Why Soccer Will Never Be Really Big Here

I just looked at the numbers of the Euro 2008 tournament. So far, there have been 28 games. The team that scores first has gone 20-3-3! Two other games have been 0-0 ties. Remarkably, the Turks have won two of the tournament’s three come-from-behind victories.
That’s one of the problems I have with soccer, come-from-behind wins are so rare. The U.S. is a country built on the idea of coming from behind to upset the champs.
I admire the athleticism of the players, and I think it’s fascinating that most of them look like guys you could see walking down street (unlike a pro football or basketball player). But I’m sorry, there has to be more scoreboard action. If you score the first goal, you basically have the game wrapped up. Do they just run out the clock? In baseball, scoring the first is good, but it’s just a start.
I’m curious what the equivalent start you need in baseball or football to have something close to a 20-3-3 record. My guess is that you need a 6-0 lead in baseball, and a 17-0 lead in football.

Posted by on June 24th, 2008 at 2:39 pm


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