re: When soccer was first conceived, invented, codified, whatever...

quote:

---

On the flip side, without goals there is no ebb and flow, no momentum swings, and fewer displays of meaningful offensive tactics and talent.

---

Well this is just flat out incorrect.

quote:

---

This would be a better sport with typical 4-2 or 3-2 scores instead of 1-0 or 2-1.

---

It's the most popular sport in the world no matter the score line - there's a reason for that.

Perhaps you should consider the possibility that there is much more to the game that you are over-looking.

quote:

---

Was this SUPPOSED to be a 1-0 sport? Is it better or worse this way?

---

See, this tells me that you are focusing on the wrong thing, and there really isn't an answer to the question you are asking.

quote:

---

Can you appreciate that a lot of Americans (i.e. most) are turned off by soccer because of a lack of scoring?

---

I love this line of thinking. Can you appreciate that the game doesn't exist simply to appeal to Americans?

quote:

---

if you say there are momentum swings in 1-0 games it's YOU who's demonstated stupidity, not I.

---

i would say you cant be this stupid, but ive seen you post for 15 years, and yes you are this stupid

quote:

---

What it would take to appeal to Americans is a natural topic.

---

That's what I'm laughing about. For you it is maybe. The rest of the world doesn't give a shite.

quote:

---

Germany's winning goal came from a free kick, Argentina's from a random deflection, Holland didn't even really have a winning goal.

---

This in itself shows how little you understand, or want to understand, about the sport.

The above shows tactical nous. The WC first round games were high scoring because the teams played offensive football, trying to get more goals and more points and qualifying at the top of their groups. Once the elimination stages kicked in, each goal conceded becomes way more valuable than each goal scored. Teams don't want to lose because if you lose you are out. Therefore teams keep more possession, recycle the ball more, the back 4 stay tighter etc and the game loses a degree of fluidity.

quote:

---

As for this being "the most popular sport in the world"... sure. But it could be even MORE popular.

---

Well American Football could be more popular, it isn't. It has never spread like wild fire around the world despite having the power of the american media behind it. Moot point. Every sport could be more popular, you don't see sports changing their rules around just to appeal to certain populations that do not appreciate the nuances and the effort.

That said, I will digress and point out that I find the above a very american characteristic. I have heard people say Baseball players are more athletic than Cricketers and that with some training could do very well. Are a large number of americans so subconsciously insecure in the "sportiness" of their sports that they have to point out they could better the world's more popular sports, it's only that they chose not to?

I grew up watching Football, Cricket and Rugby. Never saw a game of American Football until I came to LSU. I did not appreciate it much in the beginning. Found it very boring and slow. Being able to make as many substitutions as you want. A separate defense and offense. Having the coaches constantly tell you exactly what to do, seemed less like a sport and more like work. Every play being scripted previously. Too many breaks in play. But then I watched the 09 Satins and I started reading about the game. Now I watch every single LSU and Saints game.

Advice:
Find the Liverpool vs AC Milan Champions League Final '05. Watch it and tell me this is not the most interesting sport in the world.

quote:

---

Well American Football could be more popular, it isn't. It has never spread like wild fire around the world despite having the power of the american media behind it. Moot point. Every sport could be more popular, you don't see sports changing their rules around just to appeal to certain populations that do not appreciate the nuances and the effort.

That said, I will digress and point out that I find the above a very american characteristic. I have heard people say Baseball players are more athletic than Cricketers and that with some training could do very well. Are a large number of americans so subconsciously insecure in the "sportiness" of their sports that they have to point out they could better the world's more popular sports, it's only that they chose not to?

I grew up watching Football, Cricket and Rugby. Never saw a game of American Football until I came to LSU. I did not appreciate it much in the beginning. Found it very boring and slow. Being able to make as many substitutions as you want. A separate defense and offense. Having the coaches constantly tell you exactly what to do, seemed less like a sport and more like work. Every play being scripted previously. Too many breaks in play.

---

Well said.

Rex - you never responded to my query about "athletes" being able to defend in baseball, tennis, etc. Do you still think along those same lines?

So what we're you saying, dumbass?