Video: The 60-yard goal
posted at 11:34 am on May 27, 2008 by Allahpundit
A.k.a. “Man Hits Giant Unguarded Target With Ball.” Exhibit 6,428 in why I’ll never understand soccer’s appeal: Is this really some great shakes? Can’t most pro players (and even plenty of amateurs) hit an open net from far away? And yet, somehow, it’s a bona fide YouTube phenomenon, with 1.1 million views of this particular clip and literally nine other versions of it in the YT top 100.
What am I missing? Leg strength + basic accuracy + favorable wind conditions = a gimme, no? Is this just a byproduct of the collective European mancrush on Beckham?
Update: To put this in perspective, the net’s goalposts are 24 feet apart. NFL goalposts are 18 feet, six inches. He kicked a long field goal through a bigger target than football kickers have. On a hop.
Blowback
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Soccer. Meh.
MadisonConservative on May 27, 2008 at 11:36 AM
But its Beckham! All the Scientolofreaks are required by Ron L. to click on the link 100 times each or they forfeit a thetan level.
Brad on May 27, 2008 at 11:39 AM
You wanna see some amazing soccer, watch “Shaolin Soccer.”
tlynch001 on May 27, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Beckham’s not a Scilon. Tom Cruise tried but didn’t succeed with Posh and Becks.
mram on May 27, 2008 at 11:42 AM
The beauty of soccer is its simplicity. All you need is a ball and whatever is around you for goalposts.
This is why it is today the closest thing to a global game.
Pax americana on May 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
This clip includes both soccer and Beckham, making it doubly uninteresting.
Akzed on May 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
“
Man$250 Million salary person Hits Giant Unguarded Target With Ball – as he’s paid to do.”ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Call me when it’s rugby
Hunt035 on May 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Soccer Needs more cowbell
William Amos on May 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Ah…….great game for girlie-men.
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Wonder if that goalie is recovering from the royal ass-kicking he got from his team mates in the locker room after the game was over?
pilamaye on May 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Better Becks from mid 90′s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2zGhYkwKP4
Wake Forest Alum (reigning National Champs) in MLS doing something similar. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTxgd4a4WD4
Goalie scores from goal to goal with guarded goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnCdEr9PkZg
Another MLS midfield goal in guarded goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLUvAwTDK1g&feature=related
This is just Becks’ hype machine trying to justify the ridiculous paycheck for an over-the-hill athlete. He is in Hollywood after all. More about style than substance.
ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 11:51 AM
It was an empty net, it was empty, no guard? That makes it a great goal?
Try a 60 yard field goal with 250 lb. linemen rushing to break you in two.
Soccer is misspelled, is should be sockher.
right2bright on May 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
You guys don’t get it…I want you to go into a field, and try that 100 times. I bet you that you can’t get the ball into that net.
Soccer takes a skill level, that needs to be more refined that any other sport. Only the NBA comes close in skill level…that is an awesome goal.
Chudi on May 27, 2008 at 11:54 AM
sorry for the multiple posts. . . it was slow taking my comments so I tried breaking it up.
ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Gayest. Sport. Ever.
Blacksheep on May 27, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Soccer?
No thanks.
Soccer sure is popular in monarchies though.
SaintOlaf on May 27, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I get goose bumps watching this every time. Oh to be 25 again and not have this beat up body.
peacenprosperity on May 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Actually, this is pretty wicked, all things considered. To hit it cleanly enough to have it neither roll to a stop (which can happen easily on the rather soft natural grass that’s intended for American football players) nor park it into the seats, takes far more skill that you’re thinking, AP. Furthermore, to put it dead center into the net, empty or not, is rather remarkable. On average, even teams in Premiership (English top-class football) are fortunate to have one man who can consistently do that sort of thing.
Sad that the MLS has probably one fellow in the whole of the league who can do it, and he’s a Brit.
Oh, and I’m an American, AP. Though I am stationed in Germany, so that might make me part of the “mancrush.”
Spc Steve on May 27, 2008 at 12:00 PM
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=972610564803011605&q=new+barbarians&ei=NjA8SMjYEIvu-wGkjPHmAwDisregard that last thing, I don’t know how the heck that happened.
peacenprosperity on May 27, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I’ll just say, for those who don’t play, that is far more difficult to do than you think. If you don’t believe me just give it a try. Get a buddy or two and “re-enact” the whole play. Toss a ball 20′ in the air, trap, settle and turn away from pressure. While being chased for 25-30 yards rip a shot in stride 60 yards out from the target. After a hundred or so attempts at just trying to trap, settle and turn with the ball under pressure you’ll understand. But good luck.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Well now, let me spit out my Skoal and take another swig of PBR…..In my dictionary, “soccer” is played by liberals, communists, and queers and other UN-Americans.
