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U.S. Fans: No Throw, No Go

Griffel Ball

Sure, soccer little leagues are about as popular as baseball little leagues, and many people play soccer in high school and through college.

But after college, there aren't many famous soccer leagues in this country, and even in college, very few people attend soccer matches as compared with football, basketball and hockey games.

"So what's the deal with the World Cup?" one might ask.

Record numbers of people attended this summer's event in the U.S., but most of them were foreigners who wanted to support their own nations or people who just wanted to say that they saw a soccer match.

There was supposed to be a U.S. soccer league developed as a result of the 'Copa Mundial.' Nobody knows, however, when or if the league will start. Even more sadly, most Americans don't care.

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On the other hand, soccer is infused into the lives of millions of people in foreign nations, especially in Latin America and Europe.

Take Univision's Andres Cantor' as an example. The man was and still is a big hit because his GOL calls are unique. But Mr. Cantor (who appeared on the Late Show and the Regis and Kathie Lee program as a result of his GOLASO's) doesn't necessarily do it to attract attention.

Before the man became a celebrity, he was shouting GOL! GOL! GOL! GOL! GOL!, etc. because the sport of soccer is a part of his upbringing, and seeing a perfect play develop sends him and many other people into a state of euphoria.

That almost never happen to Americans because there is something in the nature of this country that makes people closed-minded about the sport.

And that shouldn't be the case.

Especially in the absence of the two major sports of hockey and baseball, it's time for American sports fans to realize and appreciate the beauty of soccer.

You don't have to love the sport, but if you can watch people punch each other's lights out (boxing or assault, I'm not sure what to call it); then give soccer a second chance and try to appreciate the skill involved.

And since our main concern here is about the college aspect of sports, support the Harvard men's and women's soccer teams, both of whom are in second place in the Ivies and who have very realistic chances of winning the Ancient Eight title and going on to the NCAA tournament.

GOL for it!

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