Good luck with the refereeing. One of the things I don't like about soccer isw the way the ref decisions are frequently challenged by the players who can often be physically intimidating. This is a problem that has leaked down into the junior leagues as well as players imitate their heroes. I don't know if its happening in the US.

Ironically rugby which is a far more violent game has much more respect for the referee.You never see rugby players harassing the referee the way soccer players do. A rugby player who intimidated or even touched a referee could well face a life ban from the game.

Nick
>>I personally wouldn't read too much into the FIFA rankings. The way they have calculated them seems to have produced some bizarre results.
>>the UK in second place. No way. Thats much too high.
>>Poland ,Portugal adn Sweden so low.
>>
>>The US are better than they used to be but in terms if size of country they punch well below their weight.
>>
>>Nick Mason
>>
>>
>>>>Pretty high up on capital punishment as well :-)
>>>>
>>>>Not so hot at soccer (probably the most common world game)
>>>
>>>Not so hot at soccer? We made the quarterfinals in World Cup 2002, losing to Germany (eventual runner-ups) in a 1-0 match many said we should have won. To get to the quarters, we beat Spain in group play and beat our biggest rival Mexico 2-0. We are currently tied for 6th in the FIFA world rankings.
>
>IMO it's not so much inability as disinterest. Soccer is coming on in the U.S., particularly at the youth level, but it is not a tradition as it is in about every other country. The main team sport here is (American) football, followed by basketball, followed by baseball. Soccer is not even on the radar for most Americans, even sports fans. I happen to love soccer but realize I am in a small minority.
>
>On a personal note, I found out the other day I will be refereeing in the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) national games this summer. From what I have heard it is very good competition. Even for a soccer-challenged nation ;-).