OT. Come on America get with it!

[Plebe]

I didn't know soccer was so popular at Columbia University.

 

[triaddukefan]

I didn't know soccer was so popular at Columbia University.

You can throw out the record books when Columbia and Cornell meet up on the pitch

 

[Cuango]

I played soccer on our mission team when I was a kid. I loved it! However, watching it is a whole different animal. I think I’d rather watch paint dry!

 

[Aluminny69]

Then you’d just have defenders living in the box.

No! A 35 yard line, like the old NASL. Those games were exciting. A similar idea to the Blue Line in Hockey.

 

[Mdoggie]

I played soccer on our mission team when I was a kid. I loved it! However, watching it is a whole different animal. I think I’d rather watch paint dry!

Then you really didn’t play soccer/football. You played chase the ball and kick it hard. That’s how kids play.

 

[brownale]

No! A 35 yard line, like the old NASL. Those games were exciting. A similar idea to the Blue Line in Hockey.

My favorite part of soccer is when they get within 10 yards of the opponents goal, then kick it back out to mid field, then kick it back to your own goalie. After a few more back and forth kicks between goalie and defense the goalie picks up the ball, waits 10 seconds for an opposing player to arrive and then punts it down field and out of bounds.

 

[Cornell Lt]

You can throw out the record books when Columbia and Cornell meet up on the pitch

Well Cornell has been nationally ranked and made the NCAA tournament a few times, just saying

 

[Cuango]

Then you really didn’t play soccer/football. You played chase the ball and kick it hard. That’s how kids play.

Thanks for explaining my misguided youth. I wonder, does that logic work for other things as well? I used to love Wendy’s, now I can’t stand their food! Could that mean I really wasn’t eating at Wendy’s at all but rather at McDonalds? I’m gonna have to rethink my whole childhood!

 

[Skeets]

The problem soccer has always had in the US is that the action is too continuous, there need to be lots of 3 minute stoppages of play.

You can periodically cut away for a 3 minute commercial at random times and not miss ANY of the action.

Question: is it stupid that the clock counts up and not down? And because the clock doesn't stop, some number of whole minutes (remarkable that it's never fractions of a minute) are added to the game. Seems to me this is easily fixable, but it has never been fixed.

 

[CTrefugee]

"A good run spoiled."

 

[meyers7]

@meyers7 Man U put an arse whoopin on the gunners!

Actually, we played ManU off the pitch.....and still lost. Happens sometimes in football. (VAR doesn't seem to help us much either.) Frustrating, but we are looking pretty good so far this year. We'll see if injuries or youth derail us.

 

[meyers7]

My favorite part of soccer is when they get within 10 yards of the opponents goal, then kick it back out to mid field, then kick it back to your own goalie. After a few more back and forth kicks between goalie and defense the goalie picks up the ball, waits 10 seconds for an opposing player to arrive and then punts it down field and out of bounds.

Why does basketball throw the ball into the post and then back out? Why doesn't just 1 player drive as fast as they can to the basket every play? Why do they pass the ball around the perimeter looking for openings, moving the defense?

Why doesn't football throw a bomb every play? Why do QBs drop back to pass?

 

[Mdoggie]

Actually, we played ManU off the pitch.....and still lost. Happens sometimes in football. (VAR doesn't seem to help us much either.) Frustrating, but we are looking pretty good so far this year. We'll see if injuries or youth derail us.

Cruel sport. You can dominate and still take a loss.

 

[Mdoggie]

Thanks for explaining my misguided youth. I wonder, does that logic work for other things as well? I used to love Wendy’s, now I can’t stand their food! Could that mean I really wasn’t eating at Wendy’s at all but rather at McDonalds? I’m gonna have to rethink my whole childhood!

Well Cuango not McDonalds but close.

 

[Alydar]

You can periodically cut away for a 3 minute commercial at random times and not miss ANY of the action.

