Soccer Gets a Bad Rap and for Good Reason

So, I was browsing the internet today, and came across this clip:

This is obviously the problem with soccer for a lot of Americans. Don't get me wrong. I love soccer. If you think it's boring, you just lack an appreciation for the many intricacies in sports. Myron Medcalf probable hates soccer. The problem with soccer is that no self-respecting athlete should be able to do what the keeper does in the clip above. Sure, there's plenty of flopping in basketball, but you don't regularly see NBA players faking injuries. Have some respect for yourself, for the ref, and for the sport. Here are some other clips that make it hard for me to watch soccer, starting with a master of simulation (and generally being a dick), Sergio Busquets:

A favorite technique of Sergio's. Any time a hand comes near your face, fall to the ground in a heap, grab your face, and roll about.  Keep watching until, about 15 seconds into the clip, Busquets peeks out to see if the ref has carded the other team yet. You're usually a better actor than that Sergio! The second clip is more of the same. He's fouled Marcelo, and knows it. So, he falls to the ground and grabs his face. Just so disrespectful to the game.


Wiz loves Arjen Robben. I tend to agree that he's a great player. There's one thing holding me back:

It's a shame, because he absolutely tore Mexico up in the World Cup Round of 16. This is what that game will be remembered for. There's the slightest bit of contact here, but his reaction is shameful. Looks like he was shot by some far off sniper.


It's epidemic in today's game. Here's Danielle De Rossi going down in the 2010 World Cup:

Here's Watford's Fernando Forestieri fouling someone hard, pushing him and then pretending he was hit in the face.

The guy he pushed was sent off with a straight red. So, I guess it worked well for him.


Here's Marco Materazzi (of Zidane headbutt fame) going down after getting smoked by Del Piero:

I can't believe his ankles are still okay after than one.



Here's a dive war Didier Drogba and Jens Lehman. There is no winner. There's no dignity left after this exchange.

These are "men".


Here's Steven Taylor, who was clearly possessed by some foul demon, after blocking a goal with his hand:

This last clip has nothing to do with diving. I just wanted to include a clip where soccer players acted like men...I'm completely joking. They obviously chase the ref and launch flying dropkicks as he runs away undefended.