For those that really know me, I am a sports nut! I enjoy playing and watching sports. It really does not matter which sports. With hockey over, the choices are limited. The good thing was the women’s World Cup was on.
Watching soccer is not always the most exciting. The few exciting plays that happen are far and few between. Scoring is usually low. The game is over 90 mins long, with few commercial (or TV timeouts).
Having watched the men’s and women’s World Cup. I feel compelled to comment on a few things.
1. Just like the Olympics, watching the players and their fans during the beginning to the championship is just outstanding. The pride! The coming together to celebrate. What can you say. I got wrapped up with national pride for my USA teams.
Makes you wonder why we can get into our daily lives like that. Why can’t we show our national pride for our normal activities?
2. I noticed that there is a huge difference in what the men’s and women’s soccer. I am so impressed with the toughness that the women demonstrate over their male counterparts. When watching men’s soccer – I feel like I am watching nothing but drivers and fakers. Really! Watching the replay is sometime like watching wrestling. There was a complete miss on the tackle, the player flies through the air and rolls on the ground like he was shot. After a few minutes he pops back up like nothing happened. Of course – nothing DID happen. The women’s game was nothing like that. Maybe just a few times. The men – it seems they do this every time the defender gets close.
In the future, I can watch the women’s soccer matches. No hesitation! As for the men’s games, not unless there are some huge changes to the driving and faking injury. I have some thoughts on how to clean up the game.
1. When a player over embellishes a penalty – a yellow card is given. Just like the person that causes a dangerous play. Driving should be equally as serious. The flow of the game is impacted. Just think if a player gets a second yellow card – he is suspended for the next game. Hence hurting his team. If it is his second yellow card in the same game – he is then red carded. Hence hurting his team.
2. You are injured… You must be removed from the field of play. The time that you are removed from the field should be 2 minutes. There needs to be a cooling off period for these injuries. If you have to roll around on the ground, like you were shot, then you must sit and relax for a couple of minutes. Your team will play short handed. Too bad, maybe you will not be hurt. The only way to not have the 2 min cooling off period is to have a substitution. Your day is done. And the flow of the game will improve.
Not sure that any of this will ever happen. But as a fan, a coach and ex-player – it is time for something that helps the flow of the game. Helps fans to want to watch the best players in their sport. Not the best actors.
Thoughts?
Image via – Copyright: pariwatlp / 123RF Stock Photo
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