How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad (In honor of the World Cup)

First Things ^ | 3/5/2009 | Stephen H. Webb

[montyspython]

[1rudeboy]

Simply awful. The defensive linemen are so pre-occupied with the blocker in front of them that they don't notice the ball carrier running right past them. Ugh.

[Grunthor]

“You just stated that a 1-0 soccer game is yawnworthy, but a 1-0 baseball game is not”

No, I said “Most Americans can appreciate a no hitter/perfect game in baseball but even the most avid fan will tell you that a 1 - 0 game is pretty damned yawn-worthy.”

Sorry if that wasn’t clear.

“We could have an interesting discussion of why Americans started to believe that outcomes that end in a tie are “unworthy.” That’s a cultural thing, and in my idea, unfortunate (and not very conservative).”

So it’s conservative that no one “feels bad” for losing?

[1rudeboy]

I asked you earlier. How can something be only good for the Third World, but still be good for your kids at the same time?

[Grunthor]

At least if they DID see him, they could tackle him w/o “getting a card.”

[1rudeboy]

So it’s conservative that no one “feels bad” for losing?

THAT is a purely American invention, that only now is beginning to infect sporting programs in other countries. You can't fob that one off.

[Vaquero]

rugby and Oz rules are ok

but for real military regimentation you gotta love the NFL.

though the only real sports in my opinion involves firearms and fishing poles.

[who knows what evil?]

Soccer Sucks.

Amen.

[1rudeboy]

Please compare apples with apple. A football player cannot “tackle” someone without the ball, either.

[Vaquero]

its for little kids to run around get tired out and get them to sleep early. good exercise.

but a weenie sport...

[Grunthor]

Ok, why is a 3 hour sleeper that ends in a scoreless tie worthy of my time? Go ahead, educate me.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

The NFL is getting pretty convoluted with their overtime rules, specifically playoff overtime and the "not being able to kick a FG on the first possession and instantly win" stuff. You're right that it is a bad idea. But you're wrong to think it's a fair comparison to the shootout fiasco. In short, they still play football in the NFL to settle football games, and a shootout simply ain't soccer.

Here's a hint: bring up the NCAA overtime rule - I can't defend that nonsense at all.

[1rudeboy]

Don’t talk nonsense. No one can talk anyone else into liking something they dislike. I’m simply pointing out the inconsistency in believing that others feel the same way you do.

[Fiji Hill]

I guess you’ve never suffered through a game played by six year olds, then!

I don't recall "suffering," but I've experienced the game with six-year-olds--when I played it with my friends and classmates at the age of six.

[Grunthor]

“A football player cannot “tackle” someone without the ball, either.”

SO? A soccer player cannot tackle ANYONE. The referee’s with their little cards basically control the outcome of the games and tie is considered ok? BORING.

One thing that you said in an earlier post I didn’t know how to respond to until now. You said something about my not understanding soccer. That’s not why I don’t like it. Heck, I don’t understand Rugby but it’s a LOT more fun to watch than soccer.

[1rudeboy]

I have a real burr under my saddle about the overtime rules in NCAA football, and all because I don’t feel they should’ve trashed the idea of draw outcomes in the first place.

[Sto Zvirat]

I will take soccer over baseball or hockey any day of the week. And over football most days of the week.

Watching the cup, right now...go Bafana Bafana!

[Dr. Sivana]

We could have an interesting discussion of why Americans started to believe that outcomes that end in a tie are "unworthy." That's a cultural thing, and in my idea, unfortunate (and not very conservative).

Except for basketball, which is inherently high scoring, and baseball, which is conceptually different from "clock oriented" games, I agree with you. Real baseball fans appreciate a 1-0 baseball game that takes 12 innings, assuming that the low score is the result of good defense and excellent pitching. Although I dislike soccer (I did play it for one season in junior high) you won't find my reasons at all related to low scoring. That isn't the real problem anyway. If it were, higher scoring indoor soccer would be more popular.

I was sorry to find that the NHL has added all sorts of devices to reduce the number of ties in the NHL, even as the American audience continues to dwindle.

The NFL itself still has ties during the regular season, in theory. But, the combination of rule changes to increase scoring, and the addition of one quarter of sudden death overtime makes it an rarity. Some people even find the once every two year occurence to be too much.

The standard line on ties comes from one of the great all time football legends, Vince Lombardi. He stated that a tie is like "kissing your sister."

Lombardi was very much the conservative, and his motivation comes from the desire to win, or lose trying.

[Grunthor]

“I’m simply pointing out the inconsistency in believing that others feel the same way you do.”

Over 95% of Americans (as was pointed out to you in an earlier post) feel the same way I do.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

we’re completely on the same page there