collection of online coaching manuals, several requiring Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader. This archive includes manuals from different training and development programs as well as outlines for clinics and tryouts.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America
has an "Educating Coaches" section with updates on upcoming coaching courses in different regions, coaching tips, video tips, a soccer journal, and more. The Association also offers its own news and conventions for interested coaches.
There are many soccer-specific online retailers carrying all of the products you want to show your dedication as a fan, play the sport, or run a practice. Use these picks to find exactly what you need, whether online or locally. This section can help you make your purchases efficiently and cheaply, with discounts and shipping to places all over the world.
- Club and professional teams' official Web sites nearly always have a "store" section for purchasing jerseys, memorabilia, and more.
- General online sports stores, such as the ones listed in the findingDulcinea Sports Guide, usually include soccer sections. Don't rule out sites just because they're not solely focused on soccer.
- Many of these larger stores, as well as the equipment stores listed below, have apparel. Their selection is not as large as the apparel stores, however, and they might not offer authentic customization.
- A large number of online sports supply stores feature memberships that provide various discounts. You can usually apply to these programs straight from the shops' Web sites.
- Many sports stores offer catalogs featuring new inventory and products; these are usually available by request on their Web sites.
For equipment ...
is one of the biggest online stores for everything a soccer player, fan, coach, or referee could ever need. Browse products by brand, size, player, team, or country, using the options on the left.
Big Toe Soccer
offers a huge selection of soccer shoes, organized by brand. Although the inventory is searchable, Eurosport has better methods for narrowing searches.
offers goalkeeper equipment, teamwear, referee apparel, and more. This site sets itself apart with features such as soccer sounds, games, and other, unnecessary-but-appreciated accompaniments to your shopping.
For apparel ...
offers the widest selection of club and national team jerseys on the Web. It's easy to find the team you're looking for using the list of continents on the top of the page, though many of the more obscure teams listed don't have merchandise available. A wide range of customization is available, however, including authentic numbering and lettering from many leagues and manufacturers. Subside ships from the U.K.; stateside shoppers might want to see if OnionBag or MLSGear have what they're looking for before ordering from Subside.
The Onion Bag
offers the same kind of authentic gear that Subside does, though the selection isn't as good. It is, however, based in the United States, so it's a good choice for American shoppers who want deals on apparel from MLS and popular European teams.
is the official shop of the MLS, offering a wide variety of products for all MLS teams. Its prices are a bit higher than Subside and The Onion Bag, however.
As a team sport, soccer requires the participation of several different people. Whether you're a fan or a player, the picks in this section can help you find others who share your interest and want to partake in the full soccer-loving experience. Use the Web sites below to meet other soccer fanatics over the Internet or even in person.
- With soccer's growing popularity in the United States, it should be relatively easy to find a league in your region regardless of your age.
- When looking for a league, make sure you're looking at leagues that match your needs in terms of age, skill level, and competition.
- For a full game, 22 players are needed, not including coaches or substitutes. To get a friendly game going, it can be very helpful to link up with other players in your area using the social networking picks in this section.
US Club Soccer
is a nonprofit serving competitive club soccer teams in the United States. It registers players, and sanctions teams, leagues, and tournaments. Make use of this site to either join or start a new league with all of the required forms and insurance.
US Youth Soccer
offers leagues for recreation or competition, for younger or older kids. Visit the "I Wanna Play Soccer!
" link to find your youth soccer region and playing opportunities.
The American Youth Soccer Organization
(AYSO) focuses on noncompetitive youth play to get kids into the game of soccer. Take a look at the "Programs" link on the top menu bar to see the types of leagues AYSO offers, or try the "Where to Play" link to find a program near you.
The United States Adult Soccer Association
(USASA) is the only adult amateur organization in the United States Soccer Federation. Use the directory to find your region and the contact name of the directors for your area. To get involved, you can download registration forms or check out the organization's tournaments.
allows you to discuss soccer, post blogs, read advice from coaches, find pickup games in your area, or look through the classifieds for a local league. Click "My Account" at the top of the page to register and get started.
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