08-05-2015, 12:53 PM
New EPL season begins this weekend.
To soccer haters:
I was you. Played football, hockey and lacrosse in high school, and college lacrosse. Always considered soccer a pansy sport. Decided to watch soccer when I was laid up after eye surgery a few years back when I came across EPL games on Fox Sports 1. Since I always heard it was the world's #1 sport, I decided to see if I could be swayed to what the fuss was all about. Didn't understand it, or even like the first few games. But as I began to gain knowledge of the strategy and subtleties, I began to get into it.
The English Premier League is known as the most physical of all the European Leagues. One of my major peeves was players falling to the ground after minimal contact, and rolling around like they had been shot. I learned that diving was not appreciated, and that the EPL even had taken steps to curb it. The refs now hand out yellow cards for obvious dives. The problem isn't solved, but is less prevalent. I also learned that drawing a foul was part of the strategy and gamesmanship. It can break up the flow of play, or get a team a set piece in a favorable spot. Although I still don't like how dramatic some players are about it.
All that said, I encourage folks to take a peek and give it a chance. Watch several weeks of games (the games are on Sat and Sun early), not just one, and see if you can't begin to appreciate it. Also, don't fall for teams like Manchester United and Chelsea....they are good because have huge followings, generate lots of revenue, and try to buy championships with that money. They remind me of teams like the Yankees and Cowboys.
To soccer haters:
I was you. Played football, hockey and lacrosse in high school, and college lacrosse. Always considered soccer a pansy sport. Decided to watch soccer when I was laid up after eye surgery a few years back when I came across EPL games on Fox Sports 1. Since I always heard it was the world's #1 sport, I decided to see if I could be swayed to what the fuss was all about. Didn't understand it, or even like the first few games. But as I began to gain knowledge of the strategy and subtleties, I began to get into it.
The English Premier League is known as the most physical of all the European Leagues. One of my major peeves was players falling to the ground after minimal contact, and rolling around like they had been shot. I learned that diving was not appreciated, and that the EPL even had taken steps to curb it. The refs now hand out yellow cards for obvious dives. The problem isn't solved, but is less prevalent. I also learned that drawing a foul was part of the strategy and gamesmanship. It can break up the flow of play, or get a team a set piece in a favorable spot. Although I still don't like how dramatic some players are about it.
All that said, I encourage folks to take a peek and give it a chance. Watch several weeks of games (the games are on Sat and Sun early), not just one, and see if you can't begin to appreciate it. Also, don't fall for teams like Manchester United and Chelsea....they are good because have huge followings, generate lots of revenue, and try to buy championships with that money. They remind me of teams like the Yankees and Cowboys.