/sarc
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 27, 2008 at 12:02 PM
There’s no hopping in football!
Ghey. Ghey. Totally ghey. Liberace ghey.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 27, 2008 at 12:04 PM
The people who are saying this isn’t that tough have clearly never played soccer in their lives.
Believe me, that is a one in a thousand shot.
madne0 on May 27, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Now a hockey goalie scoring an empty netter from the far side of the ice… That takes some talent!
This is just so-so. I’ve seen my kid make a better shot when he was 10!
hburns on May 27, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Hate on him all you want. Becks is teh HOT!
KelliD on May 27, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I couldn’t kick a 60-yard field goal either but then I’m not a pro. That’s my point. Yes, this is beyond the ability of most people, but is it so amazing as to warrant millions of views on YouTube? Long field goals get kicked every week in the NFL and the world collectively yawns. What makes this so much more impressive?
Allahpundit on May 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Yeah, me too.
Oh, puhleeze! Soccer takes so little skill that 5 year olds around the world can do it.
Skill, hmph.
Try hitting a 4″ ball with a 2 1/2″ stick at 100mph.
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
When he kicks it from home plate over the Green Monster let me know.
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 12:07 PM
More like over 70 yards, but no matter. That circle at the half line has a 10 yd radius. The big box where the first hop happened is 18 yd from the end line. The total length of the field is 112 yd, making the half line 56 yd from the end. So yeah, about 70 yd.
Still a very difficult thing to do, even if the ball were standing stll.
CUS on May 27, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Hmmmm…unimpressed. Try that without toes.
Sgt. Hartman on May 27, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Sorry AP, but that’s a pretty weak comparison. In soccer you also have to worry about height (the goal has a height of 8 feet).
Again, like so many have said before, go ahead and try to recreate that goal yourself. It really is hard.
madne0 on May 27, 2008 at 12:10 PM
One in a thousand? Heh, I will walk to my local park (which has a full size soccer field with nets) and try this kick; you willing to take a bet that I can’t get the ball in more than once in 1000 attempts?
It was a pretty good shot but to pretend that its worthy of being included in the pantheon of great sports moments? Hmmm.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Thanks folks, for my laugh of the morning.
Y’know who else could make this shot?
Barack Obama.
Rhinoboy on May 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Not for pros. I would bet every single pro in MLS would have done the same in that situation. Becks has been great. . . emphasis on ‘has been’. But this isn’t an example of it. Point being if he’d missed, he’d be vastly overpaid.
I’m not a big soccer fan though. . . give me football and basketball and I’m good.
ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I’m sure you all remember when Miles Crane sunk that half court shot. Now there goes a man!
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Soccer needs something to make it more exciting. Maybe if the field was a little shorter?
RBMN on May 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Tiger traps?
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 12:16 PM
And as AP has said, of course he can’t do it. Beckham is a professional. Still, like him, I’m far more impressed by football kickers.
Soccer is almost more boring than golf.
Esthier on May 27, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Ahh, the often overlooked hockey player. Hockey players are by far the world’s best all around athletes. Speed, strength, quickness, toughness, agility, balance, good hands, good feet, fast reaction time, creativity w/little to no time to think. A hockey player must have a combination of all qualities. A basketball player can get by on size alone. Soccer players do not have to be tough. I know many fine soccer players who are, by no measure, tough. If a hockey player is lacking any one athletic quality they cannot possibly play at a high level. Aside from football running backs, hockey players are the best athletes.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I am far more impressed by the deeds of men like Pfc. Ross McGinnis who was posthumously awarded the MOH for covering a grenade with his body to shield his comrades.
There are real heroes all around us, too bad they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
My theory is that soccer hooligans get wasted to overcome the boredom of watching what has to be the world’s most boring sport. In NASCAR you can hope for a (non-fatal)wreck. In hockey you can hope for a fight. In soccer you can hope that someone actually scores eventually.
NNtrancer on May 27, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I have some ideas:
Allow players to use their hands while tackling.
Let players pick the ball up and carry it.
