| se types of soccer like competitions have been | | | | sweepers. Optional positions include; midfield anchor, |
| played as far back as the times of the Romans. | | | | midfield general, midfield maestro, attacking midfielder, |
| However, the U.S. was the 1st British colony to | | | | central midfielder, defensive midfielder, finisher, central |
| beginning participating in soccer games. As far back | | | | defender, central forward, halfback, and stoppers. |
| as 1609 in the Jamestown colony various forms of | | | | Soccer Objective |
| soccer were being played. In the U.S. soccer refers | | | | The object of the game of soccer is to kick the ball |
| to the game where you kick the ball into the | | | | into the opposing teams goal. This is done by kicking |
| opposing team's goal for points. In other countries, | | | | the soccer ball around to other team mates in order |
| soccer is what people in the U.S. would consider | | | | to get them into a scoring position. Similar to the |
| football. In mid 2008, several players were inducted | | | | sport of basketball in regards to continuous passing, |
| into the Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum in Canada. | | | | except the feet are to be used instead of the hand. |
| These players were; Arthur Arnold, John McGrane, | | | | This game demands a lot of physical endurance and |
| William Flinton, Jack Brand, Jimmy Adam, Bruce | | | | mental capabilities in order to win. Players must be |
| Twamley, Constantinos Souplotis, Les Wilson and | | | | sharp enough to know when and where to pass the |
| Walter W. Bowman. It's not only the Americans and | | | | ball to without it being taken away by rival teams |
| Canadians who have a strong soccer history. In fact, | | | | players. Each soccer game last ninety minutes with |
| much of the world does also. Here is a small list of | | | | one fifteen minute break in between each game. |
| some of the international soccer competitions that | | | | Highest Paid Players |
| men and women compete in globally; Women's World | | | | 1. Kak - AC Milan: $14.9 million per year |
| Cup, Nordic Cup, World Youth Championship, Futsal | | | | 2. Ronaldinho - FC Barcelona: $14.1 million |
| World Championship, Pan American Games, World | | | | 3. Frank Lampard - Chelsea: $13.5 million |
| Cup, and the Olympic Soccer Tournament. | | | | 4. John Terry - Chelsea: $13.5 million |
| Player Positions | | | | 5. Fernando Torres - Liverpool: $13.1 million |
| In the game of soccer, each team normally has | | | | 6. Andriy Shevchenko - Chelsea: $12.9 million |
| eleven positions and eleven players playing in those | | | | 7. Michael Ballack - Chelsea: $12.9 million |
| positions. However since there are many ways to | | | | 8. Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United: $12.7 million |
| play the game soccer this isn't always the case. | | | | 9. Thierry Henry - FC Barcelona: $12.7 million |
| Generally you will have backs, defenders, forwards, | | | | 10. Steven Gerrard - Liverpool: $12. |
| fullbacks, goalies, goalkeeper, midfielders and striker | | | | |