Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

Stronger, faster, farther. This sums up the spectacle of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, where athletes have trained for years to push themselves for that one moment of greatness. 

According to a new poll, most Americans are not that interested in World Cup 26. Unless you are between the ages of 18 and 29, because that demographic seems enthused. Older folks? Statistically only eleven percent over the age of sixty could care less about soccer. Hey, we’ve had a few things going on. The NBA playoffs, Stanley Cup, plus baseball season. 

Yet, soccer has become the most popular and played sport among youth in America. Soccer is ranked the number one sport in the world. It is played by millions and watched by billions! How did this whole game get its start, you might wonder.

 It seems about 5000 years ago, the Chinese were kicking a ball around, followed by similar activities in ancient Rome and Greece. It was a rough sport. So violent, that in 1331 King Edward III of England banned the sport due to “horrific injuries,” King James 1 of Scotland also outlawed soccer in 1424, proclaiming “Na man play at the fute-ball.” Well, no mighty kings are going to stop men playing their beloved sport. “Cut off my head – but don’t keep me away from my futbal,” was the common man’s rallying cry.

The early game of soccer was more like a brawl. Kicking, poking, punching, biting and eye gouging were a few of the “acceptable” practices. We have evolved, Dear Readers, as none of this is allowed in today’s game. Of course, soccer is still a rough sport. Evidently, it was England that established the early rules in the mid-1800s, called the Cambridge Rules of soccer. The sport became more “civilized” and many of those rules still stand today.

Native Americans played soccer, on the beach at what is close to the Jamestown settlement. With 1000 players, and the goals a mile apart, it was considered the highlight of tribal celebrations. In Alaska and Canada, Indigenous people played soccer on ice and called it “aqsaqtuk.” The balls were leather stuffed with grass, caribou hair and moss 

How far do soccer players run? According to tracking devices that read the actual miles a player may run, the numbers are staggering. The average soccer midfielder will cover between six to eight miles in one 90-minute game. A World Cup record was set by Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic by running 10.4 miles. Top sprinting speeds are clocked at 20 to 32 miles per hour! 

Foreign visitors coming to America for the World Cup are going viral for posting videos about “the vastness and wonder of the United States.” The sheer size of our stores, the incredible long grocery aisles of chips and snacks, the massive portions of delicious foods given at restaurants, beautiful wide highways and breath-taking scenery are spotlighted daily. Mostly, the visitors seem impressed with the friendliness of Americans. 

Want to get into the World Cup mood? Watch the games, stand up and shake your hips like Shakira, and scream “Golazo” when you see a spectacular goal. 

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.