Let players pass the ball to other players.
Make the ball pointy instead of round.
Make goals worth six points.
I could go on…
Rhinoboy on May 27, 2008 at 12:22 PM
And why was the goal unguarded anyway? What kind of foul warrants making the game easier than it already is?
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:22 PM
It’s so much more impressive for the same reason as the following events: Michael Jordan dunking a basketball, Ted Williams swinging a baseball bat, Joe Montana throwing a football to Jerry Rice, Wayne Gretzky putting a puck in the net; they’re remarkable because not only is what they do incredibly difficult to impossible for the rest of us, but they make it look relaxed, easy, even graceful.
This sort of thing is easy for Beckham, requiring not much more effort than lacing up his boots, and it shows. That’s why it’s impressive.
Spc Steve on May 27, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Ain’t that the truth. I don’t think “tough” and “soccer” go anywhere near each other in the same paragraph. Quite the opposite.
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Well that is true and that is where the Beckham aspect of this takes over. I’m sure most of the players on that field could hit this same shot under pressure about 30% of the time. If this was not David Beckham it would not be getting nearly as many views and we probably would not be talking about it right now. I understand your point Allah. My comment was sort of a pre-emptive attack on the inevitable, “Whats the big deal? I could do that” comments to come.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Where’s the goalie?
Sensible Mom on May 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Kansas City had brought their keeper up into the corner kick as an extra target for the cross from the corner. It’s not unlike Hockey pulling the goalie to get an extra attacker, though in this case the goalie is the attacker, not being burdened by 70 pounds of pads.
Spc Steve on May 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I used to argue in soccer’s defense, but then I realized it was pointless. If you understand it, you appreciate it. If you don’t- nothing will sway you. The only sad part is MLS is still crap, but is slowly gaining some serious momentum, not to mention the English Premiere League (go Blues). Don’t be surprised if when we are all in nursing homes, our children skip visiting us to go watch DC United.
danarchy on May 27, 2008 at 12:28 PM
My son’s a goalkeeper. He has two T-shirts that read:
IN SOCCER There Are No Timeouts There Are No Helmets No Shoulder Pads No Commercial Breaks No Halftime Extravaganza So If That’s What You Need Go Play Football YOU BIG WUSS!
and
We Acutally Do Use Our Feet to Play, We Don’t Stop Play Every Six Seconds, We’re Not Covered Head To Toe In Pads, We Don’t Suck Oxygen On The Sidelines, We Play More Than One Game A Week and Have A Real World Championship. So If You Can’t Handle That Go Play That Sorry Excluse For A Sport They Call Football, You WIMP!
He was drafted to be the kicker on his high school varsity football team and was proud as can be…till he started practicing with the team and saw what the reality was. He couldn’t wait for the season to be over and be with “real atheletes” again.
There’s actually a lot of truth in the shirts. For those that know the sport, they know how tough it is; for those that don’t, well, as someone once told me, “no amount of tellin’ can tell ya.”
90 minutes of non-stop running back and forth, physical game with no padding except for shin guards. Not as ghey as you think.
It was a helluva shot.
had it right.
Grantman on May 27, 2008 at 12:28 PM
They were in stoppage time on a corner kick (per the announcers). It was likely the only shot they were going to get (they were probably behind). In hockey they’ll pull the goalie at the end of the game to get more scorers in the game too. . . it wasn’t a penalty, it was a strategy to get another offensive player on to tie the game.
ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Having watched a lot of soccer I’d say that was a pretty good shot. But AP is right, he’s paid to do that. If he couldn’t that would be a problem. Maybe there are so many views on YouTube because Beckham finally did something after, what, 1 1/2 years of nothing.
Sensible Mom on May 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Funny: Soccer “injuries” 101
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Uh…watch any hockey lately?
robblefarian on May 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I’m a right-winger for the intra-battalion side in Germany (U.S. Army), and a friend of mine told me he was thinking of joining his unit’s club. I told him it was really a way to take your mind off running a 10K. After his double-take, I explained that I can expect to run at least 9 kilometres per match. He said he’d get in shape, then look at signing on.
Spc Steve on May 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Grantman, I remember an article in the paper when Beasely was on the Fire that in a typical game, he would run 6-10 miles.
CUS on May 27, 2008 at 12:35 PM
The same applies to rugby, and it’s far more tough than soccer.
But the thing is, it would only be news if Jordon couldn’t dunk or is Montana couldn’t through a decent pass, etc.
