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"It’s still not clear what killed Valle-Victorino, but an opposing player trying to score kicked the ball, striking him in the neck."

Years ago my parents made me quit playing HS football and switch to soccer to avoid the risk of injuries my dad had endured - playing both ways at the Univ. Of Wisconsin. He lost 1/4 of his teeth and one knee.

The injury prevention idea didn't pan out. I played goalie. I was knocked out once after a kicked ball struck me square in the face. I had my bottom team knocked loose from a kicked ball. I had three vertebrae broken when an opponent tried to kick the ball after I had made a save and struck me in the back with his kicking foot.

Soccer is a high-speed, high-force contact sport. The pros have gotten good at acting, but anyone putting their kids in soccer thinking it is kinder and gentler don't understand the game.

I don't like Soccer but I agree it is probably more dangerous than football.

All that kicking basically using the most powerful muscles in the body and it is bound to some times result in serious injury.

The pros have gotten good at acting, but anyone putting their kids in soccer thinking it is kinder and gentler don't understand the game.

Too true. Two weeks ago our high-school varsity goalie was kicked in the face while diving to the ball. Two broken cheekbones, broken nose, broken jaw, 1 lost tooth. Our kids come home from their soccer games with assorted bruises and muscle pulls, but they love it. Are we going to tell them to stop playing? No.