I recommend watching or listening to the Women's Soccer Finals right now

[graylocks]

freeradical wrote:
Kids have always played soccer. I had to play soccer when I was a kid. I hated it. I loved playing backyard football with my friends. Nothing changes.

maybe kids theses days have always played soccer. when i was a kid the options for me were basketball, softball (being female) and volleyball. too bad you were soured on soccer by being forced to play it but some things do change.

[Trouble]

Manlove wrote: Kids play soccer now. Eventually there'll be more people that have played it than haven't and it will become more culturally prevalent.

That's only been said for the past 30 years.

Yes Grace62, a novella can be written about every time the ball is brought up the pitch, or however the statement goes. But it is boring. Soccer is popular because, generally, the rest of the world is poor and the only thing that is needed is a ball. I don't "get" the game and I never will.

[Dennis S]

I just don't think the normal American athlete or athletic fan can comprehend the rules or strategy. Pretty much the same with hockey. An eight-year-old can understand the linear strategy of baseball: if there are men on base and less than 2 out, if a fly ball is hit to the outfield, you... Or, in football, if it's 3rd down and you're past the 50 and you're behind over 6 points, you...

I can't see any strategy in soccer and it would take years to understand it unless I were a real soccer player. It looks like they're just running around hoping they get a chance to kick it in the net. And, when your team is getting close to the net, all of a sudden, woah, somebody on the other team kicks it way back the other way and you start all over. I love the athleticism and like an important game like today's, but I just can't understand it.

[(vikm)]

I like soccer (although I only really started getting into it within the last decade).

That doesn't change the fact that to end a game (not to mention an entire tourney) via PK's is borderline criminal. Until it matches playoff hockey with OT after OT until someone scores, it will never even come close to being equal. And just because it is the most played/watched sport in the world doesn't make it the best. I take that back. I suppose Windows has always been the greatest OS come to think of it

[Manlove]

Trouble, if you find the game boring then it is because you are unable to understand and appreciate the skill and stamina of those playing it. The ability of a player to survey the pitch and play a ball that opens up space where none had been before, without having been told what to do by the coach, is unparalleled in any other sport. (Exceptions aside!)

Soccer is popular because most of the world is poor and in rich America it is disliked.
You sir, have a strange view of the world, which you are welcome to. I take it you are old and rarely play any sports. If you did, or had, then you would be able to see what nonsense you are talking. -sighs-

[freeradical]

Dennis S wrote:
I just don't think the normal American athlete or athletic fan can comprehend the rules or strategy. Pretty much the same with hockey. An eight-year-old can understand the linear strategy of baseball: if there are men on base and less than 2 out, if a fly ball is hit to the outfield, you... Or, in football, if it's 3rd down and you're past the 50 and you're behind over 6 points, you...

I can't see any strategy in soccer and it would take years to understand it unless I were a real soccer player. It looks like they're just running around hoping they get a chance to kick it in the net. And, when your team is getting close to the net, all of a sudden, woah, somebody on the other team kicks it way back the other way and you start all over. I love the athleticism and like an important game like today's, but I just can't understand it.

+1

[Manlove]

Are you suggesting that 8 year olds in places where soccer is played do not understand the rules and strategy of the game? That they are, as you put it, running around vainly hoping that the ball randomly hits them and bounces into the goal?

LOL! Really, do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?

"And, when your team is getting close to the net, all of a sudden, woah, somebody on the other team kicks it way back the other way and you start all over."

That's a defense, where, you know, they try to stop the other team from scoring. I guess you call it a turn-over when the attacking team loses the ball to the defending team. And in most cases the game stops just after that happens and the defending team bounces up and down with excitement because they got the ball. They haven't scored, they've just got the ball! And then that player gets yanked off the pitch along with most of his comrades and a whole new team gets put on in their stead.

I'm glad you appreciate the fitness level of those play at this standard. What you should do is go where people who understand and love the game, watch it, and ask them what the hell is going on. They'd be happy to tell you. There are exhibition games featuring some of the best clubs in the World, going on around America right now. Catch one of those live or watch one with the fans. Your appreciation will grow.

[Trouble]

Manlove wrote:
Trouble, if you find the game boring then it is because you are unable to understand and appreciate the skill and stamina of those playing it. "

Maybe. And maybe I find it boring due to a thousand other reasons. Gun placed to my head, I'd say because I find it completely uninteresting. But good try saying that I am just too stupid to understand.

Manlove wrote: Soccer is popular because most of the world is poor and in rich America it is disliked.
You sir, have a strange view of the world, which you are welcome to. I take it you are old and rarely play any sports. If you did, or had, then you would be able to see what nonsense you are talking. -sighs-

You can say I have a strange view of the world and you can twist my words, but that doesn't change a thing. Not only am I stupid, but now I am old and I didn't play any sports. Sure thing.

[Mac1337]

Well, another soccer thread ending predictably. Why won't America appreciate soccer? Of course, it is never asked of the Europeans why don't they appreciate American football.

[Manlove]

That's easy Dakota, because they have attention spans!