Remember in american football, where whatever team got the ball in OT usually won cause of field goal = game over?

Its a crappy way to decide a game, but most casual fans enjoy the PK's and the excitement that comes with it.

Generally speaking the reason most Americans dont like watching soccer is because half the time they have no idea what they are even watching. All they see is a ball being kicked around and wondering why its not going into the net... Its hard for anyone to enjoy watching a sport when you dont even understand the basics of the game (not saying that you dont, just others who have a negative view on watching soccer). The build up of the game, the possession, the moves, the chances, the suspense, the simple beauty of the game is why its hands down the most popular sport bar-none in the world.

Also, its a harder sport for casuals to follow along and get into with the multiple leagues they have around the world, where here in america, its pretty simple with one league to rule the entire sport like MLB/NFL/NBA (best players all play here)... There are a lot more leagues world-wide for soccer where the best players are spread throughout all the regions.

TBH most people outside of the U.S. find our sports very boring, MLB/NFL in particular. To them, NFL is a constant stoppage fest. the game is 60minutes, but it takes 3 hours to finish the game, including commercials etc, and to them they dont understand why they are standing on the line for 30seconds trying to force a offside, which is similar to why a lot of Americans dont understand what is happening in a soccer game to soften a defense or to find a opening etc... You could say WOW look at that through ball, and half the people watching the soccer game complaining about the sport dont/wont even know what a through ball is..

Good take. I can certainly see why it turns some people off but to me, matches like Russia v Spain are akin to watching a game of chess played out on a pitch. It is interesting in a different way.

I really enjoy watching international soccer but it is very hard to deal with the diving. Twice today players dove instead of playing the ball in what would have been a very dangerous spot. Ramos did it before PK's and just before in this game.

Would really like to see tournaments give heavy fines and yellow/reds post-match to try to curb it. Hell use VAR too.

Turtle Turtle

I agree to some extent as far as why people don't like it or find it boring... most people are casual fans and they aren't going to put any effort into understanding the game. I think people who watch and appreciate other sports will at least put the effort into understanding what they're watching. I can appreciate the skill and passing, set plays, etc.... it's just very strange that a game that's not offensive and has rules like offsides to keep teams from scoring, goes to the extreme opposite to decide games. It would be like CFB rules for OT, but you only get 3 players on defense.

Playing it yourself definitely helps, and soccer is inexpensive... I didn't appreciate hockey nearly as much until I started playing roller hockey.

But then there's this bit of fun

<blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1530472377"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/8v1yze/neymar_is_on_a_roll/">Neymar is on a roll</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/funny">r/funny</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//embed.redditmedia.com/widgets/platform.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>

This boring ass game is going to penalties.

Tuuuuuuuuuuurtle

I love the penalty kicks.

One of the better reasons to watch.

Where is the red card?

Amazing save!

That should have been a red card, but that was one hell of a save!
That last gasp tackle reminds me of the Suarez hand ball on the line vs Ghana in South Africa. Deny the opponent an easy goal in order to give your goalie a shot.

The Croatian player still should have been able to get the shot off.

That was exciting.

That's what I was thinking... looked like an extra step.

I really want Croatia to win but I have a sinking feeling.

What a crock of shit

Should have shot right after he got past the goalie.

It is all about momentum.

Only if he did that earlier.

Come on Croatia put this one away and move to the next round.

Croatia!!

Love seeing Eastern European nations do well!

I volunteer to console the hot Danish babes.

Amazing PK round. Schweichel/Schmeichel(?)has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of

Croatia has to play better in the next round. They looked disinterested at times.

Not sure if I've ever shared on CP that my Grandfather was full blooded Yugoslavian.

LMAOLMAO

Honest question, what's your solution?

Simple solution is you just keep going, or at least longer extra time, but it isn't like the NHL where a fluke deflections make each moment dangerous regardless of energy level plus they change shifts. Imagine the quality of the game at the 240th minute?

So if you don't just keep going do you go down to 10 v 10, or 8 v 8?

Perhaps you could keep going but allow free substitutions after 120 minutes. Basically having shifts mid-play like hockey to keep the play "fresh".

PK's is an absolute brutal way to lose, especially if you are the favorite. Just not sure what the better solution is.

Rocks Scissors Paper?

[/URL]http://worldrps.com/how-to-beat-anyo...aper-scissors/

Bought my Team Mexico shirt and going to the bar at 8am tomorrow. Worthless sport, but Mexican crowds are fun (I hope)!

Anybody but France

Laughable anyone wanted Spain to win. I get rooting vs Russia (Russophobia runs hot over here) but Spain is boring as shit and deserved to be bounced.


They completed ONE THOUSAND passes vs Russia. (Russia converted 200). There was zero point to Spain's game. If anything they were the pussies hiding in a shell, not attacking.

Wow, Neymar was in some real pain there! Hope he's alright!

It is hard to cheer for Brazil with all their crazy antics.

Divemar the flopping pussy

Turns out he is just fine in case any of you were wondering! Thankfully!

Marcus Smart would be proud of that act.

Marcus would have been an all-time great had he decided to pursue soccer.

I sent some flowers and a GET WELL SOON balloon

Mexico ran into a wall!

Now hopefully Colombia will take care of ingurland.

You shut your whore mouth. :)

Good day for the world, Mexico is done!

Have a burrito to celebrate !

whoa, oh Mexico - I guess you'll have to go now

I bet Landon Donovan is sad...little bitch
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Sorry m8, i hate the English.. and I'm half English.

WTH Lukaku? Gotta get a foot on it!!

Overall, the Belgians are just toying with Japan. Looks like Lebron playing HORSE with his kids.

But they better effing capitalize.

GO JAPAN!!

Lukaku got a pretty good shove in the back - dangerous play for Japan, but worked out for them.

Seems like the talent differential is making Belgium try and get too cute in the box.

Belgium's my team in this - shame how the bracket played out. Would love to see them send ****ing Neymar home, assuming they don't blow this.

Belgian keeper duffs a ground ball.

That would have been HILARIOUS!!

Woo Japan!

x2

Well, ****.

Belgium in serious trouble

That was a rocket on that second goal.

I usually root for European teams but Belgium beat England so go Japan!

Belgium with no finishing ability today.

Did I oversleep and Belgium isn't in Europe anymore?

That was incredible.

Let's break this down:

"I usually root for European teams" - He usually roots for European teams, such as Belgium.

"but Belgium beat England" - Apparently he's upset that England lost to Belgium.

"so go Japan!" - Therefore, he's rooting for Japan, which isn't in Europe.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/...ps51409b29.jpg
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Bannnnzzaaaiiiii
Posted via Mobile Device

BELGIUM!!

Japan is choking.

Reading is hard.

I believe that second gal is what you call

'and then, the midgets.'

OMG just like WW2 - japan out to the early sneak attack lead only to let it go
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I was just about to post something similar. ROFL

Thank you.

BELGIUM!!!!

What an insane half of soccer.

WOW

Thanks for nothing, Japan.

I haven't seen Japan bomb that badly since Hiroshima.

Wow!

That doesn't even make sense.

I don't understand how one European team beating another European team would negate both. Did they get to choose their opponents and Belgium decided to show England who is boss?