Soccer is universal sport, played by rural youths and urban adults, by men, women and children. It is played in virtually every country in the world, with fans watching the game with an intensity that is little matched in any other sport of any kind, or at any level. Because it is so wildly enjoyed, soccer can be more than just a game for a number of people, players and fans alike. But, is soccer always competitive? Is there ever a game of soccer that is played just for fun, just for the exercise and just for the spirit of the game itself? Is soccer ever just a game?

Adults may have forgotten the fun of just getting out with a bunch of friends and playing a game, not even keeping score very well, just running and shouting with the summer sun shining in their hair. So, how do they decide when the game is over? They simply play until their moms call them home for dinner or until the streetlights come in or they play until it becomes more of a game of blind man’s bluff than soccer. Is soccer always competitive? Not for the young ones who are out there for the sheer thrill of having the long stretch of summer days in front of them, with school a distant and slightly scary thought in the future.

But, some adults do not need to have to have that questions answered. There are more and more adults who join leagues so that they can learn the sport and to get some exercise. While they may play games, they are more of the friendly variety that is not meant to bring up blood feuds and angry feelings. The better that they learn the sport of soccer, the more likely they are to start feeling a little of competitive spirit. Is soccer always competitive? No, but it may quickly become that way.

While many people think that women are not nearly as interested in sports as men are, it is simply not true- women do play sports with all of the passion and raw emotion that men might bring to the game. Is soccer always competitive? For women, the game has all the appeal of physical exertion, gamesmanship and strategy and it can have all of the blood boiling anger and rage that any other battle could have. They can be as competitive at soccer as they can at any other sport or activity.

So, is soccer always competitive? For some people, the answer is yes, because they see no point in playing the game if there is no title to defend, no points to be accumulated and no trophy to be won. For others, the game can be a competitive one in some cases and just for fun in others. And finally, for the small children, it can be nothing more than another way to spend their youth, running in the bright summer sun on a field of green.