http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123680101041299201.html

American kids need soccer. There are not many fat soccer players.

And the author is a professor of religion and philosophy, even. Just an example that sometimes advanced degrees do not necessarily confer sound logic. The fellow just about called soccer unAmerican. On any given weekend one can witness thousands of little unAmericans having a good time kicking a little round sphere until exhaustion. And, they all look healthy and happy to me!

He bases all his opinions on youth soccer, therefore, by definition, he's a f#$%ing nutbag who obviously doesn't know how to present an argument. I'm trying to make general, broad sweeping statements about a sport, so, ........lets use children as the basis for my argument. Good idea you FNB. I'm assuming the mighty Wall Street Journal didn't have to pay him for that drivel.

And of course the sport is responsible for the war on terror, the lack of wmd & the failed economy, gay weddings, drugs & the crime rate.

Webb, Stephen H.
E-mail Address: webbs@wabash.edu
Title: Professor of Religion & Philosophy
Department: Philosophy
Phone Number: 765-361-6264
Campus Location: Center Hall 217

Title: Professor of Religion & Philosophy
Department: Religion
Phone Number: 765-361-6264
Campus Location: Center Hall 217
Links www.stephenhwebb.com

That wasn't worth the time I spent reading.

I love baseball too, but I certainly don't feel threatened by the wonderful success of the beautiful game in the United States. After all John Kruk said it best - "baseball players aren't athletes". While I must disagree somewhat - there are some very good athletes in baseball - but the possibility for a good (though out of shape) hitter to be successful at the highest level is part of what is wrong with America (AIG bonuses to executives who ruined the company). In soccer everybody better be fit - and at the professional level if one player is slacking on the field your team is in trouble. Soccer is a wonderful metaphor for teamwork, self-respect, compassion, and using your head and your whole body. Just because most players don't hit the ball with their hand - by no means should suggest that the hands aren't important.

Poor Mr. Webb hasn't found out about the joys of life yet - sounds like he needs to be nudged aside with a good shoulder shove by someone with more passion to get to the ball!

Thanks for the heads up. I won't bother.

I'd rather go listen to Jim Rome or Rooney from the JT the Brick radio show...

A perfect example of why the WSJ is no longer relevant in the world of news. Someone forgot to tell this douche the only ACTUAL American sports are Basketball (which he'd say is the domain of "thugs") and Lacrosse (which he'd also call a "girl's sport"). Hopefully his daughter gave him a good goal kick right in the package.

This was discussed on the "other" board. The author has apologized, and claimed it was written tongue in cheek. This is an old article.

DavidP, thanks a lot for shedding some light on the subject.

I think there's an argument to be made that Professional Soccer is more American than the NFL... hear me out...

Most Pro-Soccer leagues don't have a salary cap and the "market" drives success and if a team isn't up to scratch it moves down the pyramid just like a failing business in a capitalist democracy. The NFL however is all about parity and all teams being equal in a very (there's no other word for it) Communist way.

SKMDC: In teresting take.

In addition to the NFL, the NBA & NHL also have salary caps.

WUSA and MLS both have salary caps.

So one could argue that the salary cap is pretty much the current, "American way".

Why is it Americans have this twisted view of socialism & communism, and use both as an insult.

Surely the curent economic crisis proves that the capitalist system isn't perfect either ?

Doc, personally I try to not discuss politics or anything too serious online.

I was just responding to the salary cap facet in US professional sports that SKMDC was referencing...

Not trying to start a row, more a social (as opposed to socialist)observation.

Personally I am a Groucho Marxist Revolutionary myself.

No, I didn't think that you were starting a row, you were just sharing an observation.

I just stay away from politics online unless it is the politic of sport.

I was watching a you tube video on the infamous 1974 British Lions rugby union tour of South Africa.

Everyone slagged them off for going because of apartheid, but funnily enough when they got home, the Labour government cheered them for having won the series.

Politics...

From the Greek, Poli = many, Tics = annoying insects.