Yes, the term pitch was applied to cricket first, not soccer.
“Since the end of the 17th century, the process of pitching stumps into the ground to set up a game of cricket has been called “pitching the stumps”. By the late 1800s, people started using “pitch” as a noun to describe a playing area. By 1900, pitch was used specifically for a football (or soccer) playing area.”
http://www.juliatomiak.com/2015/05/why-is-a-soccer-field-called-a-pitch/
I could find hundreds of other sources to back this up. Cricket predates soccer, at least in an organized form in England, and the term pitch was applied first to its playing field, then later to soccer as that sport became codified in the 1800s.
And no, the marathon runner is not the best conditioned of the three. Each are conditioned for the sport in which they specialize. The marathon runner is completely outclassed in the 100 meter dash, but the sprinter would be lost in the sumo ring. Exactly how much running does the goalie do in a game?
“Yes, the term pitch was applied to cricket first, not soccer.”
No kidding...as I posted it was used for cricket first, but not borrowed. Pitch was an act of clearning a field, so ANY FIELD cleared for playing whatever game had that word attached at some point. Geez.....
” Exactly how much running does the goalie do in a game?”
My brother was a goalie in college. His team went on to win national championship back in the 90’s. He now, @ 40, needs hip replacement due to the many injuries he received while playing goalie all those years.
He did plenty of running, conditioning. He was and still is in the best shape he can be.
So, how much running does the kicker do in American football? Or the quarterback for that matter? Why don’t you just say “I hate soccer and will watch American football forever regardless if every one of them takes a knee from now on?” You’d feel much better....