Review of "The Rise of Major League Soccer"

Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of soccer - MLS or otherwise, save for the World Cup.  It's mainly because while I love to see matches in person, I haven't come to fully appreciate it on TV or other media platforms.  I am certainly going to try to change this, as MLS, as explained in this book, will certainly reach the status to be in the conversation with the four main sports leagues in North America.  Here is my review of "The Rise of Major League Soccer." 

Title/Author: “The Rise of Major League Soccer: Building a Global Giant” by Rick Burton and Norm O’Reily

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: Professional soccer leagues in North America have had a very spotty history at best.  Many have come and gone, but there is one league, Major League Soccer (MLS), that has defied the odds and survived a near extinction to become a league that is getting more notice and respect around the globe. Notes sports business authors Rick Burton and Norm O’Riley look at the history and future of MLS in this excellent book.

While Burton and O’Riley wrote most of the text, there are many contributions from various soccer people, from players to business people and they are welcome but also contribute to the one minor issue I had with the book – there is a lot of repetitiveness of certain topics, such as the arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023.  While his arrival is one of the biggest events in MLS history, that and a few other items are repeated by many of the guests and by Burton and O’Reily. 

But at least the repetitions are on items that are truly landmark events for the league. In addition to Messi, there has been one huge name in soccer that changed the landscape of the league. That was David Beckham – when he agreed to sign with the LA Galaxy in 2007, it caused a seismic change in the league, all for the positive. It paved the way for many other international superstars of the game to come to MLS.  Beckham’s involvement has come full circle as he is now one of the owners of Inter Miami, the MLS club for whom Messi plays.

There are plenty of great things about this book that any soccer fan will enjoy.  Burton and O’Reily look at earlier leagues in North America, including the North American Soccer League (NASL) and their brief but exciting history. The idea to bring in international superstars was also done by them, most notably Pele, when he played for the New York Cosmos. As for MLS and its bright outlook (according to the authors), there is excellent reasoning they give for this. There are a few reasons and they are all covered well, but the most notable is the contract with Apple TV for broadcast rights, given Apple’s global name brand recognition.  The other big reason is that now the generations of soccer-playing youngsters are now adults and they are taking their love of the game to the stadiums and streaming services to ensure its growth.  The authors also note the increased diversity of nationalities of American and Canadian citizens and they bring the love of soccer with them from their nations of heritage.

Add all of these up and one gets a very interesting and informative book. Not only readers who enjoy the sport, but anyone who likes reading about the business side of sports, no matter the sport, will want to add this book to their library.

I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing an advance review copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.  

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Major-League-Soccer-Building/dp/1493086715/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=

Review of "Dark Goals"

For a different type of book, I chose this one in a challenge for reading a book with a grey cover.  There is much more to this book than I expected - at times a bit too much but still one that I really enjoyed as it was an eye-opener.  Here is my review of "Dark Goals"

Title/Author: “Dark Goals: How History’s Worst Tyrants Have Used and Abused the Game of Soccer” by Luciano Wernicke

Rating: 4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: I usually chuckle when I hear people say, whether verbally or on social media, that “sports and politics don’t mix.”  That is flat-out wrong and this book by Luciano Wernicke proves that for just one sport – soccer.

Starting with Benito Mussolini. Wernicke discusses how many of the world’s most vicious tyrants used soccer to either promote their form of ruling, to make threats to players and coaches if they did not honor the country or even order some killed simply due to the results of a soccer.

Most of the matches that are used for reference are from the World Cup tournament or the Olympics, but there are some other means of using the sport for political power as well.  The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco used soccer to “depoliticize” the people of the country and therefore distract them from the terrible conditions.  Mussolini did not want Italy to enter the first World Cup tourney in 1930 because he did not want to risk having the team do poorly.  But then he lobbied for and hosted the next one in 1934.  That was to show off how well his country was doing while hiding the brutal reality, much like Adolf Hitler did for the 1936 Olympics (which are also covered in the book).

Other world leaders portrayed that used soccer as part of their iron-clad ruling included Josef Stalin, Juan Peron (through his wife Eva) and Pablo Escobar, the notorious Columbian drug lord. The writing in all chapters on these people can be dense and hard to follow at times, especially the chapter on Escobar.  Nonetheless, it is a very good look at not only soccer, but also the time period in the 20^th century when these dictators ruled both their countries and the game of football.

