[Mick]

The etymology of the word "soccer" is actually British in origin.  It was the term that upper-class Brits gave to association football. In fact, "Soccer" predates the term "football" in terms of publicized usage by 18 years:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/...rd-soccer/

In 1863 or so, there was "rugby football" and "association football" with the latter referring to soccer.  Rugby was often nicknamed "Ruggers" and "Soccer" was nicknamed "Asoccer" then "Soccer" then "Soccer football."  The English didn't start using the term "Football" until 1881 and America already had "football" so they adopted "soccer" as the term, as did Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/...rd-soccer/

Other fun facts:

1) The first US Soccer group was called "United States Soccer Football Association."  So we incorporated the term from the beginning.
2) Early American football was played more with feet, there was a lot more kicking going on, dropkicks, placekicks and so forth.  Also, "football" was a generic term for any sport played while running in the mid-19th century.

[Mick]

The etymology of the word "soccer" is actually British in origin.  It was the term that upper-class Brits gave to association football. In fact, "Soccer" predates the term "football" in terms of publicized usage by 18 years:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/...rd-soccer/

In 1863 or so, there was "rugby football" and "association football" with the latter referring to soccer.  Rugby was often nicknamed "Ruggers" and "Soccer" was nicknamed "Asoccer" then "Soccer" then "Soccer football."  The English didn't start using the term "Football" until 1881 and America already had "football" so they adopted "soccer" as the term, as did Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/...rd-soccer/

Other fun facts:

1) The first US Soccer group was called "United States Soccer Football Association."  So we incorporated the term from the beginning.
2) Early American football was played more with feet, there was a lot more kicking going on, dropkicks, placekicks and so forth.  Also, "football" was a generic term for any sport played while running in the mid-19th century.