# SOCCER **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 17, 1999, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104 "1999-08-17T15:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Contestant\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Contestant\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contestant_3)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/21 "1999-08-19T07:20:00Z")
Hey Jason, I could really care less if I’ve offended anyone with my opinion on soccer. So what? That’s my opinion on the wimpy sport of soccer and I’m sticking to it. For people to get offended just shows that they are weak-minded. For example, what if I write that it’s my opinion that mayonaise sucks and that it’s the worst freaking condiment ever conceived? That someone might actually get OFFENDED by that personal opinion is not my problem…it’s theirs. Next, I don’t need someone like you who probably doesn’t even have children telling me how to raise them. My personal bias toward soccer will not “ruin” anybody’s life. My boys are accomplished atheletes, both currently being scouted in their respective sports… All four of my teenagers are self-confident, successful, and very popular. We’ve managed this long without YOUR advice, I imagine that we’ll do just fine without it. If you are lucky enough to find a woman that wants to reproduce with you and you have a son, feel free to encourage that he play soccer…I mean hey, not everyone is cut out to play football, basketball, or baseball… * * * Contestant #3 ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/22 "1999-08-19T08:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > “They have it. It’s called “rugby” and is like football, except you don’t get to take breathers every few seconds and you don’t get any blockers.” An amazingly ignorant comparison, the two games share very little, and the contact in rugby is incidental compared to football. And curse you for making be back up C #3. ---
**Author:** ![jayron\_32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/41988e/32.png) [@jayron\_32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayron_32)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/23 "1999-08-20T05:17:00Z")
Connie #3 stated: > [@](#): > > Soccer is for wimps and losers. > If one of my boys had ever come home and said “Dad, I want to play soccer” I would > have kicked their ass on the spot. I think it’s fine if my girls want to play though > although I’d have to fight the urge to slit my throat while sitting through an entire > game. and later… > [@](#): > > More injuries occur in soccer because the players are bigger sissies and they are frail > and dainty to begin with. but then has the gall to say: > [@](#): > > what > if I write that it’s my opinion that mayonaise sucks and that it’s the worst freaking > condiment ever conceived? There is a vast difference between expressing distate for a sport and calling its participants sissies, danty, etc. etc. I don’t particularly like watching soccer, and I will freely admit it. If you cannot see the difference between expressing distaste for an item or activity and making wild character assassinations of admirers of that item or activity, then you sir are what we call a “lost cause.” To summerize: It is OK not to like something. If people get offended that you don’t like something, that’s their problem and screw them. It’s even okay not to like, and to publicly express dislike, individual people for the actions they commit and the things they say. If, however, you make derogatory and blatantly false statements about entire groups of people whom you obviously don’t understand and don’t care to, then it is the duty of every decent citizen to get offended and to put you in your place. I could give a damn about soccer, but I also would never claim anything derogatory about its fans and players. * * * Jason R Remy “No amount of legislation can solve America’s problems.” – Jimmy Carter (1980) ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/24 "1999-08-20T05:47:00Z")
647: > [@](#): > > Granted, this was at the youth league level (as far as soccer went), but I can’t remember ever getting winded playing halfback (is this still the name for the position?) during an entire soccer game. “Midfield” is the more common term. And the fact it was youth league strikes me as pretty significant. At higher levels, playing with (and, more importantly, against) more skillful players, it’s much more challenging. Whether it’s more or less demanding than football, or lacrosse, or whatever, I don’t know and frankly don’t care. It is a demanding sport and nobody who’s played it above strictly amateur level thinks otherwise. > [@](#): > > I actually think the simplicity of soccer-get the ball into the opposing goal without your hands-is the beauty of the game. Yes, it’s very simple … at low levels. Where you aren’t concerned about things like formations, man-marking systems etc. At higher levels tactics are crucial and anyone who goes into a game thinking all they have to do is “get the ball into the opposing goal” is going to get slaughtered. > [@](#): > > As far as the betting on soccer goes, I’m glad the rest of the world has the same vices, but I was talking about AMERICAN gamblers. _shrug_ you asked how you would bet on soccer. All I did was tell you how. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![kknick34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kknick34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kknick34)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/25 "1999-08-19T18:01:00Z")
Soccer is great, I love those 0-0 ties. Also, why can’t soccer put the official game time on a scoreboard? ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/26 "1999-08-19T18:18:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Also, why can’t soccer put the official game time on a scoreboard? uh … at every professional game I’ve ever been to, they do. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/27 "1999-08-19T20:05:00Z")
C#3, bring your ass onto any soccer field and I’ll personally show you it ain’t a sport for sissies or wimps, despite my being 10 years out of shape. I still have lumps and bruises from 10 years ago, plus my knees are permanently shot. Bring it ON and I’ll gladly kick your ass! Or are you skeeeeeeerrred? Hell, goalies are fuckin’ maniacs! My own personal opinion re: soccer is the reason it’s so popular is that its great fun to play. However, it’s a lousy spectator sport. I’d rather watch a loaf of bread grow mold than watch a soccer game. By the way, Connster, I sure do appreciate your presence on the board here. However, I would suggest to you that just because an opinion is unpopular or offensive doesn’t make it correct. See you on the soccer field, you limp noodle! * * * “Owls will deafen us with their incessant hooting!” W. Smithers ---
