US Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley has just announced the final 23-man roster for the World Cup and many players and coaches will go to South Africa as representatives and products of Chicagoland's influence in world soccer. You'll notice the prominence of Sockers FC Chicago, who, along with the Chicago Magic (Chicago's other club soccer powerhouse), tend to churn out talent, and it's hard not to see the influence of the Chicago Fire - proof, perhaps, that the MLS has indeed made a difference. more ›

Ahh yes, those videos bring back some fond memories. Before their talisman El Hadji Diouf turned into a diving, annoying EPL "star," before Senegal's failure even to qualify for World Cup 2006 or 2010, they were darlings. Who can forget that run in 2002 (with by far the coolest jerseys of the tournament)? more ›

What are the larger implications of Nike taking such an active interest in Chicago and, especially, soccer in Chicago? more ›

Of all the egregious things the city can do to property owners, from jacking property taxes to the current favorite, the misuse of TIFs, none seems more unfair and ripe for abuse as eminent domain. For the uninitiated, eminent domain allows the city government to seize ownership of private property, paying the owner whatever the city deems as "market value". It's supposed to be used for the "greater public good", such as the expansion... more ›

U.S. Soccer announced the selections for the 2007 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards and Chicago has several representatives in the competition. For Best Fan Atmosphere Chicago's Soldier Field gets two nods: one for this sSummer's Gold Cup Final in which the United States defeated Mexico and the other for the U.S. game versus Brazil in September. Chicagoist is voting for the Gold Cup game--it wasn't the most pro-U.S. crowd, but the fans filling Soldier field... more ›

The United States Soccer Federation selected two Chicago watering holes as finalists for the Best Soccer Bar in America as part of the 2006 Best of U.S. Soccer awards. The finalist will be decided by votes cast by soccer fans who visit USSoccer.com. Voting is open until Wednesday. Representing Chicago are Ginger's Ale House and The Globe Pub. Chicago is the only city to have two finalists for Best Soccer Bar. Chicagoist assumes that U.S.... more ›