Biggest Reason Soccer Isn't Like American Sports

[the_phoenix612]

No 'roids.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5333139/ce/us/no-doping-positives-4th-straight-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us

[BDB]

yet.

[the_phoenix612]

yet.
4 world cups in a row, so far.

[F18mustang]

Cool. I'm gonna go play some NCAAFootball now.

[BDB]

4 world cups in a row, so far.

which is prolly why 3 world countries compete.

i'm just saying.... once the US puts money into this sport in about 8 years, there will be 'roids.

count on it.

[HUM398]

No 'roids.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5333139/ce/us/no-doping-positives-4th-straight-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us

The number one reason why soccer isn't like American sports, is that it isn't dominated by ghey....

Obvious sarcasm by a man that is and also has been of the mind frame that Soccer is a gay dudes sport.

[the_phoenix612]

The number one reason why soccer isn't like American sports, is that it isn't dominated by ghey.
truth.

[HUM398]

truth.

You do know that soccer really is dominated by ghey....yes?

[HUM398]

http://www.inewscatcher.com/timages/12c231026020a9e87eedafe4ac417ca3.jpg

[HUM398]

http://www.rtsforce.com/kma4000/soccer_perversion_9_197.jpg


my favorite.

http://coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/gay_soccer_1.jpg

[stevefoxsc]

which is prolly why 3 world countries compete.

i'm just saying.... once the US puts money into this sport in about 8 years, there will be 'roids.

count on it.

it's a poor mans sport...

literally soccer to the rest of the world is what basketball and football are to inner city kids, what baseball is to many south American kids.

It's a sport many play as we do many of our sports, just so happens it's their choice else where.

You think hockey would be where it is if it snowed in every state with out a 2k bill for gear.

[the_phoenix612]

The number one reason why soccer isn't like American sports, is that it isn't dominated by ghey.

You do know that soccer really is dominated by ghey....yes?
you are contradicting yourself, sir.

[HUM398]

you are contradicting yourself, sir.

I am aware

[ktCarl]

No 'roids.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5333139/ce/us/no-doping-positives-4th-straight-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us

You don't need to be big to play soccer.

[slorch]

the biggest reason soccer isn't like American sports is that it has the depth of a game of tag, while being played by a bunch of dudes rejected by the Village Acting Guild that act like they stepped on a landmine when the wind changes direction- only to have their broken ankle cured by a can of wd-40 or some magic soccer spray.

I don't f'ing care if our athletes use drugs, in all honesty. If it makes them hit harder, run faster, and throw farther, then great. I want to be entertained, not put to sleep.

[KT2000]

I don't f'ing care if our athletes use drugs, in all honesty. If it makes them hit harder, run faster, and throw farther, then great. I want to be entertained, not put to sleep.

That's the spirit.

[slorch]

That's the spirit.

Are you not entertained?!?

seriously, who plays the "purity" card on soccer? It's about as relevant to the quality of team sports as whether or not they eat organic veggies or kicked the dog on their way out of the house this morning.

[rwilleby]

I liked soccer better when they had the red and green flags...

http://www.healslo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/nfl-flag-football-3.jpg

[pied]

I think the biggest difference is the time keeping and lack of breaks. Mind you I think every sport has their own physical demands and am not in any way saying that soccer players are better athletes than football/basketball/baseballl, well maybe baseball, but that's not the point.

The sports we enjoy most have many breaks and are typically action packed for awhile followed byt a break.

The pitcher pitches, and it's either not hit, or is followed by maybe 5-8 seconds of action. The fans talk about the next pitch or base running strategy or look for the signs from the dug out or talk about pitch count. Does the pitcher's arm look tired? Is it a rightly/lefty matchup?

Every time there are three outs, it's time for a commercial. Go to thebahtroom, get a hot dog, change the channel to get a score from another game. That's at least 18 times in a three hour game, not counting pitching changes.

In football, the ball is snapped, the QB has 2.5 seconds to look across 50 yards make a decision and throw it. In all, even a a running play, we have about 10 seconds of action, and unless it's the last two minutes you have probably 30 seconds. The fans get to talk about a ton of things. Down and distance, whoudl we run, throw, play for the punt, or be aggressive becuase it's 3rd and 12 and we're in our end of the field. If we miss it's a punt and a TO, or if we make it, it may be a scheduled TV TO. If the ball goes out of bounds the time stops, unless it's under two minutes, or unless it's a college game, the rules are different. You have breaks in between quarters and an extended half time, that we have now filled with marching bands. The biggest game of the sport, a huge amount of attnetion is placed on commercials, who will play at half time and who will sing the National Anthem.

Basketball/hockey- the clock and play stop any time there is a foul, which is probably at least every two minutes. Scheduled TV timeouts to refill or empty. We have quaters in the pros and only two halves in college, but back to quarters in HS. We like the breaks, because we can then talk about the subs, extending the lead or cutting into it.

Soccer, it starts and it ends in two hours(unless it's an elimination game). I think some of the things that bother people are due to this. In any other sport, an injury, the player comes off the field, and time is stopped. In soccer that doesn't happen. If you're hurt a lot or a little, you're SOL. Getting kicked hurts, but doesn't mean you're injured. You get kicked in football/basketball, you come off for a play or a minute or two and go back in. You don't in soccer. You may want a second to walk it off, but the play will be going on. Only way to prevent this is staying down. The clock won't stop but may give you the tmie to get over the sting. Some players certainly milk that though.

THere are bad calls in all sports. Other sports have the luxury of stopping the clock and taking a look. In soccer not so much. In the US ALgeria game, we scored 12 seconds after Howard caught the ball and threw it down the field. The goal that was scored against Germany and not called was followed up by a similar counter. When would you have looked at it for a review?

