Other Sports Titles

Prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team had won just four World Cup matches in 72 years. They'd been humbled with a last place finish at the 1998 World Cup, scoring just once across three games. Major League Soccer was still in its infancy, and generally struggling. But the 2002 squad managed to beat powerhouse Portugal to advance out of the group stages, toppled Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16, and stood up ably to Germany in a quarterfinal loss that nonetheless had the crowd chanting, "USA! USA!" as the players exited the field with heads held high. Fast forward 15 years, and the popularity of soccer in the United States was booming. Cries of "I believe that we will win!" rang out at every match. With greater resources invested, the U.S. was producing talent of a high enough caliber to compete abroad in England's Premier League, and the national team had Jürgen Klinsmann at the helm, promising an injection of worldliness and European flair to the American game. Yet while the American women's team had made World Cup victories a regular expectation, the men failed to even qualify for the 2018 tournament. What happened to the USMNT? Columbia Business School adjunct professor and acclaimed author of The Real Madrid Way Steven Mandis turns his lens inward to examine what it will take for the U.S. men to achieve lasting success on the international stage and how it differs critically from building a successful club team. This meticulously researched, probing investigation challenges conventional wisdom and speaks to the utmost importance of authenticity when cultivating an organizational identity. If the Italians have their cantenaccio, the Spanish their tiki-taka, the Dutch their "total football," and the Brazilians their ginga, Mandis argues that cultivating a unique "American way" of soccer is not only possible but absolutely essential.

The Masters is unquestionably the crown jewel of golf's major tournaments, not only for the transcendent performances it has inspired over the years, but for the incomparable sights and sounds of Augusta National and its environs, each distinct element contributing to the storied, rarefied atmosphere which draws tens of thousands to Georgia each spring.Seven Days in Augusta spans everything from the par-3 contest, to Amen Corner, to Butler Cabin. Mark Cannizzaro goes behind the scenes of the exclusive competition, covering wide-ranging topics including green jacket rituals, tales from The Crow's Nest atop the clubhouse, the extreme lengths some fans have gone to acquire tickets, and what goes on outside the gates during Masters week. Also featuring some of the most memorable and dramatic moments from the tournament's history, this is an essential, expansive look at golf's favorite event.

Ladyballer (lay-DEE-bawl-er) (noun): A rare breed of awesome female athlete with an incredible passion for the game, a wardrobe consisting of tournament t-shirts, and an appetite fit for a hippopotamus. Featuring hilarious and heartfelt experiences, plus tips on training, nutrition, motivation, balancing soccer with a social life, and choosing the right college, this book is for the girls with bruises, turf burns, and weird tan lines who always find themselves saying, "I can't, I have soccer!"

The Masters is unquestionably the crown jewel of golf's major tournaments, not only for the transcendent performances it has inspired over the years, but for the incomparable sights and sounds of Augusta National and its environs, each distinct element contributing to the storied, rarefied atmosphere which draws tens of thousands to Georgia each spring.Seven Days in Augusta spans everything from the par-3 contest, to Amen Corner, to Butler Cabin. Mark Cannizzaro goes behind the scenes of the exclusive competition, covering wide-ranging topics including green jacket rituals, tales from The Crow's Nest atop the clubhouse, the extreme lengths some fans have gone to acquire tickets, and what goes on outside the gates during Masters week. Also featuring some of the most memorable and dramatic moments from the tournament's history, this is an essential, expansive look at golf's favorite event.

One afternoon in 1987, two renegade climbers in Berkeley, California, hatched an ambitious plan: under the cover of darkness, they would rappel down from a carefully scouted highway on-ramp, gluing artificial handholds onto the load-bearing concrete pillars underneath. Equipped with ingenuity, strong adhesive, and an urban guerilla attitude, Jim Thornburg and Scott Frye created a serviceable climbing wall. But what they were part of was a greater development: the expansion and reimagining of a sport now slated for a highly anticipated Olympic debut in 2020.High Drama explores rock climbing's transformation from a pursuit of select anti-establishment vagabonds to a sport embraced by competitors of all ages, social classes, and backgrounds. Climbing magazine's John Burgman weaves a multi-layered story of traditionalists and opportunists, grassroots organizers and business-minded developers, free-spirited rebels and rigorously coached athletes.

All of Canada watched as Bianca Andreescu made history in 2019, beating the legendary Serena Williams in the US Open final to become the first-ever Canadian Grand Slam singles champion! Now one of the highest-ranked players in the world at just 19 years old, Bianca Andreescu has captivated a nation and is sure to inspire a new generation of players. With Bianca Andreescu: She the North, veteran tennis writer Stephanie Myles has crafted the ultimate tribute to this young champion. With nearly 100 full-color photographs, including some never-before-seen images, fans are provided a behind-the-scenes look at this athlete's meteoric rise as she trains, competes around the globe, and climbs the world rankings. From her early years learning the sport in Romania and Ontario, to her promising wins at Indian Wells and the Rogers Cup, to the unforgettable triumph at the US Open, Andreescu has proven she's a fearless and exuberant competitor, and the best may still be yet to come!  

