yes there is diving in hockey but anyone who tries to compare the 2 is ridiculous. I actually wouldn't mind soccer if there was some dignity in it but in the community people actually say its part of the sport "you have to get your kicks". these guys are athletic freaks and can't be hauled down by a slap on the wrist. The onus should be on the refs to card them more frequently
- BDizzlez

or if a stoppage of play occurs the hurt player must come off.....that would stop the diving in soccer

I feel the same as Brad does...I respect the fact the World loves the game but I can't go for a sport where shootouts decide big games and ties and losses lead to moving on like how the US got into the round of 16...in a World Championship is being played there should only be wins ....play until someone wins the game

All coming from a guy who has scored the least amount of goals of any player who has over 1000 games. Talk about a lack of goal scoring and watching boring play. Fact is that most people in North America just don't get it when it comes to soccer and they never will. Soccer is bigger in South America and Europe than Football is here and hockey is in Canada.

A soccer pitch covers more than 4.5 times as much ground as a North American hockey rink, and soccer has only one referee on the field. It's just much easier to get away with diving in soccer. If hockey players were often a city block away from the closest referee they'd flop just as often as soccer players do.

I think if FIFA really wanted to cut down on diving in soccer, they should add a second on-field referee. They could also consider an instant replay challenge system (though that would be difficult in a sport with a running clock) or, at the very least, independently review all fouls after a game and give out cards retroactively for the purpose of determining league discipline or suspensions.

For the record I love watching soccer. I prefer hockey, but I love both for a variety of reasons -- some the same, some different. The pace is slower obviously, but there are plenty of other things about it that I appreciate. It's really just a matter of personal taste.

or if a stoppage of play occurs the hurt player must come off.....that would stop the diving in soccer

I feel the same as Brad does...I respect the fact the World loves the game but I can't go for a sport where shootouts decide big games and ties and losses lead to moving on like how the US got into the round of 16...in a World Championship is being played there should only be wins ....play until someone wins the game
- Pelle31

Then don't. There are many soccer fans out there that can say the same about hockey and that they can't go for a sport that allows fighting and is soft on cheap shots and head hunting. Notice how star players for countries were suspended for the rest of the world cup for dirty play? In hockey goons like Matt Cooke only get a few games in the playoffs and is allowed to return while the person he hurts is done. Soccer gets it right with punishments. Hockey could learn alot from Soccer.

A soccer pitch covers more than 4.5 times as much ground as a North American hockey rink, and soccer has only one referee on the field. It's just much easier to get away with diving in soccer. If hockey players were often a city block away from the closest referee they'd flop just as often as soccer players do.

I think if FIFA really wanted to cut down on diving in soccer, they should add a second on-field referee. They could also consider an instant replay challenge system (though that would be difficult in a sport with a running clock) or, at the very least, independently review all fouls after a game and give out cards retroactively for the purpose of determining league discipline or suspensions.

For the record I love watching soccer. I prefer hockey, but I love both for a variety of reasons -- some the same, some different. The pace is slower obviously, but there are plenty of other things about it that I appreciate. It's really just a matter of personal taste.
- Sven22

some people hate and some, like me, love it. to each his own. don't waste your breath on those that hate it. who cares ya know?

This is laughable.

some people hate and some, like me, love it. to each his own. don't waste your breath on those that hate it. who cares ya know?
- Fountain-San

This, like 100x this.

The only thing that bothers me is the misconception that soccer players are wimpy etc. Not enough people have played beyond their childhood rec leagues or even past high school to understand how physical the game really is. Playing with broken bones, muscle tears, concussions and dislocations is the norm. Rarely will a player be on the injury list unless it requires surgery or a cast. Even then I have played with guys that had a cast on Saturday and cut it off for Tuesday nights game, then reapplied Wednesday morning, rinse and repeat; after all its only an arm and you cant touch the ball anyway right? Just roll and dont brace yourself if you fall, and when try to play your mark on your non-broken arm side so that you can push and pull with your good arm.