I wish to thank Sutherland House books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed are strictly mine.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Goals-Historys-Tyrants-Abused-ebook/dp/B0BMG7J49T/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

 

Review of "Switching Fields"

Continuing my never-ending attempt to clean up my TBR pile, I pulled this one out that while it hasn't sat in the pile too long, it was one that was compelling enough for me to read even though it has been a couple months since the World Cup ended.  Here is my review of "Switching Fields."

 

Title/Author: “Switching Fields: Inside the Fight to Remake Men’s Soccer in the United States” by George Dohrman

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: While the United States men’s soccer team (USMNT) has made the World Cup in every year since 1990, with the exception of 2018, it has been a constant source of puzzlement why the country with such a large and diverse population is not a bigger powerhouse in the sport.  This book by George Dohrman explores why that has been the case and also takes a look at some creative ways that some are trying to address this problem.

The book starts off with that 2018 team – specifically the game in which the USNMT lost to Trinidad and Tobago that ended their chances to qualify for the World Cup. Dohrman explains that the subsequent review of why the team did so poorly sets the tone for the book and the explanation of the inherent problems for growing the sport in the United States.  Instead of looking at the entire system, there was criticism of smaller details such as the lineup used in that game.  As Dohrman noted, this missed the bigger picture that the system was the problem – making the United States “a country that should be a shark into a minnow.”

Dohrman then goes on to explain how the country’s youth soccer organization AYSO “was conceived in about ninety minutes” and how the country’s soccer development became entrenched in the Pay-to-Play model that many other youth sports follow. The issue with this model for soccer is that due to many factors, it leaves out a significant portion of the population and leaves the future of the sport in the hands of mostly white, suburban and upper middle class (or higher) players. This didn’t allow the sport to grow in other areas populated mostly by Black families or other people of color.  It also did not help that most coaches of these players were either unfamiliar with the game or if they were, they followed only the European model of play, which is very different from that in other areas where the game is extremely popular such as South America.

What sets this book apart is that Dohrman not only describes and analyzes these shortcomings, but he also highlights people and systems that buck the traditional models of American soccer in the past and are trying to bring more players of all types and backgrounds into the game.  One example, and the best story of the book, is a coach who went against the traditional pay-for-play model in Iowa, Matt Carver.  Carver’s youth allowed him to experience the game in places like Harlem and Germany and when he became a coach with his own children, he saw the flaws in the system and wanted to create a league that would not require high fees and extensive travel.  After several fights with the bureaucracy of the soccer league in suburban Des Moines, he eventually won and now has players coming to his league.

Dohrman also talks about why the women’s teams for the United States are so successful – again, mainly due to some thinking outside the box – and how the men can use ideas such as those from Carver to have more success for the USMNT.  This is a book that should be required reading for anyone who has an interest in seeing how the United States can become a nation that will use its population and diversity to its advantage in the sport of international soccer.

I wish to thank Ballantine Books for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: Switching Fields: Inside the Fight to Remake Men's Soccer in the United States: Dohrmann, George: 9781524798864: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Messi vs. Ronaldo"

 While this book had admittedly been on my TBR pile for a few months, it turned out to be perfect timing when I picked it up.  With one of the subjects playing in the World Cup final, what better time to post a review of "Messi vs. Ronaldo"?

Title/Author:

“Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs and the Era that Remade the World’s Game” by Jonathan Clegg and Joshua Robinson

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:  Discussions and debates about the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of a particular sport are common today and in international soccer circles, that discussion today revolves around two players – Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo.  Strong cases can be made for both players and this book, while very interesting, does not help someone make a case for one or the other to be considered better.

The first bit of advice for reading this book comes early – the authors state that this is not intended to be a dual biography of the two legends but instead a thorough look at their careers from playing the game early in life through their rise to their professional teams by examining the business side of international soccer and how it affected them. There is in-depth information on the two clubs that both players spent the bulk of their careers, and it is no coincidence that they are two of the most famous clubs in European soccer – Real Madrid (Ronaldo) and FC Barcelona (Messi).  Because of both the celebrity of the players and the name recognition of their clubs, Messi and Ronaldo’s rise in fame also helped bring a revolution in the business of international soccer.

