Introduction-Dear+Reader

Dear Reader,

I decided to do my project on soccer. Playing the sport is much different than watching the sport. For example, when watching it is harder to understand the strategy behind the backwards passing and the crazy kicks upfield, but while playing soccer it becomes clear. Even though passing it backwards is backtracking it leads to an easier goal. Soccer isn't a sport that most Americans watch, but it is very popular in other countries. This aspect is interesting because it shows how every culture is different.

Why did I chose soccer?, because I wanted to see the sport from a different perspective. America sees soccer as just another sport, but do other countries see soccer differently. As I researched many questions and interests arose in my mind, like who thought of the World Cup? and how did it become famous?

The facts about soccer that inspired me most were from the World Cup. Did you know that Brazil is the only team to appear in every World Cup? Others have avoided entry, withdrawn, protested, or failed to qualify. It got me thinking, what would make a country, like Brazil, want to appear in the World Cup more than any other country. I thought maybe Brazil was the country most inspired by soccer, but then after some research I found that most countries submit teams, Brazil is just the best.

Every four years the World Cup goes to new country for a new tournament. Countries can bid to be the host country. This interested me because in most other sports they have a lottery to see who the next host will be. The countries that have hosted the most World Cups are Italy, France, Germany, and Mexico all with two hosts. This fact let me know that a lot of countries bid on the World Cup. Some countries might do it for the revenue that comes from the fans traveling to the countries.

This research project changed my view on soccer and I hope it will change yours too.

Sincerely, Zack McDaniel