What strikes a British observer about the typical U.S. view of Association Football (or soccer for short) is that it’s seen as a game for women: when until very recently (I’d say the last 15 years or so) the opposite has been true here. It’s traditionally been seen as almost exclusively a man’s game. Girls weren’t allowed to play it at school (far too rough - they played the more ‘ladylike’ hockey instead), the crowds at matches were overwhelmingly male, there was no organised women’s game, and the very few women’s teams were generally viewed as freaks. The fact that this attitude has recently changed has been the result, ironically enough, of American influence.
An excellent point, actually. I have seen field hockey games that more resemble the Battle of Hastings than a genteel athletic event.