Welcome to the False Nine.

This is a semiweekly opinion column exploring the cultural and infrastructural state of soccer, written and curated by Calvin Watkins III. From the bright lights of the Premier League to the evolving landscape of MLS—and even the grassroots levels of amateur, semi-professional, and college soccer—this column dives into what makes the game what it is and how it can be improved.

A lifelong fan of the sport, I write with passion, critique, and a deep respect for the way soccer shapes and is shaped by the world around it. The False Nine isn’t just about the scores or the transfers—it’s about the forces behind the game, the institutions that govern it, and the communities that give it life.

The name comes from one of the sport’s most fascinating tactical roles: the false nine. A striker who drops deep rather than staying high, the false nine disrupts defenses, creates space, and reshapes the way the game is played. In many ways, that’s what this column aims to do—challenge conventional wisdom, explore soccer’s shifting landscapes, and spark conversations about where the game is headed.

These are my opinions—take them, leave them, or debate them—but let’s talk football.