Football in the Americas: FayTbol, Futebol, Soccer

by Rory M. Miller (Editor)

Football (soccer in the United States) has a long history in the Americas, but it currently displays many signs of crisis. In South America the combination of spectator violence, poor business management, and the emigration of players is undermining professional football. In the United States, in contrast, a professional league (Major League Soccer) has taken root in the last decade, and the U.S. women's team has gained international success. Football has always provided its players and fans with identity and belonging, whether to a nation or to a particular social group. It has been both a vehicle for the politically ambitious and an arena in which citizens can make sense of national failings and contest existing power structures. This volume explores many of these themes. The fifteen essays range widely, with theoretical and empirical contributions on the region as whole, as well as chapters specifically on Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Rory Miller is a Reader in International Business History at the University of Liverpool Management School and the Joint Editor of the Journal of Latin American Studies.

Reviews

[foxfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the many issues revolving around soccer in Latin America. This book touches on many different topics, from supporter culture to nationalism, women's soccer, and the business side of things. Would recommend for any soccer fanatic, especially those wanting a better understanding of Latin American soccer, or Latin America in general.