[Favpack]

If we blindfold the FIFA refs - then they will be better and we will like more - yes?

[slorch]

actually the number of breaks in a football game piss me off, too.

I'm speaking of the artificial ones for TV. At a live game, it's just ridiculous.

[pied]

actually the number of breaks in a football game piss me off, too.

I'm speaking of the artificial ones for TV. At a live game, it's just ridiculous.

Would you prefer the play clock be shortened to say, 10 seconds>?

[yallerjacket2]

If we put vuvuzelas up the hineys of the FIFA refs and everyone giggled every time they heard a "toot"- then they will be better and we will like more - yes?

Yes.

[twcpfan1]

You don't need to be big to play soccer.

It helps if you can't easily get pushed off the ball. More emphasis on strength than size I think. Height helps on those headers.

[pied]

actually the number of breaks in a football game piss me off, too.

I'm speaking of the artificial ones for TV. At a live game, it's just ridiculous.

To be clear I am talking about the natural breaks. A play happens, there is a ackle/inc/out of bouds and then a break until the next play. There is a pitch, a potential hit, a foul, a hit and a defensive play, and then a break. Natural breaks. The other breaks are itrritating, but a not a natural part of the sport./

[SV61]

I think the biggest hurdle of the disdain of soccer here, is this. People don't understand all the nuances of the sport. Weren't immersed in it, like a baseball or football.

The other side of the disdain could also be this. SINCE the rest of the world plays it, (wasn't invented here?) people here are blase' about it.

Me personally? Probably more of the first reason above. Sure, we played soccer growing up, but only if the football had a hole in it, or the girls coach was sick or on a field trip, and we had to play with the girls.

[twcpfan1]

I think the biggest hurdle of the disdain of soccer here, is this. People don't understand all the nuances of the sport. Weren't immersed in it, like a baseball or football.

The other side of the disdain could also be this. SINCE the rest of the world plays it, (wasn't invented here?) people here are blase' about it.

Me personally? Probably more of the first reason above. Sure, we played soccer growing up, but only if the football had a hole in it, or the girls coach was sick or on a field trip, and we had to play with the girls.

I'm not sure how immersed people are in baseball. How many people watched the world series in its entirety the year the Astros and the Sox played. Nobody outside Houston and that half of Chicago, Based on the numbers, not many around those areas either.

[SV61]

I'm not sure how immersed people are in baseball. How many people watched the world series in its entirety the year the Astros and the Sox played. Nobody outside Houston and that half of Chicago, Based on the numbers, not many around those areas either.

I'm not talking about how immersed people are, as adults. I am speaking more about as children. In other words, my generation was IMMERSED in the sports of Baseball and Football as children. Our understanding of the game is greater than sports we were NOT immersed in, such as soccer.

Like the metric system that was pushed down our throats in elementary. For whatever reason, it really never took off over here. Perhaps the good old American units of measure were too entrenched by then.

[twcpfan1]

True but you may not be taking into account the female half of the population. I could be wrong but more girls at a young age will probably participate in soccer as opposed to softball. Pure guess on my part of course. The other demographic you might not be considering here are your truly international cosmopolitan larger cities in the NE, Chicago and the WC and their stronger ties to the old country.

[cougmantx]

Because their officals sux! Oh wait a minute...well, at least we can challenge a call and have a review! :D

[dragonpants]

because it sucks!! High scoring game is 2-1 little to no contact and when there is they flop like they just got shot.

Only way soccer flourishes in the US is find some way to increase the scoring significantly and even then will never be a main stream sport in the US.

[SV61]

No, I wasn't really taking the female perspective into account, and let me tell you why. Let's use this website as an example. Sports for the majority of women, are not relevant. Therefore advertisers are going to spend the money for TV time, aimed at young males. Now, this isn't a slap in the face of the Miss Kittys or the Silver Wings Mom of this site, but it is a fact that they are seriously in the minority here. Just one example, mind you. But I think it is somewhat representative.

As for the coast cities, and their ties to the old Country, this is valid point. The Coasts are closer to Europe (in politics as well) than the middle of the Country.

Formula One Auto racing is huge abroad. Barely a blip here. Why is that? Motorcycle racing is another example. Why is it not hot here?

Drag racing is MUCH bigger here, than other countries. Why is that?

[slorch]

Would you prefer the play clock be shortened to say, 10 seconds>?

no. that would kill the receivers, DBs and linemen in today's game.

there is no team that just runs the no huddle for 60 minutes of football that i know of. It takes time to get the plays in and set up. Motion and sets are a huge part of the strategy( reads) in college and pro football.

25 seconds is a reasonable time to me.

high school games have a very nice pace to me. it's the TV timeouts in college and pros that just kill the flow of the game.

[twcpfan1]

No, I wasn't really taking the female perspective into account, and let me tell you why. Let's use this website as an example. Sports for the majority of women, are not relevant. Therefore advertisers are going to spend the money for TV time, aimed at young males. Now, this isn't a slap in the face of the Miss Kittys or the Silver Wings Mom of this site, but it is a fact that they are seriously in the minority here. Just one example, mind you. But I think it is somewhat representative.

As for the coast cities, and their ties to the old Country, this is valid point. The Coasts are closer to Europe (in politics as well) than the middle of the Country.

Formula One Auto racing is huge abroad. Barely a blip here. Why is that? Motorcycle racing is another example. Why is it not hot here?

Drag racing is MUCH bigger here, than other countries. Why is that?

Exclude Womens Tennis from the list of irrelevant sports.

