Full 90: Prince Ali: FIFA’s Last Hope at Salvation

This week it was announced that FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein will challenge Sepp Blatter during the governing body’s presidential election on May 29th. FIFA has been infested with controversy and corruption, especially with respect to the Qatar and Russia World Cup bids.

Full 90: Mysterious 2018 World Cup Logo Revealed

This week Russia revealed the 2018 World Cup logo. Initially, the logo received much criticism and many laughs on social media, when in actuality the 2018 World Cup logo is thematic and clever. The core of the design is based on upwards movement and space, symbolic for the act of achieving excellence and becoming champions of the world. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station creatively revealed Russia’s logo, which also resembles the World Cup trophy. 

Full 90: Heineken Pours Rights with MLS

On Tuesday it was announced that Heineken will become the official beer of Major League Soccer beginning in 2015. This five-year agreement replaces Budweiser’s nearly 20-year sponsorship with the MLS. The agreement is valued at approximately $50 million.

Full 90: Under Heat in Qatar

Last week, in a revealing but not shocking statement, a FIFA Executive Committee member communicated his personal belief that the 2022 World Cup would take place in Qatar. The committee member, Theo Zwanziger, in essence, said what many of us have been thinking: Qatar was wrongly awarded the FIFA World Cup.

Full 90: Plans for new U.S. Soccer National Training Center revealed

U.S. Soccer has arrived. Here’s how I know:

Full 90: America's Dream Deferred?

Has the soccer arrived in the United States? No. Has the World Cup arrived in the United States? Maybe. Has the United States Men’s National Team arrived in the United States? Yes.

Full 90: Another one BITES the... dust?

He’s done it again. FIFA has handed Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker and member of Liverpool F.C., a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during their match Tuesday. This is Suarez’s third time committing such an act. 

Full 90: Countdown to Kickoff

Today is the day: kickoff to the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janiero. After years of planning, construction, numerous protests, and unfortunately, lives taken, everything is in place for a seamless World Cup hosted inside the mecca of soccer. Not quite.

Full 90: World Cup Roundup

We are 27 days away from the World Cup. Here’s what you need to know:      

• Petr Cech, Gareth Bale, Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Samir Nasri, Isco, and Carlos Tevez will not be featured in the World Cup.
• 31 MLS players have been featured on the shortlist of World Cup teams, up from the 6 MLS players who played in South Africa.
•  NIKE v. Adidas v. Samsung: The Battle for World Cup Supremacy

Full 90: Barca Slapped with 14-month Transfer Ban

Football’s golden-child was slapped with a 14-month ban for the illegal signing of international minors. What came as a shock to many Barcelona fans, the Catalonian-club should have seen this coming. After all, it was a year ago that FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, publicly warned Barcelona of amending its unethical recruitment tactics. Apparently Barca didn’t think FIFA would act on its words.

Full 90: World Cup Update

We are 89 days out from the World Cup in Brazil. Here is an update on events surrounding the most coveted soccer tournament:

Full 90: MLS Pulls Plug on Chivas USA

Recently it was announced by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber that the league had purchased Chivas USA from owners Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes. Vergara, an owner of the MLS franchise since it’s inaugural season in 2004, and Fuentes joining the ownership team in 2012, can now lay to rest the the running-joke of the MLS. Chivas USA, based in Cason, California, will now maintain ownership by MLS until the league can select an appropriate replacement. Effective immediately, the league will assume all club operations.

Full 90: Becks and 'Bron Take Miami

On Wednesday, Major League Soccer announced David Beckham exercised his option to purchase an MLS expansion team in Miami. Within his MLS contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, existed a clause to enable Beckham to purchase an expansion team at a discounted fee of $25 million, a strategic effort to keep one of the most polarizing figures, connected to the MLS. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a news conference that featured MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

Full 90: Madrid rated top revenue-generator by Deloitte Football Money League; 9th year running

Real Madrid sits atop Deloitte’s Football Money League for the ninth year in a row with €518.9 million in revenue last season. The Football Money report lists the top 20 revenue generating clubs worldwide as it examines three forms of revenue: broadcasting, commercial, and matchday. This 17^th edition of Football Money features clubs from England (6), Italy (4), Germany (4), Spain (3), Turkey (2), and France (1). Yes I said, Turkey. The Money League is considered to be the “most contemporary and reliable analysis of the clubs’ relative financial performance” and is composed by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.