Oh, this is getting annoying
So there was a hilarious write-up in some Minneapolis newspaper about why Americans shouldn't care about football. That was fine. But this is getting ridonculous.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/23/opinion/main1746998.shtml
"Soccer is the perfect game for the post-modern world. It's the quintessential expression of the nihilism that prevails in many cultures, which doubtlessly accounts for its wild popularity in Europe. Soccer is truly Seinfeldesque, a game about nothing, sport as sensation.
Most soccer matches end in scoreless ties (or nil, nil in soccer parlance), 1-1 deadlocks or 1-0 victories. A final score of 2-1 is regarded as a veritable outburst of offense, an avalanche of goal scoring that leaves exhausted fans shaking their heads and pining for the old days when teams knew how to play strong defense. A score of 2-0 is said to be a crushing victory (or defeat) of Carthaginian proportions rendering national shame and humiliation and potentially resulting in coup d'etat, or even war."
Obviously there's some hyperbole in this, and I get that. However, most games don't end in a draw. Even when they do, why is that a bad thing? Some teams fight like all hell to get a draw, and it can be a great match to watch. Why are Americans so obsessed with "winning" and "losing"? There is real virtue in understand and appreciating a draw. USA was thumped by the Czech Republic, and to turn around and get a draw with Italy is fantastic. It was a truly exciting (if somewhat farcical) match.
"Mostly soccer is just guys in shorts running around aimlessly, a metaphor for the meaninglessness of life. Whole blocks of game time transpire during which absolutely nothing happens. Fortunately, this permits fans to slip out for a bratwurst and a beer without missing anything important. It's little wonder fans at times resort to brawling amongst themselves in the grandstands, as there is so little transpiring on the field of play to occupy their wandering attention. Watching men in shorts scampering around has its limitations. It's like gazing too long at a painting by de Kooning or Jackson Pollock. The more you look, the less there is to see. "
I'm sorry, but I've seen plenty of nil-nil results that have been absolutely fantastic matches. Nothing Happens? Unbelievable. The movement of the ball, the passing, the defending, the strategy...its fascinating and enthralling to watch.
I honestly think football is the most intelligent competitive team sport out there. Tactics and formations are just as important as skill and luck. I can't think of a game that relies more on tactics.
Anyway, America sucks.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/23/opinion/main1746998.shtml
"Soccer is the perfect game for the post-modern world. It's the quintessential expression of the nihilism that prevails in many cultures, which doubtlessly accounts for its wild popularity in Europe. Soccer is truly Seinfeldesque, a game about nothing, sport as sensation.
Most soccer matches end in scoreless ties (or nil, nil in soccer parlance), 1-1 deadlocks or 1-0 victories. A final score of 2-1 is regarded as a veritable outburst of offense, an avalanche of goal scoring that leaves exhausted fans shaking their heads and pining for the old days when teams knew how to play strong defense. A score of 2-0 is said to be a crushing victory (or defeat) of Carthaginian proportions rendering national shame and humiliation and potentially resulting in coup d'etat, or even war."
Obviously there's some hyperbole in this, and I get that. However, most games don't end in a draw. Even when they do, why is that a bad thing? Some teams fight like all hell to get a draw, and it can be a great match to watch. Why are Americans so obsessed with "winning" and "losing"? There is real virtue in understand and appreciating a draw. USA was thumped by the Czech Republic, and to turn around and get a draw with Italy is fantastic. It was a truly exciting (if somewhat farcical) match.
"Mostly soccer is just guys in shorts running around aimlessly, a metaphor for the meaninglessness of life. Whole blocks of game time transpire during which absolutely nothing happens. Fortunately, this permits fans to slip out for a bratwurst and a beer without missing anything important. It's little wonder fans at times resort to brawling amongst themselves in the grandstands, as there is so little transpiring on the field of play to occupy their wandering attention. Watching men in shorts scampering around has its limitations. It's like gazing too long at a painting by de Kooning or Jackson Pollock. The more you look, the less there is to see. "
I'm sorry, but I've seen plenty of nil-nil results that have been absolutely fantastic matches. Nothing Happens? Unbelievable. The movement of the ball, the passing, the defending, the strategy...its fascinating and enthralling to watch.
I honestly think football is the most intelligent competitive team sport out there. Tactics and formations are just as important as skill and luck. I can't think of a game that relies more on tactics.
Anyway, America sucks.