It’s not a youtube hit when it happens the way its supposed to.
Esthier on May 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Well, don’t get me wrong Redhead Infidel. There are many tough soccer players. I played soccer in college and, not all, but many of the guys I played with were very tough guys. It truly drives me crazy, though, to see the diving and injury faking that takes place on the professional fields. It has truly driven me to the point of refusing to watch a professional game even having played the sport my entire life. It ruins the game and embarasses me. I really wish the people who run the leagues and the professional tournaments would take diving and injury faking more seriously. I’ve seriously seen some players carried off the field on a stretcher only to come back into the game a few minutes later. It makes me sick. If it were up to me I’d make a rule that if you go down on the field with an injury and delay the game, you are done for the game. I player injured enough to stop the game cannot return. Either get up right away or leave for the game.
Because of the behavior of many of those professional players I can’t blame people like you for sticking the pansy label to all soccer players. It drives me crazy though.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM
To all of those that think soccer is a wimpy sport you ought to watch a game. Go to a local game and watch these kids run for over an hour with no breaks except halftime (5 minutes) or unless there’s a score or someone gets hurt. It’s physical with lot’s of shoving and colliding and like another poster said, none of them stand there out of breath at each break.
Sensible Mom on May 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM
90 minutes of non-stop running back and forth, physical game with no padding except for shin guards. Not as ghey as you think.
Is there a lot of checking and tackling in soccer? I wasn’t aware that soccer players are driven into the boards by men the size of Derek Boogaard or crushed to the turf by 320 pound defensive linemen.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Great Video of the Barbos… and I AM 25 and too beat-up to play rugby anymore… but that doesn’t always stop me.
Hunt035 on May 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Correct, not all that impressive (compared to other soccer shots) because of the open net, but that kick was much longer than the 60 quoted by the announcer and probably even longer than the 70 in the title.
The Galaxy field is: 72 yards x 116 yards
and KC field is: 69 yards x 110 yards
My estimate puts his kick between 73 and 78 yards.
Alhough the goal may be wider that a field goal it is much more vertically restricted a soccer goal being 8 feet high. Lets see a field goal kicker put a 35 yard shot within an 8 foot vertical range. . . oh wait those guys are soccer players, they might have a chance
infidel2 on May 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Ha! Didn’t expect to hear a Derek Boogaard reference on Hotair today. As for Minn though, I prefer watching Marian Gaborik play the game. That guy is absolutely nasty. Just wish he could play a full season without getting injured.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Soccer……..I just don’t know if it will ever make it in the US. If they are depending on guys like me to watch it, they are out of luck. I just don’t see the big deal compared to the NFL football or even the NBA. They would have to pay me big to have to sit through an entire game.
Then, at the end, it could be deceided by free kicks….Whats the point?
saiga on May 27, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Actually, Bishop, there is a lot of checking and tackling in soccer. Players get knocked off their ball position all the time and it’s not always called a foul.
Of course there’s checking in hockey and tackling in football, that’s why they’re covered head to toe in helmets and padding. But you’re missing the point. Just because a soccer player isn’t tackled by a 320 lineman doesn’t mean the sport isn’t physical.
Sensible Mom on May 27, 2008 at 12:47 PM
George Blanda weeps.
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Any day you can justify a reference to the Booger is a good day.
I would like to see Beckham make that shot knowing that Booger is going to send his charred remains flying through the air one second after the ball leaves his foot.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Obviously you don’t know much about sports…
Try to make a hole in one
Try to toss a water polo ball full court into the net with a goalie
Try to hit a 100 mph fast ball
Try to hit a fast pitch from this one
Try and return an Andy Rodick 150 mph serve
Hit a 7-10 split
Just getting a shot in hockey, any shot
There are so many difficult shots more then hitting an open net from 60 yards
Ever put the 9 ball in on a break?
You need to get out more…
right2bright on May 27, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Great logical argument there Redhead, as if because a five year old can do it, there is not skill required.. FYI 5 yr olds play football baskeball and plenty of other sports. does this mean those sports don’t take skill?
infidel2 on May 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This thread is getting too serious. I wish we all fought as hard over earmarks.
Limerick on May 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I understand. To their credit, maybe they are just trying to add some theatrics so that folks don’t fall asleep.
