Random Samples: Why Penalty Kicks Are A Necessary Evil In Soccer

• 3 comments - Soccer - posted by Austin Link on July 19, 2011

After more than two hours of hard fought championship level soccer, the winner of the 2011 women’s World Cup was crowned by a controversial match ending mechanism: penalty kicks. Despite all of the skill, stamina, and strategy required to win at the World Cup level of play, eight simple swings of the leg decided one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

Many fans and experts alike considered it a tragic way to end a beautiful game.

The result begs the question: Is there really a convincing reason for FIFA to use penalty kicks to decide close matches – especially in games that determine a world champion? Read more »