Chelsea's 2012-13 season officially began when the Blues faced Manchester City on Aug. 12 in the FA. Community Shield, the annual curtain-raiser between English soccer's league champion and the FA Cup winner.

WSJ: Chelsea Really Needs a Nap

But the underperformance of so many of the world's soccer powers--pre-tournament co-favorites Argentina and Italy, defending champion France and dark-horse favorite Portugal were all eliminated in the first round--diminished the tournament as a showcase of the world's top footballing talent.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Men's soccer was one of five Division-I sports in the 2010-2011 school year that had a champion from a small conference.

WSJ: NCAA: In College Soccer, the Little Schools Rule

It reminds us, first, that the World Champion Brazilians are a Nike team, and second, that Brazil plays a creative, dazzling style of soccer, which outshines the more conservative, bruising teams.

NPR: Slate's Ad Report Card: Soccer Stars in the Spotlight