Soccer gained popularity because non-athletic children of any age, shape or size can participate. This allows for the parents of those children to “feel good” and brag that their kids play a “sport”. Blame the younger baby boomers for pushing their kids into this farce.
What other sport can a participant stand for minutes, run occasionally, kick at a ball, maybe be involved in a score with little or no talent necessary?
But they get pretty uniforms, maybe sweat on a hot day, and get to say they play a sport? Oh, and get a participation trophy.
Makes their overbearing parents proud.
Don't confuse kids rec soccer in the United States with real soccer worldwide. Soccer players are some of the best conditioned and talented athletes in the world. Take a look at Lionel Messi and say he has little to no talent.
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