Tylers hopes for an unbeatable season for the Cougars disappear when his friend Zack, the teams hot-shot midfielder, and two more of their best players accept an offer to play for the Panthers, an elite travel team. Tyler has to admit hes pleased when Coach Murray puts him in Zacks midfielder position. But playing the middle is tough and Tylers spirits really sink when the Cougars loss their season opener in a close gameand the next game, too. Then an elderly English soccer fan tells Tyler about Americas 1-0 surprise upset of Englandthe worlds number one teamin the 1950 World Cup. Any game can be won or lost by a single play, Mr. Robertson insists. But will one play really be enough to beat the top-ranked Mustangs? Fred Bown offers an exciting story of a young athlete who must build up his confidence in order to build up his teamseven if it means losing his best friend. The exciting play-by-play game action as well as the victories and upsetson and off the fieldwill keep young readers on the edge of their seats.

T.J. is smaller than his teammates and his pitches just dont have the power to get the batters out. When he learns about 1940s player Rip Sewell, he may have found a solution.

Without his lucky glove, Jamie doesnt believe in his ability to lead his baseball team to victory. Then he learns that faith in oneself is the most important equipment for any game.

Last year Jake was one of his teams best players. But this season it looks like a new kid is going to take Jakes place as team leader. Can Jake settle for second-best?

Sam loves football. Most of all he loves the feeling he gets when his team, the Cowboys, are working togethermoving closer and closer to the end zone. But Sams pride in his team begins to fade. In an important game, the Cowboys beat the Giants to remain undefeated, thanks to a touchdown by Sam in the final play of the game. But later, watching a video of the game, Sam and his teammates realize that the winning touchdown was scored illegally. The Giants should have won the game. Now the team is divided. Should they keep quiet or give the Giants the win? It is only when Sams father tells the Cowboys about a famous football gameand similar dilemmafrom the past that that Sam knows what to do. But will his teammates agree? Fred Bowen combines swift play-by-play game action with a fascinating glimpse into sports history for a winning combination. An Afterword tells the real story of the 1940 Cornell-Dartmouth football game, the only college sporting event ever to be decided after the completion of the game.