Of course, the authors write about other factors that brought this about such as social media and the influx of money, especially American money, that changed the economics for many of the “super clubs” forever, but no matter what business topic is discussed, the text will circle back to one of these two players.  A reader who follows soccer leagues such as the Premier League (both players spent time with clubs in that circuit) or La Liga will find the business discussion quite interesting.  One who may not follow this subject as closely may not be as engrossed but will still learn some very interesting facts on international soccer. 

I will give an example of one that I learned about the Premier League.  Its status as one of the most profitable leagues in the world started when it signed a lucrative television contract with a similarly struggling network at the time, Sky Sports, owned by Rupert Murdoch.  Around the same time in the United States, another struggling Murdoch network, Fox, engaged in a similar contract with the National Football League.  Both leagues and both networks were never the same again.

This is not to say there is no text on the accomplishments on the field by Messi and Ronaldo – there is a good amount of that as well.  There certainly was jealousy between the two in competition for individual awards. Even the most casual of sports fans do realize the greatness of these two as their names are as recognizable as ones like Pele and Beckenbauer for previous generations of soccer fans.  If one wants to learn more about either the business of international soccer or a little more on the two players, this is a good source. 

I wish to thank Mariner Books for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: Amazon.com: Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World's Game eBook : Clegg, Jonathan, Robinson, Joshua: Kindle Store

Review of "Golazo!"

This book was certainly one that was not on my radar, but one of the online book clubs I belong to had a member suggest this as a buddy read.  Why not, I thought - it would expand my reading on soccer beyond the United States and Europe.  While it took awhile, I do believe that any soccer/football fan would enjoy "Golazo!"  Here is my review. 

Title/Author:

“Golazo! The Beautiful Game from the Aztecs to the World Cup: The Complete History of How Soccer Shaped Latin America” by Andreas Campomar

Tags:

Soccer, Football (European/Latin America), history, politics, World Cup

Publish date:

May 6, 2014

Length:

492 pages

Rating:

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

The history of football (or soccer – this review will use the term “football”) in South American is not only rich with exciting players and teams on the pitch, but also colorful on how much it is intertwined with the politics of the continent’s nations.  This book by Andreas Campomar is a complete, detailed history of the “beautiful game” in that area of the world.

While the title does state that the book is about football in Latin American, once the ancient history about the game with the Aztecs is told, football and politics in three South American nations make up the bulk of the material:  Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. While this would not be completely surprising as these three nations have won nine World Cup championships among them, the book does lack material on most of the other nations, with a notable exception of Chile and Columbia, and practically ignores Central American football.  While this can be understood to a degree with the author being a native of Uruguay, this felt to make the book slightly incomplete despite its wealth of research and material.

There are times when the reading is slow and difficult as so many details are crammed into a passage, including many names of players that only appear once as that person’s last name. When this was happening, as it especially did when the discussion was about some of the best years for either Brazil or Argentina, I had to slow down and sometimes backtrack because I was getting lost.  Readers who are avid fans of these nations’ team or knowledgeable about the history may not have any trouble with these parts.  However, for a fan who either follows the sport in other parts or the world or is simply a casual fan who wishes to learn more about these legendary national teams, this might become a challenge.

However, working one’s way through this is certainly worth the time and effort as the football is rich with history. The most enjoyable section of the book for me was the description of how the Aztecs played the game.  If American fans feel today’s game lacks offense, then they wouldn’t want to know how difficult it was to score at that time.  Other excellent sections of the book include how Uruguay became a soccer powerhouse in the 1930’s and 1940’s, winning two of the first four World Cup tourneys and how Brazil’s rise to football power in the 1960's paralleled that of its government. 

Overall , this book is an excellent source of history on South American football and while at times is a dense and very detailed read, it is one that is recommended for readers who want to learn more about not only the game in the continent, but also about the politics of some of the bigger nations and how they closely related to the success or lack of success by the national football team.

