[dfwgator]

The game has some good elements, but the defense if far too heavily favored, and the pitch (field) is too large, so the adult game (as opposed to the kids version) always becomes a gigantic game of "keepaway", with the occasional Hail Mary long shot, and some Crazy Ivan attacks, hoping for a random goal.

You need to watch more EPL or La Liga games.....watching Messi and Barcelona is like watching poetry.

[Seaplaner]

watching Messi and Barcelona is like watching poetry

I'm sure that it is true, and to be fair, soccer players are (or can be) fantastic artist/athletes.

That said, the defense is too heavily favored under the "laws", and much of the "poetry" you (correctly) describe, is de-coupleted 10 yards past the halfway line.

.

[ArmstedFragg]

I was about to mention EPL. There’s soccer, then there’s SOCCER. Now, the Mexican game can put me to sleep.