There is Buzz, But for how Long?

What a great game yesterday. I was actually compelled to use my Twitter for something other than cyber stalking ex boyfriends and re-Tweeting jokes that make me look funnier than I actually am.

My initial comment on the game was, the men's game could really learn something from the way the women conducted themselves. It's sad that soccer has become a marginalized sport in the US because of the belly flopping and acting. Yesterday, the women proved that good soccer does exist and it does not have to include rolling around on the grass like your left leg was just cut off and leaving the field to return mere seconds later after a 'trainer' sprays water on it and smacks you on the butt. So for that thank you ladies. You once again proved we are the classier gender.

I do have 2 issues with the game though.

Issue #1 -- A World Cup Final (or any important game for that matter) should not end in penalty shots. The NHL gets it, they know penalty shots have a place, but it sure as heck is not in the Stanley Cup Final. The best team should win the game. Soccer roulette, as I heard it called yesterday, is just that, a crap shoot. I'll use an example, I was a defender when I played. In my university career I maybe scored 3 goals MAX. However, I was a really accurate passer and NEVER missed a penalty shot. Put me in a one-on-one with the keeper during the game, I'm missing every time, but I could slot a pass like nobody's business. Totally not fair. Get my ass off the field. This is not how a game should end. So, FIFA, come on, let's change this rule and let the game play on (there are other logistical things that would need to be changed, like substitutions, but really it's for the good of the game).

Issue #2 -- 1 million people in Canada watched the game yesterday. But how many of those people will actually buy a ticket to a professional women's soccer game in their town (the Lady Whitecaps in Vancouver for example don't even have a home field...BUSH). While women's soccer is on this high it would be nice for sports media and corporate sponsors to take notice and invest a little in the game. It's proven people will watch if the product is good. So, all you fly-by-night fans and hardcore soccer supporters, support your girls.

Hey guy in the Manchester United jersey...you can't honestly say you're a fan. You watch them occasionally when they make it into the Champions League and know who David Beckham is (he's not on the team anymore BTW), so instead of fronting like you're an actually soccer fan, man up and cheer for a chick. If you know anything about soccer you'll know that the game yesterday was of better quality that many of the WC games in 2010...Oh, wait you're a Brasil fan too, sorry, carry on...There's a Yankee game on you're probably missing.

j