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

                                                                                                                              

 Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Golazo-Beautiful-Complete-History-America/dp/1594485860/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/golazo-andreas-campomar/1117163804?ean=9781594485862

Review of "World Football Domination"

Rarely do I review fictional books, but when I saw this one on a listserv that I subscribe to, and seeing it was a quick read, I thought I would give it a shot - turned out to be much better than I expected.  Here is my review of "World Football Domination"

Title/Author:

“World Football Domination: The Virtual Talent Scout” by Anthony Ranieri

Tags:

Football (European), soccer, fiction

Publish date:

July 17, 2019

Length:

136 pages

Rating: to

4 of 5 stars (good)

Review:

No matter the sport, scouting for talented players can be one of the most challenging aspects of sports. How does one go about determining who are the best players, let alone trying to cover the entire globe to find those players?  In this quick read, Anthony  Ranieri takes the reader on an adventure into the future where technology will help answer that question, but not without perils.

Gunnar Grimmson has created a player identification drone that will take all the player data and observations for any player and let a scout know whether that player is the one that will take a team to the promised land. It is used successfully to lure a young talented player to Sydney, but there are concerns that this information could be used for espionage and other nefarious activities.  Ranieri keeps the action fast paced, the technology futuristic and the dialogue crisp between all characters.  Because of these traits, this is a story that is one that is not only quick and easy to read, it is one that is very entertaining.

The only part that may leave a reader less than satisfied is the ending, as it is open and doesn't really seem to answer any of the burning questions a reader will have, but this is the first of a multi-part story, so if this topic is one that a reader wants to read about in order to escape the real world for a couple of hours, it is a worthy choice.  

I wish to thank the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Kindle)                                                                                                                                        

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/World-Football-Domination-Virtual-Talent-ebook/dp/B07SMY1TCV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of "Touched by God"

For my last review of 2018, I decided to pick a book written by a very controversial figure in soccer who scored one of the most controversial goals in World Cup history.  It was a very entertaining book and it is one to pick up if you remember this tourney.  Here is my review of "Touched by God"

Title/Author:

“Touched by God: How We Won the Mexico ’86 World Cup” by Diego Armando Maradona

Tags:

Soccer, Football (European), Argentina, history, championship

Publish date:

May 30, 2017

Length:

256 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

In a World Cup tournament that was both thrilling and controversial, Argentina won its second World Cup in 1986 behind the play of Diego Maradona. His memories of that tourney, as well as his thoughts on other players, coaches and the state of soccer in general are captured in this memoir.

There isn’t a topic about that tournament in Mexico that Maradona doesn’t mention as long as it involves Argentina’s national team. He talks about the training, the early travels to Mexico so that the team will be ready for the higher altitude. While he gives this action much credit for the success of Argentina in the World Cup, he was also highly critical of the team’s coach for his strategy and use of available players.

This last point is also worth noting because whether Maradona talks about that team, future Argentinian teams that fell short of the championship, European players with whom he shared the pitch in Naples, FIFA management and its current scandals, or even the media, it is clear that he still has some anger toward all of them, and more.  Some even believe his ego is far too big and that is the reason for this anger. While it is difficult to prove this, throughout the book he does explain why he believes what he believes and doesn’t really seem to care what others will say.

Which brings us to the main reason this book was one that I wanted to read – the controversial “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinal match against England in that 1986 tourney.  Maradona doesn’t mince words – he states that he hit the ball into the goal with his fist, but since the referee did not call a violation and the linesmen did not challenge the call or state that they saw a violation, it is a goal.  It is the second goal he scored in that game, however, in which he has more fond memories and one that cemented his place as one of the best players in the world at that time.  That particular match also was played with the memories of the Falkland Islands war between England and Argentina still fresh in the minds of many.  Maradona tried to play down the memories of the war to use as motivation to win that match, but he repeatedly mentions that he was thinking about the young Argentinian men killed in the war.  So, it is safe to say that he and his teammates did use the war as a motivational tool. 

Maradona also talks about his family, his childhood, his drug use (albeit very briefly) and today’s game. What I felt was noteworthy about that latter topic is his praise for Lionel Messi, one of the best players in the world today.  He bristles at comparisons between himself and Messi, stating that neither should be considered “better” than the other but just that they are two great players in their time.

The book does have many references by Maradona to watch a particular highlight instead of a description. Also, he refers to many people by last name only so readers who are not familiar with that team will not know who he is mentioning.  Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read and one that is recommended for anyone interested in Maradona, that Argentina team or World Cup history.

