The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts by Schaerlaeckens, Leander
The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts by Schaerlaeckens, Leander

The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts

The gripping account of the U.S. men's national soccer team's winding saga from obscurity to the global...
$39.60 USD
$39.60 USD
Please hurry! Only 640 left in stock
Author: Leander Schaerlaeckens
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Subtotal: $39.60
The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts by Schaerlaeckens, Leander

The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts

$39.60
The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts by Schaerlaeckens, Leander

The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts

$39.60
Author: Leander Schaerlaeckens
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Description
The gripping account of the U.S. men's national soccer team's winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026

For almost half a century, the U.S. men's national team existed on the fringes of world soccer--out of sight, out of mind, and, more often than not, out of the World Cup. Between 1950 and 1990, the program toiled in irrelevance, a collection of part-timers playing before empty bleachers.

Then, things began to shift, and today's U.S. men's team is loaded with young and pedigreed talent, expected to make its mark at the 2026 World Cup. The story of this team's rise to prominence is a dramatic journey, with setbacks, buffoonery, misunderstandings, glory, and a wide, eccentric, talented cast of characters. With unprecedented access to former and current national team players, coaches, and administrators, Schaerlaeckens traces the sport's evolution in the U.S.--from its outsider status to its modern foothold--and the challenges that have shaped the men's national team along the way. From systemic obstacles in youth development to an American sports culture that expects instant dominance, he explores why success has been elusive, and why that might finally be changing.

With insight, wit, and razor-sharp storytelling, The Long Game is an unforgettable look at the past, present, and uncertain future of American soccer-- and the team that could redefine it all.

Author: Leander Schaerlaeckens
Publisher: Viking
Published: 05/12/2026
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.07h x 5.99w x 1.35d
ISBN: 9780593653876


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 04/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 03/09/2026
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026

About the Author
Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer and has worked for ESPN, FOX Sports, and Yahoo Sports, among others, covering the United States men's national team at three World Cups. He currently writes about soccer for The Guardian and The Ringer. He teaches journalism and sports communication at Marist University. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Belgium, he went to college in London and Washington, D.C. He lives in New York's Hudson Valley with his wife, son, and their mutt/squirrel-murderer, Eleanor Roosevelt.
Shipping & Return

Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Review