For me, a casual observer only, it seems like the offside rule in soccer is a truly European idea of leveling the playing field between two teams of differing athletic ability. Such a rule would never have been created had soccer originated in the U.S., a nation that believes in getting ahead in life through superior ability, work ethic, or both. Thank goodness if a wide receiver in football outruns the defense the long TD isn't called back as an offside penalty. If I am totally wrong and there is a great idea behind the rule, I would love to hear it.