Bassel's Page

just get real and do it

Want improvement? A century ago as America’s eastern cities overpopulated it was, “Go west, young man.” For soccer a century later the trumpet sounds the same. Only going west means tracking back to the previous western frontier. In mainland Europe. Or at least that’s what Simon Kuper believes and writes in his and economist Stefan [...]

Upsets galore in ACC Tournament quarterfinals

With the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida pouring heavy rains in Cary, North Carolina, the stage was set for upsets in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday. Three lower seeds knocked off higher seeds to set up a pair of semifinals few would have predicted. North Carolina State had the upset of the day, knocking off No. 2 seed North Carolina in penalty kicks. After the team's played to a scoreless tie in regulation, NC State goalkeeper Chris Widman stepped up with two penalty saves and his own converted penalty kick to help give the No. 7 seed Wolfpack a...