Whether it is a book or documentary, I'm always on the lookout for engrossing human-interest, behind-the-scenes deep dives about clubs, countries, or individuals in the wide world of soccer. Soccer fans have never had it so good with the treasure trove of these stories available.
One recent release that perfectly fits this human-interest/behind-the-scenes bill is the nonfiction book The Away Game - The Epic Search for Soccer's Next Superstars by Sebastian Abbot. Initially, I thought calling the talent search "Epic" in the book's subtitle was hyperbole, but it ends up being an apt description.
Abbot, who spent several years living in Egypt and Pakistan as an Associated Press bureau chief, chronicles an ambitious talent search program begun in 2008 called "Football Dreams.