[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by collie1228

It was perfect on the scoreboard, but it was BORING.

So a perfect game in baseball is boring - a scoreless tie in soccer is boring. I guess you only care about offense in sports?

Not me.

[BobKat1]

It's strictly a person preference thing. Some LOVE baseball, football etc. and some don't. Some don't like sports at all.

It's no secret that soccer has a much larger fan base in other countries of the world vs. the U.S.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by BobKat1

It's strictly a person preference thing. Some LOVE baseball, football etc. and some don't. Some don't like sports at all.

It's no secret that soccer has a much larger fan base in other countries of the world vs. the U.S.

I hear and respect that bobkat - but to say soccer is just a child's game and any average Joe could be taught to compete. That must be a joke and not a real opinion.

[chuckinca]

Most high scoring soccer games are boring - the excitement is a close game and the anticipation of a goal that either elates you or bums you out.

You want scoring - watch basketball where it is only great to watch when the score is 102 to 101.

(can't believe all these golfers are concerned about high scoring sports - talk about watching the grass grow!)


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[N'awlins Lady]

Originally Posted by dominick

True, I don’t know all the rules, but it looks pretty simple--- put the ball in the goal--- PLEASE!!! .

You don't play golf, do you? Just put the ball in the hole...simple!

Trudy

[Annabelle]

Soccer matches may not be too exciting....but they sure have some good "brawls" afterwards!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Annabelle

Soccer matches may not be too exciting....but they sure have some good "brawls" afterwards!

Get some current news - brawls are rapidly becoming a bad memory in soccer. Granted the fans aren't boy scouts but much of the rough stuff is past.

[dominick]

Didn’t mean to “push any buttons” Sorry!! Oh well, who cares??
I certainly stand by my statement that soccer players are not elite athletes and that almost anyone could become a competitive player. Just do a little research on human kinetics, exercise physiology and elite athleticism. You’ll discover that soccer players have two, three at the most, of the seven athletic attributes necessary to be considered “elite” in terms of human physical performance. A power hitting, good fielding MLB centerfielder with a good throwing arm would have six of those attributes. Look it up!!
Since you didn't dispute my claim that soccer is BORING, I assume that you agree, as did most of the respondents.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by dominick

Didn’t mean to “push any buttons” Sorry!! Oh well, who cares??
I certainly stand by my statement that soccer players are not elite athletes and that almost anyone could become a competitive player. Just do a little research on human kinetics, exercise physiology and elite athleticism. You’ll discover that soccer players have two, three at the most, of the seven athletic attributes necessary to be considered “elite” in terms of human physical performance. A power hitting, good fielding MLB centerfielder with a good throwing arm would have six of those attributes. Look it up!!
Since you didn't dispute my claim that soccer is BORING, I assume that you agree, as did most of the respondents.

Since I like to be educated then I guess an Olympic sprinter would not be athletic? I'd like to hear how many tools they have?

How about a great defensive lineman in the NFL? They don't have all those tools either do they?

If you really think that almost anyone could become a "competitive player" in soccer you are dreaming. Don't you think that with all the money the players make that more of us 'anyones' would have trained to become a great soccer player or golfer or name the non-7 tool sport if all we had to do was try?

You have obviously never tried to compete on a soccer field or a track sport.

From dictionary.com for athlete: a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill. Soccer players are in fact great athletes.

You also seem to think that soccer is just a haphazard sport where they just kick the ball and hope their teammate is on the other end. Take it from this trained former soccer coach (albeit only up to the JV high school level): That's ignorant of the sport!

And by the way NO I don't think soccer is boring when played at the highest level. There may be nothing more beautiful in sports than a well run soccer play that results in a goal.

Would I change some things about the sport if I could? Absolutely. One of the biggest problems is that once a team has a 1-0 lead, the rules make it too easy to just play defense. That is one reason the scores are so low.

I love all sports including soccer!!

[Russ_Boston]

Also: Could you please find the 7 tools you speak of. I know what you are referring to but I couldn't find it.

I think soccer players have more than the two or three as you mention.

Remember - Ball, foot, eye coordination is the same as Ball, Hand, eye coordination (in fact probably harder since we have less dexterity in our legs than we do in our arms).

[collie1228]

One more comment and then I'm out of here. A zero to zero (nil-nil) soccer game does not equate to a 1-0 or 2-0 perfect game in baseball. I concede that baseball can sometimes be boring, but at least in the 1-0 or 2-0 baseball game, somebody scored! Baseball never ends in a tie; and its never controlled by a clock. How can a fab be pleased when his team tied the other team - and there was virtually no offense? From what I've seen in the World Cup, most teams play keep away, with very few shots on goal. Sorry, not worth my time . . . but you soccer fans are certainly free to enjoy those nil-nil ties to your hearts content.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by collie1228

One more comment and then I'm out of here. A zero to zero (nil-nil) soccer game does not equate to a 1-0 or 2-0 perfect game in baseball. I concede that baseball can sometimes be boring, but at least in the 1-0 or 2-0 baseball game, somebody scored! Baseball never ends in a tie; and its never controlled by a clock. How can a fab be pleased when his team tied the other team - and there was virtually no offense? From what I've seen in the World Cup, most teams play keep away, with very few shots on goal. Sorry, not worth my time . . . but you soccer fans are certainly free to enjoy those nil-nil ties to your hearts content.

Again let's not say things that aren't true:

For example in today's matches there were 10 goals scored in the three games with only 1 of the 6 teams not scoring any.

I do agree a better clock system would be good and I'm also in favor of some sort of rule that would limit the keep away aspect.

[NJblue]

My problem with soccer (and hockey) is that there is no continuum of the offensive component of the game. It would be like a football game being played with a greased football such that it is fumbled every third play. That too would become very boring.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by NJblue

My problem with soccer (and hockey) is that there is no continuum of the offensive component of the game. It would be like a football game being played with a greased football such that it is fumbled every third play. That too would become very boring.

Untrue.

It is not unusual to see one team control the ball 65% of the time or more.

In today's GREAT GAME between Mexico and France that Mexico won 2-0, mid way thru the second half with Mexico leading 2-0 they completed about 12 passes in a row while the crowd chanted (above the horns) Olay . . . Olay . . . Olay at every completed pass. Stunning and completely demoralizing to the proud French Soccer Team that finished second in the last World Cup (2006) and won it in 1998.


(soccer dad U6 thru U19 [married to Team Mom]; Competitive Team Manager, Referee, League Board Member (Competitive Teams Director), League Tournament Director, District Board Member, District Tournament Director, State Tournament Board Member, Soccer Fan)
(also involved in baseball, tennis, swimming teams and scouting)

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[Russ_Boston]

Great post Chuck.

Granted the game is to everyone's taste but this American bias does get to me.