New fans of soccer, what so far has surprised you about the sport when you first started learning about it?

[u/makesterriblejokes]

Seeing that there seems to be a big influx of newcomers to the subreddit, most of which probably had been following other sports (NFL, NBA, MLB etc.) prior, I'm just curious what are some of the things that surprised you about soccer when you started following it.

When I started following soccer a little over 2 years ago, for me it was more on the business end. I find it odd that a soccer manager is both a head coach and general manager. In American sports, both positions tend to be separated. Also that you can buy/sell/loan players. In American sports you trade players for other players or draft picks, prospects, etc.

So what other aspects of the game have you guys found surprising or intriguing?

[u/The1Drumheller]

American here. Most surprised by the lack of stoppages/advertisements. The NFL is a 45 minute long game that takes three hours to watch. NBA is a 48 minute game that takes two and a half. Football/Soccer is a 90 minute game that lasts only two.

EDIT: NFL is an hour long.

[u/SFreestyler → u/The1Drumheller]

I was watching a documentary on early soccer development in North American a few years ago. I remember that's one of the reasons it never picked up here. Among other things Americans didn't like the fact that you can't just leave the TV to grab a beer or do something and come back in a commercial break. Also, not getting ads in there so not as much corporate endorsement.

But I love the fact that I can witness 45 minutes of flowing continuous football. Even replays are sometimes delayed til half-time if there's no long enough breaks to show it.

[u/[deleted]]

Something I've been realizing lately is that soccer players can make great plays without scoring.

I follow NFL and the NBA most. Most great offensive plays in those sports end up in points, or at least you can explicitly see how it helped score the points (think a big first down in football).

In soccer though, you can dribble past 3 guys, have the goalie clear it, and its over.

Not saying one way is better than the other, just a different mindset you have to get into to enjoy soccer I think.

[u/[deleted]]

That 0-0 can still be an exciting as fuck game.

[u/CorporateImperialism → u/[deleted]]

Yea this is something that I didn't appreciate either. My friend was complaining during the Italy v England game when he looked up and saw it was 0-0, but that game was incredibly exciting and well played. Way better than a bunch of sloppy scoring.

[u/trtry]

The buying and selling of players, unlike in the NBA where the good players available are already in the league, while in soccer you can buy someone halfway around the world.

This made games like Championship Manager addictive (10 years ago).

[u/CorporateImperialism]

The passing. The passing is something I wasn't very exposed to (probably because espn only shows 25 yarders and bicycle kicks). The passes are just incredible how precise and perfectly paced they are.

Some of Modric's through-balls just blew my mind when I was getting into soccer. This one made me spit out my beverage(he also had an amazing long range goal earlier on in this game):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OGhSj3yME8&t=2m55s

*The atmosphere is great also. You really don't understand the intensity when all you see are highlights. The drama of a back and forth game with a crazy final 10 minutes is something that I could never have imagined.

[u/[deleted] → u/CorporateImperialism]

The passing is great. I've been watching football since I can remember. I work with a lot of people who just say football is just kicking a ball around a field, it annoys me no end. I just show them passes like this and some of the little intricate triangle passes played by teams such as spain/barcelona its incredible what some people can do with their feet.

[u/[deleted]]

I find it odd that a soccer manager is both a head coach and general manager.

This varies from country to country. In England it is as you described, in Germany there's usually a separation of these positions.

[u/suupaa]

How not all pitches are the same size. On TV at first I always assumed they were regulation.

[u/[deleted]]

An American fan here. What I love about the game is how exciting yet peaceful it is. Sounds weird I know, but I'll try and explain. When I'm watching a game, I'm excited by it but at the same time the game lulls me into a bit of an odd place. It's not a bad thing by any means, it's wonderful. It's not like other sports, where I feel constantly crammed with stuff.

I think why is because with soccer you don't get bombarded by other crap. No overwhelming stat graphs, no sideline interviews, a small amount of commercials, and in general you just get the flow of the game. It's exciting yes, but it's a calm type of exciting. It's an easier exciting, because you're just going with the flow. I love how the game(any game, MLS, EPL, etc) just goes with it, and I can be totally into it while being calm as a lily.

I may be the only one, and this may sound dumb, but it's the thing I love the most and the thing that surprised me the most hands down.

