The Education of an American Soccer Player

5 Stars? Take your pick, it is a fiver or merits four stars; there really are so many good soccer/football books out there; but I'd go out on a limb and say this is one of the better American written soccer books around until one of our American illuminaries writes their autobio, Lalas or Wynalda! The game of their lives is probably the best American soccer book but this one gives you a good feel of how the soccer environment was in the US, mainly in the East in the 1970s. But I think, all soccer/football aficionados would benefit reading about Shep coming up through the system. Reading about his playing for the USA soccer team in the 1972 Olympics as well as before and after is worth the book. Shep comes out of an era; where really, free spirits, non conformists were part of sports and about everything else in the culture; I saw "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton mentioned; well, I haven't read that reknowned book; but do see Shep as being a sort of counterculture figure. Messing relates many memorable antecdotes; but above all, he was a goal keeper (and a beer drinker). It is a classic of football/soccer books for Americans; and surely, well worthy of reading by other English speakers. A real snapshot of the North American Soccer League and of course, the New York Cosmos. With a revival of interests in that league; this book should prove to be enjoyable reading by many.

Messing was a rarity in the 1970s--an American-born star in the foreign-dominated North American Soccer League. In this book, he offers an insider's look at life in the league, both before the arrival of Pele and after. Messing does not pull punches, whether he is criticizing the bias against Americans in the league, the bias against the sport by the American media, or the complete mishandling of the Cosmos. Along the way, there are also funny moments. All in all, an essential part of any American soccer fan's library.

This was one of my favorite books as a teenager. It's still a good read today. The book relates Shep Messing's story -- that of a pro soccer player (and goalkeeper) with the NY Cosmos, playing on the same team as Pele. Messing tells about his antics at establishment schools and his growth as a player. There's more to it - and for those wishing to revisit their soccer fan pasts of the seventies and eighties with the NASL, or those who just have an interest in athletes, athletics or soccer, this is a good read.