As a soccer coach, fan, reporter, and player, I have followed this sport since I was very young. When I was about 10 years old, a program on PBS called "Soccer, Made in Germany", was about the only soccer I could find on television... Then came Pele' and the NASL....Many people believed that soccer would find its niche as a sport for kids who couldn't play other sports, however, others felt that soccer should replace traditional American sports such as baseball or football. Both groups were wrong... Soccer is an exciting sport that is played by more children in America than baseball and football, however it is very arrogant for soccer fans to believe that we can or should replace other sports...In my humble opinion, Soccer is one of the best sports for young men and women to participate in but we should never stoop so low as to criticize other sports for their faults. ( This is not to say that other sports embrace soccer). My son participates in Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer and loves all of them. He plans on playing football next year since it can be worked into his soccer schedule. If we are to be accepted as a full fledged American sport, we must strive to improve out relations with the "Powers that Be" in youth and adult sports... Rec. Department directors, YMCA administrators, and Boy's and Girl's Club directors. Furthermore, Soccer players should never seek to alienate themselves from other athletes but on the contrary strive to make links with them...Then, and only then will soccer be viewed as a part of the American Sports scene.
Written by,
Coach Randy Vice
1994