Question: is it stupid that the clock counts up and not down? And because the clock doesn't stop, some number of whole minutes (remarkable that it's never fractions of a minute) are added to the game. Seems to me this is easily fixable, but it has never been fixed.

After the Heidi Bowl no network will cut away from live action except golf and the networks now split the screen to keep live golf on.

Soccer is played all over the world and in many places an electric scoreboard is an impossible luxury.

 

[cancontent]

You can periodically cut away for a 3 minute commercial at random times and not miss ANY of the action.

Question: is it stupid that the clock counts up and not down? And because the clock doesn't stop, some number of whole minutes (remarkable that it's never fractions of a minute) are added to the game. Seems to me this is easily fixable, but it has never been fixed.

1) How would a countdown make a difference? It's a 90 minute game, plus injury time to account for stoppages during the game. The referee would still have to account for the additional time to make up the difference.

2) Players don't have the same visibility of scoreboards and game clocks like basketball, football, etc.

3) Not every sport counts time by the millisecond. In soccer, I'm not sure if using milliseconds would be of any benefit.

 

[meyers7]

Cruel sport. You can dominate and still take a loss.

Like life.

 

[Mdoggie]

Like life.

Man I love this game!! Recently met a Britt of financial status. He is a very cool dude. He gave me and my daughter authentic West Ham Jerseys. My bro in law spend a few years in England. Came home with a Brighton FC tattoo on his arm.

 

[Skeets]

1) How would a countdown make a difference? It's a 90 minute game, plus injury time to account for stoppages during the game. The referee would still have to account for the additional time to make up the difference.

2) Players don't have the same visibility of scoreboards and game clocks like basketball, football, etc.

3) Not every sport counts time by the millisecond. In soccer, I'm not sure if using milliseconds would be of any benefit.

Upon further reflection I think I figured out the reason why whole minutes, i.e. 5 minutes instead of 4:30 are added to the end of the game. If the score is 1 to 0 after 90 minutes, really what difference would accurate time keeping make? Sports that have actual scoring and action (basketball, football, etc.) would not tolerate this "relaxed" management of time keeping. But it's just fine in soccer.

 

[cancontent]

Upon further reflection I think I figured out the reason why whole minutes, i.e. 5 minutes instead of 4:30 are added to the end of the game. If the score is 1 to 0 after 90 minutes, really what difference would accurate time keeping make? Sports that have actual scoring and action (basketball, football, etc.) would not tolerate this "relaxed" management of time keeping. But it's just fine in soccer.

The fact they add time is accurate time tracking. They've accounted for the time lost during the game during pauses, (cards being handed out, injuries, etc.). That additional time can make a difference for the team trying to get back in the match. I couldn't count how many matches I've seen where it drastically changes because of the time added back into the game.

And to contrast it to basketball and football, it keeps the game flowing versus all the "stop and go". Soccer purists look at North American sports with disdain because of it. My UK relatives have made comments along the lines of, "It's too herky jerky. How do people pay attention? Why are there so many breaks?" It's a matter of perspective.

 

[meyers7]

Upon further reflection I think I figured out the reason why whole minutes, i.e. 5 minutes instead of 4:30 are added to the end of the game. If the score is 1 to 0 after 90 minutes, really what difference would accurate time keeping make? Sports that have actual scoring and action (basketball, football, etc.) would not tolerate this "relaxed" management of time keeping. But it's just fine in soccer.

Well if they gave 6/7 points for a goal and 3 points for coming close, then maybe the "high scoring" people would be happy???

Talked to a guy who was a fan of soccer, but not basketball. Which I didn't understand because they are so similar. But he said basketball had too much scoring....scoring didn't mean anything. For him scoring in soccer had significance. Eh to each their own.

 

[Sifaka]

I played soccer in high school, mostly center midfield. I loved playing the game. When my boys were old enough to play in the local (Norwalk) junior soccer league, I got hornswoggled into coaching. I did that for many years, and enjoyed it. One of my kids became a pretty damned good goalie. I was happy and proud of him.