Then don't. There are many soccer fans out there that can say the same about hockey and that they can't go for a sport that allows fighting and is soft on cheap shots and head hunting. Notice how star players for countries were suspended for the rest of the world cup for dirty play? In hockey goons like Matt Cooke only get a few games in the playoffs and is allowed to return while the person he hurts is done. Soccer gets it right with punishments. Hockey could learn alot from Soccer.
- Daveflyers36

sure you can make a case comparing the two sports but don't give me soccer gets it right with punishment. soccer officiating is corrupt...

soccer should learn from hockey and don't end playoff games with shootouts .... you should play until there is a winner...

- Rally_Shots

U mad bro? Honestly, this poop happens every 5 minutes in a soccer game just so they can get a water break.

It's HIS blog, so he can write whatever he wants. If one doesn't like it, they don't have to read it. Makes me laugh that people bust Brad For blogging his opinion, yet people respond with their own. Kind of hypocritical if ya ask! But the best part if any of you bothered to watch the Crosby dive movie! In the credits, it says "actress", Sidney Crosby! I don't care who ya are, dat dere is funnay stuff!!

Tried to get into soccer and can't. It always seemed like a sport I should be into. I'm patient enough to watch slower sports like Baseball and even NASCAR (yeah, the cars themselves move fast, but in relative terms, they make up time on each other in 10ths of a second...it's very slow when you're watching on TV). And the strategy involved is something I appreciate.

But I think the field is just too big...it seems like most times there are maybe two to four people actually moving with a purpose while everyone else is walking leisurely. And even with all that space, the ball still goes out of bounds way too often. Cut the field in half and add boards...I'd probably like it then. All the power in the world to the folks who are into it though. I take enough grief for liking NASCAR, tennis and even hockey, so who am I to pass judgment on anyone for liking soccer?

Tried to get into soccer and can't. It always seemed like a sport I should be into. I'm patient enough to watch slower sports like Baseball and even NASCAR (yeah, the cars themselves move fast, but in relative terms, they make up time on each other in 10ths of a second...it's very slow when you're watching on TV). And the strategy involved is something I appreciate.

But I think the field is just too big...it seems like most times there are maybe two to four people actually moving with a purpose while everyone else is walking leisurely. And even with all that space, the ball still goes out of bounds way too often. Cut the field in half and add boards...I'd probably like it then. All the power in the world to the folks who are into it though. I take enough grief for liking NASCAR, tennis and even hockey, so who am I to pass judgment on anyone for liking soccer?
- UIF

You people making suggestions like this do realize how incredibly stupid it comes of as, right? Yeah..lets change the most popular game completely so a few more North American hockey fans would enjoy it more.

I happen to think the 17 laws do need some tweaking; things like stopped time in close games, delay of game penalties, etc. But do I think they need to reduce the field in half and play with boards? Uh... what?

Soccer & golf are two sports I enjoy playing myself but have absolutely no intersest whatsover watching it on TV. But each to ther own, I like watching Premier League Darts! Go Simon Whitlock!!

You people making suggestions like this do realize how incredibly stupid it comes of as, right? Yeah..lets change the most popular game completely so a few more North American hockey fans would enjoy it more.

I happen to think the 17 laws do need some tweaking; things like stopped time in close games, delay of game penalties, etc. But do I think they need to reduce the field in half and play with boards? Uh... what?
- Blackstrom2

At ease, soldier. I wasn't serious and don't expect the world to change the sport for me.

sure you can make a case comparing the two sports but don't give me soccer gets it right with punishment. soccer officiating is corrupt...

soccer should learn from hockey and don't end playoff games with shootouts .... you should play until there is a winner...
- Pelle31

impossible.

in soccer each team is allowed three substitutions. that's it. whether a game goes into extra time or not. those guys run about 8-9 miles a game. people would collapse on the field.

this was an OK article up to the point where you said Soccer is more boring than Baseball ... and really unraveled when you compared qualities needed... Baseball should have been: drugged, drugged, drugged