Featuring traditions, records, and lore from over a century of Saskatchewan Roughriders history, this guide is the ultimate resource for Rider Nation. Whether you've traveled to countless away games or are a more recent supporter, these are the 100 things every fan needs to know and do in their lifetime. Veteran sportswriter Rob Vanstone has collected every essential piece of Rider knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

Most WWE fans tune in each year to watch WrestleMania, remember the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s, and have heard the story behind the Montreal Screwjob. But only real fans recall the name of Steve Austin's original character, can tell you how the Intercontinental championship was created, or know the best places to get an autograph of their favorite superstars.100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true members of the WWE Universe. Whether you've been keeping kayfabe since the days of Bruno Sammartino or you're a more recent supporter of AJ Styles and Becky Lynch, these are the 100 things all fans need to know and do in their lifetime. Bestselling author Bryan Alvarez has collected every essential piece of WWE knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist that will have you chanting "YES! YES! YES!"

At first glance, a Tour de France bike may look a lot like your own bicycle. It might even have the same model name and principal components. But on closer inspection, there are many subtle and pleasing differences which set these high-performance machines apart, thanks to the Tour mechanics working day in and day out at the cutting edge of bicycle technology. The Official Tour de France Bike Maintenance Book goes behind the scenes with the finest professional cycling technicians during the most grueling and high-pressure bike race in the world, sharing exclusive images, in-race stories, and professional tricks of the trade. Practical sections in each chapter explain how to perform essential maintenance tasks and personalize bikes like the pros. Combining intrigue and instruction, and featuring vivid images of classic bikes from the past 75 years of the Tour, this is a fascinating and indispensable guide for both cycling fans and competitors.

S is for soccer. F is for football, and fútbol, and fußball… No matter what you call it, everyone loves the beautiful game! The creators of B is for Baller return with a vibrant, stylish parade of soccer legends. Featuring dozens of international superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Pelé, Diego Maradona, Marta, Mia Hamm, and Abby Wambach, G is for Golazo is the ultimate ABC book for budding soccer fans.

From June 7 to July 7 2019, 24 teams from around the world will gather in France for the FIFA Women's World Cup. This official guide provides an insightful, comprehensive preview to get you excited for women's soccer's biggest and greatest tournament. Written by former professional player Jen O'Neill, features include a review of the qualifying campaign, an in-depth analysis of all the participating teams and their star players, a retrospective look at the first seven Women's World Cups, and much more.

With a trademark powerful stride amid a blaze of red and yellow silks, Justify emphatically crossed the finish line at the 2018 Belmont Stakes and became just the 13th winner of horse racing's elusive Triple Crown. One of the most charismatic and talented runners in the history of the sport, Justify was also one of its most unlikely champions; the late-blooming chestnut colt made his competitive debut only 111 days prior to that legendary victory. In Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory, veteran scribe Lenny Shulman (BloodHorse magazine) provides an insider account of this Thoroughbred's rise to greatness. Through extensive interviews and first-hand accounts, readers will discover the fascinatingly disparate cast of characters who were crucial to Justify's success, including trainer Bob Baffert, whose innate ability to identify equine talent also produced American Pharoah; Mike Smith, the 52-year-old jockey asserting himself in the miraculous third act of his career; and breeders John and Tanya Gunther, who believed in Justify's ability despite the developmental imperfections that drove buyers away. Packed with riveting action, keen insight, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on quieter figures like silent investors, international stakeholders, and unheralded training staff, Justify is an illuminating look at the modern Thoroughbred industry and an essential story for the ages.

About 40 miles east of Pittsburgh is the small town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the place Arnold Palmer called home. The world knew Palmer as The King. But the Palmer Latrobe knew was funnier, goofier, saltier, and less grandiose than the one justifiably loved around the globe. In Arnold Palmer: Homespun Stories of the King, journalist, Latrobe resident, and accidental Palmer insider Chris Rodell draws upon over 100 interviews with the golf great conducted over 20 years, providing an intimate, charming, and at times irreverent glimpse at the icon outside the spotlight.

Rod Laver's memoir is the inspiring story of how a diminutive, left-handed, red-headed country boy from Rockhampton, Australia became one of sports' greatest champions. Rod was a dominant force in world tennis for almost two decades. In 1962, Rod became the second man to win the Grand Slam—that is, winning the Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US titles in a single calendar year. In 1969, he won it again, becoming the only player ever to win the Grand Slam twice. Away from on-court triumphs, Rod also movingly writes about the life-changing stroke he suffered in 1998, and of his beloved wife of more than 40 years, Mary, who died in 2012 after a long illness. Filled with anecdotes about the great players and great matches, set against the backdrop of a changing tennis world, Rod's book is a warm and insightful account of one of tennis's all-time greats.

For people just starting to play, disc golf can become an exciting and addictive sport to play for a lifetime. Avid disc golfers often find playing a challenging test of both physical skill and mental determination. Disc golf is a "greener" sport than most, and has fewer barriers to entry than traditional golf and other recreational sports. It is also one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf provides readers all the essential information they need to get started playing disc golf, but it is much more than just a basic "how to" manual – it is a thoughtful, fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration into the history, nature, science, and skills of disc golf. Featuring more than 80 instructional photos, this is a comprehensive book about disc golf that would be enjoyed by all players, from beginners to aspiring professionals.