I was small for my age and, by the fifth grade, determined that basketball would not be my sport. I was short and bad. I was too smart to play football (no offense to former football players). The idea of larger boys wanting to tackle me into the turf did not appeal to me, as I had an older brother who would take care of that for me. Baseball never captured my attention, as it seemed like a lot of sitting around and not much action.
Soccer was the great equalizer for me. I didn’t need to be big, I just needed to be fast, and fast I was. I wasn’t particularly gifted with footwork and ball control like the kids these days, but I could slide tackle with the best of them, and that became my trademark. Seemingly fearless, going to ground to win the ball and humiliate the other player. When I was a kid, soccer in Traverse City was brand new and a perfect opportunity for me to play a team sport. Back then, no one watching one of our games would ever call it the beautiful game, but that is how soccer is known around the world.
It is considered the beautiful game for several reasons, one of which is its simplicity. All you need is a ball and a place to play, and even that is debatable, as some children play in the dirt between houses with a ball-shaped bundle of rags. The other primary reason for the self-aggrandizing name is its ability to unite people globally, regardless of language, culture, or background.
I loved playing the sport through junior high, high school, and college. I never did get the growth spurt my mother and I had hoped for, but that never stopped me from playing. I coached my two sons and helped fuel their passion for the sport. And now, now that I am old, I enjoy watching the game, and it usually doesn’t even matter who is playing.
One of the reasons I love soccer so much is that, unlike any other sport, it offers non-stop action. There are two 45-minute halves with a running clock. There are no time-outs and no resting. These athletes need to remain at peak performance to compete. There are only five substitutions allowed during the game, regardless of injury or fatigue, so the manager has to be very strategic to get the most from each player in the squad. If the referee has noticed that play has been halted due to a penalty or an injury (fake or real), he or she will add time to the 45 minutes with an additional 1-8 minutes. I love the arbitrary nature of this. Many goals are scored during that extra time.
Regarding the ability to unite people globally, lending to its beautiful game name, it should be noted that in this World Cup, teams from rich, developed nations and teams from less well-to-do countries are all competing equally. In addition to wealth being a non-issue, age seems to be one as well. There are 22 teenagers competing in this competition, with the youngest being 17. If that’s not enough, there are 8 players actively playing in their 40s, which is a record. If you take all 22 previous World Cups combined, there have only ever been seven… total.
Lionel Messi is only 38 years old but has become the first man to ever play in six World Cups. If you think he is just a prop for Argentina and that FIFA is using his likeness to promote the World Cup, think again: on his first appearance, he scored all three goals to lead his team to a win over Algeria. Beautiful indeed. If you have an extra two minutes and 11 seconds, watch this highlight reel. His experience is evident in each of his goals, whether by being in the right place at the right time or by creating opportunities through his genius.
If you miss the magic and creativity of Michael Jordan (like I do), do yourself a favor and watch one of the world’s greatest athletes in the next few weeks. He is not the biggest, as he is only 5’ 7”(and that may be with hair product). He is not the fastest, but he is simply one of the best to ever step on the pitch.
Speaking of drama, Cabo Verde, an island nation on the western coast of Africa with a population of half a million, captured the hearts of millions when they held Spain, one of the teams favored to win the whole tournament, to a draw. Spain is a powerhouse with almost 100 times the population, and this tiny country and its humble team were able to compete and frustrate them for the full 90 minutes.
I love an underdog, and this competition provides an opportunity for upsets and for underdogs to prevail, unlike any other sporting competition in the world. Nothing comes close to compare.
North America has the distinct privilege to showcase this year’s World Cup. Games are being played in several locations in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Bringing this global phenomenon to our continent is an honor. So far, it seems like all of the venues are working out, and the games have gone off without a hitch.
The one complaint that I have with our hosting is the “Hydration Breaks.” One occurs halfway through the first half, the other halfway through the second half. These are ostensibly for the unusual heat in North America, but they also occur in indoor, climate-controlled arenas, which tells me it is nothing more than a money-grabbing feature to generate ad revenue and spoil the beauty of uninterrupted play. Hydration breaks seemed natural in the extreme heat of Qatar or the stifling humidity of Brazil, but have no place in an indoor stadium or in Toronto’s mid-60s temperatures.
If this is your first time watching soccer, know that this is not normal and, in my opinion, is a disgrace to our hosting the tournament. I am embarrassed and saddened by commerce changing one of the elements so many fans love about the sport. Players seem to enjoy the rest, and coaches have used it as additional time to give instructions, but that is in direct contrast to the game’s intent. OK, I’m off my soapbox.
The United States is also worth watching. In my opinion, we have hired a world class manager for the first time, and he is making a difference. We have always had talent, but have lacked a cohesive vision and tactical experience against each distinct opponent. So far, it seems to have paid off as we have clinched a spot in the round of 32 by winning our first two games. Which means we don’t have to win our third game in the group stage. The first time the USA won the first two games in the World Cup was in 1930, so there is hope for a good showing, but not likely to win the whole shebang. I can’t imagine you will learn to love the game as much as I do, but I hope you give it a chance.