World Cup 'smart' ball is a game changer. Just don...

IRVINE, Calif. -- At each match during this summer's FIFA World Cup , there is a person tasked with an incredibly important (and uniquely modern) job: Make sure the soccer balls don't die.

This is the reality of playing soccer in a post-technological era. The Adidas Trionda, which is the official match ball of this tournament, is a fully "smart" ball -- Adidas uses the term "connected" -- which means the ball can transmit a record amount of near instantaneous data, assist in making offside decisions in a way never seen before, and offer more statistical insights than any team or fan could…