Champions of Men's Soccer


Book Description

Just in time for the World Cup! From Pele to Messi to Tim Howard, here is the ultimate guide to Men's Soccer for young sports fans from an award-winning sports journalist. From fields all across the United States to the streets of South America to pitches in Europe and Asia, the global passion and love for soccer knows no borders. It is simply the most popular sport in the world. Giants of the game like Cristiano Ronaldo, Tim Howard, and Lionel Messi have become international celebrities and role models to young fans across the globe. And as soccer continues to expand in America, with the growth of leagues like Major League Soccer and the rise in popularity of the US Men's Olympic team, there's no doubt that it's the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Featuring Top Ten Lists and stunning photos of history-making moments, this comprehensive men's pro soccer collection catalogs the greatest international players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Pelé; the greatest Americans, including Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey; the future class of superstars; and the most thrilling World Cup and Olympic matches. Here is the ultimate guide to men's soccer for young sports fans. Praise for Champions of Men's Soccer: "Soccer fans will enjoy this book." --VOYA




Champions of Women's Soccer


Book Description

From the World Cup to the Olympics, from Mia Hamm to Carli Lloyd to Alex Morgan, here is the ultimate guide to Women's Soccer for young sports fans from an award-winning sports journalist. The moment the U.S. Women's Soccer team won the World Cup in 1999, the team's--and the sport's--popularity exploded in America. The Americans' electrifying rise to the top marked the biggest women's sporting event in our nation's history. Players like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain instantly became international stars, setting the stage for the arrival of future greats like Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan. And with women's professional leagues continuing to take shape in America, as well as the skyrocketing popularity of the U.S. Women's National Team, there's no doubt that women's soccer has captivated fans across the country and beyond. Featuring Top Ten Lists and stunning photos of history-making moments, this comprehensive collection catalogs the rise of women's soccer in America; the greatest American players such as Mia Hamm, Hope Solo, and Alex Morgan; the greatest international stars, including Marta and Homare Sawa; the future class of superstars; and the most thrilling World Cup and Olympic matches. This is the perfect book for young sports fans eager to kick off their soccer schooling. Praise for Champions of Women's Soccer: * "Killion has distilled the best of the best moments and biographical information into an easy-to-read and exciting look at the players and moments in women's soccer. . . . Sports fans will be overjoyed, but the superhero-comics crowd might also be pleasantly surprised by these modern-day wonder women. A must-have for any biography section." --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW "The focus on women athletes represents a much-needed perspective in sports books for tweens and will be a welcome addition." --School Library Journal "This is an engaging read, perfect for fans of soccer and women's sports." --VOYA "Whether new to the sport or a devotedfan, readers will find an overview of recent and current stars in professional women's soccer in thisenthusiastic guide." --Booklist




Training Soccer Champions


Book Description

" Coach Dorrance] knows what it takes to win, and that is very rare. He makes another kind of investment in his players beyond just training: he cares about them as people. He knows what motivates certain types of players and ties it all in to team chemistry and camaraderie." -Mia Hamm, retired American professional soccer player and first woman inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame (2013). She trained under Anson Dorrance (1989-1993), helping the Tar Heels win four NCAA championships. "Anson has an excellent understanding of athletes, and his theories on player development are very astute. He has had a truly remarkable career. He would be a great coach in any sport." -Dean Smith, retired University of North Carolina men's basketball coach (1961-1997)."Coaching legend" Smith trained several NBA players including Michael Jordan and is a Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinee (1983). Do you have what it takes to train champions? In Training Soccer Champions, leading NCAA coach Anson Dorrance shares the secrets to creating and maintaining a winning team. Dorrance explains his philosophies, provides practical lessons, and reflects on his experience, offering the invaluable perspective of one of the world's outstanding coaches. Training Soccer Champions digs deep into the psychology of the female athlete and conveys the principles of coaching to benefit average and high-performing teams alike. Field strategy, motivational techniques, team dynamics, and much more are discussed in this must-have guide to coaching. With countless championship titles and numerous awards, Anson Dorrance knows what it takes to win, and now you can too.




To Chase a Dream


Book Description

Winners of 8 national championships, Indiana University is to men’s college soccer what University of North Carolina is to college basketball or University of Notre Dame is to college football. To Chase a Dream is the true story of one kid’s near-impossible desire to play soccer at that national powerhouse, a kid who was told time after time that he simply wasn’t good enough and never would be. What all the doubters failed to consider was that inside the body of an under-sized, humble Paul Kapsalis was the heart of a lion. This is his journey, a story that affirms that perseverance, optimism, hard work, a willingness to learn, and kindness can lead to remarkable achievements and transform a kid who just wanted to play soccer into a leader of men. It took him 5 years, fighting through rejection and a career-threatening injury, but Paul got where he never expected to go. Here’s a chance to see how he did it.




