Soccer Tickets

Evidence exists of football like games in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. A linen ball was found in an Egyptian tomb, and there is evidence, as old as 2500 BC, of balls made out of catgut (animal sinew), wound into a sphere, and wrapped in leather or deerskin. The ancient Greeks, around 2000 BC, developed a ball game known as Episkyros or Phaininda. The ancient Romans had a ball game called Harpastum, which they probably took to the British Isles. In fact, records exist of a Harpastum match played between the Romans and the British natives.

Whether Harpastum effected the development of mob football in England is a matter of speculation.

Association football, commonly known as soccer, evolved from rugby. Only feet are used in soccer. The feet are used for kicking the ball, and for dribbling; and use of other body parts, such as the head or chest, suggest advanced technical skills.

Soccer officially emerged in 19th century England. Till that time, ball games involved handling and kicking the ball. In 1863, the London Football Association (FA) met and split football into Rugby – which allowed the use of both hands and feet - and Association Football – which banned the use of hands. Soccer, then, was only played competitively in private schools and universities, and the FA established the first set of rules.

Soccer, as an amateur competition, grew in England, and the first annual tournament – the FA Cup – was organized in 1871. Reluctantly, but eventually, the FA in 1885 allowed the participation of professional players, who at that time were paid about the same as the average workers who watched the game. The first professional league competition – the Football League – was founded by 12 English clubs in 1888. The first international football match – between England and Scotland – played in Glasgow on November 30, 1872, ended in a goalless draw.

U.S. Soccer – then known as the United States Football Association – was one of the first organizations to be affiliated with FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) – soccer’s world governing body. Though overshadowed by its counterpart, the American Football, soccer in America has made tremendous growth, especially in the last few years.

Progress has been slow, with games being played in small stadiums, hardly any crowds, very few games being televised – and those too with commercials. There were no top professional outdoor leagues, and no soccer specific stadiums.

However, since the late 1980s, soccer has evolved, with the men’s team qualifying for their fifth consecutive World Cup, and advancing to the quarterfinals at the 2002 event.

Major League Soccer (MLS) has taken off, and five major soccer specific stadiums are in place, with more on the way. David Beckham, the well-known international from England, has recently joined MLS.

With U.S. Soccer’s men’s and women’s teams having a number of matches scheduled, soccer tickets are up for grabs. Reedstickets.com can help arrange the soccer tickets of your choice for the games you wish to attend. Our staff will arrange to deliver your soccer tickets to your door.