[dfwgator]

I disagree. The problem with soccer is that the teams don't play to win; rather, they play not to lose. Sitting on a 1 to 1 tie makes for a really boring game. Indeed, I've often thought that points in the standings ought to be subtracted from both teams so that a tie is more painful than a loss.

Not the case since they instituted 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie. Which means it takes 3 ties to equal 1 win. In a title race, ties are devastating because it's a drop of two points.

[Labyrinthos]

Not the case since they instituted 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie. Which means it takes 3 ties to equal 1 win. In a title race, ties are devastating because it's a drop of two points.

That's a nice theory, but the reality is that nearly 30% of the matches in the English Premeir League this season have ended in a draw. The Italian A League is even worse -- 34% of the matches have ended in a draw. And nearly 25% of of the matches in the Spanish and Brazilian leagues anded in ties. BORING! As General Patton famously said, "Americans lover a winner and will not tolerate a loser." Playing for a tie is the same as losing IMHO.