**Author:** ![Contestant\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Contestant\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contestant_3)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/28 "1999-08-19T20:35:00Z")
Frankd6, I must decline your offer to play soccer. Being the role model that I am, I must not be seen playing such a wimpy game lest I give young impressionable minds the mixed signal that it’s OK for real men to play such an abomination of a “sport”. I’m sorry to hear about your broken-down physical state although it does serve to prove my point about soccer players being frail and dainty. Damm, good thing you didn’t play football huh? * * * Contestant #3 ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/29 "1999-08-19T21:03:00Z")
Well, I did play football too. But that’s not the point! Set a good example. Bwaahahahahahahahaha! We KNOW you around here. Set a good example my eye! * * * “Owls will deafen us with their incessant hooting!” W. Smithers ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/30 "1999-08-19T23:04:00Z")
ruadh–so soccer becomes more demanding, complicated, and challenging at higher levels? Wow! What a unique sport. I stand corrected. You did answer my question about betting, though [no sarcasm]; it had come up in conversation. Not that this is related, but I was at a baseball game where the two guys next to me were betting on whether the ball ended up on the pitcher’s mound or grass after every 3 outs and the players were leaving/taking the field. You can pretty much bet on anything. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/31 "1999-08-19T23:29:00Z")
> [@](#): > > so soccer becomes more demanding, complicated, and challenging at higher levels? Wow! What a unique sport. I think I’ve said three or four times that I’m discussing the game on its own merits, not in comparison to other sports. I’m sorry you don’t seem to be able to do the same. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/32 "1999-08-20T01:06:00Z")
Ruadh-since this is the Pit, I thought one of the purposes of posting here was to jerk another person’s chain (didn’t you make fun of Southhampton?), maybe I’m mistaken but I’m enjoying it–don’t feel sorry for me. You want to discuss soccer on it’s own merits but you stated the soccer was a VERY demanding sport; doesn’t this imply that you are comparing soccer to other sports that might not be VERY demanding? VERY demanding as compared to what other sports? There are a lot of sports, so why do you rank soccer as VERY demanding on the broad spectrum of sports that people play if you’re only interested in it’s own merits? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/33 "1999-08-20T01:24:00Z")
[QUOTE] There are a lot of sports, so why do you rank soccer as VERY demanding on the broad spectrum of sports that people play [QUOTE] Why is it so hard for you to see that I’m not “ranking” it at all? When you’re out on the pitch, you know how much energy you’re expending. You know what kind of toll it takes on your body. How football or lacrosse players (etc) feel has nothing to do with how you feel. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/34 "1999-08-20T02:21:00Z")
Ruadh–Weak. I still say by that stating soccer is a very demanding sport, you are implying a comparison to the demands of other sports. The word very implies a furtherance (maybe not the right word, but I don’t have a dictionary with me; and, I wasn’t an English major) of the adjective it modifies. Your adjective-demanding-is referring to sport. Sport refers to all the games people play (damn! I need my dictionary for a more precise definition). Therefore, by saying soccer is very demanding, I say you are placing soccer somewhere along the upper reaches of the bell-curve of the relative demands of the broad spectrum of various sports. No matter how demanding soccer really is, I think you are “ranking” soccer, whether you realize it or not. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/35 "1999-08-20T02:38:00Z")
Well, you can think whatever you like. It’s ridiculous and wrong, but obviously I’m not going to convince you of that. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/36 "1999-08-20T04:14:00Z")
Rest assured, I will think what I like. But, please point out how I’m ridiculous and wrong. If you make a good argument, maybe you will change my mind. I don’t think I’ve been as close-minded as to the virtues of soccer as other posters. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/37 "1999-08-20T04:28:00Z")
647, this debate isn’t even about soccer anymore, it’s about your claiming to read my subconscious. I don’t see how I can possibly convince you that something you think is in my head, isn’t, except to say that I would know better than you would. And if that’s not enough, oh well. I’m withdrawing from this particular argument. You want to actually talk soccer again, just let me know. * * * Never regret what seemed like a good idea at the time. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/38 "1999-08-20T04:59:00Z")
Please don’t quit. I’m having fun. Here’s another question that you might be able to answer: why are soccer fans so easy to bait? Seriously, Brandi whipping off her top in the women’s World Cup-how do you feel if this increases soccer exposure [pun, yes] in the U.S. If you get more soccer on T.V., would you care that it’s probably due to the networks exploiting “cheesecake” female athletes as opposed to any consideration of soccer’s athletic value. ---
**Author:** ![middsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@middsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middsy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/39 "1999-08-20T08:56:00Z")
Soccer, no proper football is a double-hard bastard sport, take your American games, and as someone previously said I can’t comment on these as I’ve never played them, but I imagine they’re pretty tough aswell, it’s a patriotic thing, y’all think your countries sport is one of the best and I respect that, They Might Be Giants are the best thing to come out of America! I’m losing the plot here! Southampton fan ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104/40 "1999-08-20T11:04:00Z")
yeah we all know how much everybody loves 0-0 ties. coming back to that later, first the word football. everywhere exept in the us its got the same meaning, but no…americans understand that as their go headtohead game where you score 6 points with a touchdown, i guess they dont like those zeroes much. well, anyhows…since the word football was taken they used the word soccer to describe what most people understand as football (the same goes for handball, in the us it is known as team handball). now the origins of the us football…thats rugby, so there is the similarity you are looking for. and yes, rugby has got contact without pads. simply: first rugby then us football first football then soccer (but isnt that the same thing…duh) first handball then team handball does anyone sense a pattern here? since the americans didnt invent it they have to somehow make it their own. ok ill grant you basketball (although different older versions of it are know) but that is a sissy sport. conserning the fact that football is the nr1 sport in the world. im not that sure about that, it could be true now. but only a couple of years ago volleyball was the nr1 sport, belive it or not…but its true. bj0rn [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer/2104.md?page=3)