The World Cup Approacheth

[McGarnigle]

Sorry, but the offsides rule isn't dumb. If you got rid of it, attacking players would just stand inside the opposing box all game, as would defenders, who would never push forward at all. I'm not sure it would really increase scoring that much, but would mostly just lead to long balls into the box.

The fact that they never correctly call tie-goes-to-the-attacker is dumb.

 

[Gremlyn]

Offsides makes perfect sense, otherwise what would prevent a team from just planting a guy down by the goal and long balling it ever time?

Offsides is #4.

#3 is the DH in the American League.

#2 is defensive three seconds in the NBA

#1 is clearly the "he would've come down in-bounds if the defender didn't knock him out of bounds before his feet came down, therefore it's a catch" rule in the NFL.

But soccer does have the greatest rule - "advantage." I really wish the NBA would implement the advantage rule.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

The fact that they never correctly call tie-goes-to-the-attacker is dumb.

That is dumb. My favorite (albeit not used oft enough) rule is how Soccer refs can call a yellow card for play acting. That is awesome.

I loved the ref in the Italy game. "Get off your ass!" He was yelling at cry babies every time someone went down. Awesome!

 

[user 40839]

If it wasn't for offsides, you'd end up with no midfield - the game would basically be five forwards and five defenders who'd take turns lumping the ball into each other's penalty area hoping to bundle the ball into the net.

Good call on those, AZ - I'd also throw in the extremely annoying "time out".

 

[MeatyPortion]

That is dumb. My favorite (albeit not used oft enough) rule is how Soccer refs can call a yellow card for play acting. That is awesome.

I loved the ref in the Italy game. "Get off your ass!" He was yelling at cry babies every time someone went down. Awesome!

What country was he from?

 

[shecky]

Offsides makes perfect sense, otherwise what would prevent a team from just planting a guy down by the goal and long balling it ever time?

Granted I'm not well versed in soccer, but I would think it would be prevented by the same reasoning that applies to basketball and lacrosse. No basketball player plants himself under the opponent's hoop, no lacrosse player plants himself in front of the cage because his teammates need help.

That and the fact that long balls aren't exactly easy to complete in any sport such as these.

Best probably not to listen to me as I'm a novice.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

What country was he from?

Howard Webb, English, works in the Premier league.

 

[MeatyPortion]

Found this on the Rogan Boards

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Anyone else thrilled that Shecky might be starting to see the light?

Now, if we can just fix the MLS so that they can play less hit and run high balls and pass a little more, we might be onto something!

 

[bob1852]

Good call on those, AZ - I'd also throw in the extremely annoying "time out".

time out is okay - it's the double or triple time outs cuz they can't inbound the ball which is annoying.

 

[MeatyPortion]

 

[bob1852]

Now, if we can just fix the MLS so that they can play less hit and run high balls and pass a little more, we might be onto something!

That's the problem with the MLS - they can't decide if they want to play Europe style or South American style futbol.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Seen it a few times in here and I just have to say, I hate when Americans call soccer futbol, or anything else. In America it is Soccer. If anything 'Football' is the appropriate name in English speaking countries. Other names are of course the popular futbol, futebol, fotbol,Fußball, voetbal, fooseball, and even sokker. If you're in America, it's called soccer. Calling it these other names doesn't make you a proper fan or mean you know/love the game any more than someone else. It just makes you look like the guy in the bar ordering a SA Boston lager because he loves "Dark Beer". So unless you're all from a different country, (England doesn't count) it's Soccer.
/RANT

 

[Homercidal]

OMG I actually LOLed at this one!

 

[ChshreCat]

That's the problem with the MLS - they can't decide if they want to play Europe style or South American style futbol.

We're Americans! We don't have to choose! We just pick out the best parts of each style!


...then we throw them out and use what's left. :rockin:

 

[MeatyPortion]

Usa usa usa

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I wish we had more interested fans and could have a cooler thing to shout than "USA! USA! USA!" It makes us look lame when every other country has cool chants songs etc. and all we have is three letters to yell. sad panda.

 

[MeatyPortion]

 

[Andrea]

Yeah, like that would ever happen.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm giving it a shot because my daughter is really into soccer right now. I decided to watch for her but found myself riveted by many of the games.

I still think the offside rule is one of the dumbest rules in any sport. The whole point of sport is to gain an advantage on your opponent.

I trust your daughter doesn't play defense then.

