How to Americanize Soccer?

Since we (Yanks) are accused of modifying other sports and calling them our own (e.g. american football, baseball) I say that we do the same with soccer. Here are three rule changes that would make the sport more palletable to the average Yank:1. Change offsides to an offside line like it is in ice hockey. No offensive player can enter the offensive zone until the ball has crossed the line. After that, offensive players can be anywhere within the offensive zone regardless of where the ball or defensive players are.2. Stealing from hockey once again, if someone is actively playing the ball you can hit them with your body. No elbows or blows with the feet, but a good body check is legal.3. No throw in. Free kicks from the side line.Anyone else?

If I wanted to watch two prissy guys dance around with each other I would go to the ballet. A free kick puts the ball into a scoring position faster than a throw in. Wouldn't you agree that a corner kick is more entertaining than a throw in?

See? Someone understands what I am saying. That's how recreational leagues work in my part of the world. Unlimited substitutions during a stoppage in play. Like that as well. Works well in rugby. Actually, I would go in the opposite direction if scoring went up. Make the goal smaller. This would make for better goalie play and more spectacular saves. The perfect "American" final score would be about 3 to 4 goals a side on average.

We already Americanized rugby. Keep the no hands policy in.

Unfortunately, annoying noise makers are not limited to South Africa. I like to go watch the local minor league hockey team once in a while and I always seem to sit right in front of the guy with the cow bell. Penalty kills suck. And don't even get me started on people jingling their keys.I find the horns annoying as well, but its not my place to tell the host nation how to be a spectator. I'm sure that future decisions on hosting nations will look at local customs more closely.

I still like that one too. In this case the ball has to be the first thing across the line of demarcation. This would prevent offensive players from standing next to the goal.

I will concede on this one. Fouls are not called often enough to break the flow of the game. This is one of the things I hate about basketball, the flow of the game is interrupted way too much. Throwing a bone to tradition, I guess. Also, on-the-fly substutitions could be abused for field position.