>> I think off-sides and letting the clock run is stupid; <<
Watch how the Europeans play it — theoretically offsides starts when the ball is kicked. But in reality, when they are beaten, the Euros run TO the ball to force offsides.
And of course, they should give more Oscars to soccer players than on any year in Hollywood. If they get touched they act like they have been knifed in a back alley.
My wife is from Mexico so we agreed I will watch the World cup and I won’t make too much fun of her while she watches games from home. If I have to watch, I make it a point to learn the rules and strategies. Speaking of which, try watching and trying to understand Cricket sometime. Man, how the English ruled the world while playing that game is amazing...
PS: Mexico plays US Style Football, and pretty good, too (wife’s brother was a linebacker). There has been talk of a Mexico team in the NFL.
When one of my daughter's played in the 4-6 year old Soccer league, they had smaller goals with no goalie. Those games were really funny to watch. My 5 year old that weighed 40 pounds and was 3 foot something (really small) was the only one to get a red card the whole season because she took a kid out doing a softball slide so he couldn't kick it into the goal. The boy was ok, so it was hard not to laugh with everyone else trying not to also. She kept asking “What did I do wrong? You don't give us a goalie what was I to do?” they explained it to her and it's on her highlight reel!