Why soccer match timing confuses American sports fans
The clock counts up, never stops, and the game continues past 90 minutes — here’s what’s happening
ADDISON, Texas (Gray News) — The clock hits 90 minutes, but the game doesn’t end.
The clock never stops running in soccer, but referees add more time at the end. The clock counts up, not down, unlike in most American sports.
Kimberly Agnello said the timing is confusing for people new to soccer.
How stoppage time works
In soccer, the clock never stops. Injuries, substitutions and delays all happen while the clock runs.
At the end of the half or the end of the match, the referee adds those minutes back in.
Rachel Schwab, a lifelong soccer fan, said the system remains unclear even to experienced viewers.
“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. There are 104 matches scheduled across 11 U.S. cities.
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