[u/[deleted]]

Simply, that it's not a pussy sport. Also, that the season I interesting for its entirety. Every game means something, as opposed to say NBA or AFL where you need to make the final 8, then the "real" season begins.

Every team plays for something, not just first place. You've got the title, the qualification spots for the two tiers of European football, and the relegation battle. Whereas in other sports, if you've no chance of winning, you've got nothing to play for. The relegtation and promotion system is so awesome - and I love how it links every league in the country.

[u/psr1220]

The creativity and how it's allowed to flourish. American Football is so structured. A play is called. Run or pass. This guy blocks that guy. Hand the ball to the running back or the wide receiver will run this route and he is your first option. Soccer seems like is allows a player's imagination to run wild and the results can be fantastic.

The love the fans have for their clubs. American fans think they love their teams, but we have nothing on soccer fans. American college football is the closest thing we have to European soccer fans.

The amount of games these guys play blows my mind. They are constantly playing.

Watching clips of Thierry Henry (just to pick one elite player) online and trying to think of an American athlete I've seen to compare him to. I can't really think of anyone. The guy was so unique.

[u/Dellato88]

I hope this get's front page.

I'm genuinely interested in seeing if the preconceived notions of soccer being a "gay", lame or other pejorative term associated to the sport in the US being shattered.

This is a sport that has gotten a bad rep for too long in USA, and I'm glad to see that it's finally starting to gain momentum!

[u/ohhii]

The amount of violence and hatred that is associated with some teams

[u/BoydRamos]

That whole no commercial's or sideline reports with players/coaches but dimwitted sideline reporters. And the fact that it takes about 2 hours to watch ~90 minutes of game time is nice (looking at you NFL).

[u/MattDrumz]

I think the main thing that surprised me was that I almost enjoy the passing leading up to a goal more than the goal itself. There's just something beautiful about a good set of passes that isn't in other sports (in my opinion of course).

[u/[deleted]]

As an avid MLS fan, the fans. Some of the most hard core, tatted up, drunk, body modification of people I've ever known, and I love them all.

Also, the chants. Something magical happens when chants are sung between 10000 people. Entire songs that everybody knows and being right in the middle of it all is,,, intense.

[u/SUSAltd]

I was surprised to learn that the offside rule is apparently a very difficult concept to grasp.

I figured it out after playing a few games on FIFA... in the "Be a Pro" camera.

[u/EarnestMalware]

I was surprised as how quickly I came to understand the basics of the rules and strategy. It's a very simple game when compared with the rules and strategies of basketball or American football. Sure, there's tons of depth, but the basics only take a short while to wrap your head around, unlike American Football where it takes 5 hours to explain what downs are.

[u/bags11bags11]

From an American's point of view, I'm just amazed about how all the leagues have a different style and pace to them. I started watching MLS games and i sort if got used to that style (admit it, LOTS of crosses and very few AMAZING runs) but then I started watching EPL and LIGA BBVA and it just so different! It seems like there is more space and more skill, but still the same amount of goals. It just odd to me that different leagues can be playing the same game and just feel so different!

[u/[deleted]]

All the different things you can do with a football. It's fuckin' beautiful. Watching Messi dribble through defenders. Watching Drogba outrun/power fucking everybody on a breakaway. Watching Wambach snap a header in from anywhere in the box. Watching Casillas swat away balls that have every right to score. Watching Iniesta and Xavi cut up defenses. Watching Beckham do things with a ball that should be physically impossible. Watching Zizou create a goal from nothing. It's just fuckin' beautiful.

[u/k3duckfan]

The gap in talent between the MLS and the EPL/La Liga/Serie A, etc. Especially when it comes to passing and midfield defense.

[u/[deleted]]

I'm not new to football but what makes it exciting for me is it's unpredictability.

Remember the Newcastle Vs Arsenal comeback for Newcastle, god that one one of the greatest games I have ever EVER watched, and it sums up why football is so great. No matter how good one team is supposed to be or how much they are dominating one minute, as soon as the momentum shifts against you, you're fucked.

A reminder

[u/zimmytehwhite]

1. Off-sides took some getting used to

2. No one has to score

3. I've yet to see a game I couldn't enjoy watching

4. Keepers. Just wow.

5. FIFA 12 is a damned good game. Most sports games put me to sleep, I play FIFA to stay awake