(Sorry…those Youtube clips just keep getting funnier and funnier. Watch the two guys at the end yell at each and then both fall over with head injuries. Even the old guy in a coat – coach, maybe? – gets into it at the end and falls over. Downright hilarious stuff!)
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM
That’s the modern days. . . the purists were OK with 2 hours of soccer (chasing a ball around an open field) and ending in a nil-nil tie. . . UGH!
ThackerAgency on May 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Dude. :18 and :40.
Soccer may not be gay, but Beckham sure is.
By the way, Allah, this was between 2 American teams — LA Galaxies and Kansas City Wizards.
HYTEAndy on May 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Soccer is an ancient sport, as is the rest of the world, so that’s why they like it – it’s inborn into their society.
In that video, the reason it’s so amazing, is that, and if you play soccer you’ll know, that in your whole career of playing the sport you’ll only get one to five chances like that, where the goal is completly unguarded. It’s not so amazing that Beckham shot the ball, or made it in, the only reason he shot the ball was because he was playing the forward position and in a game of soccer it’s natural for the team to give the ball to the forward players so they can shoot.
PresidenToor on May 27, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Lighten up. This is a funny thread.
Redhead Infidel on May 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM
The point is that checking and tackling is illegal in soccer, whether its rightly called a foul is the fault of the referees. Players in baseball and basketball do a lot of shoving and pushing too but they don’t expect to have their bodies smashed into the dirt.
Soccer players wear shin guards because it makes sense, just as hockey and football players wear full pads because it makes sense. So really we are left with running around for ninety minutes…sounds like a marathon to me…and about as interesting.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Jack Dempsey. Dempsey was born with half a right foot and no right hand…Beckham who?
right2bright on May 27, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Always bringing it back to Baracks ears…bigot.
right2bright on May 27, 2008 at 12:58 PM
..but may become more interesting once the Muslims finally control Europe. Imagine hiding the ball under a burqa.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on May 27, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Maybe, maybe not, we didn’t have youtube back then, but if you want to use highlight reels as a judge, I’d say those guys making those plays wuold have gotten the viewage.
infidel2 on May 27, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I’ll see that, and raise you Trinity/Millsaps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1CQPCf55LA
otcconan on May 27, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Yes. Soccer is much less “I’m going to knock you over” than football – knocking people over gets you a foul, and if you’re carded twice you’re out of the game, and cannot be substituted or played in the next game. Soccer requires you to be a lot more physically fit; football players don’t go 45 minutes at a stretch, with no timeouts – injuries are dealt with on the clock, and the lost time is added to the end, making it more grueling. There are many fat American football players; there are few (if any) fat Association football players.
Whether this is American or European soccer doesn’t make any difference; the keeper was brought out of the goal and left it open. You always see kids’ teams do that (I know a U10 team that absolutely lives for it) but it’s a stupid move, especially when you’re playing LA Galazy, who have a pretty strong team (though I’m a NE Revolution fan myself).
You can’t seriously compare soccer with football, in terms of physical requirements. It’s a joke.
emailnuevo on May 27, 2008 at 1:04 PM
..but may become more interesting once the Muslims finally control Europe. Imagine hiding the ball under a burqa.
What soccer? It will be banned though the ancient sport of buzkashi using a headless infidel rather than a goat will gain new and exciting prominence.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Um. What? What about that was remotely impressive? Anybody could do that. And probably without the prancing around and hugging, to.
Soccer is the reason Europe faded to a third-rate power. It is the root of all evil in the world.
Professor Blather on May 27, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I agree. Booger is a scary man. It takes some serious balls to go into the corners against that man. If Beckham was hearing Booger’s footsteps behind him this clip would still be a youtube hit. Just for different reasons.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 1:07 PM
It wasn’t spectacular because there was nothing to block the shot. But it’s still cool.
As for why soccer is awesome, the net is huge, but even when you’re kicking a penalty shot from only 11 meters (12 yards) it can be pretty damn hard even with an average goalie. Also, soccer is played with the chest, head and knees… not just feet. Kicks can be curved tic-tac-tow’d, scissor kicked, head butted, and more. If you watch it long enough or play some you’ll see why it’s exciting. Just like I don’t understand what people find in curling – but once you play it and see all its intricacies you too will start liking it. Same goes for mixed martial arts fights when the 2 fighters hit the ground. It looks boring unless you know what’s going on.
AlexB on May 27, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Those three words pretty much sum up all there is to know about soccer.
Cricket is far more exciting. Backgammon is more manly.
