However it flies, swishes, curves, breaks, rolls, bends, or bounces it always feels better when it seems true. D1 was a long time ago. 10+ yrs as NCAA official.
When Marcelo Bielsa became Leeds United manager in 2018, he asked a simple question: how long does the average supporter have to work to afford a match ticket?
After learning the answer was around three hours, Bielsa gathered his players and assigned them an unusual task.
Instead of training, they spent the next three hours picking up litter around the club’s training ground.
The exercise wasn’t meant as punishment. Bielsa wanted his squad to understand the effort, sacrifice, and hard work that ordinary fans put in to support their team.
By spending the same amount of time doing manual work, the players were reminded that every ticket purchased represents hours of labor by loyal supporters.
The story became one of the most famous examples of Bielsa’s unique leadership style and his deep respect for football fans.
One of the most beautiful moments before Spain vs Peru pre-World Cup did not come from a goal, a tackle or a piece of skill. 🇪🇸 v 🇵🇪 💘
It came from kindness.
As the players walked onto the pitch, Peruvian defender Fabio Gruber noticed that the young boy with Down syndrome accompanying him was feeling cold in the stadium. Without hesitation, he removed his own jacket and gently placed it over the boy’s shoulders.
In that simple act, football showed its heart.
Moments like this are why the world loves football.
As we head towards the 2026 World Cup, may we see more of this spirit on and off the pitch.
#FIFAWorldCup #fwc2026 ⚽❤️
🚨 Landon Donovan didn’t hold back on the state of U.S. soccer:
“2002 World Cup is the furthest the men have ever been… we have only won one knockout game in our history. That’s pretty alarming. We’re not developing players like the rest of the world.”
“The bigger problem is our youth soccer in this country is a disaster… It’s all about winning. The kids get left behind because the clubs want to make money, the coaches want to make money… and the kids don’t develop.”
On the post-16/17 pathway:
“If you’re 16, 17 and you haven’t made it, you kind of fall into this abyss.”
His bottom line:
“I want to give the game back to kids.”
@SRUSA_Official
@HBCoop_@Avalon1951 Great vid! Although I cannot zoom on your sheet, I see specific instructions are there. My last vid was produced with a scene sheet with characters and scenes, a prompt sheet that referenced the specific scenes/characters, and then even a Seedance prompt that filled in the gaps.
Carla, a laundry worker for 27 years at Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles, was honored with a tifo and pre-game presentation before she retires at the end of the season 👏
Sometimes football is brilliant 🥹
They say a father is the one person who quietly roots for you to outgrow him—to go further, do better, and live bigger than he ever could. There’s something really powerful in that. 🥹💕
@aimikoda I incorrectly referenced image1 a second time. It convoluted the output. I then redid and it came thru great. Capcut's Seedance cut the ending off abruptly, and I have reason to figure how to extend final scene for horse rider to get closer to castle,but yes, ty for that line