From the above, you can probably conclude that I am very favorably disposed towards soccer, and you would be right.

I can't stand watching it.

I'm not sure why, but I think it's because watching a match is so much like watching soccer practice. If you're not playing or coaching the game, there are many long stretches that lack any drama. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad they play the game. There's nothing more fun than listening to Argentine announcer!

Now take bullfighting, or chess…

 

[Tex-Lager93]

What is their alternative abroad? Cricket. Rugby. There are just way more exciting choices here - our innovations have led to plethora of choice. It's no offense to soccer...the MLS draws, especially well in the NW.

 

[cancontent]

What is their alternative abroad? Cricket. Rugby. There are just way more exciting choices here - our innovations have led to plethora of choice. It's no offense to soccer...the MLS draws, especially well in the NW.

I wouldn't dismiss rugby. The physicality in that game in insane, especially considering there's little to no body protection at all.

And for all the panning on soccer, that sport is an industry most professional leagues here would kill to be. When I see the transfer fees to just trade a player, I get lightheaded. They have to be doing something right.

 

[eebmg]

I wouldn't dismiss rugby. The physicality in that game in insane, especially considering there's little to no body protection at all.

And for all the panning on soccer, that sport is an industry most professional leagues here would kill to be. When I see the transfer fees to just trade a player, I get lightheaded. They have to be doing something right.

I am ambivalent about soccer in general except when following our National Teams but at least, the rules are comprehensible. Now rugby.

The game must have been designed in a pub.

Reminds me of the finer points of golf

 

[cancontent]

I am ambivalent about soccer in general except when following our National Teams but at least, the rules are comprehensible. Now rugby.

The game must have been designed in a pub.

Reminds me of the finer points of golf

My relatives in the UK say the same about American football, except the game was designed in a bar

I don't know all the rules of rugby but I have no issues following the action when I watch world championships or the Olympics.

 

[meyers7]

What is their alternative abroad? Cricket. Rugby. There are just way more exciting choices here - our innovations have led to plethora of choice. It's no offense to soccer...the MLS draws, especially well in the NW.

Not real good examples there. Baseball isn't much more exciting than cricket. Both pretty much have 2 people playing while everyone else standing around watching (while one team sits on a bench), until 1 person hits a ball...then a couple others get to play. I mean come on, Baseball is going to have Hall of Famers who sat on the bench for 80-85% of games (DHs). Not super exciting....unless it's just ingrained in a person because they grew up with it.
I like baseball, grew up with it.....but truthfully....it's a pretty slow sport.

And Rugby vs American (Gridiron) Football? One where they play for 7-10 seconds then rest for 35? And players only play half the time? And commercials after every change of possession? Versus pretty much continuous play ( I know, I know... Lineouts and scrums) and players play both ways with commercials at half time.

Might want to come up with better examples. Or understand sports better.

p.s. Why am I getting cowboy hats in my BY ads??????

 

[Skeets]

I always thought boxing was perfect. 3 minutes of action, 1 minute of commercials. Yes that's 25%, but It's only 1 minute. Really have to hustle to the fridge lest you will miss the opening of the next round.

Baseball is slow. It's the summertime sport where you chill your beverage and yourself. I often read a novel in between every 3 outs. I think I get about 75 pages read during a game without missing anything.

 

[Skeets]

And talk about confusing rules. How many people outside of baseball plying counties can explain the infield fly rule? For that matter how many people in baseball playing countries can explain the infield fly rule?

 

[Aluminny69]

So, my son informs me FIFA is still tweaking the rules. One of the latest: instant replay review of Offside Calls. Result: Linesmen are very reluctant to call Offside, since they may be overruled. So, some clear offsides are allowed to "play on" and then reviewed, causing goals to b called back. And since we are talking about all out sprints to the goal, there have been injuries related to this rule change. Any soccer lovers care to weigh in?