Soccer gets a lot of heat for diving, but it isn't as prevalent as everyone thinks. 9 people out of 10 on this board will fall down if i step on their foot while they are walking. Imagine doing it while you are sprinting. Its not easy to stay up when people are trying to bring you down. Take the NFL for instance. The average running play in 2013 was 4.22 yards. In soccer, without all out tackling, each play covers a significantly longer distance and the players run an average of 5 miles per match. Also there is no padding like in football and hockey. Falling on the ground doesn't feel good without pads. Try it. Go outside and sprint a distance then just fall. Now imagine falling unexpectedly. Most people also don't know that soccer has the second most occurrences of significant head injuries per match on average(boxing has the most and hockey is 5th). The sport is tough on its players and doesn't get enough credit for that aspect of the game. The biggest problem with soccer and the cause of its lack of of offense, as it once was in the NHL, is the clutching and grabbing by defenders.

All coming from a guy who has scored the least amount of goals of any player who has over 1000 games. Talk about a lack of goal scoring and watching boring play. Fact is that most people in North America just don't get it when it comes to soccer and they never will. Soccer is bigger in South America and Europe than Football is here and hockey is in Canada.
- Daveflyers36

Soccer is a game where our best athletes don't play the game .
They play football, basketball, and hockey to name a few.
The diving and whining is all an attempt to get a card on the other opposing team, or to consume the clock to gain an advantage. I would also love to see them play after. 45 min halves play another 45 min sudden death. I played soccer when I was younger and even played in Germany during my HS days. I enjoy it but understand the criticisms.

This, like 100x this.

The only thing that bothers me is the misconception that soccer players are wimpy etc. Not enough people have played beyond their childhood rec leagues or even past high school to understand how physical the game really is. Playing with broken bones, muscle tears, concussions and dislocations is the norm. Rarely will a player be on the injury list unless it requires surgery or a cast. Even then I have played with guys that had a cast on Saturday and cut it off for Tuesday nights game, then reapplied Wednesday morning, rinse and repeat; after all its only an arm and you cant touch the ball anyway right? Just roll and dont brace yourself if you fall, and when try to play your mark on your non-broken arm side so that you can push and pull with your good arm.
- nords21

Yes, and those tackles and incidental contact on crosses, challenges, etc. hurt. They are wearing next to nothing for equipment.

You're in the minority. Soccer isn't the most popular sport in the world because its the most exciting to watch, its because of its accessibility. Whether you're a street kid from Sao Paulo, or a rich kid from beverly Hills, you can both play it and have an equal chance at being good.

Brad Marsh: Watching World Cup Made Me Realize Why I Dislike Soccer
- Brad Marsh

You're in the minority. Soccer isn't the most popular sport in the world because its the most exciting to watch, its because of its accessibility. Whether you're a street kid from Sao Paulo, or a rich kid from beverly Hills, you can both play it and have an equal chance at being good.

Love hockey, but soccer was my first love.
It's too bad you can't enjoy soccer, but saying that basketball or baseball is less boring is senile.

or if a stoppage of play occurs the hurt player must come off.....that would stop the diving in soccer

I feel the same as Brad does...I respect the fact the World loves the game but I can't go for a sport where shootouts decide big games and ties and losses lead to moving on like how the US got into the round of 16...in a World Championship is being played there should only be wins ....play until someone wins the game
- Pelle31

What part of group stages and points can't your thick head not comprehend.

Poorly written blog. It's fine to not like soccer, but don't pretend to understand the sport (which you clearly don't) and then trash it. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world for a reason. Fans cry when their team looses for a reason. The World Cup of Soccer is the only international sporting event outside the Olympics anyone gives a crap about for a reason. If anything, the North American leagues should be looking at the World Cup model to improve their own sports.

I find the game slow and sometimes unwatchable myself as well. However, you have to appreciate the game for what it is. No 20-40 second shifts in soccer. This years World Cup was not the greatest. It was however one of the most intoxicating international tournaments in the world. The fact you watched it demonstrates the power of this sport.

You're in the minority. Soccer isn't the most popular sport in the world because its the most exciting to watch, its because of its accessibility. Whether you're a street kid from Sao Paulo, or a rich kid from beverly Hills, you can both play it and have an equal chance at being good.
- forbetterorWORSE

yea because diving is easy anyone can do it