And of course during the Olympics, all sports take a backseat to Gymnastics and Figure skating when it comes to who gets prime time coverage on the Networks.

But for the most part, you make a valid point about where womens sports is.

[SV61]

Exclude Womens Tennis from the list of irrelevant sports.

And of course during the Olympics, all sports take a backseat to Gymnastics and Figure skating when it comes to who gets prime time coverage on the Networks.

But for the most part, you make a valid point about where womens sports is.

And to some extent, you could add LPGA. Women's individual sport, whether it be Professional or Olympic, started to take off with Peggy Fleming (68?) and Olga Korbut (72). Nadia Kohmenichi (sp?) in 76. You could make an argument for Babe Dickrison (sp?), but that was before TV.

Women's basketball is really trying, as is Women's college softball. Let's see how these demographics evolve. I think Soccer (men or women's) will be in this wave (or not).

Again, Formula One has been around some time, and it hasn't tapped the US market, like it could.

[SV61]

no. that would kill the receivers, DBs and linemen in today's game.

there is no team that just runs the no huddle for 60 minutes of football that i know of. It takes time to get the plays in and set up. Motion and sets are a huge part of the strategy( reads) in college and pro football.

25 seconds is a reasonable time to me.

high school games have a very nice pace to me. it's the TV timeouts in college and pros that just kill the flow of the game.

AND the High School games, when televised.

That is one thing that Soccer has going for it. No timeouts, per se.

[twcpfan1]

And to some extent, you could add LPGA. Women's individual sport, whether it be Professional or Olympic, started to take off with Peggy Fleming (68?) and Olga Korbut (72). Nadia Kohmenichi (sp?) in 76. You could make an argument for Babe Dickrison (sp?), but that was before TV.

Women's basketball is really trying, as is Women's college softball. Let's see how these demographics evolve. I think Soccer (men or women's) will be in this wave (or not).

Again, Formula One has been around some time, and it hasn't tapped the US market, like it could.

Man I don't know about the LPGA. They're so desperate, they're having to kick the Asians out of tournaments so the few good looking ones can win occasionally. They do welcome lesbos but only the lipstick kind. Poor Karrie Webb is getting no love.

As for F1, I guess it's directly proportional to the percentage of Americans who prefer European cars. Ask a young single dude which he would prefer between a tricked out F-150 and an Alfa Romeo Spider, most US guys would probably pick the truck.

[The King]

And to some extent, you could add LPGA. Women's individual sport, whether it be Professional or Olympic, started to take off with Peggy Fleming (68?) and Olga Korbut (72). Nadia Kohmenichi (sp?) in 76. You could make an argument for Babe Dickrison (sp?), but that was before TV.

Women's basketball is really trying, as is Women's college softball. Let's see how these demographics evolve. I think Soccer (men or women's) will be in this wave (or not).

Again, Formula One has been around some time, and it hasn't tapped the US market, like it could.

NASCAR and Drag racing are way better.

[SV61]

NASCAR and Drag racing are way better.

Maybe that's it. Maybe there is a finite resource known as the consumer. Maybe Nascar's grip on the US is because philospohically if you have ONE dollar to spend (attention span, money, etc), then Nascar does not allow your dollar to go anywhere else. Indy car used to take some of that dollar, but even it is getting smaller, it seems. Drag racing definitely has it's niche. I used to love Nascar, when it was more stock than these days.

Kinda like Soccer maybe. Folks here want something they are familiar with. Most people here are more familiar with Football and Baseball (and basketball and Hockey), than they are, with Soccer.

Why is that??

[twcpfan1]

SV61

How could you leave out Dorothy Hamill in 76 :D

[lufkindad]

I think the reason we don't like soccer is because our team isn't good enough to compete at the national level. When something isn't that good people tend to put their focus elsewhere, we tend to follow greatness IMO....

When U.S. beat Algeria it was considered one of the greatest moments in the history of U.S. sports, everyone was on cloud nine etc.... one loss later no one cares about U.S. soccer and want Bradley to get fired LOL, not many people are gonna care when MLS rolls around either.......

If the U.S. was considered a constant great soccer team(top 5) I think the reception from fans would be way different.

Casual fans have better things to do in this country than to follow a mediocre product, maybe if we had Adrian Peterson kicking soccer balls we could compete with the greats but that will never happen ever.

It will be this way forever....... :cool:

[pied]

I think the reason we don't like soccer is because our team isn't good enough to compete at the national level. When something isn't that good people tend to put their focus elsewhere, we tend to follow greatness IMO.... - Not far off, but not the only reason. We are not used to following anything US much in international sports. Even some of the Olympic sports we do well at we do not follow.

When U.S. beat Algeria it was considered one of the greatest moments in the history of U.S. sports, everyone was on cloud nine etc.... one loss later no one cares about U.S. soccer and want Bradley to get fired LOL, not many people are gonna care when MLS rolls around either....... - People still care about the US team, and there is a little bit more interest than in '06 which was a little more than '02, than there was in '98. Most National team coaches are replaced after the WC. It's the life cycle of the job. I don't know anyone who expected the USA to all of a sudden be a soccer centric or even close after the US-Algeria game.

If the U.S. was considered a constant great soccer team(top 5) I think the reception from fans would be way different. - I don't think it wuold be that easy. LAnce Armstrong was dominant for a period of time, but we watched one race

Casual fans have better things to do in this country than to follow a mediocre product, maybe if we had Adrian Peterson kicking soccer balls we could compete with the greats but that will never happen ever.

It will be this way forever....... :cool:

Things change. Soccer is a buit more popualr and I think the interest in the USMNT is growing and will continue to do so, especially as our stars have more success internationally.

