We, at The People’s Game, have received this communiqué from a shadowy organization calling itself the 2014 Global General Strike. We’ve done some research and it seems they have offices in Detroit, Michigan; Porto Alegre, Brazil; Manchester, England; Barcelona, Catalonia; and the Esalen Institute. Here’s the text we received:

We call upon all people of goodwill to join us in taking a full one-month holiday during the 2014 World Cup. We seek nothing less than the complete shutdown of the global economy in the service of human liberation. Read more »

How to write about Italy? What words effectively convey something so truly horrid? Initially I thought about scurrying to my thesaurus – a synonym for utter wretchedness escaping me – lifeless, of course, but in the land of Berlusconi there’s also the stench of the sordid, corrupt, malign. Then it struck me, the Italians were fulfilling the prophetic draw of their national literature. Dante Alighieri mapped this territory. So, my friends, stare with me into the tiered abyss – which circle of Dante’s hell best suits this cast of Godless sinners?

Stranded in Purgatory: Totti, Rossi, Balotelli, Cassano, Toni, Grosso and even Del Piero and Inzaghi…

Halftimes. Suddenly, more drama than imaginable. A deep sense of dread spreads across Aztlan. France’s misery is way beyond Satrean nausea Read more »

Two countries with breakthrough national sides – the only two countries in Latin America to have reversed gains by the left “pink” tide that has swept political elections in the region this past decade. Read more »

As Brazil 2010 prepares to take the field, fans of the “beautiful” game should check their enthusiasm – the future of joy hinges upon the fate of this side. Comrade, brothers, I bequeath you: root against these automatons. A championship for Dunga’s disciplined troops could be the final nail in the coffin for joga bonito at the international level Read more »

Drogba a spectator, yellow cards a plenty, Christiano the only threat in evidence for the Portuguese – the Ivory Coast has control of mid-field at the 30 minute mark. Read more »

warning from Alan: I’m a lifelong Azzuri fan, can’t help but be partisan – but much less love for this year’s model Read more »

no coffee – experiment in consciousness – the dutch and the danes – stream of thought football Read more »

History making result for USA – this proves their defense has deteriorated since 1950 – seriously, I think this draw cements the USA as a global soccer force – though England has major questions to address if this team is going to challenge for the title. Read more »

3 points, a good thing – but I wasn’t that impressed – of course there should’ve been more goals and then I’d probably be blind to the faults, but here’re the failings as I see ‘em

offensively the team runs largely through Veron, who generally looked great – his delivery of the ball to Heinz from the corner, for the goal, shows his precision remains as perfect as ever. But he’s old, his legs get tired and once he came off, the offense looked de-centered. Imagine if he was spelled by Requelme, or more likely vis-a-versa… Of course, he’s long-gone… Read more »