The sport itself is believed to have its roots in China, having developed somewhere around the 2nd century BC. The game then was probably nothing like it is now and most likely was meant as a skill developing activity than a sport. Nonetheless, there is evidence the game involved the dribbling of a leather ball and kicking it into a net. In ancient Greece and Rome, a similar game was played as well, this one though allowed the ball to be carried.
While some might think soccer is nothing over a silly game that has players jogging around a field trying to kick a black and white ball into a guarded net, the truth of the matter is the sport itself has a deep and rich history. Soccer has been around longer than even the United States, much longer, and is believed to have had its origins in ancient China. From a rudimentary game to practically a worldwide sensation, soccer is over a game for lots of, it's a way of life.
Through the years, the sport developed into the game it is today. Its prominence is felt throughout Europe, Central and South America where literally millions follow the efforts of their favorite teams in play. In fact, soccer is perhaps the world's most loved sport, although Americans might beg to differ with their love of football and baseball. However, the American sports haven't caught on as much as soccer has on the global playing field, and for some reason, professional soccer hasn't caught on in America, but it is changing.
Soccer's more modern roots grew in England where the story goes the first game was played using the head of a Danish outlaw. The game was banned in 1365 by King Edward III because it was too violent and too much of a diversion. It seems the troops spent more time playing kick ball than they did honing their skills on the battlefield.
A little less violent than football (unless the fans of professional teams are included in the mix) as well as a bit different, this is a sport loved by plenty of a youth around the world. The sport itself requires less gear than football and is a bit less difficult to get involved in. The skills required are slightly different as the game is of a mix of field hockey and football. The idea behind it is to kick the ball into the opposing team's aim.
On any given weekend, and plenty of a weeknight too, thousands and thousands of American youngsters are on the soccer fields playing in organized games, hoping to master their skills and bring in the winning aim. The game is popular among America's youth and it's continuing to spread like wildfire.
Soccer's popularity is catching on and although professional teams in the U.S. have had a hard time surviving, it's likely the sport will see a revival as the soccer youth of today age into the viewers and fans of tomorrow.
