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Culture

The Science Behind Soccer’s Magic Hold on You

Ask any coach, player, or club leader why soccer matters, and you’ll get answers about passion, teamwork, and love for the game. But dig deeper, and science reveals something even more fascinating: soccer’s magic comes from how it taps into our brain’s reward systems, ancient rituals, and social instincts. A new study takes an evolutionary […]

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Culture

Making Soccer Accessible for All

Imagine you’re a soccer parent: your child shows remarkable talent, scoring goals and making friends on the field. Their coach suggests they join a competitive league to take their skills to the next level. You’re thrilled—until you see the costs. Soccer cleats, uniforms, tournament fees, and travel expenses quickly pile up, leaving you wondering how […]

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Culture

How Soccer Builds Positive Bonds in Unique Spaces

Imagine a soccer match where the stakes go beyond trophies or league titles. What if the goal was to create a sense of belonging, reduce conflict, and offer a pathway to a brighter future? Soccer, a sport known for uniting communities worldwide, is making strides off the pitch in a surprising arena—prisons. A groundbreaking program […]

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Culture

What Type of Soccer Draws Viewers?

As we get closer to Boxing Day, it’s worth looking at what makes some matches must-see TV while others barely register a blip. A recent study (will download a .pdf) delves into the fascinating dynamics of soccer viewership, uncovering what captivates audiences and why it matters for the sport’s future. The Science of Soccer Viewership […]

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Culture

Why Soccer Referees Are Leaving—and How We Can Keep Them

Across the United States, referee shortages are putting youth and amateur soccer leagues in jeopardy. Despite the passion and commitment many referees bring to the game, an alarming number are choosing not to renew their licenses. Why is this happening? And more importantly, what can be done to reverse the trend? Recent research into soccer […]

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Culture

Soccer Coaching Preferences and the Path to Gender Equality

You’re a soccer club manager searching for the perfect coach to elevate your team. Credentials? Check. Experience? Top-notch. But one factor seems to overshadow all others—gender. Does it really matter whether your new coach is male or female? For many in the soccer world, it still does. A recent study of Division 1 professional soccer […]

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Culture

The Equal Pay Goal: Lessons from Women’s Soccer Battles

For decades, women’s soccer has inspired fans with electrifying matches and fearless athletes. Yet behind the scenes, many players have fought a different kind of battle—one for fair pay. In this fight for equality, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Australia’s Matildas have stood as symbols of resilience. Each team used its unique […]

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Culture

Can Soccer Fans Shape the Future of the Game

Imagine a game where the roaring support of fans isn’t just heard from the stands but echoed in the boardroom. Across Europe, soccer fans increasingly feel sidelined, excluded from decision-making as commercialization drives clubs away from their core values. For many fans, soccer is more than just a sport—it’s an identity, a community, and a […]

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Culture

How Your Birthplace Can Shape Soccer Success

Where you grow up could be the key to soccer greatness. Imagine two young soccer players: one grows up in a small town with access to open fields and community support, while the other lives in a bustling city, crowded with limited space but top-tier facilities (I mean, this is the story of Clint Dempsey, […]

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Culture

Soccer Salaries: Does Beauty Matter?

The labor market’s fascination with behavioral biases has gained substantial academic attention over the past decade. One particularly intriguing aspect is the role of physical attractiveness in salary determination. This blog delves into recent research exploring the “beauty premium” in professional soccer, examining whether good looks can influence player salaries. This study’s findings have significant […]

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