[OldPossum]

Re your post 89, yes, I do understand “nationalism” as being the driving force in the popularity of the game and I hinted as such when I wrote “What is this odd attraction to soccer on the part of those in other countries other than their team winning?” What continues to baffle me is that these peoples find this low-scoring, oddly-structured (i.e., no use of one’s hands, unlike any other athletic endeavor) sport interesting. This I will take to my grave, it’s simply beyond my comprehension.

[1rudeboy]

Please understand, I'm not trying to convince you that the sport is interesting, when you believe it is not. To each his own. If you are looking for something to read on the beach this summer, then I recommend:

National Pastime: How Americans Play Baseball and the Rest of the World Plays Soccer.

It's an interesting read, written by a sports economist. In sum, he argues that baseball could have easily become the "world" sport, but things got in the way. What makes it very interesting is that he details how soccer and baseball evolved in the U.S. at the same time.

[dfwgator]

What continues to baffle me is that these peoples find this low-scoring, oddly-structured (i.e., no use of one’s hands, unlike any other athletic endeavor) sport interesting.

What goes faster and further, a soccer ball being thrown, or a soccer ball being kicked?