Question for the soccer/football fans (2 parts)

Dr. Giganto

Part 1: Do you guys like the sport the way it is, or would you prefer it to be slightly higher scoring?

I can understand the appeal of a low scoring game, because it makes the goals that much more important, and even the near-goals are exciting.

but, at the same time, do you ever just clamor for a game where the teams are going back and forth scoring, and a 3-0 defecit is not insurmountable?

I'm just a little curious

Part 2: If someone was to come up with rule changes to make the game higher-scoring, what sorts of things would they do?

I suggested to a co-worker (a genuine soccer fan) that they eliminate offsides, since that takes away so many potential break-away opportunities, and he gave me a lengthy explanation as to why that would be a bad idea.

So, what could be done?

Tyler Durden

Has someone ever told you that the main reason the rest of the world are so happy that the US have never "got" soccer is because you'd only want to make a bunch of changes to it.

Methinks, you're just on yet another bait and switch with us poor old Europhiles

Mikk

WC's Sexy Beast

The only thing i'd introduce would be video technology. It would settle all goal disputes which would help.

And no, having high scoring games is nice but if the match ends up 0 - 0 and you have been entertained then they have done their job.

The Phantom

I like it just the way it is... no changes at all please.

K Jay

Yep, we're in a golden age. Video evidence should only be used in disputes of the ball crossing the line for a goal. If it could be done I would advocate chips being placed in players shirts to give a definitive and real time offside decision.

I had a sig, once.

Mikk

WC's Sexy Beast

Rugby have been using a video ref for years so why should football be any different.

I would just have it for the goals though as for anything else it would drastically slow the game down.

The Phantom

Thing is they still don't get it right all the time in rugby.

Also how do you stop a game for a goal? It could hit the cross bar and come back out and the ball could still be in play for a good few mins before it went dead. One team may lose advantage if the ball is shown not to have gone over the line.

K Jay

Like the shirt idea, if you have two chips in the ball and sensitive enough readers in the stadium ball over line could be instantly adjudged correctly as well.

I had a sig, once.

Dr. Giganto

no bait and switch, just curious, is all

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Yeah, the offsides rule annoys me.. It'd be like in basketball taking away the fastbreak dunks.. but then again, I'm American so what the hell do I know..