Book Format Read:

E-book (Nook)

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Touched-God-How-Mexico-World/dp/0143129767/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/touched-by-god-diego-armando-maradona/1125581232?ean=9781101993408 

Review of "Masters of Modern Soccer"

While I have never been an avid soccer fan, I have casually followed the sport and have become a fan of Grant Wahl, a soccer writer for Sports Illustrated since the mid 1990's. When I saw he has a book coming out this spring and advance copies were available for review, I jumped on the offer as soon as possible. Mr. Wahl did not disappoint as this was a fantastic book on the modern game.  Here is my review of "Masters of Modern Soccer"

Title/Author:

“Masters of Modern Soccer: How the World’s Best Play the Twenty-First Century Game” by Grant Wahl

Tags:

Soccer, Football (European), coaching, strategy

Publish date:

May 1, 2018

Length:

304 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Long-time players and fans of soccer will notice how different the contemporary game is compared to the matches played in the 1970’s and 1980’s. There are several reasons for this, most notably the changes in responsibilities of the positions and the use of analytics. America’s premier soccer writer, Grant Wahl, interviewed seven men who are the premier people in their position or job in international soccer and the result is this excellent book.

This book has been compared to the best-selling baseball book “Men At Work” by George Will. In that one, Will broke down baseball by writing about various jobs done by people in the game and wrote about how the best performers handle that job.  Wahl does the same thing for soccer as he interviews the best players and management personnel.  The players are American midfielder Christian Pulisic, Mexican forward Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez, Belgian centerback Vincent Kompany, Spain’s Xabi Alonso and German goalkeeper Mauel Neuer.

Their insight into the game makes for compelling reading as they each share what they do to be the best at their position.  Whether it is how Kompany positions himself in relation to the opponent’s best goal scorer, the “Wow moments” Pulisic provides to fans or the drills on which Neuer works to improve his reflexes, each section is a lesson in how today’s game is played and why the sport has changed so much over the last few decades.

These changes are noted often by Wahl as he talks about positions that are no longer in vogue, such as the sweeper, or how drastically the skills have changed in order to be an elite player.  This is clearly evident for a goalkeeper, where Wahl writes that shot blocking, once considered the primary job of the keeper, is now only one of several skills at which a goalkeeper must excel. Neuer’s insight backs up this assertion.

Coaching and management get the same treatment as players do in this book as Belgium coach Roberto Martinez and Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc are also interviewed and share their secrets for success as well. The biggest takeaway from these chapters was also mentioned in some of the players’ chapters.  The used of advanced statistical analysis is just as prevalent in professional soccer as it is in other sports, again most notably baseball. There is even a reference to “Moneyball” in the book as much like the Oakland A’s, Borussia Dortmund does not have the same financial resources like some other clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona.  As a result, they do some creative thinking in the front office and Zorc’s insight will provide readers with some new information about this part of the sport.

Written with American readers in mind, this work is truly a masterpiece of the modern game. Wahl was the first author to write a soccer book that became a New York Times bestseller with his 2009 biography of David Beckham. This book could very well become his second.  If a reader has any interest in the sport, no matter how much or how little, this is a book that must not be missed.

I wish to thank Crown Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/masters-of-modern-soccer-grant-wahl/1127023621?ean=9780307408600

https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Modern-Soccer-Worlds-Twenty-First-Century/dp/0307408604/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=  

Review of "Cold War Games"

This book served a couple of purpose.  One, I do like to read about the Olympics, especially during the Cold War era when the USSR and other communist nations supposedly sent "professional" athletes.  Two, this is the first book in my Blogger Shame challenge as I had downloaded this e-book in August but had not read it yet.  Therefore, since I have had it for more than four months, it meets the challenge - #1 of 24.  Here is my review of "Cold War Games."

Title/Author:

“Cold War Games: Spies, Subterfuge and Secret Operations at the 1956 Olympic Games” by Harry Blustein

Tags:

Olympics, water polo, football (European), politics

Publish date:

August 1, 2017

Length:

368 pages

Rating: 

3 of 5 stars (okay)

Review:

The 1956 Summer Olympic games in Melbourne, Australia had one very memorable event – the water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union.  The match turned very physical, resulting in a gruesome-looking injury to a Hungarian player. This was a bloody injury to the nose, giving the game the nickname of the “Blood in i Water” match.

