Baseball may be America's favorite pastime, but soccer is the world's most popular game. More than 250 million people in over 200 countries play the sport and about a billion more cheer from the sidelines! Much of the world refers to soccer as "football," which makes sense since you aren't allowed to use your hands in soccer.
Some form of the game seems to have existed for thousands of years. In ancient China, people used a ball made of leather and feathers to play cuju. The Aztecs played a game called ollama. The ball represented the sun, and the game was part of a cultural ritual.
Whether you are a player or a fan, we've got 5 fun ways to help you celebrate National Soccer Day on July 28 — or any day you want to get the ball rolling!
1. Start with a giggle.
Q. Why did the soccer players bring string to the match?
A. So they could tie the score!
2. Learn the name of the game.
Most Americans, Canadians, and Australians call the game "soccer," but that name didn't originate in any of those countries. The name "soccer" originated in England, which officially calls the game "football." Confusing, right?
The Football Association, formed in London in 1863, separated the games people had been playing into two different games and established rules and standards for them both.
University of Oxford students nicknamed them “rugger” (rugby football) and “assoccer” (association football). "Assoccer" evolved into “soccer,” but it never became much more than a nickname in Great Britain.
By the 1900s, rugby football was simply called rugby, and association football was known as just plain football. America and Canada have gridiron football (what the Denver Broncos play), and Australia has Australian rules football (similar to rugby), so using the term "soccer" makes it easier to distinguish which sport you are talking about.
3. Attend a Colorado Rapids match.
Not every state is lucky enough to have a Major League Soccer team — but Coloradans can watch the Rapids play at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
Soccer is a great option for kids (and adults) with shorter attention spans. It's a fast-paced game that has two 45-minute halves and a 15-minute halftime. Regular season games can end in a tie, so you don't have to worry about it going into overtime or extra innings.
The Colorado Rapids are hosting five more matches at home this season. Get your tickets here.
Photo Credit: Rapids Communications (Colorado Rapids)
4. Play the game.
You don't have to join a team to play soccer. Gather a few friends and kick a ball around in your backyard or at a nearby park. You'll get a great workout, strengthen your muscles, improve your coordination, and have a lot of fun too!
However, there are many benefits to participating in a team sport, such as learning teamwork and making new friends. Physical activity can reduce stress, and many studies indicate that participating in a team sport can even increase a child's academic success.
Many organizations and recreation centers in our area offer soccer for children starting at 3 years old — or even younger!
5. Have a family movie night.
Sports movies can be just as exciting as attending a game. Here are a few films your family may enjoy:
- Next Goal Wins (2014, NR | Documentary)
- Kicking & Screaming (PG | Comedy)
- Underdogs (PG | Animated Comedy)
- Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13 | Comedy)
- Next Goal Wins (PG-13 | Comedy coming in November 2023)
