The Future In The U.S. Plays It Footloose
by Rob Hughes (Commentary | New York Times - May 26)
Saturday morning at Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. Children of all ages and backgrounds are at play on scores of soccer fields. Their diversity and their joy with a ball is as evident here as it is likely to be missing when the U.S. squad takes the field against England at the World Cup two weeks from now. more details | go to article

Throwback Player, Robinho, Returns Home
by Rob Hughes (Commentary | New York Times - February 9)
The return home of Róbson de Souza, universally known as Robinho, and Roberto Carlos does not signify the end of an exodus of so many Brazilians — almost 900 every year — who fly away to make their fortunes in Europe, yet these are significant homecomings. more details | go to article

Justice Is Nowhere To Be Seen These Days
by Rob Hughes (Commentary | New York Times - February 1)
The world of soccer and its values have gone stark, staring mad. more details | go to article

Egypt Thrashes Algeria In Ill-Tempered 'Reconciliation' Game
by Rob Hughes (Result | New York Times - January 30)
Three weeks ago, the African Cup of Nations began with terrorists firing on the Togo team as its bus entered Angola. The tournament is to end on Sunday with either a historic continuation of Egyptian dominance or the dawn of an emerging Ghana. more details | go to article

A Season In The Shadow Of The World Cup
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | New York Times - December 14)
A strange midwinter settles across European soccer. The bigger the club, it seems, the more vulnerable the players to injury or early fatigue. more details | go to article

Killings In England A Mystery, But Signs Point To Soccer Gambling Ring
by Rob Hughes and Julia Werdigier (Profile/Interview | New York Times - December 4)
It has been more than a year since two young Chinese graduates were found bound and mutilated in their apartment here. The throat of Zhen Xing Yang was cut; the skull of his girlfriend, Xi Zhou, was smashed in three places. Before he died, police said, Yang was tortured. more details | go to article

Circus Surrounds The World Cup Lottery
by Rob Hughes (Preview | New York Times - December 3)
Cape Town awaits. On Friday evening, beneath Table Mountain and facing the treacherous crosscurrents of converging oceans, it will be host to the World Cup draw. more details | go to article

After Humbling Exit, A World Champion Shrug From Italy
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | New York Times - June 24)
Italy has gone home, passing through Armageddon on the way. That’s one way of looking at the exit of the world champion halfway through the Confederations Cup in South Africa. more details | go to article

Platini's Latest Foe, And Maybe The Toughest: The EU
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | International Herald Tribune - February 19)
At the height of his powers, a quarter of a century ago, Michel Platini could lift a nation through his example on the field. more details | go to article

Obama vs. Beckham With The World Cup At Stake
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | International Herald Tribune - February 3)
The Barack Obama effect, or the David Beckham allure? It's a tight call when you are bidding to host major sporting events these days. more details | go to article

Germany Beats Brazil 2-0 To Win Women's World Cup, U.S. Defeats Norway 4-1 For Third Place
by Rob Hughes (Result | International Herald Tribune - September 30)
German order, opportunism and might retained the Women's World Cup on Sunday evening when goals from the dependable captain, Birgit Prinz, and the relative newcomer Simone Laudehr beat Brazil, 2-0 in the final in Shanghai. more details | go to article

Spying Charges Thickens The Plot At Women's World Cup
by Rob Hughes (Article | International Herald Tribune - September 16)
The Formula One men spy upon one another through smoke and mirrors, but some of the women now contesting the FIFA Women's World Cup in China think they are being spied upon through two-way mirrors. more details | go to article

For Best Matches, Never A Spare Seat
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | International Herald Tribune - September 13)
When soccer is on its game, the people will know and there is never a spare seat in the arena. more details | go to article

Milan Stands Alone Against The English
by Rob Hughes (Preview | International Herald Tribune - April 12)
So, after nine months of endeavor across Europe, the Champions League has come down to this: AC Milan against the English. more details | go to article

Van Nistelrooy Finds Another Chance
by Rob Hughes (Analysis | New York Times - August 2)
In soccer, a fresh start can often take a player onto fresh pastures. This week Ruud van Nistelrooy is training on the grassy slopes of the Austrian Alps for a new team. more details | go to article