With the 2014 World Cup now in the rear-view, Luke Dempsey's entertaining book "Club Soccer 101" helps new-school soccer fans and sports history wonks learn more about professional club teams from around the world -- including La Liga, Bundesliga, English Premier League (EPL), Liga MX, and Major League Soccer (MLS) -- with his new book further helping them understand the passion of "the beautiful game."
The English Premier League returns to NBC on Saturday, with Manchester United opening the season against Swansea City, as the network tries to capitalize on last year's successful inaugural broadcast run and the fervor of the World Cup.
The English Premier League transfer window has been tremendously busy over the last few weeks with Manchester United looking to bounce back under new manager Louis Van Gaal, Chelsea chasing an EPL title, and Arsenal looking to make making an impression after barely missing out UEFA Champions League by three points.
While Uruguay's Luis Suarez finally apologized for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their Group Stage game, the punishment does seem to fit the crime despite what Suarez's supporters - including Chiellini - may think of the nine-game and 4-month suspension of the polarizing 2013-2014 English Premier League (EPL) Player of the Year.
Major League Soccer (MLS) signed a new eight-year television deal with ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision worth a combined $720 million for the North American soccer league. As part of the deal, Univision gets a minimum of 34 games airing exclusively on UniMás Friday nights, exclusive rights to MLS Playoff games, the Spanish-language rights to the MLS All-Star Game, the MLS Cup, and all U.S. men's national team games across television and digital platforms.
Manchester City, which recently won their second English Premier League (EPL) title in three years, has accepted UEFA's sanctions - including a €60 million ($82,056,000 USD).
While Manchester City celebrates their second English Premier League (EPL) title in three years, the club faces a murky as they plan to appeal UEFA's sanctions against the team for failing to meet their "Financial Fair Play" requirements. Man City faces £49 million ($82,530,700 USD) fine paid over three years, a 21-player limit on next season's Champions League competition and a salary cap to the current payroll level.
Lionel Messi is the face of Barcelona. He is the team's all-time highest goal scorer and he has been the reason for the club's success over the last few years. But could he possibly be on his way out? And is Barcelona's biggest Real Madrid ready to buy him up?
