Someone Explain Soccer

I am an American, and I don't watch soccer. I would love to start getting into it, but unfortunately I don't know enough about it, and it isn't televised enough (aside from the World Cup) for me to start following it on a regular basis. That said, I do understand the basic strategy of the sport, and when I watch it on TV I kind of get what's going on, but it seems like every time I talk to a 'soccer fan' (usually an American band wagon World Cup fan) they rave and rave about how soccer is a chess match and how it has elements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

Am I completely missing something? I don't see that when I watch these games, and here I am sitting in my house watching the Finals trying to understand how the above statement can be true. What do I not see that everyone else does?

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

T_REX305

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.bluezy

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.TheDonFanucci

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

[QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.bluezy

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

Who besides Landon Donovan? Also, you're telling me that UEFA is broadcasted on American television? What station?

[QUOTE="T_REX305"]

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

TheDonFanucci

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.TheDonFanucci

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

The finals on atm are extremely cagey and you can see why due to how much is at stake. It's a game based on speed, strength and mental ability which is possibly what the people you mentioned are getting at. PS- it's FOOTBALL.mikegtfc

Hahaha, I mean look I'm American, so I'll call it soccer. Even still, when I think of chess I think of a thinking game that involves a lot of strategy and a lot of thinking ahead of your opponent. How does that relate to soccer? I mean it doesn't seem like you can think ahead of your opponent for more than a pass a two.

[QUOTE="T_REX305"]

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

TheDonFanucci

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

[QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.mikegtfc

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

[QUOTE="bluezy"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

TheDonFanucci

Who besides Landon Donovan? Also, you're telling me that UEFA is broadcasted on American television? What station?

[QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Whereabouts do you live? Just wondering, I'm positive you have soccer televised regularly near you.mikegtfc

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

See this is where I don't know anything about 'football.' Which league should I be following if I want to really get into it? Premier? I mean I watched some of the Champions league this year too, but I honestly don't know the difference between any of these leagues.

[QUOTE="bluezy"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

TheDonFanucci

Who besides Landon Donovan? Also, you're telling me that UEFA is broadcasted on American television? What station?

[QUOTE="mikegtfc"]The finals on atm are extremely cagey and you can see why due to how much is at stake. It's a game based on speed, strength and mental ability which is possibly what the people you mentioned are getting at. PS- it's FOOTBALL.TheDonFanucci

Hahaha, I mean look I'm American, so I'll call it soccer. Even still, when I think of chess I think of a thinking game that involves a lot of strategy and a lot of thinking ahead of your opponent. How does that relate to soccer? I mean it doesn't seem like you can think ahead of your opponent for more than a pass a two.

[QUOTE="mikegtfc"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

FPS_Gamer123

[QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

[QUOTE="T_REX305"]

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

Ninja-Hippo

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

Okay I get the formations, but I don't know the difference between them. I heard a lot of people talking about how the U.S. was a counter attacking team. What does that mean? Are they keeping more midfielders back on the defensive end so that when they get the ball they'll have numbers on the opposing teams defense?

[QUOTE="mikegtfc"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

TheDonFanucci

See this is where I don't know anything about 'football.' Which league should I be following if I want to really get into it? Premier? I mean I watched some of the Champions league this year too, but I honestly don't know the difference between any of these leagues.

See this is where I don't know anything about 'football.' Which league should I be following if I want to really get into it? Premier? I mean I watched some of the Champions league this year too, but I honestly don't know the difference between any of these leagues.

TheDonFanucci

Other than that the Champions League is amazing to follow. It is the best teams from every league in Europe all put into one in the same sort of format as the World Cup whereby you get knocked out of the competition as the league progresses, building up to a Superbowl-esque final where the winner takes all.

[QUOTE="mikegtfc"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

New York, but I mean I want to watch the UEFA, not the MLS.

TheDonFanucci

See this is where I don't know anything about 'football.' Which league should I be following if I want to really get into it? Premier? I mean I watched some of the Champions league this year too, but I honestly don't know the difference between any of these leagues.

[QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

[QUOTE="T_REX305"]

I dont see how its related to theelements of American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey - all rolled into one.

Ninja-Hippo

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

right you are ;)

Okay I get the formations, but I don't know the difference between them. I heard a lot of people talking about how the U.S. was a counter attacking team. What does that mean? Are they keeping more midfielders back on the defensive end so that when they get the ball they'll have numbers on the opposing teams defense?

TheDonFanucci

A counter-attacking team is one which focuses on defense rather than pushing the ball up the pitch. They hang back, defend their own goal area and then when they manage to get the ball very quickly charge their way up to the other end of the field to try and score while the other team tries to rush back to their own half.

[QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"][QUOTE="TheDonFanucci"]

Okay, not many people say that, but I have heard said before. What I'm more curious about is the 'chess match' statement. How is soccer a chess match?

TheDonFanucci

Okay I get the formations, but I don't know the difference between them. I heard a lot of people talking about how the U.S. was a counter attacking team. What does that mean? Are they keeping more midfielders back on the defensive end so that when they get the ball they'll have numbers on the opposing teams defense?

Here is counter attacking.

It's basically hanging back in your own area to pull the other team away from their goal, then getting the ball and charging up the field as fast as you can while they try and rush back into defensive positions.

