The intellectual classes descend on soccer

[AreliusIV]

The intellectual classes descend on soccer

and the response...

[neophyte]

Interesting articles; both have some truth to them.
I heartily agree with the point about soccer being a "common ground" that can help you connect with lots of very different people. I'm a pediatrician, and I talk to Dads AND Moms about how Mexico is doing, or if they've been to see RSL, or which EPL club is better, besides sharing the ups and downs of our kids' youth soccer games. I talked to an Ivoirian last Saturday in Smith's, a Venezuelan at El Arepazo, a patient from Ecuador, and my German neighbor about the world cup all on the same day. How cool is that?
Not to mention a great point made by the UYSA president last year in a newsletter-- soccer unites Salt Lake in a way that gets around our religious and political and geographic divides. This board is a prime example of that.
So I'm going to keep putting Soccer America magazine in my waiting room, and decorating my office with flags for the World Cup, and wearing my albiceleste jersey or my RSL jersey whenever I get the urge. It makes for great conversations and new friendships.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by neophyte

Interesting articles; both have some truth to them.
I heartily agree with the point about soccer being a "common ground" that can help you connect with lots of very different people. I'm a pediatrician, and I talk to Dads AND Moms about how Mexico is doing, or if they've been to see RSL, or which EPL club is better, besides sharing the ups and downs of our kids' youth soccer games. I talked to an Ivoirian last Saturday in Smith's, a Venezuelan at El Arepazo, a patient from Ecuador, and my German neighbor about the world cup all on the same day. How cool is that?
Not to mention a great point made by the UYSA president last year in a newsletter-- soccer unites Salt Lake in a way that gets around our religious and political and geographic divides. This board is a prime example of that.
So I'm going to keep putting Soccer America magazine in my waiting room, and decorating my office with flags for the World Cup, and wearing my albiceleste jersey or my RSL jersey whenever I get the urge. It makes for great conversations and new friendships.

Great comments. Thanks.