Soccer is biased towards defense-- which accounts for fewer goal-- but more action. Offsides is the natural exentsion of not liking the lazy striker hanging out by the post not doing a thing waiting and waiting for that errant pass to his slackass self while the true heros of the game the fullbacks and the mid's are working and playing the game. Oh and defense can do no wrong!

Good to see you are coming over to the good side.

 

[shecky]

I trust your daughter doesn't play defense then.

Soccer is biased towards defense-- which accounts for fewer goal-- but more action. Offsides is the natural exentsion of not liking the lazy striker hanging out by the post not doing a thing waiting and waiting for that errant pass to his slackass self while the true heros of the game the fullbacks and the mid's are working and playing the game. Oh and defense can do no wrong!

Good to see you are coming over to the good side.

Actually, my daughter plays defense. Even when she's up front, she tends to find her way to the back.

I still say the strikers would want to help their teammates, but maybe I'm an idealist.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Seen it a few times in here and I just have to say, I hate when Americans call soccer futbol, or anything else. In America it is Soccer. If anything 'Football' is the appropriate name in English speaking countries. Other names are of course the popular futbol, futebol, fotbol,Fußball, voetbal, fooseball, and even sokker. If you're in America, it's called soccer. Calling it these other names doesn't make you a proper fan or mean you know/love the game any more than someone else. It just makes you look like the guy in the bar ordering a SA Boston lager because he loves "Dark Beer". So unless you're all from a different country, (England doesn't count) it's Soccer.
/RANT

Well said. it's fooking football!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I wish we had more interested fans and could have a cooler thing to shout than "USA! USA! USA!" It makes us look lame when every other country has cool chants songs etc. and all we have is three letters to yell. sad panda.

This came up in the Olympics threads too. I have to agree. It makes USA supporters sound like morons......Sorry, but it's a fact.

Edit: this does not mean that any fans singing or chanting decent chants are NOT morons, it just means that they sound like they at least put some thought into their support.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I still say the strikers would want to help their teammates, but maybe I'm an idealist.

Strikers are the "heroes" of soccer. The glory is their concern.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Seen it a few times in here and I just have to say, I hate when Americans call soccer futbol, or anything else. In America it is Soccer

I completely agree. Having grown up playing, it's always been soccer to me. If somehow put in the the situation of calling it football I really have to force it out and I feel awkward by saying it. However it seems that other phrases are more commonly used (by myself as well) and seem less awkward: match instead of game, pitch instead of field, kit instead of uniform or gear, boots instead of cleats, etc etc.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I completely agree. Having grown up playing, it's always been soccer to me. If somehow put in the the situation of calling it football I really have to force it out and I feel awkward by saying it.

This is why I always call the game S#ccer in these threads. Every time an Englishman says the S word, a child in Africa dies.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

This came up in the Olympics threads too. I have to agree. It makes USA supporters sound like morons......Sorry, but it's a fact.

Edit: this does not mean that any fans singing or chanting decent chants are NOT morons, it just means that they sound like they at least put some thought into their support.

Give us a break, we're new to this American soccer fans only really started coming out of their protective burrows of pretending to be baseball fans when we hosted the 1994 finals. "U-S-A" is handy, it's easily recognizable and when people start it up it spreads through an American crowd like wild fire. I mean seriously, what are we going to sing? "O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of grain / For purple mountain majesties / Above the fruited plains!..." Kinda ridiculous

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Every time an Englishman says the S word, a child in Africa dies.

Pure 100% bonafide AWESOME

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Give us a break, we're new to this American soccer fans only really started coming out of their protective burrows of pretending to be baseball fans when we hosted the 1994 finals. "U-S-A" is handy, it's easily recognizable and when people start it up it spreads through an American crowd like wild fire. I mean seriously, what are we going to sing? "O beautiful for spacious skies / For amber waves of grain / For purple mountain majesties / Above the fruited plains!..." Kinda ridiculous

WRONG!!! That is EXACTLY the kind of thing they should be singing!

 

[Reno_eNVy]

WRONG!!! That is EXACTLY the kind of thing they should be singing!

R..really? Seems a bit fruity to me. You English-types have offensive and insulting chants/songs... we have brotherhood and God and $hit... not quite the same effect

 

[arturo7]

WRONG!!! That is EXACTLY the kind of thing they should be singing!

Agreed.


(continuity break)


DH is the worst rule in all of sports. 10 players for 9 positions is just asinine.