Category: Soccer

How Would an Academy-Only Bayern Munich Team Fare in the Bundesliga?

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Charles Erb No Comments

It’s no secret that Bayern Munich dominates the Bundesliga. The Bavarian giants have won the last eleven Bundesliga titles, shattering records during that span: longest winning run, longest unbeaten run, most points, most wins, and more. Many have pointed to the club’s financial advantage, with the club breaking the bank this summer to sign English…

Soccer

Umarali Rakhmonaliev: Rubin Kazan’s New Uzbek Sensation

January 7, 2023January 7, 2023 Charles Erb 2 Comments

In 2011, a talented player from Uzbekistan joined Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala on loan. The 23-year-old midfielder had been one of the top players with Pakhtakor Tashkent for years, as well as impressing with the Uzbekistan national team as they reached the semifinals of the Asian Cup. This midfielder would go on to win countless…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Efraín Morales: MLS and Bolivia Prospect Set for Big Year

January 6, 2023January 6, 2023 Charles Erb No Comments

Until recently, Atlanta United was one of the most successful clubs in the MLS. Atlanta debuted in 2017, joining the league alongside Minnesota United. In their first season, Minnesota finished with the league’s fourth-worst record. Atlanta? They finished with the fourth-best record, reaching the playoffs, and the US Open Cup Round of 16. In their…

CONCACAF, Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Ayberk Karapo: Turkey’s Young Starlet Thriving in the Second Tier

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 Charles Erb 1 Comment

The Turkish Süper Lig has recently become a league known for developing young talent. I’ve long been a big fan of the league, and recent sales and player developments have increased the potential of Turkey’s top flight. However, while things have been improving for the first tier, the lower tiers are slightly dicier. Finances for…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Filip Rønningen Jørgensen: Norway’s Latest Midfield Star

December 18, 2022December 18, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Player development in Scandinavia has been improving over time. Just eight years ago, the future of Norwegian football was Mats Møller Dæhli, who now plays in the Bundesliga 2. Sweden looked to Muamer Tanković, who currently plays in Cyprus. Finland was optimistic about Joel Pohjanpalo, who has fallen to Italy’s second tier. Only Denmark had…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

The Jewel of Jakarta: Indonesia Star Marselino Ferdinan

December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Recently, Indonesian football has faced scrutiny. This year, a stampede following a match between Persebaya and Arema FC led to the deaths of more than 130 fans. This incident was worsened by the police, who fired tear gas into the crowds, and the fact that the exits were nowhere near wide enough for the fans…

Profile, Scout, Soccer, U21

Five Winners of the FIFA World Cup Group Stage

December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Well, that was exciting. The World Cup group stage is officially over, with 16 of the original 32 teams moving to the knockouts. Many of those 16 teams were not expected to advance: just look at Australia, who stunned Denmark to advance. South Korea advanced over Uruguay, Japan over Germany, Morocco over Belgium: the list…

Soccer, World Cup

Best World Cup U21 Players on Every Team: Group H

November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Group H has many of the biggest storylines in Qatar. For a starter, Ghana are playing Uruguay in a rivalry 12 years in the making. This stems back to the 2010 World Cup when Luis Suarez batted away the ball on the goal line, preventing Ghana from becoming the first African country to reach the…

Soccer, U21, World Cup

Best World Cup U21 Players on Every Team: Group F

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Group F of the World Cup has some of the most interesting teams in the whole tournament. Croatia reached the final in 2018, losing to France after an impressive run. That same year, Belgium finished third, narrowly losing to France in the semi-finals. Both nations will depend on a young core this tournament, with several…

Soccer, U21, World Cup

Best World Cup U21 Players on Every Team: Group E

November 17, 2022November 17, 2022 Charles Erb No Comments

Group E has two of the strongest candidates for the World Cup: Germany and Spain. While both of these teams struggled in the tournament’s last edition, they have both won since 2010. Both have also rebuilt with some younger stars, including some of the best young players in the game. Japan, too, has a strong…

Soccer, U21, World Cup