[slorch]

I'll be honest, I pulled for Dempsey to do well because he is from Nac. and he's also such a key component of our team.

When i watch football- college and especially at pro level, my wife will ask me why i root for some arbitrary guard for San Diego. "Well that's Louis Vasquez, he played at Tech and he's from Corsicana." I liked Shaq a little more because he went to San Antonio Cole and played in the State champs at Austin when my high school played there. Even through his recruitment to LSU and early years at Orlando, I kept up with what he was doing, just because he came from the Alamo City.

From my perspective, I definitely draw connections with players because of 1)being on my favorite team and 2)being from Texas or a college in Texas.

[pied]

I'll be honest, I pulled for Dempsey to do well because he is from Nac. and he's also such a key component of our team.

When i watch football- college and especially at pro level, my wife will ask me why i root for some arbitrary guard for San Diego. "Well that's Louis Vasquez, he played at Tech and he's from Corsicana." I liked Shaq a little more because he went to San Antonio Cole and played in the State champs at Austin when my high school played there. Even through his recruitment to LSU and early years at Orlando, I kept up with what he was doing, just because he came from the Alamo City.

From my perspective, I definitely draw connections with players because of 1)being on my favorite team and 2)being from Texas or a college in Texas.


Agree. One of the reasons I choose to watch or not watch the EPL games. Donovan at Everton or Dempsey at Fulham etc. Some of the players are a bit more recognizable now. MLS will still not thrive for some time if ever.

[twcpfan1]

Things change. Soccer is a buit more popualr and I think the interest in the USMNT is growing and will continue to do so, especially as our stars have more success internationally.

It's as good as it can get. The fan interest around world cup time is comparable to teams as good as they are which is pretty good. But to expect the American public to follow soccer at other times outside of the WC is a little optimistic. It doesn't just apply to the US. In Australia and New Zealand, it's the same deal. And these are Commonwealth Countries whose demographics are very heavy on the European side. Why? Because Rugby Leaue, Rugby Union, Australian Rules and Cricket are your main sports. Not soccer. Same concept.

[lufkindad]

Things change. Soccer is a buit more popualr and I think the interest in the USMNT is growing and will continue to do so, especially as our stars have more success internationally.

Your obviously a hardcore soccer fan and that's cool, you'll watch it regardless. I would consider myself a casual soccer fan and I think that's how most casual fans think. Sure the success from the 02 cup helped as the sport is growing for sure, but I was more referring to the fact it will never be as big football, basketball or baseball unless we had a top notch program....

I wouldn't compare soccer to bicycle racing. I'm not the biggest soccer fan but I think it is a beautiful sport, I have been intrigued by how the Germans and Holland play soccer will the U.S. ever be at that level.....

[pied]

It's as good as it can get. The fan interest around world cup time is comparable to teams as good as they are which is pretty good. But to expect the American public to follow soccer at other times outside of the WC is a little optimistic. It doesn't just apply to the US. In Australia and New Zealand, it's the same deal. And these are Commonwealth Countries whose demographics are very heavy on the European side. Why? Because Rugby Leaue, Rugby Union, Australian Rules and Cricket are your main sports. Not soccer. Same concept.

If this is as good as it gets, I don't see anything wrong with that. I see it growing a bit. Have a buddy, typical soccer hater who was convinced to go the US-Mexico game at the Cotton Bowl a few years ago. Went to the US-Honduras game and was at watching parties for the two weekend games and worked from home to catch the other two.

Most who got acught up will wait until the next go round, but there are some who will be e bit more interested. How was he buzz this time compared to eight years ago when we made the quarters?

[pied]

Your obviously a hardcore soccer fan and that's cool, you'll watch it regardless. I would consider myself a casual soccer fan and I think that's how most casual fans think. Sure the success from the 02 cup helped as the sport is growing for sure, but I was more referring to the fact it will never be as big football, basketball or baseball unless we had a top notch program....

I wouldn't compare soccer to bicycle racing. I'm not the biggest soccer fan but I think it is a beautiful sport, I have been intrigued by how the Germans and Holland play soccer will the U.S. ever be at that level.....


I don't think it will ever be as popular as football/basketball/baseball even if we had a top notch program. Baseball maybe, but I don't see it.

[twcpfan1]

If this is as good as it gets, I don't see anything wrong with that. I see it growing a bit. Have a buddy, typical soccer hater who was convinced to go the US-Mexico game at the Cotton Bowl a few years ago. Went to the US-Honduras game and was at watching parties for the two weekend games and worked from home to catch the other two.

Most who got acught up will wait until the next go round, but there are some who will be e bit more interested. How was he buzz this time compared to eight years ago when we made the quarters?

Probably about the same. Let's face it. The whole premise of the sudden spike in American support for soccer around WC time is the stage and the opportunity to tell the World they can beat them at anything - even a sport they care nothing about. I don't root for them because I see something not right with that much gratification handed over to a bunch of fans who just jump on the soccer bandwagon 3 weeks out of every 4 years, as opposed to say England fans who live for the sport every single day despite the eternal suffering they have to endure from a team that never produces amidst all the expectation.

[pied]

Probably about the same. Let's face it. The whole premise of the sudden spike in American support for soccer around WC time is the stage and the opportunity to tell the World they can beat them at anything - even a sport they care nothing about. I don't root for them because I see something not right with that much gratification handed over to a bunch of fans who just jump on the soccer bandwagon 3 weeks out of every 4 years, as opposed to say England fans who live for the sport every single day despite the eternal suffering they have to endure from a team that never produces amidst all the expectation.

So why root for Australia and New Zeland?

[twcpfan1]

So why root for Australia and New Zeland?

Just to piss you off :D

And because I don't live there.

