[SoothingDave]

From that point of view, the penalty kick endings (which by the way only occur in playoffs or championships ... otherwise it's a draw) are quite a test of personal skill on part of the kicker and the goalie.

Exactly my point. It ceases being the team game and becomes something else. If you're happy with that, fine, but it seems silly to me to decide who the best soccer team is by playing playing extra innings of an individual scoring contest.

My argument against the NCAA overtime football rules would seem to apply here. If a team plays defense so well that it greatly reduces or eliminates good scoring opportunities for the other team, why decide defense doesn't matter all of a sudden?

Much like hockey ... which seems to be one sport you love dearly.

I like hockey and football. Hockey comparisons seem apt for this discussion since hockey is a team, goal-oriented, constant flowing sport.

And they don't decide a champion by a shootout.

SD

[al_c]

But those teams are made up of the individuals in this duel scenario. They are not out there representing themselves, they are representing the team. Try to find that quality in today's NFL.

[FostersExport]

Skating around on an ice rink when you have rolling subs is not the same as running around a full size soccer pitch in (and this is the important bit) 90 degrees of heat.

Well, if you don’t like soccer don’t watch it then. There will be plenty of us watching it anyway.