Reviews (3)

Praise for More Than Goals
"As one of the most gifted players in U.S. soccer history and national team captain, Claudio Reyna has helped the team to be more successful and competitive internationally. Through his professional experiences in Germany, Scotland, and England, he's become a great pro and a wonderful student of the game. More Than Goals is a special look at what motivates this great player and how he's developed his skills. I highly recommend this book to all soccer enthusiasts."

Bruce Arena
U.S. National Team Coach and Technical Director

"When Claudio's on the field, teammates know he's going to get them the ball and that he'll help them to play better. More Than Goals gives insights into becoming that kind of player."

Landon Donovan
2002 and 2003 U.S. Player of the Year

Claudio and Mike nailed it
Tired of typical linear, from-youth-to-star books? Unsatisfied with "how-to" drills? If so, this is the perfect antidote.

Claudio's story as a genuine American soccer hero is a special one -- and he tells it in an engaging, exciting way. With the help of talented soccer journalist Mike Woitalla, Claudio weaves various parts of his career with thoughts on the state of American soccer today. Using his father (his first coach) as an example, Claudio describes his view of American soccer -- the ideal, and the reality.

The book can be read and enjoyed by many audiences: young players seeking inspiration; coaches looking for tips on how to teach and motivate, and soccer fans hoping for an inside view of a true American hero.

Much More Than A How-To
The U.S.'s greatest soccer star, Claudio Reyna, has always put more effort in his game than most players, and he does the same thing in this book. Instead of simply writing an autobiography, or an instruction manual, he does both in More Than Goals. And he does it with great style too, using his own personal experiences to illustrate the general principles and techniques that have made him one of the world's premiere players. If you're a fan who wants to know more about Claudio, or a player who wants to learn how to take your game to the next level, this book is for you... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Inspirational, touching, and worthwhile!
Michelle's story is one of courage and determination. Soccer fans in particular will be interested in what she has to say, but even those who don't appreciate the sport should be touched by what she's endured.

I especially enjoyed her teammates' input and the humorous stories about their time spent together. I'm a big fan of the Women's National Soccer Team in general and really appreciated these insights. Michelle also shares thoughtful remarks about family and team staff members who have inspired her to pursue her dreams despite her fight with CFS.

Sometimes you don't realize how good you have it until you hear what someone else has dealt with. This book is a very worthwhile read and may even help you to organize your own priorities!

A TRUELY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK FOR ANYONE
I am a young soccer player who suffers from CFS. After reading this book I became inspired to work even harder. It is a great read for any soccer player or anyone who suffers from CFS. A wonderful book! Thank you Michelle!

Great inspiration
For those who battle hard and never quit, Michelle's story is a great inspiration and story of hope, faith and perseverance. Great details about the Olympics and the US Women's Team as well.

Interesting and inspiring story of a world-class athlete.
This really was an inspiring book. For anyone who has had to deal with injuries, much less a chronic debillitaing illness, this book shows how to approach such situations with courage and humor. It also brings up the importance of letting others help you through crises, whether they be teammates, friends, doctors, psychologists, or the clergy. I especially liked the insights into other National soccer team members. And it was very interesting to read about specific National team games, games which I watched in person or on television. I had no idea the struggle Akers had just to continue playing, much less competing at a high level. I would recommend this book for any athlete, whether or not they are dealing with injuries or illness, and I would certainly recommend it for young girls to show them what it means to be a committed athlete. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A fine book
An excellent book - a unique look into the mind of a footballer playing in the English professional leagues in the mid-70s. An honest, witty and insightful diary account of the day-to-day life of a footballer, with all its ups, downs, pressures, frustrations, joys and comical relief. I recommend it strongly for anyone interested in soccer played at, or at least near, the highest levels. (Soccer America chose this book as one of their "must" soccer reads of all time.)

Dunphy's football career
One of the most controversial figures in contemporary journalism in Ireland, this is Dunphy's account of his years as a professional footballer in the 2nd division of the English league. His depiction of what it is actually like to be a professional sportsman is insightful, witty and original.

