The most popular sport in the world isn’t loved by everyone. Soccer is considered boring by some, and they just can’t tune in and watch a match.
What are seven of the top reasons why many consider soccer boring? While not a definitive ranking, most people will agree with at least a few of these reasons if they aren’t fans of the game.
1. Low Scoring Matches
This complaint is almost always high up there on the list for soccer haters. Most soccer matches are indeed going to be low-scoring.
The higher level of competition, usually the lower scoring in the game. That’s because the two teens are so good at limiting goals that it might only result in one or two for both teams.
A counter-argument to this complaint is that there’s a lot of action beyond scoring. Just because there aren’t goals scored doesn’t mean that there isn’t action. It’s the build-up to a goal that can be just as exciting.
Comparing it directly to American football, there’s also the argument that not that much scoring goes on in that sport either. The difference is that touchdowns are worth six points, and field goals are worth three.
Count in the extra points, and a football game that ends 21-14 only had five scores between the two teams. It would be the equivalent of a soccer game ending 3-2.
2. Slow Moving
Some soccer styles of play are very slow-moving and methodical. Instead of constantly being on the attack, it’s about controlling the ball and making sure passes open up a few opportunities.
The slow-moving action might pay off with wins, but it doesn’t capture the attention of fans.
This is mostly a strategy used by teams that don’t have prolific goal-scoring players. They are looking to keep the other team from scoring, while maybe scoring a goal or two of their own.
This leads to very few highlights, unless a person is really into very strategic part of the game. Underdog teams also employ this strategy.
Teams, in general, seem to be playing a faster brand of soccer for the most part. The best players are becoming more skilled, and teams have very fit players to run up and down the field all match long.
That means the methodical way of playing could go out the door at the highest levels.
3. Fake Injuries Slow the Game Down
Taking a dive or trying to sell a fake injury has turned into a strategic part of the game. It doesn’t come without controversy, as a lot of fans don’t want to see this at all.
When a player is trying to sell an injury or foul, they could lay on the ground for minutes at a time.
This often becomes one of the most boring parts of the game, as everyone is waiting for that person to get up or be carted off the field. Referees have tried to get fake injuries under control a little bit, but it’s hard to handle.
The worst is when a person who is seemingly injured gets up and is back to normal after they don’t get a call that goes their way. It can be frustrating to see this happen, as it’s just one big con to try and get an unfair call.
4. Time Wasting
Fake injuries count as time-wasting to some degree, but there are a lot of other time-wasting tactics used in soccer that can make it boring.
For example, if a team has a lead and they are trying to hold on, they might just pass the ball around without any plan to attack. They are essentially draining the clock and hoping to preserve the victory.
Time wasting is part of a winning strategy in some cases, but it’s not going to capture the attention of fans who are getting into the game for the first time.
People want action when they go to the match, and controlling the ball away from the goal isn’t providing that.
5. Ties/Draws Occur
Most sports finish with a winner and a loser once everything is over. What can make soccer boring for fans is if teams are battling for a tie or draw instead of outright winning.
The incentive to play conservatively and not try to win can pay off in a lot of ways for a team. For example, if a team only needs a result to hold onto their spot in the standings, they aren’t going to push it and run the risk of not coming through.
Soccer gets rid of ties or draws when it comes to the knockout stages of a tournament. If there needs to be a winner, it will go to extra time before finally leading the penalty kicks.
Ironically, casual sports fans find penalty kicks to be one of the most exciting times to watch the sport.
6. Top Teams Dominate Too Much
Whether it’s an international competition or the top domestic leagues in the world, there is a bit of disparity at the top. The same teams seem to always win, and that gets boring for fans.
Perhaps the greatest example in a domestic league right now is Bayern Munich. They dominate the German League and often blow out opponents.
They have more money to spend than anyone else, and they pretty much use their domestic league as a warm-up for other competitions.
For the other teams in the top German League, it can be frustrating to try to wait for them. The same can be said at the international level, as only eight countries have won World Cup titles. This includes five teams from Europe and three from South America.
7. Television Doesn’t Capture Everything
This complaint is very specific to people watching on television instead of in person. Certain sports do a better job of being exciting in person. Soccer is one of them, as fans get to feel the energy from others around the stadium.
A lot of the speed and skill on the pitch don’t translate all that well to television. The broadcast team is also going to keep the sound to a minimum with the fans. If it doesn’t seem as noisy and rowdy at the stadium, it’s harder for people to get into it when not there.
High-definition television has certainly helped, but there are so many little things that are hard to see without actually being there. Anyone who isn’t a fan of soccer but hasn’t attended a game in person should give it a try and see if their thoughts change.
Is Soccer Actually Boring?
Even strong supporters of soccer will admit that there are boring parts of the match. However, the same can be said for just about any sport out there. It’s not 90 minutes of non-stop action, but some exciting parts keep fans engaged.
Through it all, soccer must be doing something right to hold onto all these fans. It’s not a sport for everyone, but the consensus is that soccer isn’t boring.
