Soccer is a popular sport played all over the world. Even though it has only been popularin the United States for the past 30 years, soccer has been a long time favorite mosteverywhere else. The sport dates back to the Egyptians, who played games involving thekicking of a ball. Now, the sport has grown to a global pastime, including men’s andwomen’s teams, and the World Cup (which is played every four years). Soccer originated with kicking games played by people in ancient civilizations. Themodern version came about in the early nineteenth century, in England. It started as agame involving kicking and handing, but later this branched off into two separate sports:rugby and football (which is what the English call soccer). Around the late nineteenthcentury, English soccer began spreading over Europe. Other countries also caught on, butthe United States was one of the most reluctant, and one of the last to implement socceras a national sport. The North American Soccer League (NASL) was formed in 1968. Butit didn’t gain popularity until the 1970’s. The modern game of soccer has a simple goal: kick or head the ball in to the goal of youropponent’s team. Basically, there is also one simple rule: No one except the goalkeepermay use they’re hands to play the ball. Soccer is a simplistic sport. Eleven members ofeach team defend their side of the field to prevent the ball from being forced into theirgoal, which results in a point scored by the team kicking the ball. There are only threeofficials involved during play: The referee, and two linesmen. The equipment used in soccer is also very simple. In addition to the field itself, all that isneeded for a game is two goals (eight feet high and eight yards apart) and a ball. Eachplayer wears hard plastic or padded shingaurd, covered by long socks, for protectionduring play. Cleats are also worn for traction on the field. A goalie may also wear aspecial padded shi...
