In hockey, you have the blue lines to give a clear indication of what is offsides. In soccer, offsides is not so clear cut, and much harder for the newbies or casual fans to understand. I think it has something to do with players going past the linesmen before the ball, but that is a moving target that nobody pays attention to, and if they are watching on TV, viewers often can’t even see the linesmen. A team is attacking and starts what looks like a breakaway, and suddenly the referee gives the ball to the other team. Even the players are asking “why?”. Keep offsides to prevent snowbirds hanging around the goal, but make it clearer for everyone. Maybe FIFA could adopt something like the 35 yard lines from the old NASL.
It is actually very easy to call and not difficult to see at all when you are coaching. Harder for players trying to get an edge to see they are offsides. Most pros know they are offsides they howl at the referee like a linesman getting called for holding, its all for show.