I never rooted for them when I lived there. True story. My wife will confirm..

I like to rile up the home fans. :)

[pied]

Just to piss you off :D

And because I don't live there.

I never rooted for them when I lived there. True story. My wife will confirm..

I like to rile up the home fans. :)

Fair enough. Figured it was because you were a commie or liked red heads. Guess it's neither one, you're just an ***.

[twcpfan1]

I have a weakness for Julianne Moore and Amy Adams. I also married one...


Well certain fanbases need to be taken down a few notches. It applies in all sports at all levels, both international and local. It's all in good fun as long as nobody takes it personally.

[pied]

I have a weakness for Julianne Moore and Amy Adams. I also married one...


Well certain fanbases need to be taken down a few notches. It applies in all sports at all levels, both international and local. It's all in good fun as long as nobody takes it personally.

The US soccer fans need to be taken down a notch?

Doesn' bother me, as long a as you're not rooting for Mexico.

[twcpfan1]

The US soccer fans need to be taken down a notch?

Doesn' bother me, as long a as you're not rooting for Mexico.

Heck No. I was a little worried they might sneak by Argentina and ruin the WC for all of us. Glad Mexico and Chile didn't step out of character.

[Firebird]

I think the biggest hurdle of the disdain of soccer here, is this. People don't understand all the nuances of the sport. Weren't immersed in it, like a baseball or football.

The other side of the disdain could also be this. SINCE the rest of the world plays it, (wasn't invented here?) people here are blase' about it.

Me personally? Probably more of the first reason above. Sure, we played soccer growing up, but only if the football had a hole in it, or the girls coach was sick or on a field trip, and we had to play with the girls.

I think the biggest hurdle is that it's boring and sucks.

[pied]

I think the biggest hurdle is that it's boring and sucks.

What are you doing on this thread? I didn't hear anyone stick their head out of the water and yell "Marco". Get back in the pool and do a few more butterfly laps...

[Firebird]

What are you doing on this thread? I didn't hear anyone stick their head out of the water and yell "Marco". Get back in the pool and do a few more butterfly laps...

A sport the U.S. dominates, by the way. It is, therefore, a good sport.

[twcpfan1]

A sport the U.S. dominates, by the way. It is, therefore, a good sport.

Strength in numbers, my friend. :D

[stevefoxsc]

my breakdown of it, and no i'm not in here to troll for once.

Soccer has a variety of views, for some it's a weak feminine homosexual sport.
For others it's a sport a sport Americans can't appreciate because of it's complexity and "sophistication". Others just don't care like hockey.

Is soccer really not that popular in the united states?

Far from it i think it may be one of the most popular sports here if that's shocking to believe. When I was younger I went to the east side of Austin on Sunday afternoon to a park. There were literally varieties of immigrants of all backgrounds playing soccer most had their favorite team jerseys and would play in small tournaments. The all around festivities in my opinion were really something amazing and i feel anyone would have enjoy it. It was more than a game the atmosphere and the bringing together of many cultures also made it more interesting. It was comparable to a college or nfl gameday.

Similar activities can be seen in queens and brooklyn (new york) with baseball.
We're one of the highest immigrated countries and the one common interest with many immigrants is soccer. But as long as people keep coming to this country it will only become more popular.

Will it gain popularity?

I think soccer will rise in popularity just not over the night like some hope, it starts at a lower level which many of us don't have big interest in yet.

[ktCarl]

my breakdown of it, and no i'm not in here to troll for once.

Soccer has a variety of views, for some it's a weak feminine homosexual sport.
For others it's a sport a sport Americans can't appreciate because of it's complexity and "sophistication". Others just don't care like hockey.

Is soccer really not that popular in the united states?

Far from it i think it may be one of the most popular sports here if that's shocking to believe. When I was younger I went to the east side of Austin on Sunday afternoon to a park. There were literally varieties of immigrants of all backgrounds playing soccer most had their favorite team jerseys and would play in small tournaments. The all around festivities in my opinion were really something amazing and i feel anyone would have enjoy it. It was more than a game the atmosphere and the bringing together of many cultures also made it more interesting. It was comparable to a college or nfl gameday.

Similar activities can be seen in queens and brooklyn (new york) with baseball.
We're one of the highest immigrated countries and the one common interest with many immigrants is soccer. But as long as people keep coming to this country it will only become more popular.

Will it gain popularity?

I think soccer will rise in popularity just not over the night like some hope, it starts at a lower level which many of us don't have big interest in yet.

Soccer was only fun when my son played it from 5 yrs to 9 yrs old. I coached and ref'ed it. Boy was I glad my son wanted to try baseball in the Fall league after the soccer season was over. He never wanted to touch a soccer ball again.

[GoOwls]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.

For instance, are Canadians really better at hockey, or do their best athletes play hockey and our third tier athletes try out for hockey here.

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....;)

[slorch]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.

For instance, are Canadians really better at hockey, or do their best athletes play hockey and our third tier athletes try out for hockey here.

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....;)

just so you know, in this year's NHL draft, more Americans were taken than any other country, including, you guessed it, Canada.

Just sayin...

[RedRage00]

What are you doing on this thread? I didn't hear anyone stick their head out of the water and yell "Marco". Get back in the pool and do a few more butterfly laps...

LMAO :heli:

[SV61]

SV61

How could you leave out Dorothy Hamill in 76 :D

You're right. How could I? I mean, I remember my sister beggin Mom to let her get a Dorothy Hamil Haircut! I told her I could do it a lot cheaper, if she would let me use the shears, and a Chili bowl.

