Soccer, or football?

I was reading a rather good article today regarding Team USA's departure from the 2006 World Cup. While I was reading the insightful article, I couldn't help but notice the author using the term "soccer."

Yes, we Americans call it "soccer." Two other primarily English-speaking countries, Canada and Australia, use the term, also. But to everyone else, it's "football." And it makes complete sense, too. The majority of the game uses the feet and legs. But, the USA had to differentiate soccer from "American" football, so they named it so. Not that calling American football "football" makes any sense. There's very little footwork involved, and the "football" is not a traditional "ball."

It's just one of many things that other countries take and use against us, when an American uses it they tend to look at us funny.

American presentation of football..er, soccer is kind of funny, also. They seem to televise it too much like the rest of the American sports. It's all about statistics. They show the number of shots on goal, the number of corner kicks, percentage of possession; its all rather pointless when it comes down to it.

Some Americans call soccer boring. Not enough scoring and what not. This is another thing I find kind of funny. Just watch a game of baseball or hockey. If it weren't for the fights hockey would be practically the equivalent of soccer in terms of excitement level.

I guess it doesn't matter what it's called or what people think of it around here. My siblings and I grew up playing soccer, and my sister is a regular soccer fanatic. Played soccer through college, got a scholarship through soccer, even coached soccer for a long time. She was lucky enough to find a guy who loves it as much as she does!

Sadly I haven't gotten to see much of the World Cup, as I've been working a lot, and I hope to see some games as the World Cup moves into the second round. You'd be hard pressed to find a game that has as many spirited fans as soccer. I love seeing televised games.. the chants, the singing, the passionate players. It's great seeing such national pride, and such unselfish players. Unlike some American sports.