And did I really see people up in the thread claiming this was a difficult feat?
Sigh. Evil. Pure evil. If the Islamic radicals had focused on spreading soccer rather than highjacking planes, we’d all be in mosques already. It is the great destroyer of manhood.
Professor Blather on May 27, 2008 at 1:09 PM
emailnuevo on May 27, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Perhaps in cardio, though soccer players don’t have to have the strength it takes to stop a 300 pound linebacker crashing into them every thirty seconds for an hour, or the muscle-mass to endure being blindsided by a free safety while in free-fall after catching a pass.
You also failed to mention hockey, a sport that does require constant movement as well as the threat of being intentionally pulped against plexiglass or getting your ass knocked onto unyielding ice.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Soccer is a byproduct of, as well as a symbol of, among other things, British colonization, war, uprising (especially in Muslim countries), and freedom – notably today, when Barcelona, Inter Milan, and even the English national team come under fire from Muslims for using the Cross of St. George. There is nothing un-manly about it; if anything, the sport in which you must endure 45 minute stretches of exercise is more manly than the “let’s stop play every time we drop the ball.”
It is to football what fencing is to wrestling – the nobler sport for the thinking man. I have never understood why it never caught on in this country.
emailnuevo on May 27, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Yessir, it might very well be a memorial vid.
If Jared Allen were bearing down on ol’ Dave while he lined up the shot, I’m thinking the shot might not have been taken.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Predictably, many Americans trash “soccer” without the slightest clue what the game’s about. It was an amazing skilful/lucky shot, like a full court basketball shot, but hardly has anything to do with 99.99999999999999999% of the game.
At least understand and appreciate the skill of the game before deciding you don’t like it. But, of course, you don’t have to do that, and you can still trash the game, but you sound like an idiot who doesn’t understand sports.
“90 minutes of non-stop running back and forth, physical game with no padding except for shin guards.”
Grantman on May 27, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Exactly.
Dave Rywall on May 27, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Professor, where’s all this bitterness coming from man? I mean, I’m not a basketball fan. I get annoyed when the last 30 seconds of the game lasts two hours and not a big fan of players speaking a form of thuggish English I can’t understand. But I still sort of enjoy watching the Celts in the playoffs.
Zetterson on May 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM
So now half-marathons are manly sports too? The good professor is correct, soccer destroys the soul; never was a game invented that had a smaller reward-to-effort ratio than soccer.
Bishop on May 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Soccer: It is 90 minutes of excuse to drink beer, then riot.
right2bright on May 27, 2008 at 1:23 PM
This is an old argument – brute strength over speed and agility – but it’s always fun to revisit. A 300-pound linebacker couldn’t run into a soccer player; he isn’t quick enough, or agile enough, to catch him. A 300-pound linebacker couldn’t score a goal against any soccer team’s defense, as he’s not quick enough.
I didn’t mention hockey because I think, and at least it has been in my experience (which is relegated to high school/adolescent games) that skating is less of a workout than running. It’s enjoyable, just like football is, but it’s not on the same level.
emailnuevo on May 27, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Come on AP.
…From what; 60 yards away? Minimum? It’s the rarity of it is all. Nothing super special about it skill-wise, but more of its rare occasion.
It’d not be unlike a Ray Guy blast that slipped through the uprights from 70 yards away. Nothing special but the timing of it.
ChipDWood on May 27, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Two amendments:
I meant LA Galaxy, not Galazy.
American football wears pads. True football wears guards – specifically, shin guards. Which is more manly, the bombing of Dunkirk or the Alamo?
emailnuevo on May 27, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Then marbles should be even better. You don’t even need a goal.
As for you guys arguing about the goals height being a factor – you’re wrong. In this case it isn’t. Go kick a ball 60 yards. When it gets to the goal, it’ll be on the ground. It won’t go over the net, unless you’re a pissed off David Banner. And Beckham most definitely ain’t.
By the way, in most sports, the ball hitting the ground is a bad thing. The goal wouldn’t count. Soccer players have the easiest goals to make and they still mostly don’t. Maybe that’s why it’s so boring the fans have to create all the excitement.
Squiggy on May 27, 2008 at 1:26 PM
To Allah and all you soccer haters! Suit up. Seven-a-side. No goalkeepers. 30 minutes run. Anywhere! Anytime! Paramedics standing by.
RMR on May 27, 2008 at 1:27 PM
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