Definitely one of the best books about football that I've read. ... Read more

Book Description

On July 10, 1999, at the end of ninety minutes of regulation play plus two fifteen-minute overtime periods, Briana Scurry faced the greatest challenge of her soccer career. As goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's national team, she would be squaring off against China's five best penalty kickers in a shootout to determine the winner of the 1999 Women's World Cup. The pressure was enormous--but Briana Scurry thrives on pressure, which is one reason she's been called the best goalkeeper in the world. Since 1994, she has proven again and again that when the heat's on, she'll stay cool. And that's just what she did that steamy July day..... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a must read!!!
for all those football fans across the world this book is a must read. this book exemplifies the dedication and fanaticism of the football fan!!! this book gives a first hand look into the insanely furious times of 1980's football. if you have any interest in any sports, you should read this book. this is what being a fan is all about,willing to fight anyone who disrespects you and your team. a must read ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Not Many Options
I would recommend this book a US soccer fan that may only know the final score for this historic game. This book does describe the state of US soccer in the 50's. For example, some people may not be aware that there is a national club championship open to all US teams (the National Challenge Cup, today this cup tournament is called the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup). This team was made up of players that came from some of the teams that won the cup such as Simpkins-Ford (1948 & 1950 with Gino Pariano, Charlie Colombo, Frank Borghi, and Frank Wallace) or New York Brookhattan (1945 Joe Gaetjens team). For the die hard soccer fan this book needs more details on how this team won its spot in the World Cup. Also, there really is not enough detail on the game itself, which may be a result of the dearth of information even at the time (still there is enough there to get your hear pounding and help the reader imagine the excitement of the game). Considering how the English team felt humiliated by result they sure did not want to discuss the game and the US press could hardly care any less. Also, it would be nice to have the perspective of the English players; however, that was not the writer's purpose. This is a story about the men who played the game because they loved it. There needs to be a more detailed treatment of these men and specifically Joseph "Joe" Gaetjens. That being said there is not much out there on the subject and this is still an enjoyable story of perseverance. I hope this book and the upcoming movie bring more people to examine this

More than just the game!
I can understand those who want more about the soccer than the team members. But consider that this book isn't just about the upset, it's about the people who made it happen. It's as much about the social history of the team as anything else. Could the author have spent more time following up reserves and scouring the globe for accounts of the game? Probably.

But I think the story would suffer for that. Could someone write a focused, technical account of the game and the 1950 World Cup? Probably. But the social and personal contexts enrich the story. It could stand to be a little longer, and perhaps fleshing out the other team members would help in that regard. But what there is of this book is more interesting because we're given background.

Interesting, but not the Definitive Story
The US team's 1-0 defeat of England in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, considered the greatest upset in soccer history, is given a somewhat haphazard treatment here by journalist Douglas. Chapters concerning the flow of the game are dwarfed by much longer chapters on the lives of the eleven players and the ethnic neighborhoods they came from. The preponderance of material is about the five who were still alive in early 1990s, when the author was able to interview them. Douglas spends a great deal of time with these men, devoting great swathes of the book to their reminisces about the neighborhoods in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts they came from and how those neighborhoods have declined in recent decades.

While the stories of men who clearly played for the love of the game is sort of interesting, there's not enough about how the team of amateurs and semi-pros was cobbled together and managed to advance to the World Cup. Douglas's description of the flow of the game is able enough, but the analysis is somewhat hazy. Too much-from the miracle US goal, to England's inexplicable inability to finish-is left hazy and unexplained. Interviews with surviving English players might have added a great deal. Clearly, the definitive book on the 1950 upset has yet to be written.

Excellent within its scope
The book weaves together a description of the game with the lives of the five surving members (out of eleven) who took the field that day. And thus, is truly a human interest story - we get to know the lives of these five men and what shaped them before and after in detail.

That said, I must note the limited scope of the book. Its small size (only 145 pages, no index and a few photos)and its lack of detail regarding the deceased members, the substitute players and the rest of the tournament leave an opening for someone to write, perhaps, a companion book to this. Certainly, the comprehensive version of this story has yet to be written.

A historic sporting event that reads more like a soap opera
It is very evident that the author is not familiar with the game of Soccer. He has written a book that simply accounts lives (that are nothing short of boring) with a Soccer game thrown in on the side. This is ok for the Oprah show but not as a book recounting a great sporting upset. It would been have far more interesting if the book explained in detail the then current global state of the game , and some history of the U.S national team up until that time. How did they get entry to the World Cup? were there qualifying games? Give more analysis to the actual game. Were there any more goal chances for the U.S. did the English control the game for long periods? The book also does not give enough attention to the actual 1950 finals themselves. In short a disappointing book ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Power if the Mind
This is not just another biography of a footballer or a football manager. In it, Mr Eriksson gives you a first-person account of how to become a good football player by using the power of your mind. In fact, you can also use his advice on other aspects of your life. I find it a useful and very practical book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Over paid and over rated
Whilst the book itself is quite well written the contents reveal a professional footballer expecting sympathy for the fact that he has to travel long distances for out of season friendly matches and he had to sacrifice a lump sum payment to play for one of the best teams in the world. There is little real insight into the professional game or recognition that the top players are priveleged individuals who are extremely well paid but who have responsibilities to their adoring public. The book fails to provide a good insight into the pleyers views on the key issues facing the sport. It is a major disappointment.

A quick read albeit too focused on ManU
I have always wanted to know about the behind-the-scenes world of football and this book does the job. It drags on at times and is way too focused on Manchester United but Jaap gives a pretty decent account of his 3 years in english football. ... Read more

Book Description

Soccer superstar David Beckham is a media phenomenon, from his headline–grabbing performances during England’s World Cup campaign and his recent move to Real Madrid to his heartthrob status and high–profile marriage to former Spice Girl Victoria Adams. Now longtime friend Gaynor Morgan offers a uniquely personal portrait. ... Read more

Book Description

Victoria and David Beckham are one of Britain¹s most famous celebrity couples. Now, Andrew Morton offers a look beyond the high-profile image of the former Spice Girl and the British soccer star. 55 color photos. ... Read more