The University News

Thanks for the look at the sport from a somewhat outside perspective. I agree that it would really help the game here if more US sportswriters knew the terminology. However, I don't think it's a good idea to Americanize soccer's rules or terminology too much because, unlike the sports we invent, soccer truly requires a global dialogue. The language of the game has already been established, and it's a little arrogant for us to assume it needs to be changed to our tastes. This is the classic mistake league organizers have made for years when trying to sell soccer to Americans.

However, even in the US' short history of taking this game seriously, we've already added a few minor changes to the lexicon.

PK - an American term not used very often elsewhere. The most common are Penalty, or Penalty Kick.

Upper 90 - Makes sense to American soccer fans, but is only just now making it across the Atlantic. The spot in the goal where the crossbar meets the posts. If you can hit it here, it's going to be tough for a Goalie (American change) to get it.

Goalie - Traditionally in the UK, the Goalkeeper is shortened to Keeper. I'm guessing this is based in hockey.