9780805098488

On the eve of the 2014 World Cup, New York Times sports columnist George Vecsey offers a personal perspective on the beautiful game

Blending witty travelogue with action on the field—and shady dealings in back rooms—George Vecsey offers an eye-opening, globe-trotting account of the last eight World Cups. He immerses himself in the great national leagues, historic clubs, and devoted fans and provides his up-close impressions of charismatic stars like Sócrates, Maradona, Baggio, and Zidane, while also chronicling the rise of the U.S. men's and women's teams.

Vecsey shows how each host nation has made the World Cup its own, from the all-night street parties in Spain in 1982 to the roar of vuvuzelas in South Africa in 2010, as the game in the stadium is backed up by the game in the street. But the joy is sometimes undermined by those who style themselves the game's protectors.

With his characteristic sharp reporting and eye for detail, Vecsey brings this global event to vivid life and has written a perfect companion for the upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

George Vecsey has written more than a dozen books, including the bestseller Stan Musial: An American Life and Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner’s Daughter (with Loretta Lynn), which was made into an Academy Award–winning film. He joined The New York Times in 1968 and wrote the “Sports of the Times” column from 1982 to 2011 and is now a contributing columnist. He has also been a national and religion reporter for the Times. He lives in Port Washington, New York, with his wife, Marianne, an artist.

1. The Goal That Changes Everything            1 
2. The Making of a Fan            9 
3. The Best Group Ever            21 
4. Not Ready for Prime Time            42 
5. The Kid Comes Back            47 
6. The Sweetest Fans            63 
7. Marking Maradona            69 
8. Mr. Blatter Comes to America            93 
9. The Big Event            99 
10. America’s First Soccer Champion            120 
11. Allons, Enfants            125 
12. Americans Win World Cup—Again            149 
13. The Year of the Outsiders            156 
14. The Home I Was Always Seeking            186 
15. Scandal and Head-Butt            190 
16. Nelson Mandela Meets FIFA            209 
17. Spain Makes a Breakthrough            213 
18. Blatter Scores an Own Goal            229 
19. The Age of Klinsmann            241 
Epilogue: Back to the Roots            252

Appendix: Eight World Cups            255 
Bibliography            257 
Acknowledgments            273 
Index            277

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Eight World Cups My Journey through the Beauty and Dark Side of Soccer

Eight World Cups My Journey through the Beauty and Dark Side of Soccer

0805098488

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