Soccer is growing in US popularity

Soccer isn’t a source of American metaphors. People cover their bases, play hardball, and take a swing and a miss. The Monday morning quarterback comments on a Hail Mary. You roll with the punches when you’re on the ropes. A full-court press is a game changer. But language is as much a metaphor for life as sports is. In January, an Economist poll found soccer edging ahead of “America’s Pastime,” baseball. One in 10 now call Euroball their favorite sport, just ahead of baseball (9%) and well behind football (36%), but not far off basketball (17%). The balls they are a-changin’.