The World Cup is underway is South Africa. The United States began by fighting England to a tie.
I remember driving to central Pennsylvania on a Saturday morning about 15 years ago. There's a stretch of Route 11 where there are several sports fields, and they were all filled with kids playing soccer. I wondered why those kids abandon the sport as young adults.
I told that story in the newsroom the other morning, to get some input from the parents on the staff. One said soccer is a relatively inexpensive sport, and that's why young kids get involved. Football, basketball, and baseball are part of our culture, so kids gravitate there when they get a little older.
Another parent reminded me of some very successful high school and soccer programs we have here in our area. One student landed a scholarship at a prime university thanks to his soccer skills. As to why soccer flies under the radar, no one really had a good reason.
If you're "in" to soccer, I applaud you. It seems to be a lot like hockey-- you really don't appreciate it until you see a game in person.
Enjoy the World Cup.
