Soccer, game played by two teams on a rectangular field, in which players attempt to knock a round ball through the opponents’ goal, using any part of the body except the hands. Generally, players use their feet and heads as they kick, dribble, and pass the ball toward the goal. One player on each team guards the goal. This player, the goalkeeper, is the only player allowed to touch the ball with the hands while it is in play.

Soccer is a free-flowing game that has relatively few rules and requires little equipment. All that is needed to play is an area of open space and a ball.

American English has grown steadily in international significance since World War II, parallel to the growth of U.S. political, economic, technological and cultural influence worldwide. American English is currently the dominant influence on "world English" (cf. British English) largely due to the following:

1. Population: U.S. vs U.K. (SAE/SBE ca 70% vs 17% of all native English)
2. Wealth of the U.S. economy vs. the U.K., & influences
3. Magnitude of higher education in America vs the U.K.
4. Magnitude of the publishing industry in America
5. Magnitude of global mass media and media technology influence
6. Appeal of American popular culture on language and habits

International political and economic position of the U.S. (cf. Kennedy)