No need to worry about this, it's going completely the opposite direction. When the MLS started 10 years ago they had overtime periods and shootouts. The USL/A-League was even worse, as well as the above they tried shorter periods with clock stoppages, bonus points for extra goals, blue cards (I've no idea) and all manner of weird creations.
Now both leagues play 90 minute games with no extra-time. Three points for a win, one for a draw and all the other rules standard across the world. They realized that by trying to attract the 'American fan' they were alienating the purists, and when it comes down to it it's the purists that will come to the games week in, week out and if they like what they see they will bring their friends and family.
As far as parents coaching, it can't be helped that they don't know the rules when they didn't grow up with the sport. Imagine having to learn all the rules from scratch for baseball or football if you're kids decided they want to play it. The good news is kids are getting involved and real football is growing in the US. I'm actually toying with the idea of becoming a coach myself.
Someone said it should just be fun at a younger age, and that when they grow up, the kids will learn the rules. Now is that the case in ice hockey and baseball as well?
Why do I see so many parents getting excited and shouting at refs in the junior hockey and baseball games in the neighbourhood :o
Ice hockey and baseball for kids are played in the same way here, although you do find that with hockey the kit is so expensive that in the main, only the kids who are really good or whose parents are obsessed play from a really young age, so that does up the anti competative-wise.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) - U.S. and international soccer officials are puzzled over the acting New Jersey governor's outrage that the American national anthem was not played before a friendly between England and Colombia.
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey, who attended Tuesday's match at Giants Stadium, was steamed when he realized that the "Star-Spangled Banner" would not be played along with the anthems of the countries in the match.
He said he immediately asked game organizers why it wasn't played and was told, "Governor, we're really very sorry. The British people don't want to hear it," The Star-Ledger of Newark reported in Thursday's newspapers.
http//msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3659634
In a match between England vs. Colombia, should they play American Anthem ? I personally dont see why, I am sure it was played when England played the US but does it need to be played when the American National team is not playing?
What's the world cup protocol? Is the national anthem of the host country played before every game?
What's the world cup protocol? Is the national anthem of the host country played before every game?
"
However, playing only the anthems of the two teams competing in a soccer match is standard for such international games, including the World Cup.
"Part of it (anthems) is for the introduction of those players in the match," said FIFA spokesman John Schumacher. "The match protocol is only the two teams."
Jim Moorhouse of Chicago-based U.S. Soccer, concurred.
"The normal international protocol would be (to play the anthems of) the two nations that are playing," Moorhouse said. "There are lots of international games played on neutral sites all over the world."
"
Wow, I am beginning to sound like Moo. I really think it's time I looked into going home a bit more seriously ;o)
So yes, limited to 3 per game.
Unless your name is Sven-Göran Eriksson, in which case if the opposing coach agrees you can substitute the entire team in a friendly match. Even then, once you are off you stay off.
I should have mentioned that you can sub your whole team off in a friendly - limited only to the number of subs allowed on the bench but like you say, they can't sub in and out - once off, they stay off.
I've seen Premier League teams play pre-season down in Devon and they subbed the whole team at half time which is not a bad idea if you are a few goals up and want to get your reserves fit/scoring.
Ive seen teams like the Villa and the blues, West Brom, and wolves in pre-season games at Worcester City and the game is just punctuated by subs all the way through the game!! I suppose its good for reserves, as a coaching staff if you want to look at players but as a football fan you may see a big name player kick the ball around for a few minutes and then hey presto he's gone!! :wink:
What's the world cup protocol? Is the national anthem of the host country played before every game?
Ummm........
no.
All y'all have been here too long to recognise a rhetorical question, methinks.....
;o)