Soccer’s stoppage time confuses newcomers to the sport
The clock hits 90 minutes, but the game doesn’t end. For people new to soccer, this is where things get confusing.
The clock in soccer counts up, not down like in most American sports. It never stops running during injuries, substitutions or delays.
At the end of each half or the match, the referee adds those minutes back in as stoppage time.
Kimberly Agnello, who was watching a match at the Londoner pub in Addison, said the timing is different from other sports.
Alex Flippin, a soccer influencer, said the system breaks a lot of Americans’ brains.
Even lifelong fans find it confusing. Rachel Schwab, Agnello’s friend, said the referees keep track of the time and it’s controversial.
“The refs keep it. It’s very controversial. I don’t keep track of it,” Schwab said.
The most important moments of a match can happen after the clock hits 90 minutes.
The FIFA World Cup tournament kicks off in June with 104 matches scheduled.
