Changes

[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goalkeeper leaping to make a save]]

[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goalkeeper leaping to make a save]]

'''Soccer''' is played with a round ball propelled by a player's foot (hence "'''football'''"). A team scores points by kicking the ball into the opponent's goal. Except for "goal tenders", players, with exceptions, may not touch the ball with their hands or arms.   

'''Soccer''' is a sport played with a round ball propelled by a player's foot (hence "'''football'''"). A team scores points by kicking the ball into the opponent's goal. Except for "[[goalkeepers]]", players, with exceptions, may not touch the ball with their hands or arms.   

The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 field players and one [[goalkeeper]] each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a 15 minute break known as half-time. In [[knockout cup]] games, if a game is tied after 90 minutes, there is often an additional period of play consisting of 2 X 15-minute halves. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a penalty shootout. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].  

The game is played between two teams of 11 players (10 out-field players and one goalkeeper each). In official play, there are two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a 15 minute break known as half-time. In [[knockout cup]] games, if a game is tied after 90 minutes, there is often an additional period of play consisting of 2*15-minute halves. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a penalty shootout. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].  

The game is played on a grass (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100) in width.<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>

The game is played on a grass (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100 yards) in width.<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>

A goal is scored when the ([[sphere|spherical]]) ball is propelled into the opposition net.  The distinctive feature of the game is that, with the exception of the goalkeepers, players, most of the time, may not touch the ball with their hands or arms intentionaly.

A goal is scored when the ([[sphere|spherical]]) ball is propelled into the opposition net.  The distinctive feature of the game is that, with the exception of the goalkeepers, players, most of the time, may not touch the ball with their hands or arms intentionaly.

The game better known outside the U.S. as "[[football]]". The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "As<u>soc</u>iation Football", <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London'' </ref>, much like "rugger" is slang for [[rugby|<u>rug</u>by]].

The game better known outside the U.S. as "[[football]]". The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "As<u>soc</u>iation Football", <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London'' </ref>, much like "rugger" is slang for [[rugby|<u>rug</u>by]].

It is the most popular [[team sport]] in the world{{fact}}, described by the legendary Brazilian player, [[Pele]], as "The Beautiful Game". Its governing body is [[FIFA]] (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).

It is the most popular [[team sport]] in the world{{fact}}, described by the legendary Brazilian player, [[Pele]], as "The Beautiful Game". Its governing body is [[FIFA]] (Fédération Internationale de Football Association).