Five reasons I love the game of soccer

2020 was a crappy year

There seems to be a lot of negativity in the world these days. 2020 was a crappy year. I think we are feeling the effects of it now. I don’t want to contribute to the negativity. No – I would rather talk about things I love and am passionate about, hoping that others do the same. Today I am writing about the game I love the most – soccer. Or, as the rest of the world calls it football.

Reason #1 – a soccer game takes less than two hours

I love all kinds of sports. I grew up playing and watching a lot of sports on television. Nowadays – it is a struggle to watch many sports. Baseball – too slow. Football – too long. A single game takes over 3 and a half hours to watch. Good luck watching back-to-back football games. Pro basketball – who cares. You don’t even have to pay attention until the fourth quarter. Soccer, on the other hand, only takes two hours to watch a whole game. It gives me the ability to watch many games over a weekend. Let’s be honest – you don’t have to pay too much attention while watching a soccer game. You can pretty much tell when something exciting, like scoring a goal, is going to happen.

Reason #2 – soccer is the game of my youth

I played soccer growing up. Started playing when I was six and continued all the way to high school. Now I was not a great player. I was a good player – scored plenty of goals, had a lot of fun, and learned a lot about life on the soccer field. It was super exciting when my high school team won the Virginia State Championship. I was good enough to be on the team, but not great enough to play much. Nope – I spent a lot of time on the bench. Best seats in the house watching some of my best friends kill it as we won the championship.

Reason #3 – football is the most popular sport in the world

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world – hands down. Almost every country in the world plays and has a team. It is awesome that soccer is a global phenomenon. If you think American sports stars are popular, consider Messi, Ronaldo, and many soccer players. You can visit remote parts of the world and you will see little kids wearing Messi jerseys. In case you are wondering which team I root for – the Germans. Germany typically has a strong team, and they win a lot of trophies.

Reason #4 – football fans are passionate about the sport

Soccer fans are passionate. If you think American football fans are crazy, then you have to see an international soccer match. The English, Spanish, Italian, and Turkish leagues are prime examples of passionate soccer fans. I love the fact that the fans really get into the game – yelling, singing, banging drums, jumping up and down. I watched Barcelona play at Camp Nou – it was a really fun game to watch. Over 100,00 fans going crazy. When it comes to passionate fans – I put football fans at the top of the list. Now there is a downside – some stadiums have a fence around the field, or have to put police in the stands between the team fans. Beware – don’t sit in the opponent’s part of the stadium wearing your team colors. In some places – you will get your ass kicked if you are rooting for the wrong team.

Reason #5 – I love watching my sons play soccer

Both my sons played soccer, and I really enjoy watching them play. Riley still plays in college, and it looks like he will be heading off to Germany to play. I am super excited for him. There is no greater joy for me as a father than to see my sons be successful in something they are passionate about.

The correct answer to three quick questions

1. What team is the best team in the world? Bayern Munich.
2. Who is the best player in the world? Messi, not Ronaldo.
3. Who is the current best player in the world? Robert Lewandowski. He is tearing it up this season.

Tough love for the game I love the most

Three things I don’t like about the game of soccer.

1. Diving and drama – quit it with all the diving to get a card or PK. Stay on your feet and play the game.
2. Racism – it is a real issue that needs to be addressed. It is appalling the way some players are treated by opposing fans. The yelling, screaming, cursing, and throwing things at players needs to stop. Hooligans should be banned.
3. America’s team – the men’s national team is not good. The women are awesome. I would love to see the US field a competitive men’s team. Let’s win the world cup one day. In my lifetime – please.

I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.