- November 23, 2024
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The scoreboard Photo by Jeff Dawsey
When two teams take the field and give it their all, I expect one to prove its superiority over the other — by winning.
In the recent soccer match between FPC and Matanzas, the game concluded in a 0-0 tie. No player left the field with a clean jersey, having worked from the opening whistle until the final buzzer, but they all walked away as...not winners...but also not losers.
I asked both coaches thier opinions about ties, and Matanzas coach Weber said, "It can be a beautiful thing, if you understand soccer. If you're outmatched, a tie is a win." I understand that. And FPC coach Reg Monsanto simply replied, "A tie is better than a loss." Makes sense.
Playing sports in our back yards as kids, no one wanted a draw. Although we didn't want to walk away as losers, we instituted rules on the spot to ensure the game ended with a winner.
Ater a mom would yell, "Jimmie, it's getting late. You have five more minutes," someone would shout, "Last basketball" or "Last touchdown wins."
The only thing that mattered was that one team would win, and the other would lose.
This mentality has stayed with me and so many others, especially those unfamiliar with soccer and hockey. The most popular sports in America finalize competitions — even if they take the entire day to do so.
Baseball, tennis, football and basketball, to name a few, provide extra time to determine a winner. Baseball has been known to double the allotted innings in order for a winner to be chosen. Tennis has retired play, due to the lack of light, and resumed the next day.
While I understand these extremes may cause injury for teams that play multiple times per week, I see an easy solution that could prevent the draw.
After the regular 80 minutes, instead of more extra time, teams can go straight to penalty kicks. Sooner than later, one team will have made more than the other with the same chances.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment on our Facebook page, or follow Jeff Dawsey on Twitter @PCOsports.