:D

Okay, here is a perfect example of what we are talking about? Anybody want to talk about Mary Lou Retton, and how suddenly there weren't enough gyms in Houston? Again, you can thank Nadia for that also.

[pied]

You're right. How could I? I mean, I remember my sister beggin Mom to let her get a Dorothy Hamil Haircut! I told her I could do it a lot cheaper, if she would let me use the shears, and a Chili bowl.

:D

Okay, here is a perfect example of what we are talking about? Anybody want to talk about Mary Lou Retton, and how suddenly there weren't enough gyms in Houston? Again, you can thank Nadia for that also.

Prior to Mary Lou Retton, we hadn't medaled since 1952. Since then we've only missed placing in the top three once, the next time in 1988.

1984 - Gold
1988 - zippo
1992 - Bronze
1996 - Gold
2000 - Bronze
2004 - Silver
2008 - Silver

[pied]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.



What's the baseline? This year or 2006 or 2002?

[pied]

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.



Absolutely. Jurgen Klinsamann alluded to that this weekend.

The second part is a little more difficult to state as a fact. How many 7 footers play baseball or football? How many 6'2" play basketball? People gravitate towards sports their bodies fit. How good a baseball player was Michael Jordan?

[pied]

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.





Maybe, maybe not. You aer making the assumption that all 23 players that made the US roster would be the very best 23 players in the tournament. I disagree. Donovan would likely make 50% of the teams in South Africa this year, maybe a little more. He played at a high level in the best league in the world.

[twcpfan1]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.

For instance, are Canadians really better at hockey, or do their best athletes play hockey and our third tier athletes try out for hockey here.

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....;)

Yeah yeah yeah, and if my aunt had balls blah blah blah....

Out of an entire NFL roster, how many do you think would have the necessary attributes to play soccer at a high level? Not many. Baseball. Forget it. Even less. Might as well scout the Bowling team. Basketball players are too tall and will be lacking the all important center of gravity and balance. I mean Peter Crouch is kind of a circus act. Just a goofy looking tall guy who really can't handle the ball. The All Blacks and the Wallabies can make your argument. And maybe the NHL. But not the 3 major American sports.

[pied]

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.



I disagree to an extent. If soccer was a top sport in this country I have no doubt that we would be at the top. To suddenly revolutionize the positions is not in the cards likely. Different sports require different attributes. The players simply would not put on the size that they do in football as the physical demands are different.

An interesting comparison I think is how the non-US players are doing in the NBA. Take a Dirk or Pau Gasol or whoever. These players are world class athletes whose bodies did not translate to soccer very well. They found success in the NBA. We won the Gold again and should do so for some time, but the gap is obviously narrowing. As more players play in the best leagu in the world, they are able make their countries better as well. Sounds a little familiar I think.

[SV61]

Yeah yeah yeah, and if my aunt had balls blah blah blah....

Out of an entire NFL roster, how many do you think would have the necessary attributes to play soccer at a high level? Not many. Baseball. Forget it. Even less. Might as well scout the Bowling team. Basketball players are too tall and will be lacking the all important center of gravity and balance. I mean Peter Crouch is kind of a circus act. Just a goofy looking tall guy who really can't handle the ball. The All Blacks and the Wallabies can make your argument. And maybe the NHL. But not the 3 major American sports.

Steve Nash and Hakeem Olajuwon say howdy!

;)

Can't put all athletes from any sport in a specific box.

[pied]

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....

The first part is obviously a stupid point, but the fact is that football is much more popular in this country and always will be. Not certain who would try and make the point differently?

[twcpfan1]

Steve Nash and Hakeem Olajuwon say howdy!

;)

Can't put all athletes from any sport in a specific box.

You can come close in the NFL. The skill set is just totally different in almost every position. Kickers and Punters excluded.

As for Nash, he's Canadian/South African. Has Canada even seen a World Cup Final? Did you look at the South African team? Nash's type plays Rugby.

Thank you for making my case with Hakeem. Obviously an average soccer player at best. HOF'r in the NBA after learning the sport pretty darn late. One summer of pickup games at Fondy Rec Center into one of the best College basketball and NBA players.

[twcpfan1]

Steve Nash and Hakeem Olajuwon say howdy!

;)

Can't put all athletes from any sport in a specific box.

You can come close in the NFL. The skill set is just totally not suited to soccer in almost every position.

As for Nash, he's Canadian/South African. Has Canada even seen a World Cup Final? Did you look at the South African team? Nash's type plays Rugby.

Thank you for making my case with Hakeem. Obviously an average soccer player at best. HOF'r in the NBA after learning the sport pretty darn late. One summer of pickup games at Fondy Rec Center into one of the best College basketball and NBA players.

[SV61]

But again my point is this. These men both excelled in Basketball, and posses the tools to play competitive soccer. They just happen to play Basketball better.

Tim Duncan has had an amazing career in Basketball. That doesn't mean that if he put his mind to it, he could have been just as good a swimmer.

Athletes can be put into a box. Just not as small as you are trying to make the box.

WRs in the NFL posses the Athletic skillset, for Soccer. Same with CBs, and to a degree, Free Safeties. IF they had the desire from an early age, and the coaching, they could be world cup caliber soccer players, IMO. Guess what? They probably grew up with an American Football in their hands, instead of a soccer ball.

[twcpfan1]

But again my point is this. These men both excelled in Basketball, and posses the tools to play competitive soccer. They just happen to play Basketball better.

Tim Duncan has had an amazing career in Basketball. That doesn't mean that if he put his mind to it, he could have been just as good a swimmer.

Athletes can be put into a box. Just not as small as you are trying to make the box.

