Sunday’s soccer World Cup Championship game between Spain and Netherlands capped a long series that only occurs every four years. Neither country had won previously, so the stakes were high–and exciting–for each. The game was decided in overtime, in a 1-0 Spanish victory. I watched part of it on Sunday at the L.A. Farmer’s Market, where I shot this picture of a very involved crowd.
I grew up in Germany, so I’m supposed to “get” soccer. I love the simplicity of the equipment required (how complicated is one ball?), and the nearly universal international appreciation for the sport.
But I have a suggestion. Could we have more scoring? That would make it more like real life, where we make incremental progress. Okay, give big soccer points for scoring a goal. But also give a few points for getting a good shot on goal. Award points to the team with the fewest fouls. And sprinkle a few points to the team with the sharpest-looking (or least offensive) uniforms. Does nearly every game have to be neutralized by a 0-0 tie or decided in a spare 1-0 victory?
If it were more like life, I could relate. Give me a point for shaving and a point for brushing my teeth. As a man, I’ll need a point for wearing clothes that match and another if they’re clean. I’ll take two points for getting to work on time, and a couple of dozen for being a good husband or dad for the week.
If I have to wait to earn a lone 1-0 score by becoming famous or rich before I finish my race, it’ll be a long time coming. By that standard, I’ll far more likely end in a 0-0 draw.
Please, let’s give more points for soccer, and for each one of us, more than the lonely and super-rare “GOOOAAALLLLLLLL!”