In soccer, a yellow card is a cautionary measure for what FIFA deems “unsporting behavior of a less serious nature.” If such a behavior is deemed “serious,” then a red card is shown and the player is sent off and suspended. A second yellow card in a match is considered an indirect red card and merits the same disciplinary action. Realizing this is well known to even non-soccer … [Read more...] about FIFA shows Croatia only a Yellow for Racism
N. Broad and Beyond
On the Pitch with an American Novice: The Soccer Learning Curve
I spent most of my first year as a soccer fan confused. There were so many new terms and allusions that I couldn’t keep up. I soon realized that if I was going to enjoy this pastime, I needed to learn the vocabulary. I’m starting to get comfortable with some of the terminology, so for you fellow soccer neophytes, here are some I’ve come to be familiar with. Match: a game. … [Read more...] about On the Pitch with an American Novice: The Soccer Learning Curve
On the Pitch with an American Novice: Monday Musings v.9.15.08
Along with MLB races heating up, college football, and watching both vice presidential candidates shoot their respective campaigns in the foot, I haven’t had a whole helping of soccer lately. So here’s a few things I’ve been thinking about: On the 2010 World Cup… The most competitive group for the European region has to be Group 7. Lithuania is the surprise leader after … [Read more...] about On the Pitch with an American Novice: Monday Musings v.9.15.08
On the Pitch with an American Novice: What’s in a Derby?
Conflict drives a plot forward. But we don’t use the term conflict in sports, we use rivalry. And they don’t use the term rivalry in soccer, they use derby. Although they may use a different name across the pond, the reasons are all the same. A bitter, often belligerent past, like that of the Yankees and Red Sox. Short distances causing territorial conflict, like the eight … [Read more...] about On the Pitch with an American Novice: What’s in a Derby?
Vindication for Hope Solo
The first two lines of Dashboard Confessional’s song Vindicated read: “Hope dangles on a string / like slow spinning redemption.” There is a sports creed that you never criticize your coach or his/her decisions. But what if the coach is out-and-out wrong? The reaction of the player(s) determines how the scenario is played out, and thank goodness for Hope Solo’s “slow spinning … [Read more...] about Vindication for Hope Solo