Fixing soccer

[Indy Coug]

I think expanding the size of the goal and having a modified offsides rule where there is no offsides once the ball is within x meters of the goal line are the simplest and least invasive changes. Beyond that, soccer is what it is.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I think expanding the size of the goal and having a modified offsides rule where there is no offsides once the ball is within x meters of the goal line are the simplest and least invasive changes. Beyond that, soccer is what it is.

Soccer doesn't need to change, just don't expect Americans to ever like it. As I've argued before, Americans don't like soccer because they have other sport choices and our choices speak loud and clear and soccer is accurately valued -- it's well below football and basketball, but people do at least like to watch the World Cup and the Euro Cup to a lesser extent.

With that said, Soccer should change. Instant replay should be brought in so they don't take goals away (didn't they take away a goal from England in the 2010 World Cup)? The other thing is they should create lines on both ends of the field wherein passes within the line to another player within the line is not offsides. I've seen too many soccer games where they call offsides when nearly every player on the field is within 15-20 yards of one of the goals. It's ridiculous.

[pellegrino]

when did we become cougarboard?

[ERCougar]

Soccer around the world is really worried and will likely change its rules to appease Americans.

Golly, thanks for fixing soccer!

Why pay attention to Americans? There's no money in that!

[All-American]

This still won't fix it.

Then add helmets and the forward pass.

[TripletDaddy]

Why pay attention to Americans?

Good question. Since you feel it is so lucrative and important for the sport to cater to this market, perhaps you can explain why soccer doesn't pay attention to Americans.

[ERCougar]

Good question. Since you feel it is so lucrative and important for the sport to cater to this market, perhaps you can explain why soccer doesn't pay attention to Americans.

I love to see an accounting type think like an economist in assuming that everyone always acts rationally, instantly, and in their best economic self-interest, but we all know that's very often not the case.

Possible reasons: Tradition, anti-American sentiment, ineptitude, preference differences, inertia.

Oh, and you know this, but I'll just point out that I never said it was "so important".

[TripletDaddy]

I love to see an accounting type think like an economist in assuming that everyone always acts rationally, instantly, and in their best economic self-interest, but we all know that's very often not the case.

Possible reasons: Tradition, anti-American sentiment, ineptitude, preference differences, inertia.

Oh, and you know this, but I'll just point out that I never said it was "so important".

lol. do you prefer listening to a medical type that has basically zero background with numbers or finance talk like an economist?

Soccer clubs act in their own economic self-interest, what are you talking about? The most valuable sports franchise in the world is a soccer club. Many of the top paid athletes in the world are soccer players.

Machester United and Real Madrid dont seem to share your concerns for their pocketbooks, but just in case you are correct, I will be watching with interest to see FIFA implement some of the great ideas you are suggesting in this thread....hopefully they start with the new rule that changes the size of the keeper's gloves. lol. Americans will start flocking in droves.

[ERCougar]

lol. do you prefer listening to a medical type that has basically zero background with numbers or finance talk like an economist?

Soccer clubs act in their own economic self-interest, what are you talking about? The most valuable sports franchise in the world is a soccer club. Many of the top paid athletes in the world are soccer players.

Machester United and Real Madrid dont seem to share your concerns for their pocketbooks, but just in case you are correct, I will be watching with interest to see FIFA implement some of the great ideas you are suggesting in this thread....hopefully they start with the new rule that changes the size of the keeper's gloves. lol. Americans will start flocking in droves.

Are you having fun with these imaginary strawmen? I think you're winning!

Things I've never said (or really anyone else):
1) "So important to fix"
2) "So lucrative to fix"
3) They should change the size of the gloves
4) I am concerned that MU and Madrid aren't making enough money.
5) Soccer clubs don't act in their best interest

Things I did say/imply:
1) MU and Madrid don't make the rules. FIFA does. And money is not its only driving factor.
2) Sometimes, other factors prevent/delay moves that would be financially profitable.
3) It would be silly to completely ignore a potential multibillion dollar market
4) I would like higher-scoring soccer games.

Since you're soundly defeating the straw man who's arguing 1-5, maybe you could shift your attention to the latter 4?

[hostile]

1. Allow people to pick up the ball.

2. Allow tackling players who have picked up the ball.

3. Call it Rugby.

You're welcome.

[falafel]

A
Things I did say/imply:
1) MU and Madrid don't make the rules. FIFA does. And money is not its only driving factor.
2) Sometimes, other factors prevent/delay moves that would be financially profitable.
3) It would be silly to completely ignore a potential multibillion dollar market
4) I would like higher-scoring soccer games.

Since you're soundly defeating the straw man who's arguing 1-5, maybe you could shift your attention to the latter 4?

FIFA is not completely ignoring the US (assuming that's who you mean by a "potential multibillion dollar market"). They just are not kowtowing to us. I'm sure FIFA would LOVE for soccer to be America's #1 sport, but they are not going to risk alienating the other 90% of the world who already love soccer the way it is just to appease the Americans.

[ERCougar]

FIFA is not completely ignoring the US (assuming that's who you mean by a "potential multibillion dollar market"). They just are not kowtowing to us. I'm sure FIFA would LOVE for soccer to be America's #1 sport, but they are not going to risk alienating the other 90% of the world who already love soccer the way it is just to appease the Americans.

I agree. There are plenty of reasons not to change, some even possibly financial. That doesn't mean the reasons to change are meaningless or unimportant. Right now, they don't want to change. Fine.

[TripletDaddy]

Are you having fun with these imaginary strawmen? I think you're winning!

Things I've never said (or really anyone else):
1) "So important to fix"
2) "So lucrative to fix"
3) They should change the size of the gloves
4) I am concerned that MU and Madrid aren't making enough money.
5) Soccer clubs don't act in their best interest

Things I did say/imply:
1) MU and Madrid don't make the rules. FIFA does. And money is not its only driving factor.
2) Sometimes, other factors prevent/delay moves that would be financially profitable.
3) It would be silly to completely ignore a potential multibillion dollar market
4) I would like higher-scoring soccer games.

Since you're soundly defeating the straw man who's arguing 1-5, maybe you could shift your attention to the latter 4?

1. I didn't disagree so there is nothing to address.
2. I didn't disagree, so there is nothing to address.
3. Are they completely ignoring a potential multibillion dollar market? Please expound on that one.
4. Maybe FIFA changes the size of the keeper's gloves, maybe eliminates the offsides rule just for you and other US Americans that think soccer should change.

[ERCougar]

1. I didn't disagree so there is nothing to address.
2. I didn't disagree, so there is nothing to address.
3. Are they completely ignoring a potential multibillion dollar market? Please expound on that one.
4. Maybe FIFA changes the size of the keeper's gloves, maybe eliminates the offsides rule just for you and other US Americans that think soccer should change.

I guess I'm unsure of what your point was here:

Soccer around the world is really worried and will likely change its rules to appease Americans.

I guess I gave you too much credit in assuming you were making a point beyond: 1) Soccer isn't really worried (Did anyone say they were?) and 2) Soccer isn't likely to change its rules (Did anyone say they were?).

Apologies. No, soccer isn't really worried about its future and no, they probably aren't changing any time soon. Thank you for your contribution to the thread.

[Guest]

Dramatically increase the weight of goal differential and goals in league and tournament play; putting a higher premium on in-game scoring.