Brian McBride (USA) scored a hat trick vs. El Salvador last weekend. And this is against the guys who boo the Star Spangled Banner at the Rose Bowl. http://soccertimes.com/usteams/2002/games/jan27a.htm --Deji
I really enjoyed watching it when my kid played it. I try to limit my serious sports watching to the Rockets. After all I believe in trying to do at least something else with my wife than being a sports addict. Next thing I's be on bbs for soccer, football, baseball, tennis and I wouldn't even be able to keep up with Iraq to combat propaganda from Treeman.
I started playing soccer when I was 7 and I played for 6 years straight. I took off the next 2 years to play football, but I played all 3 years in high school. I really didn't get back into playing soccer until I got out of college in '95, but I played intramurals and in a city league for the next 2 years. However, I haven't played in 4 years simply because I don't have the time and there are no leagues close by to where I live. I love playing it, but watching it can be tedious. About the only soccer that I'll watch is the World Cup games. Those are great and exciting, especially when it's like Brazil vs. Italy or Germany vs. England. I wish that it was more popular here in the US. Nothing would make me happier than to see the US win the World Cup.
OK, here goes. I consider myself fanatical about the sport of soccer. I grew up playing it. I don't play anymore, but when I started watching European games on TV in the early 90's I was hooked. I mostly watch it on TV mainly because there's no pro team around here. No disrespect to the Hurricanes or Toros, but I think Klein High School could beat those teams. A few points. "Soccer is slow moving" Actually soccer games usually run 2 hours with 90 minutes of game action. No time outs. No free throws. No watching guys stand around and spit and scratch themselves. "Soccer is un-american" I find this statement the most ridiculous. Isn't america the country made up of people from all cultures? I was born and raised in this country, but I'm not american because I don't like baseball and American football? And finally, soccer may never compete with the big 3 in the US, but it is by far the most popular sport in the world and always will be. It's not going away. Sorry Jim Rome. I don't expect my post to change anyone's mind about the sport. I just get tired of the bashing sometimes.
I live in Venezuela and it´s just recently that the national team is playing well, but the league here is really bad, that´s why i don´t go to any games. However, i really like soccer (like almost every sport) because my parents are from Spain, and you all know that people there just love it. I´m a huge fan of Real Madrid. So i´m included in the watching soccer fan.
The World Cup is cool. Soccer is too boring by itself, but the drama of the world stage makes it fun. Also, the BBC highlights are good, there is only 5-10 minutes of each normal game with the high drama. Manchester U sucks. Aren't they the team with the national disgrace dube who got England booted out of their last World Cup with an idiotic elbow. I am partial to Liverpool. As long as Italians (Germans, Spanish OK) don't win the European Cup, World Cup or Club Championship, I am fine. Main main problem with elite level soccer is it rewards conservative play. Usually the first defensive mistake decides the game rather than great playmaking on offense. If they loosened up the off sides rule or made the goal bigger I think more aggression would be rewarded.
WOW!! didnt think this thread would get so many voted/posts. well actually maybe it should be said that I am suprised at how many people here like soccer. this being a basketball board and all, and Texans having a genetic predisposition for Football(american). now everyone of you go support McKinny Texas, and give soccer in the US a shot in the arm.
I love soccer. Best game on the planet. Played for thirteen years. I don't understand why so many people here find it so dull. It's like really great sex. All of that build-up for the big release. The release is great, but the build-up is the most important part.
Soccer rules. I'm a Man U and England fan. Beckham is the best crosser/free kicker in the world, hands down.
Well i actually have just gotten into English Soccer (thanks to Heath and that damned addictive CM). But i am starting to learn the ins and outs and it is really enjoyable. BTW i agree Dakota. Hockey is extremely cool in person.
Ruud might be better than Owen, my 2nd favorite after Becks. Man U needs defenders like crazy. Blanc stinks. Why are theu going so hard after DiCanio? Get a freaking defender!
This season - 25th November 2001 ARSENAL 3 Fredrik Ljungberg 48 Thierry Henry 80, 85 MANCHESTER UTD 1 Paul Scholes 14 "What a game! Two goals from Thierry Henry and one from Freddie Ljungberg resulted in a comprehensive victory after Manchester United had led at half-time with an effort from Paul Scholes. We dominated this game from start to finish and United were fortunate to get away with conceding only three goals. And the win moves us ahead of United and into third place in the Premiership table." [http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...ra/matchreports/Manchester Utd_2001_11_25.jsp] Ruud V N is awesome though. No doubt the best pickup of the year. He is unstoppable and extremely strong in the box.
Soccer is simply awesome, but requires certain knowledge of the game. Less than 5% of Europe population can understand how American football or Baseball can be funny sports, but is only a question of watch games and catch the game´s spirit. Dadakota is right, soccer is a game based in CHANCES. I watched absolutely great games that finished 0-0. Anyways the last soccer tendencies go to a 3 or 4 goals for match (see Eurocup or last worldschampionship) The difficulty for score, moreover, it makes one of greatest sensations I never felt when my team scores. I´m spanish , and probably my country has the most competitive league in Europe right . We have a media of 3 goals and 19 chances per game, (that means a chance (a heart attack ) every 5 minutes (a bit less). Premier League is also pretty awesome. Another point for soccer is their international level. Out of USA soccer probably is the most played game in the world. PRACTICALLY EVERY NATIONAL TEAM IN THE WORLD CAN WIN AGAINST A WORLD´S CHAMPION IN A GREAT GAME, that gives to the game a beautiful uncertainty. Nigeria,Senegal ,Japan, Korea are the last examples of this. Countries like Holland, with a population being about 4M , is a World champion contender (sadly not in next World Cup) A final example: if a team´s country win the world cup, he must win 7 games ;3 in first round (here it can maybe draw or lose some) ;1/8 ;1/4 ; semifinal and the final. Well, in all this games every country , (out of USA at the moment) with their team playing, is practically stopped, Everybody is watching the game and "suffering". Thats the example: is like 7 "superbowls" with your favourite team in less of a month , for practically all these countries. GO USA & Spain in the next Word cup!!! (sorry for my english sometimes)
I enjoy watching soccer, especially the English Premier league and the World Cup. My favorite Premier league team is the Tottenham HotSpurs.
