Orange slices for everyone, or the I Hate Soccer thread

The terms people use for the game in foreign countries are the terminology for those countries.

I do think it is pretentious for Americans to use the same terms, as if that shows some kind of knowledge of the game.

 

It's even better when fans and media do the same.

 

My youngest brother, born and raised in Toronto, has been doing this ever since he became a soccer junkie when he met his wife, who is from Paisley, Scotland. He has picked up on the old man's fanatic support of Glasgow Celtic.

You talk to him and it's not a uniform, it's a "kit" or a "strip", it's not a jersey (and he falls for all the shit they crank out to separate guys like him from their money), it's a "top", it's not a game but a "match" or a "fixture". My old man, who came here from Scotland in the late 50s, could say that shit - complete with at times indecipherable Glaswegian accent - and it sounded fine. My brother just sounds like a pompous ass.

 

You are easily bothered you burk!

 

Hey look, the US played another big game today and....


NO ONE WON!

 

I hated on the World Cup, but the games -- at least today -- have been pretty damn good. That goal by Donovan was sick.

I've watched more soccer today than I have in the four years since I last covered it.

 

jersey State champ was 4:07.89 for 1,600. Top 12 were 4:19 or better.

 

Why all the delight in the USA not winning?

 

I was having trouble hearing the vuvuzelas today over all the crying the players were doing every time one of them hit the ground. I understand milking a situation in hopes of getting a call (happens in all sports), but the rate at which it happens in soccer and acting that would make Bill Shatner cringe is incredibly annoying. As for today's game, it was the perfect background for a workout -- long stretches where I didn't have to worry about losing focus, and just enough action/somewhat interesting commentary to fill many of my 60-second breaks.

 

Because the jingoistic soccer crap is nonsense. It's why so many countries hate America. We'll never learn.

 

Read this on al.com this morning in Gentry Estes's soccer blog -- and he's right.

This is why those in this country who don't normally follow soccer will never get on board. That's not really fair, since poor officating happens in all sports (Remember this past SEC football season?).

 

How's that analysis looking now, Brits?