I love soccer...

August 28, 2007
Most of my friends already know this. But most of them also could care less why. To the average human, I can see why this game is foreign and weird. Well mostly because it is foreign. Soccer was a sport played overseas, not in the United States of America (sidebar: do people in South America call themselves Americans? of course a person from Brazil would call themselves Brazilians, but the United States doesn't encompass the whole North American continent now does it. Can Canadians call themselves Americans? No, they call themselves Canadians, duh...maybe we should think of a name to call ourselves...like the “United Statians” or something cooler...sorry) Where was I? Ok I spent 7 years coaching kids and have a new found understanding and appreciation for the game. still, outside of basketball, it's just the perfect sport for physical fitness. Yeah, yeah, soccer players do a lot of running, so where is the upper body strength? who needs upper body strength if you can't touch the ball...well we do when we throw the ball in. Maybe the keeper does a few push-ups. Ok admittedly, basketball players get a better work out, but they only play 60 minutes and they get more subs than Jarrett at Subway. Any try to keep up with your team that pays the rent, being called up to play for your national team, playing in several local tournaments in your country...AAAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD playing for you conference (Europe countries are in UEFA, US is in CONCACAF...blah blah). Ok what's so beautiful about this game? well one thing is there are 90 minutes (regulation, refs decision to add on more due to injury time or streakers), split in two halves (do the math!). You only get 3 subs. So there is a 3 in 11 chance you are running for 90 minutes. Ok 3 out of 10, remember the keeper! also, the ball can be won or lost at any time. With baseball, you can get up and go to the bathroom and stand in line forever to get a hot dog and come back and still have not pitched the next strike! Basketball is another beast so we won't get into that. Football...well you have TV time outs, just don't be a girl and stand in that long line for the toilet. But with soccer, being in the right place at the right time is essential. That is one of the most important aspects of a player who is successful or not. It's a talent that cannot be taught. Sure you can teach a player how to dribble, receive, and pass but that extra something is priceless. And on top of that, there are 4 main positions and many, many systems of play (for football fans, that's the difference of 4-3, 3-4 or nickel back defense, for basketball fans that is the difference between a man on man zone and a box and 1 defense). Within the 4 positions (keeper, defender, midfield, forwards), there are endless possibilities on formations. # Forwards make for interesting possibilities than having 2 forwards. Ok I challenge you to watch one half of a soccer game (still doing the math?). I know, bring Dramamine or something to keep from puking or such. Just get back to me if you dare...