National Soccer Day
The beautiful game — a global passion, where players display skill, teamwork, and unbridled enthusiasm for scoring goals.
Who knew that some feet kicking a ball around a grass field for ninety minutes could be so much fun? Well, soccer fans know and they really love it! Whether it consists of a few friends hanging out just for fun, or a club in one of the more than 300 professional soccer leagues all over the globe, soccer is a sport that is engaged by hundreds of millions of people.
Get involved with and learn a bit more about one of the most popular sporting events in the world – because it’s time for National Soccer Day.
History of National Soccer Day
Soccer boasts an ancient history that some people believe can be traced all the way back to the 3rd millennium BC. This was when a version of the sport was played by people in China where people would kick a ball made from leather and feathers. Known as football in most other parts of the world – other than North America and Australia – soccer became a more formalized sport in London, England during the 1800s. This was when the first standardized association for the game was formed, eliminating the use of hands (except for the goalie), standardizing the ball and creating other rules as well.
Unlike its cousin rugby, soccer is now a mostly non-violent sport, but this hasn’t always been the case. In fact, due to its nature, the playing of soccer has been banned in different scenarios throughout history. All the way back in 1314, King Edward II put a stop to the sport because it was too noisy and created crowded areas in the city. But, the people loved it so much that they ignored the threat of imprisonment and continued to play.
After this, a succession of kings in the UK had various reasons for forbidding the sport, from the fact that it took away from archery practice to the need to disperse large crowds. Henry VIII got involved with trying to ban the sport in 1540, even though he also is believed to be the first person to order a pair of boots specifically for the purpose of playing football. Later, the British Highway Act of 1835 stopped the playing of soccer on public highways as a safety measure, which seems like a reasonable rule but one that was still often ignored.
Soccer made its way to the United States with the European settlers, and some of the earliest games to use the modern English rules were played in New Orleans, Louisiana. Eventually, versions of this sport made their way to different universities and towns all over the nation, particularly appreciated by students. Today, kids all over the globe grow up playing soccer, and millions of people watch matches every year whether in person or on television.
Indeed, soccer has grown to be one of the world’s most popular sports! National Soccer Day got its start in 1994 when it was established to show appreciation for and pay respect to the players, coaches, and fans of this amazing sport.
National Soccer Day Timeline
1876
First intercollegiate soccer match in the US
Rutgers wins against Princeton in a game that is more similar to a mix of rugby and soccer.[1]
1904
FIFA is formed
The Federation International Football Association begins as the authority on all things soccer.[2]
1908
Competitive soccer comes to the Olympics
Soccer is the first team sport to be included in the Olympic games.[3]
1967
North American Soccer League (NASL) is established
This organization is formed by a combination of two leagues, United Soccer Association (USA) and the National Professional Soccer League (NAPSL).
1996
Women’s soccer finally makes it to the Olympics
Starting with an eight-team tournament in Atlanta, women’s soccer continues to grow.
How to Celebrate National Soccer Day
Those folks who are huge fans of soccer, or maybe those who are just committed soccer moms, can all enjoy National Soccer Day in a number of enticing ways. Check out some of these ideas to pay homage to this popular sport:
Play Some Soccer
Perhaps one of the reasons that soccer is such a globally appreciated sport is that it is so accessible. All it really requires is a ball! While certainly some formal regulations do exist, the game can be played in a variety of ways. An individual can practice alone by simply learning ball-handling tricks and practicing footwork. Or it can be played with a large group of people on a field. Soccer can even be played inside, with indoor soccer leagues popping up all over the nation, particularly in the colder winter months.
So grab a soccer ball, and maybe a friend or two, and get on board with celebrating National Soccer Day!
Learn Fun Facts About Soccer
In honor and celebration of National Soccer Day, it might be fun to learn a few interesting facts about this game. And then be sure to share them with family, friends, coworkers or online with social media to raise awareness about this important day in the life of soccer!
Check out some of these fascinating bits of trivia on the topic of soccer:
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Soccer is considered to be the most popular sport in the world, with an estimate of about 4 billion fans globally.
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Soccer is played as a sport for kids and adults in at least 200 countries throughout the globe.
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Including the goalie, the maximum number of players on a soccer team is eleven.
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It wasn’t until 1913 that goalies began their tradition of standing out from the crowd by wearing jerseys of a different color.
Attend a Soccer Match
Obviously, an ideal way to spend National Soccer Day might be to head out to a stadium and catch a match. The number of Major League Soccer (MLS) matches throughout the regular season, which spans from February to October, is more than 400 throughout the 29 cities that host clubs. So if it’s possible to get tickets locally, or to make a road trip to catch a match, this would be the perfect time!
Of course, for those who have kids, grandkids or other family members who play in a summer soccer league, this might be just the right day to attend a match and cheer the kids on. Those who can’t get to a soccer match in person can still enjoy the experience through watching a live match on television or on a pre-recorded video. Sure, it’s not quite the same vibe as actually being in the stadium with the roar of the crowd, but it can still be a lot of fun!
Those fans who are looking to celebrate another sport which has a similar name but is actually very different might want to check out American Football Day that takes place on November 5.
National Soccer Day FAQs
How long is a soccer game played?
A soccer match typically lasts 90 minutes, though it can be longer.[1]
Who invented soccer?
The earliest signs of soccer come from a game played in China around 5000 years ago.[2]
What is offsides in soccer?
Offsides is a slightly complicated soccer rule that excludes an opponent from being closer to the goal than the last defender (not counting the goalie).[3]
What is a hat trick in soccer?
A hat trick is when one person scores three goals in one game.
How big is a soccer field?
Soccer pitches can range in size, but the ideal is 120 yards long by 75 yards wide.[4]
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