Ingram's July 2026

BETWEEN THE LINES

America that was as vigorous and as open as the America de Tocqueville discovered 200 years ago. Visitors loved so many of the things we have taken for granted, from free Coke refills to central air—air condi tioning at all, for that matter. Given the variety of our food—barbecue was a big hit everywhere—and the size of the servings, visitors worried about putting on the “FIFA 15.” Now they understand why we’re so fat. If they’d stayed, they would be, too. Weeks ago, who among us knew what an exotic treat ranch dressing was? Who knew that the Waffle House deserved a place of honor in the Michelin guide? Who knew that Buccee’s was the Eighth Wonder of the World? One thing I did not know is that Kansas City has somehow emerged as “Soccer City.” The FIFA people knew, which explains why four of the World Cup teams, including two of the semi finalists, headquartered here during the

The core problem is that the goals are too small. They remain the same size they were when the rules were set in 1863. The goalies, however, are literally a foot taller on average and much more athletic. The result is a near absence of scoring. As a case in point, in the seven games before the final, Spain’s opponents had scored one goal—combined. This much I knew coming in. What I learned was the oversized impor tance of penalties. With every stumble, players would fall to the ground writh ing in imagined pain, hoping to draw a penalty. In one game I saw, a player broke a 0-0 tie with a penalty kick I could have made. Soccer can be fixed. So, for that matter, can Kansas City. But first must come the recognition they’re broken.

duration of the tournament. I attribute my ignorance on this score to my indifference to the sport. Coming into the tournament, I thought the game fatally flawed. Now, having watched more soccer in the last month or so than in the 50 years preceding, I am convinced the game is fatally flawed. I did not know that Kansas City had somehow emerged as “Soccer City.” The FIFA people knew, which explains why four of the World Cup teams, including two of the semi-finalists, head quartered here during the duration of the tournament.

The views expressed in this column, which is also published online in the Heartlander, are the writer’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Ingram’s Magazine. Jack Cashill , Senior Editor, Editorial @ Ingrams.com

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