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Soccer

Latest Slidescroller coverage in Soccer.

World Cup Dreams Reach Wayland

From blind lottery wins to Right‑To‑Ticket triumphs, residents of Wayland, Massachusetts, are weaving their own stories into the fabric of the first U.S. hosted World Cup in decades.

Jun 12, 2026

Why the United States Calls It ‘Soccer’ While the World Calls It ‘Football’

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, but the word ‘soccer’ remains an American oddity. Its origin lies in 19th‑century Oxford, where students coined the abbreviation from ‘association football’. Although the term spread across Europe and South America, it survived only in a handful of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa and Japan.

Jun 12, 2026

Midnight Soccer Lights Up the Five Boroughs

A citywide initiative provides illuminated fields in each borough for all-night pickup games, community organization, and security, celebrating the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Jun 12, 2026

Curaçao’s Blue Wave Prepares for Historic World Cup Debut in Houston

Curaçao's national soccer team, known as the "Blue Wave," held a high‑profile training session in Boca Raton, Florida, ahead of their inaugural World Cup appearance. The event attracted a vibrant crowd of supporters, many traveling from South Florida and the island itself, and featured remarks from key players ahead of their Sunday clash with Germany in Houston.

Jun 12, 2026

The Rise of Soccer in America: From 1994 World Cup to 2026 Dreams

From a record‑breaking 1994 final in Pasadena to the arrival of global icons in Major League Soccer, the sport’s footprint has expanded dramatically. Historian John Sloop explains how attitudes have shifted and what the 2026 tournament means for the next generation of fans.

Jun 12, 2026