Why was this match so bloody? There were hard feelings between the two countries as a Hungarian uprising to break away from the communist rule of the USSR was crushed by the latter’s military.  These carried to the Olympics and that match, along with how the Soviet Union became a Olympic super-power, is captured in this book by Harry Blustein.

This book is more than just a sports book – it is a good historical book as well if a reader wants to learn about the inner workings of the Soviet sports machine.  The reader will learn how the Soviet Union was able to convince the IOC chairman Avery Brundage that its athletes were true amateurs.  Brundage took this position mainly because the United States athletes, in his eyes, were also subsidized with college scholarships and military service.  While a reader may not agree, it was an interesting argument.

There are also stories about the athletes. One touching story in particular is what an American male athlete and a Hungarian female athlete had to do in order to marry after the Games as Hungary was concerned about athletes defecting.  Also interesting was the role one of the water polo players from Hungary played in the uprising and his concern for his family during the Games. 

At times the book was very slow paced and a tough read, but the material kept my interest and by the end, I felt that I learned a lot about one of the most interesting Olympic games during the Cold War era.

I wish to thank Bonnier Publishing Australia for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

Review of "Defying Expecations"

A confession: I hardly paid attention to Major League Soccer until I attended my first game this summer, watching the new expansion club Minnesota United face DC United.  The atmosphere was great and the fans were some of the noisiest I have ever heard at a sporting event that I attended.  When I heard about this book and the same type of environment that is present for another fairly new MLS club, I decided to take a look at the book - that was a good choice.  Here is my review of "Defying Expectations."

Title/Author:

“Defying Expectations: Phil Rawlins and the Orlando City Soccer Story” by Simon Veness and Susan Veness

Tags:

Football (European), soccer, professional, biography, business

Publish date:

November 1, 2017

Length:

304 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

No matter the sport, league or level of play, one of the more difficult tasks in the business side of sports is to build a franchise from scratch.  Phil Rawlins, his wife Kay and their team of investors and executives did this in Major League Soccer, building the Orlando City Soccer Club from the ground up.  Their success, starting with Phil’s success in both business and football in England, is captured in this book by Simon Veness and Susan Veness. 

The origins of Orlando City can be traced back to another soccer club, Stoke City who is currently a club in the English Barclay’s Premier League.  This team was the one Phil Rawlins followed from childhood and when they had been playing poorly enough to be relegated out of the Premier League, Rawlins felt it was time to do something about that and he became an influential member of Stoke’s board. His innovation put Stoke back on track, but the lure of building a soccer team in the United States brought him to Austin, Texas.  There, with his then-wife Wendy (Rawlins would have three wives, Kay being his most recent) they put together a success team in the heart of American football territory, piling up wins and drawing fans to Austin’s minor league team.

However, Phil’s ultimate goal was to build a team in the largest American league for soccer, Major League Soccer (MLS). The league wanted to expand to the southeastern part of the country and Orlando was considered to be one of the markets in which a franchise could be viable.  By then, Phil realized he had gone as far as he could in Austin, so he and his new wife decided to make the plunge and go for it in Orlando.

Using Six Core Values the couple developed at the kitchen table, they set out to find investors and other key personnel required to build a team.  Like in Austin, the franchise in Orlando started in the United Soccer League, winning the title in their first year, 2011.  But unlike Austin, they saw much more potential. Through hard work, perseverance even after setbacks such as denial for stadium funding from the Florida legislature and a very large and loyal fan following, the club became an MLS expansion team in 2015.  They made the league sit up and take notice by not only signing Brazillian superstar Kaka, but also for selling over 60,000 tickets for the very first game. Orlando City has been one of the more successful MLS franchises since then and they hope to continue this into the future.

This entire story is told in an easy to read manner by Simon and Susan Veness and covers much of Phil Rawlins’ life successes in both business and soccer. The story of how he went from a hustling salesman to earning $259 million on an initial IPO is just as interesting a tale as is the success of Orlando City.  The book is part business, part soccer and part biography of a man who never let setbacks stop him from achieving his visions.  It is an inspiring story that readers will enjoy, even if they are not soccer fans.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:

Hardcover

Buying Links:

http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/university-of-nebraska-press/9781496201768/

https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Expectations-Rawlins-Orlando-Soccer/dp/1496201760/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr