team USA

Trump Bullied Spain. Now It Could Make Him Swallow His World Cup Pride

Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 8:34 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Trump bullied Spain for refusing to join his war against Iran. Now iPINIONS is rooting for the World Cup final to force him to honor Spain, Lamine Yamal, and the multiracial success he scorns, especially given how Trump’s infamous meddling has turned this beautiful game into political theater. Read my full take on Substack: https://ipinionsdaily.substack.com/p/trump-bullied-spain-now-it-could Read more.

Media’s Crippling Coverage of the Milano-Cortina Paralympics 2026

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8:42 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

The Olympics got saturation coverage. The Paralympics got scraps. iPINIONS argues that NBC’s scant attention to the Milano-Cortina Paralympics reflects more than scheduling priorities. It exposes the harsh broadcast economics, cultural indifference, and political double standards that keep Paralympians sidelined even as Russia’s toxic return grabs headlines. Read my full take on Substack: https://ipinionsdaily.substack.com/p/medias-crippling-coverage-of-the Read more.

Milano Cortina 2026: Closing Ceremony

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

A packed Verona Arena couldn’t save a Closing Ceremony athletes didn’t want. Team USA men’s hockey gold came by Milano Cortina robbery, not Miracle-on-Ice magic. Johannes Klæbo became the Winter Games GOAT. Eileen Gu delivered drama. China collapsed. For all its flaws, though, Milano Cortina 2026 delivered the Games the Olympics are supposed to be.… Read more.

Milano Cortina 2026: Day 13

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 8:46 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Alysa Liu jumps from burnout to Olympic gold and emerges as the face of Milano Cortina 2026. Japan flirts with a historic figure skating sweep, then blinks. Team USA breaks Canada’s heart in overtime hockey. Day 13 delivers star power, rivalry, and a new Olympic icon. Read my full iPINIONS take on Substack:https://ipinionsdaily.substack.com/p/milano-cortina-2026-day-13 Read more.

Milano Cortina 2026: Day 12

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 8:38 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Mikaela Shiffrin finally delivers the slalom gold that eluded her since Beijing, reminding the world why she’s the greatest alpine skier ever. France completes a hostile takeover of biathlon. And Johannes Høsflot Klæbo reaches Michael Phelps territory with his 10th Olympic gold. Day 12 at Milano Cortina is about redemption, dominance, and history… Read my… Read more.

Eileen Gu, Face of Beijing Olympics, Switches to Team USA

Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 6:27 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

China does not permit dual citizenship. But, like all authoritarian regimes, it is notorious for imposing rules on the masses which they allow the elites (e.g., like Putin’s oligarchs) to flout. And so it was that China permitted Eileen Gu to reap all the benefits of representing China at the Beijing 2022 Olympics without having… Read more.

PyeongChang Olympics: Day 4 – The Rise of Chloe Kim

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 5:37 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Women’s Halfpipe Chloe Kim is a phenom – whose breathtaking athleticism is surpassed only by her endearing personality. But I can think of no better way to hail her Olympic performance than to say it was every bit as awe inspiring as Shaun White’s was at the 2006 Turin Olympics. White won gold at those… Read more.

Women Soccer Players in ‘Match of their Lives’

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 8:42 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Few teams have been as glorious on the soccer field as the United States Women’s National Team. They’ve won three World Cups, four Olympic gold medals, and set the standard in the most popular sport on the planet. But despite their achievements, the players say they have been discriminated against, paid less and treated worse,… Read more.

Rio Olympics: Closing Day

Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:17 PM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Four years ago, I jokingly claimed to deserve a gold medal for the exhausting marathon of watching and writing about London 2012 — over 150 hours of viewing and 14 consecutive days of commentary. That was when my younger self had better eyesight. Therefore, it’s clearly foolhardy that I did the same this year, despite… Read more.

The World Cup – South Africa!

Friday, June 11, 2010 at 5:04 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

The World Cup Today, the soccer World Cup kicks off in South Africa. But you do not have to be a fan of this “beautiful game” to be interested. Indeed, the historical, political, and economic significance of this event is almost beyond measure. Compared with the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, it is at least tenfold. That’s why the matches… Read more.