I must admit for the first time in years, I actually watched a full soccer game. Or is it soccer match? I hear it depends on where one resides. And since I’m in the good ol’ USofA, it appears it was a game.

And that would be the game between the United States and some country named “Turkiye,” which to my (non)astonishment was previously known as Turkey up until, for me, this current world cup.

I know, here come the comments where I’m just not worldly enough.

I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much. Frankly, I’m comfortable with my world knowledge, even though I’ve only traveled to two other countries in my time, and yes, they both border the United States of America. Just know I know a little about a lot of the other countries that don’t. And I bet all those countries know a little about America as well. After all, that’s literally the way of the world.

Fact is, people tend to know most about the country they live in. And since I live in the United States, I know this year my country, along with the two which border us, are hosting the World Cup soccer tournament. And since the host country has a team and the United States is my country, I watched the match (I do think saying match is cooler) mentioned above. I belabor this point for a reason: There’s only one reason I watched an entire soccer match.

And that was because when it comes to sports, I enjoy watching two teams: Anything involving the University of Michigan (and yes, I watch their sports I don’t fully understand, or particulary care for, like field hockey and lacrosse and water polo and even crew) and anything where team USA is involved. And I ALWAYS root, root, root for the home team, and if they don’t win, it’s a shame. Like on June 25 for the USA men’s soccer team.

Back to the point of my title for a second, however. Just know I don’t understand offsides (the concept, not how it’s called – because if it wasn’t a rule, think of the scoring) or what decides what’s a corner kick versus a throw in or extra time (more on that in a second) or why the clock never stops or what’s a foul one time and not the next (this is a problem in many sports) and probably a couple of other things, but those are what they are. After all, I only tune in once every few years.

That’s a lot of misunderstanding for a sport that only requires a field, whatever you fashion two goals out of and a ball, but I digress.

So, while I watched what was to this novice a fun match, I just don’t understand how it ended. According to my TV screen, there were allegedly SEVEN minutes of extra time at the end of the 45-minute second half. So, you can imagine why I am so confused when Turk-eee-i-yay scored in the EIGHTH-plus minute of extra time. I mean, was time suspended? Was there EXTRA extra time I didn’t know about? It is new math where 45 plus 7 now equals 53 or 54? Did the ref just decide it appeared Turkey had a “li’l sumthin’ goin’ on and I’m gonna let it play out and see what’s what?” Which turned out to be a goal after those seven minutes were up?

And yes, I know, in the grand scheme of things, that didn’t matter in making the “knockout round.” Well, in my humble opinion and what I think those who desire fair play (I know the irony of a Michigan Man saying that after Connor Stalions outsmarted the NCAA) think, a goal eight minutes into extra time would appear to have arrived after the declared seven minutes of extra time.

So now I have another reason to not get soccer. And be thankful I didn’t get into all the flopping that makes the NBA look like amateurs. Not saying the physical play wasn’t something fun to watch. Same for the talent of playing a match in constant motion on the pitch (oh yes, I’m more worldly than you think) was impressive. And these guys are in shape, unquestioned. Let’s just say I was as impressed as I was confused.

Truth told, sports in general are becoming more confusing to me as my time on this orb goes on. Many of you know I’m a big sports fan. But as the money gets bigger, so does my misunderstanding.

The major pro and college leagues in our country are becoming out of reach for everyday fans; certainly to attend, and increasingly to even watch on TV with games moving to streaming services. And while human error from both players and officials can be understood (with some emotion, I suspect), it’s the money that is damaging sports in our country more than anything else.

Let’s just be honest, the love of money ruins just about everything. And the vicious cycle between owners, players and yes, cities, drives it higher and higher. You can’t name a sport in our country that isn’t out of control cost-wise to go see in person. Well, maybe the WNBA still is affordable, but it seems to take it all out on Caitlin Clark, the ONE player who is actually getting the whole league more money – for you or me, let alone a family.

Remember now, this is being written by a guy who thought a hundred bucks per season ticket for University of Michigan football was getting out of hand back in the 1990s. I also recall going to family night at Tiger Stadium with the six of us, and it cost maybe $25 bucks, including parking. But for the last 25 or 30 years, it’s a whole new ballgame.

Maybe that’s why the World Cup is still so popular, the attraction for the everyday fan coupled with national pride. And the Olympics are much the same way.

Then again, the cost to see those events now in person dwarfs taking in a Saturday afternoon at your favorite college football venue or a game for your favorite team. I mean, coming to America (or host country) takes on a whole new meaning if you have to stay for a few weeks or a month tracking your national team around the country.

Well, it’s certainly not for the faint of wallet.

Like I said, at some point it is always all about the Benjamins. Which in the long run doesn’t bode well for Joe Q Fan. For now, I hope everyone can see it on television at least. But at some point, I think there’s a streaming package in its future.

So perhaps some of my old innocence of sport is why I was able to enjoy the soccer match. Soon enough, they’ll just be gladiators in the arena. And only the select few will have enough money for the thumbs up or down part of the program. And that makes me sad.

Because that’s the part of modern sport I fully understand.

In Truth and freedom.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com