You don´t explain football,you feel it.;)

It's more like a game of checkers. And no, it has no elements of any of those sports. It's just a bunch of fairies kicking a ball around.Dark__Link

I wouldnt say its all those sports put together.

Anyway I would suggest you continue to watch it. Eventually everything will come together and you will start seeing what soccer fans see.

Soccer games arent televised very often, but i suggest you do what i do and find live internet streams to watch it. You can catch almost any game that way.

Finally I would suggest as an American to watch and support MLS. Sure the quality isnt on par with the big leagues, but it is still entertaining, and the more support MLS recieves the better the league will get, the better the league gets the better the US national team gets, the better the national team gets the higher chance we have of winning a world cup. MLS isnt as technically impressive, but with more support it will be.

I wouldnt say its all those sports put together.

Anyway I would suggest you continue to watch it. Eventually everything will come together and you will start seeing what soccer fans see.

Soccer games arent televised very often, but i suggest you do what i do and find live internet streams to watch it. You can catch almost any game that way.

Finally I would suggest as an American to watch and support MLS. Sure the quality isnt on par with the big leagues, but it is still entertaining, and the more support MLS recieves the better the league will get, the better the league gets the better the US national team gets, the better the national team gets the higher chance we have of winning a world cup. MLS isnt as technically impressive, but with more support it will be.

brennan7777

[QUOTE="brennan7777"]

I wouldnt say its all those sports put together.

Anyway I would suggest you continue to watch it. Eventually everything will come together and you will start seeing what soccer fans see.

Soccer games arent televised very often, but i suggest you do what i do and find live internet streams to watch it. You can catch almost any game that way.

Finally I would suggest as an American to watch and support MLS. Sure the quality isnt on par with the big leagues, but it is still entertaining, and the more support MLS recieves the better the league will get, the better the league gets the better the US national team gets, the better the national team gets the higher chance we have of winning a world cup. MLS isnt as technically impressive, but with more support it will be.

bluezy

I always found MLS more exciting (even though my bro and dad think i'm crazy) because its personal. I actually care what happens so its more exciting to me. Parity only adds more to the excitement.

[QUOTE="bluezy"][QUOTE="brennan7777"]

I wouldnt say its all those sports put together.

Anyway I would suggest you continue to watch it. Eventually everything will come together and you will start seeing what soccer fans see.

Soccer games arent televised very often, but i suggest you do what i do and find live internet streams to watch it. You can catch almost any game that way.

Finally I would suggest as an American to watch and support MLS. Sure the quality isnt on par with the big leagues, but it is still entertaining, and the more support MLS recieves the better the league will get, the better the league gets the better the US national team gets, the better the national team gets the higher chance we have of winning a world cup. MLS isnt as technically impressive, but with more support it will be.

brennan7777

I always found MLS more exciting (even though my bro and dad think i'm crazy) because its personal. I actually care what happens so its more exciting to me. Parity only adds more to the excitement.

In the United States, you can watch European and Latin American football matches on the following cable/satellite TV stations:

English Premier League - Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) & Fox Sports Espanol (FSE)
Span's La Liga - GolTV
Germany's Bundesliga - GolTV
Italy's Serie A - FSC & FSE
Brazilian, Argentinian, and Colombian football leagues - GolTV

UEFA Champions League - FSC, FSE, Setanta, and special UEFA channels on DirectTV
UEFA Euro Cup - ESPN
Barclay's Cup for the English Premier League - FSC & FSE
Il Scudetto for Italy's Serie A - FSC & FSE

GolTV also broadcasts the Coppa Italia. However, this Italian tournement holds less prestige than Il Scudetto, which involves only the top echelon of Italian football clubs (those within the Serie A).

[QUOTE="brennan7777"]

I wouldnt say its all those sports put together.

Anyway I would suggest you continue to watch it. Eventually everything will come together and you will start seeing what soccer fans see.

Soccer games arent televised very often, but i suggest you do what i do and find live internet streams to watch it. You can catch almost any game that way.

Finally I would suggest as an American to watch and support MLS. Sure the quality isnt on par with the big leagues, but it is still entertaining, and the more support MLS recieves the better the league will get, the better the league gets the better the US national team gets, the better the national team gets the higher chance we have of winning a world cup. MLS isnt as technically impressive, but with more support it will be.

bluezy

before the season starts you know that Man United or Chelsea is going to win so why bother watching?

brennan7777

So it's not about winning the league by any means. I support Everton for example, and have since i was a kid. That's a team which has absolutely no hope in hell of winning the premier league but i follow them every year and go to as many games as i can because i love hoping and wishing that they can make it into europe and get their hands on a trophy.

Soccer is to boring for me to watch. There is barley any excitment other than the goals

[QUOTE="brennan7777"]

before the season starts you know that Man United or Chelsea is going to win so why bother watching?

Ninja-Hippo

So it's not about winning the league by any means. I support Everton for example, and have since i was a kid. That's a team which has absolutely no hope in hell of winning the premier league but i follow them every year and go to as many games as i can because i love hoping and wishing that they can make it into europe and get their hands on a trophy.

[QUOTE="brennan7777"]

before the season starts you know that Man United or Chelsea is going to win so why bother watching?

Ninja-Hippo

So it's not about winning the league by any means. I support Everton for example, and have since i was a kid. That's a team which has absolutely no hope in hell of winning the premier league but i follow them every year and go to as many games as i can because i love hoping and wishing that they can make it into europe and get their hands on a trophy.