I’ve never really considered myself much of a soccer fanatic.

Even in high school, when it seemed as if every one of my friends was playing the sport, I was much more concerned with my basketball team and writing for the newspaper.

Plus, I couldn’t do too much with my feet, so the sheer idea of the sport frustrated me.

That was until I got into college and onto The State Press sports staff, where I was graciously assigned the task of covering the women’s soccer team.

Great.

Here was a sport I had no idea about, and here was a group of athletes who had spent their whole lives perfecting it.

Long story short, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Really.

After two seasons of soccer, I can actually say I’ve changed my mind — now I really do understand why it might be the most popular sport in the world.

I guess the reason I’m thinking about this is because of all the soccer that has been in the news lately.

Thierry Henry’s handball.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The BYU “catfight.”

To think I was in Paris during the Italy/France World Cup game just a few years ago.

It’s interesting, and the more I learn about it, the more I can’t get enough of it.

So good luck to the United States in its 2010 matchups against England, Algeria and Slovenia.