WRs in the NFL posses the Athletic skillset, for Soccer. Same with CBs, and to a degree, Free Safeties. IF they had the desire from an early age, and the coaching, they could be world cup caliber soccer players, IMO. Guess what? They probably grew up with an American Football in their hands, instead of a soccer ball.

Jamaicans can't swim. :D

Out of curiosity, how many black kickers/punters are in the NFL?

Without a doubt, that if the US was a soccer nation, they would be top tier with those kinds of numbers and financing. But you can make the same argument for any rich country with 300 million people.

[SV61]

Jamaicans can't swim. :D

Out of curiosity, how many black kickers/punters are in the NFL?

Without a doubt, that if the US was a soccer nation, they would be top tier with those kinds of numbers and financing. But you can make the same argument for any rich country with 300 million people.

Lol, Tim is so tall, he doesn't really swim. He just puhes off one side, and glides to the other!

Why does Reggie Roby come to mind? Because he is in the huge minority, that is Black kickers/punters. Two step Reggie!

[slorch]

You can come close in the NFL. The skill set is just totally not suited to soccer in almost every position.

As for Nash, he's Canadian/South African. Has Canada even seen a World Cup Final? Did you look at the South African team? Nash's type plays Rugby.

Thank you for making my case with Hakeem. Obviously an average soccer player at best. HOF'r in the NBA after learning the sport pretty darn late. One summer of pickup games at Fondy Rec Center into one of the best College basketball and NBA players.

Akeem is in the discussion of greatest centers EVER. Just to be clear. it's not he just showed up and dominated.

On the NFL, you cannot convince me that guys like Wes Welker, Earl Thomas, and Larry Fitzgerald wouldn't be excellent soccer players with the footwork and coordination they have. Shipley looks like he would be good at just about any sport. Put a fast, strong guy like Felix Jones out there

put a guy like Crabtree that is quick with great hands at goalie.

The flipside is- if you measured players for sheer athleticism, you're telling me our soccer players are in the same elite class with the Adrian Petersons and Chris Johnsons of the world? Derrelle Rivas couldn't defend in soccer?

You're willfully ignorant to both the athleticism and CONDITIONING that football demands.

[shslb15]

I just took a dump on a soccer ball...

[WestPlano006]

Biggest reason USA isn't that great at soccer:

We have no forwards that can finish. It's like having a football team with no big play threat.

[stevefoxsc]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.

For instance, are Canadians really better at hockey, or do their best athletes play hockey and our third tier athletes try out for hockey here.

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....;)


lol he isn't serious is he :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ktCarl]

Look, this is the baseline on soccer and whether you agree or not, it's a fact.

If Americans gave a real crap about soccer we would own it, but our priorities are in a different place than the rest of the world.

Our finest and best athletes, in general, go to football, basketball, and baseball....that's where the money and glory is...soccer has to fight with track, hockey, cycling, etc, for the rest of the remaining athletes.

To be quite honest, our national soccer team is filled with the kids who couldn't cut it or were too small to play the other sports.

For instance, are Canadians really better at hockey, or do their best athletes play hockey and our third tier athletes try out for hockey here.

Just being honest, if America put our best athletes into soccer, Landon Donovan wouldn't even be on the team.

We would reinvent soccer with 4.5 40, 6'4", 240 lb forwards and midfielders who would just simply wear out the players from other countries....period.

Remember, there are about 40,000 kids each year who dream of winning some kind of state championship in Texas HS Football.....there are about 40 who dream of playing for the World Cup Team someday.

Soccer has no respect above the kid league level because we, at least subliminally, know that the nerds are the ones playing for us at the higher levels.....this opinion coming from a nerd....;)

I guess I can't argue with that.

[twcpfan1]

Akeem is in the discussion of greatest centers EVER. Just to be clear. it's not he just showed up and dominated.

On the NFL, you cannot convince me that guys like Wes Welker, Earl Thomas, and Larry Fitzgerald wouldn't be excellent soccer players with the footwork and coordination they have. Shipley looks like he would be good at just about any sport. Put a fast, strong guy like Felix Jones out there

put a guy like Crabtree that is quick with great hands at goalie.

The flipside is- if you measured players for sheer athleticism, you're telling me our soccer players are in the same elite class with the Adrian Petersons and Chris Johnsons of the world? Derrelle Rivas couldn't defend in soccer?

You're willfully ignorant to both the athleticism and CONDITIONING that football demands.

If you wish to make a statement that football players have the conditioning to make it in big time soccer, by all means, go right ahead.

Not saying a small percentage of them do not have the potential to, but I don't think they can take the conditioning they're used to in football and play 90 minutes of big time soccer and expect to play it out. Just saying. If however you're saying that had Crab or Welker grew up in England possessing the same natural athletic abilities and learned soccer at a young age, there's a good chance they'll be elite players. But the same can be said of Christiano Ronaldo had he grown up in the States and started throwing the football when he was 4. I'm sure he could play qb.

You seem very defensive about football though. I guess I can't blame you. Nobody else in the world likes it. Maybe you're starting to have doubts yourself about whether it's a real sport. I'll tell you what though. What Americans don't seem to appreciate enough is that it gave the world Baseball. Played at the highest level in more countries than any other sport outside of soccer.

[stevefoxsc]

If you wish to make a statement that football players have the conditioning to make it in big time soccer, by all means, go right ahead.

Not saying a small percentage of them do not have the potential to, but I don't think they can take the conditioning they're used to in football and play 90 minutes of big time soccer and expect to play it out. Just saying. If however you're saying that had Crab or Welker grew up in England possessing the same natural athletic abilities and learned soccer at a young age, there's a good chance they'll be elite players. But the same can be said of Christiano Ronaldo had he grown up in the States and started throwing the football when he was 4. I'm sure he could play qb.

