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2014 FIFA World Cup - Brazil

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Full disclosure: I understand that there is a sensitivity of criticism of soccer by American soccer fans, and this is honestly not an attempt to bash soccer, but I don't get it. My daughter played for 2 years, and I was so miserable that I paid her $50 not to play. I would have paid $200, maybe more, to not have to watch 10/11 year old girls play it. I've tried to get it. I continue to have this pesky feeling that billions of fans around the world cannot be that deluded about this game, so I'm inclined to think that there is something wrong with me

My daughter-in-law loves it, so for her sake, the last WC I tried to watch it. I work on Sat mornings, and I came home committed to watching USA vs. Ghana. I fell asleep shortly into the first half with the score tied at 0-0. Each team had a couple of shots on goal. I woke up about 2 hours later and it was the same score. I went back to sleep.

So, please, someone tell me what is interesting/compelling about this game?

Others have told me that I have to appreciate the ball handling, strategy, and defense. So, I attempted to do that, but I always ended up thinking that it would be like having a basketball game where the defense has all the advantages, the offensive players dribble and pass the ball until the defense takes it away, a couple of times a half each team would actually get a shot off, they would probably not score, and the game might end in a 0-0 tie.

In my admitted ignorance about this game, I will make one observation. The offsides rule makes no sense. In basketball, if a defender leaves early, gets behind the defense, and dunks the ball, everyone goes nuts. In football, if a receiver gets behind the defense and catches a bomb, everyone loses their mind. Those are some of the most exciting plays in hooops and football. In soccer, when an offensive player gets behind the defense and scores, the officials come running in to declare that some horrible violation of fair play has occured. I am not sure I can understand that, but I'm open to having it explained to me.

I am honestly open to "gettting it", but no one has been able to help me get my feeble mind around it. As it stands, if soccer would get rid of offsides, take a defender out of the offensive end of the field, and make the goal taller and wider - allowing for a 14-12 final score, I might find that compelling. I know that is heresy to soccer fans, but I need to understand why I am wrong for feeling that way. Or maybe I'll never get it and I should give up. Inform me.
 
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OSUK said:
Full disclosure: I understand that there is a sensitivity of criticism of soccer by American soccer fans, and this is honestly not an attempt to bash soccer, but I don't get it. My daughter played for 2 years, and I was so miserable that I paid her $50 not to play. I would have paid $200, maybe more, to not have to watch 10/11 year old girls play it. I've tried to get it. I continue to have this pesky feeling that billions of fans around the world cannot be that deluded about this game, so I'm inclined to think that there is something wrong with me

My daughter-in-law loves it, so for her sake, the last WC I tried to watch it. I work on Sat mornings, and I came home committed to watching USA vs. Ghana. I fell asleep shortly into the first half with the score tied at 0-0. Each team had a couple of shots on goal. I woke up about 2 hours later and it was the same score. I went back to sleep.

So, please, someone tell me what is interesting/compelling about this game?

Others have told me that I have to appreciate the ball handling, strategy, and defense. So, I attempted to do that, but I always ended up thinking that it would be like having a basketball game where the defense has all the advantages, the offensive players dribble and pass the ball until the defense takes it away, a couple of times a half each team would actually get a shot off, they would probably not score, and the game might end in a 0-0 tie.

In my admitted ignorance about this game, I will make one observation. The offsides rule makes no sense. In basketball, if a defender leaves early, gets behind the defense, and dunks the ball, everyone goes nuts. In football, if a receiver gets behind the defense and catches a bomb, everyone loses their mind. Those are some of the most exciting plays in hooops and football. In soccer, when an offensive player gets behind the defense and scores, the officials come running in to declare that some horrible violation of fair play has occured. I am not sure I can understand that, but I'm open to having it explained to me.

I am honestly open to "gettting it", but no one has been able to help me get my feeble mind around it. As it stands, if soccer would get rid of offsides, take a defender out of the offensive end of the field, and make the goal taller and wider - allowing for a 14-12 final score, I might find that compelling. I know that is heresy to soccer fans, but I need to understand why I am wrong for feeling that way. Or maybe I'll never get it and I should give up. Inform me.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine a worse time for this kind of post.
 
Upvote 0
OSUK said:
Full disclosure: I understand that there is a sensitivity of criticism of soccer by American soccer fans, and this is honestly not an attempt to bash soccer, but I don't get it. My daughter played for 2 years, and I was so miserable that I paid her $50 not to play. I would have paid $200, maybe more, to not have to watch 10/11 year old girls play it. I've tried to get it. I continue to have this pesky feeling that billions of fans around the world cannot be that deluded about this game, so I'm inclined to think that there is something wrong with me

My daughter-in-law loves it, so for her sake, the last WC I tried to watch it. I work on Sat mornings, and I came home committed to watching USA vs. Ghana. I fell asleep shortly into the first half with the score tied at 0-0. Each team had a couple of shots on goal. I woke up about 2 hours later and it was the same score. I went back to sleep.

So, please, someone tell me what is interesting/compelling about this game?

Others have told me that I have to appreciate the ball handling, strategy, and defense. So, I attempted to do that, but I always ended up thinking that it would be like having a basketball game where the defense has all the advantages, the offensive players dribble and pass the ball until the defense takes it away, a couple of times a half each team would actually get a shot off, they would probably not score, and the game might end in a 0-0 tie.

In my admitted ignorance about this game, I will make one observation. The offsides rule makes no sense. In basketball, if a defender leaves early, gets behind the defense, and dunks the ball, everyone goes nuts. In football, if a receiver gets behind the defense and catches a bomb, everyone loses their mind. Those are some of the most exciting plays in hooops and football. In soccer, when an offensive player gets behind the defense and scores, the officials come running in to declare that some horrible violation of fair play has occured. I am not sure I can understand that, but I'm open to having it explained to me.

I am honestly open to "gettting it", but no one has been able to help me get my feeble mind around it. As it stands, if soccer would get rid of offsides, take a defender out of the offensive end of the field, and make the goal taller and wider - allowing for a 14-12 final score, I might find that compelling. I know that is heresy to soccer fans, but I need to understand why I am wrong for feeling that way. Or maybe I'll never get it and I should give up. Inform me.
Click to expand...

The offside rule comes on when the ball is kicked, not when the guy receives the ball. The passer and runner need to time the pass such that when the pass is kicked, the runner is at least level with the last defender (not the goalie). Hopefully, the defender is caught flat-footed (think backdoor pass in basketball) and the runner willl get the ball behind the defense and be one-on-one with the goalie.

Take a defender out of the offensive side of the field doesn't make much sense. Everyone who is playing can be anywhere; its a free flowing game. Obviously, if you have all of your players trying to score, you will get scored on in the counter pretty quickly so coaches tell certain players to stay back. But there's no rule that says certain players can't go into certain areas.

To me, bad soccer is terrible and incredibly boring. But, good soccer is a thing of beauty and is preferable to all non-osu football games. It's really hit or miss, but here's to hoping the world cup is more good soccer than bad.
 
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This isn't in regards to any of OSUK's posts, but it amazes me how many people I've seen on social media commenting on articles saying something to the tune of "Don't care," "Boring," "Wake me up when the real football season starts." Like that's OK that you feel that way, but why even say anything? You literally can't bear coverage for one month every four years? Jesus.
 
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