Soccer World Champions


Book Description

The growth of soccer in America is exponential. But this is not simply a soccer manual. It is a book about America's pride and its position in the world."e;How can America put a man on the moon almost fifty years ago and not yet win the men's soccer World Cup?"e; That's the blunt question from Jim Cassell, Football Development Consultant and former Academy Manager Manchester City Football Club."e;I am so glad that Jim Cassell, or Cass as he is often called, has decided to commit some of his philosophy to print. Aspects of the book have much to offer, such as advice for parents which is so apt, as are the comments on coaches which from my own experience at both club and international level I wholeheartedly endorse."e; - Joe Royle, former England international and Premier League Manager with Everton, Manchester City and Oldham Athletic."e;Jim's book has so many aspects - advice from the master, lessons to learn and interesting facts and advice for football development in the States. With such significant counsel how can it not be that the United States will not become the World Cup holders in the future?"e; - Des Coffey, Lead Education Ombudsman for the Premier League."e;Throughout the book there are valuable lessons which are there for football development based on the successful experiences which Jim has had over so many years."e; - Paul Power, former Captain of Manchester City Football Club."e;The fact that so many young professionals have emerged from the Manchester City F.C. Academy is mainly courtesy of Jim Cassell's professionalism, consistency and abilities."e; - Hanspeter Rothmund CEO of Football is More, Football Foundation."e;Too many people patronise soccer in America. Not Jim. This book is a genuine honest guide to becoming Soccer World Champions in 2026, which, incidentally, marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It's a must read book for everyone involved with soccer in America, coaches, players of every age and for every parent with a soccer youngster in the house."e; - Joe Cummings CEO, National Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 2009 - 2015.




Chasing the Game


Book Description

A tantalizing account of the triumphs and travails of the U.S. men's soccer team in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, set within the historical context of American soccer on the global stage The U.S. men's soccer team was a huge disappointment at the World Cup in 2006, but a newly constituted team exceeded all expectations in June 2009 with their inspired play at the Confederations Cup in South Africa--where they upset the number one team in the world, Spain, and lost late in the championship game to a supremely talented Brazilian squad. Their impressive showing gave fans, including the ever-loyal Sam's Army, a renewed sense of hope that when the team plays up to its capabilities, the Americans can compete with anyone in the world. In Chasing the Game, Filip Bondy describes the U.S. team's path to qualifying for this year's World Cup--to be held on the African continent for the first time ever, in South Africa in June 2010. Bondy also reveals the back-and-forth saga that resulted in the hiring of Bob Bradley as the American coach, and serves up engaging profiles of several core players, including the U.S. national team's all-time leader in scoring and assists, Landon Donovan, acrobatic goalie Tim Howard, hip-hop devotee and opportunistic goal-scorer Clint "Deuce" Dempsey, up-and-comer Jozy Altidore, and the coach's son, the reticent yet dependable Michael Bradley. Chasing the Gamealso recounts the glorious highlights of past World Cup matches, like the U.S. men's team's stunning 1-0 victory over England in 1950 and the 2002 team's advance to the quarterfinals, as well as heartbreaks like the fiasco in 2006, when the U.S. mustered only four shots on goal in three games. Finally, Bondy also traces the origin of soccer and the evolution of the game in the U.S., chronicling how soccer academies like the one in Bradenton, Florida, have impacted the game at both the youth and national levels. It's all here for the first time in one book--the complete story of American soccer on the global stage.




Champions of Soccer


Book Description




The Vision of a Champion


Book Description

Legendary women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance teams up with health and fitness expert Gloria Averbuch to deliver this transformational guide to developing soccer excellence at the high school and college levels. The Vision of a Champion combines practical strategies for training and competing with the wisdom and advice of a world-class coach.




World Cup Women


Book Description

This is the illustrated story of 23 soccer players who worked together to become World Cup champions and heroes to millions of men, women, boys, and girls across America and around the world. In July 2019, a record number of people all around the world tuned in to watch the Women's World Cup, which took place in France. Fifty-two games, twenty-four teams, four weeks . . . one winner. Megan Rapinoe had waited for this day since she attended a World Cup game as a teenager, and Alex Morgan had set her sights on a World Cup victory of her own as she watched Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Team USA win in 1999. Years of hard work, determination, and practice put Megan, Alex, and their teammates in the perfect position, and they took full advantage. Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath, Alyssa Naeher, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger, Julie Ertz, Carli Lloyd, and the rest of the US Women's National Team returned home from France with the title, the trophy, and their nation's pride, becoming the first team in history to win four Women's World Cup titles! New York City threw a parade in their honor, and fans lined the streets, clapping and cheering and chanting their names. These women were on top of the world—they'd come so far. They'd achieved their dreams! World Cup Women highlights Team USA's tournament experience and provides a glimpse into what shot them to the top . . . and what may keep them there a little longer.




Unofficial Football World Champions


Book Description

The Unofficial Football World Championships is probably the most exciting football competition on Earth. Its amazing story involves legendary teams and footballing minnows, classic finals and forgotten friendlies, celebrated players and unsung heroes. An alternative soccer history, Unofficial Football World Champions reveals international football's real champions and offers up a fresh perspective on the greatest game in the world. This fourth edition is fully updated for 2018.