We took a few weeks off from this feature because the beginning of the Premier League season had us swanped and we wanted to figure out what we wanted from this section, and have decided on a format: we will list the top 10 articles from other organizations we read this week, a bonus (which could be anything) and the top five articles from The18 in a separate section, to avoid biases and the like. We'll be back doing this weekly for the forseeable future. Without further ado:
(these are not ranked, or in any particluar order, by the way)
1. The Miami New Times on Aaron Davidson, the American whose company, Traffic Sports, finds itself entangles in the FIFA investigation.
2. Grantland on Benny Feilhaber, who strangely finds himself without a place on the USMNT.
3. Is diving an art form? (our opinion: yes) Vice Sports examines the more cultured aspects of flopping.
4. Vice Sports again, this time looking at how Football Manager has real-life uses.
5. The Guardian looks at how the Premier League is becoming a more welcoming place with designated prayer rooms.
6. The Guardian again, on the whole Saido Berahino situation.
7. Sports Illustrated on the most connected American in European soccer.
8. The New York Times reports on how football clubs have been helping Syrian refugees.
9. ESPNFC on the strange Anthony Martial transfer situation.
10. ThinkProgress on why the Australian Women's National Team is on strike.
Bonus: That Football Manager article reminded us of Brian Phillips's epic quest to restore a once-great Italian team to its rightful place.
Top of The18:
1. The NWSL playoffs start this weekend. Here's our preview of Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit.
2. And here's our preview of Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City.
3. Possibly the greatest soccer commercial of all time, featuring The Donald.
4. Ghana is using "sexy ladies" to promote soccer matches.
5. What happens when referees get fed up?
And that's it. See you next week.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