You seem very defensive about football though. I guess I can't blame you. Nobody else in the world likes it. Maybe you're starting to have doubts yourself about whether it's a real sport.

haha you made me lol if i you a machine that could teleport objects i'd teleport you a 12 pk

[pied]

Akeem is in the discussion of greatest centers EVER. Just to be clear. it's not he just showed up and dominated.

On the NFL, you cannot convince me that guys like Wes Welker, Earl Thomas, and Larry Fitzgerald wouldn't be excellent soccer players with the footwork and coordination they have. Shipley looks like he would be good at just about any sport. Put a fast, strong guy like Felix Jones out there

put a guy like Crabtree that is quick with great hands at goalie.

The flipside is- if you measured players for sheer athleticism, you're telling me our soccer players are in the same elite class with the Adrian Petersons and Chris Johnsons of the world? Derrelle Rivas couldn't defend in soccer?

You're willfully ignorant to both the athleticism and CONDITIONING that football demands.


Too difficult to make definitive statements like that. Simply being a super athlete doesn't necessarily translate into skills of a sport. Every year we see the camp super stars who burn up the track, but can't play football.

Why all of a sudden would that make them have great soccer skills?

Another example, Leonard DAvis was basiclly let go because h couldn't play Left Tackle, but he is a Pro Bowl guard, one spot away on the line. If the best athletes were playing soccer we would certainly be better, but it very well may not be pro football players. It might be the guy whou could only get a D2 scholarship or who walked on. A good football player but a great soccer player. insert Michael Jordan reference.

[GoOwls]

just so you know, in this year's NHL draft, more Americans were taken than any other country, including, you guessed it, Canada.

Just sayin...

I account for that by the increased attention to Hockey and the fact that many kids got good at playing street hockey and the teams like the Dallas Stars started building facilities for the kids to play real hockey in, and the HS level teams started, and here we are......20 years later, we have top level players.....but most would not excell at other sports.....they are still not our best athletes, and nowhere near it.

[GoOwls]

Absolutely. Jurgen Klinsamann alluded to that this weekend.

The second part is a little more difficult to state as a fact. How many 7 footers play baseball or football? How many 6'2" play basketball? People gravitate towards sports their bodies fit. How good a baseball player was Michael Jordan?

If that is true, all of the kids on the 63-64 Garland state tiltle teams would be perfect for soccer and not football as only 2 boys were over 200 lbs.

If the DeMarcus Wares of the world were soccer fiends, we would have soccer teams here that were 6'4", 240 lbs, 4.5 40's and would revolutionize and change the game of soccer.....the "magic spray" would be necessary for their competitors after they got hit by those boys.

[DrEdward]

It's the all too ready acceptance of so many damn ties!! Especially the 0-0 ones. If we're going to play an hour and a half (or so), at least have a tie breaking mechanism, be it a shoot out, penalty kicks, whatever. Just reach a resolution on the field please.

[GoOwls]

lol he isn't serious is he :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Sure I'm serious....why not.....facts are facts and athletes are athletes.

If the best athletes in the NFL were trained at soccer from the word go, they would doninate the world with their size and speed.....those little guys wouldn't dare tackle them and risk injury....get real.

[slorch]

If you wish to make a statement that football players have the conditioning to make it in big time soccer, by all means, go right ahead.

Not saying a small percentage of them do not have the potential to, but I don't think they can take the conditioning they're used to in football and play 90 minutes of big time soccer and expect to play it out. Just saying. If however you're saying that had Crab or Welker grew up in England possessing the same natural athletic abilities and learned soccer at a young age, there's a good chance they'll be elite players. But the same can be said of Christiano Ronaldo had he grown up in the States and started throwing the football when he was 4. I'm sure he could play qb.

You seem very defensive about football though. I guess I can't blame you. Nobody else in the world likes it. Maybe you're starting to have doubts yourself about whether it's a real sport. I'll tell you what though. What Americans don't seem to appreciate enough is that it gave the world Baseball. Played at the highest level in more countries than any other sport outside of soccer.

I don't measure a sport by what the world thinks about it. I think the world is wrong A LOT!

Football is the most intrinsically team game in existence. No other sport has such varied responsibilities for the different positions. No other sport has the depth of coaching or strategy.

Baseball is great. I loved it growing up and my family loves to go to games, but it doesn't hold my attention like football does.

[slorch]

Too difficult to make definitive statements like that. Simply being a super athlete doesn't necessarily translate into skills of a sport. Every year we see the camp super stars who burn up the track, but can't play football.

Why all of a sudden would that make them have great soccer skills?

Another example, Leonard DAvis was basiclly let go because h couldn't play Left Tackle, but he is a Pro Bowl guard, one spot away on the line. If the best athletes were playing soccer we would certainly be better, but it very well may not be pro football players. It might be the guy whou could only get a D2 scholarship or who walked on. A good football player but a great soccer player. insert Michael Jordan reference.

i didn't mean to sound absolute about the translation of skills. I was simply illustrating that we have guys that are brilliantly talented, physically, that aren't anywhere near a soccer pitch.

Our best guys aren't even out there, and that's why Americans won't follow it any stronger than an exhibition sport like the Olympics.

[twcpfan1]

I don't measure a sport by what the world thinks about it. I think the world is wrong A LOT!

Football is the most intrinsically team game in existence. No other sport has such varied responsibilities for the different positions. No other sport has the depth of coaching or strategy.

Baseball is great. I loved it growing up and my family loves to go to games, but it doesn't hold my attention like football does.

The preparation and execution part of football cannot be appreciated enough. 11 guys being on the same page every play is impressive to say the least.