The real football the world over, soccer.

[longshot]

This is not intended to be a debate about which sport is superior.

I'm curious... why is soccer not popular in the United States?

I had a free weekend of digital extra on Comcast, and I was able to get Fox Sports International... I didn't realize how much I missed watching soccer.

When I lived in Japan, I could see all the top euroleague games, and all of the Asian Qualifiers and regional tournaments.

Many kids play soccer through highschool, yet its popularity in the US is virtually nonexistant...

I just don't get it.

Note--

For this thread, please refrain from dumb, bullshit, Arkans-esque caveman scribble such as, "Hockey rulez, soccer is for pussies".

Also, we will not be discussing women's soccer. At all. You women get to kick enough balls when you trick some dumb shithead into marrying you...

[Nieninque]

But women's football is the best.
I play for a team and love it.
I dont understand how the Americans dont get it :?:

[Numbers]

Probably because of its slowness. At least, that's why I don't like soccer.

The pitch is too big, players are all over the place, there's very little violence (except for the riots... those are fun to watch,) and you can only watch the ball bounce back and forth so many times.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by 3704558
Probably because of its slowness. At least, that's why I don't like soccer.

The pitch is too big, players are all over the place, there's very little violence (except for the riots... those are fun to watch,) and you can only watch the ball bounce back and forth so many times.

Well you are watching the wrong games if the ball is bouncing back and forth...that is tennis.

At least in football (soccer) the ball is in play for the best part of the whole 90 minutes. If you watch the right games, it is fast flowing and attacking game. There isnt much violence, but if it's violence you want, go watch some rugby.

Football (soccer) is the best

[Numbers]

That's the thing. The ball might be in play, but it's not DOING anything. What's a high-scoring game considered to be in soccer? 5? That's a whole lot of the ball being kicked up and down the pitch with nothing much coming out of it.

Hockey's faster. Football has more strategy and exciting plays. Basketball has a lot of scoring. Baseball... well, baseball's boring, but it's America's past-time, so therefore it's good.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by 3704558
That's the thing. The ball might be in play, but it's not DOING anything. What's a high-scoring game considered to be in soccer? 5? That's a whole lot of the ball being kicked up and down the pitch with nothing much coming out of it.

Hockey's faster. Football has more strategy and exciting plays. Basketball has a lot of scoring. Baseball... well, baseball's boring, but it's America's past-time, so therefore it's good.

It depends what level you are watching.
At top level sport, you can have a game with no goals at all, but plenty of chances and entertainment. Then again you can have a game with plenty of goals that is boring as shit.
Although the idea is to score, you dont have to be scoring a shed-full to be entertaining.

And I disagree that (American) has more strategy and plays. It just takes forever to set up those strategies and plays. In football the game plan is laid out by the manager in training and in the team picking, but it is down to the players to deal with that on the day and it is the players that do the work at the time.

[Sean]

Whats so entertaining about a human game of pong?

I'll admit soccer is fun to play just not to watch in my opinion.

Also players have to adapt and read plays and make calls on the field in american football as well maybe not at the same rate but I'd argue they have to be more calculated.

[Ivex]

Most Americans, like me, don't care if they 'almost' scored that goal, if they didn't score it, it doesn't count, and it wasn't exciting. Plus most of the announcers are foreign so I don't know if it's advertizing a hair product or yelling about some awesome kick from the forward.

I think it's just too foreign, just like football (American) is foreign to everyone except for maybe Canada and a few places in Europe.

I hate to say it, but you're right.

Irish football is some scary shit that would leave me with crushed spirits and broken bones.

[Nieninque]

Irish football or Gaelic football?

Don't tell me Gaelic football is even harsher than Irish football. I can't take the pain! :injured:

[Nieninque]

I dont know what you mean by Irish football.
Gaelic football is scary stuff where they can run with the ball in their hands but have to kick it up to themselves or something like that and they have a rugby kinda goal where they can kick it over for one point and under for three.

Similar to Australian rules football but not as many deaths

Yeah.

The one where your shinguards are your shin bones, and your helmet is your cranium. I think we're on the same track.

[Latrinsorm]

I'll never understand why basketball is more popular than soccer. I can see why football, hockey, and baseball are, but crappy basketball? C'mon.

That being said, if there was ever a time for a soccer league to make its move, that time is this coming spring.

Soccer is the best, followed by baseball, then football.

- Arkans

[SpunGirl]

I enjoy watching soccer, both men's and women's. I think the answer to the question of why it isn't popular in the US is because the men's team gets their asses handed to them with frightening frequency. Our women's team pwns, but women's sports just don't draw the same fan base as men's sports do. The WNBA is evidence enough of this. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just the way it is.

-K

Because women shouldn't be playing sports or working for that matter. They should be at home cooking or making babies, possibly both at the same time.

- Arkans

[xtc]

I think that as the US team improves so will the interest in soccer. Soccer is a thinking man's game and the score isn't always reflective of what is happening on the pitch. It is also a very cheap sport to play which may be one of the reasons it is so popular around the world.

Soccer doesn't have the speed that Basketball and Hockey has thus it's appeal hasn't been as great in the USA. Let's not forget the attention span of the average kid in the west is what? 7 seconds

[Edited on 10-20-2004 by xtc]

[StrayRogue]

I'd say soccer is 10x exciting than American Football. A hell of alot more skillfull too.

[StrayRogue]

Originally posted by SpunGirl
I enjoy watching soccer, both men's and women's. I think the answer to the question of why it isn't popular in the US is because the men's team gets their asses handed to them with frightening frequency. Our women's team pwns, but women's sports just don't draw the same fan base as men's sports do. The WNBA is evidence enough of this. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just the way it is.

-K

I agree with Kristin. If America ever became moderately half decent, and not the two-left footed moronic peons that they are now, public interest might increase. Qualifying for a World Cup EVER might do it as well.

[SpunGirl]

I enjoy watching American Football, but I'd say soccer is 10x as exciting as baseball. Then again, I could care less about sports on TV, but I'll go see anything - ANYTHING - in the stadium, gym whatever. My husband's middle school basketball games are exciting to me.

-K

[Trinitis]

I've actually given every sport you can watch on TV a try. Everything from Football to bowling. 99.99% of them don't appeal to me one bit. Soccer did not either. I'm not sure why. I'm not much of a sports nut, I'd rather be doing something else. But I do have a love for hockey. I'm actually debating making an atempt to follow pro hockey this year.

[SpunGirl]

Originally posted by StrayRogue
I agree with Kristin. If America ever became moderately half decent, and not the two-left footed moronic peons that they are now, public interest might increase. Qualifying for a World Cup EVER might do it as well.

LOL, yes. The US team sucks, so little attention is paid to it. Kind of like the slow, deformed child that gets locked in a shed on the other side of the farm.

-K

[DeV]

Originally posted by Arkans
Because women shouldn't be playing sports or working for that matter. They should be at home cooking or making babies, possibly both at the same time.

- Arkans This is why women who seek equality with men lack ambition.

On topic: I love the sport of soccer, playing and watching. The skill involved is intricate and when you're on the field the atmosphere is exciting. It's too bad it doesn't have more of an appeal in the states but it is one of the main sports of choice for young kids.

[Tsa`ah]

With the exception of Baseball, as most have pointed out, it's about scoring, pace, and length.

American football is fast paced for under a minute, the next play is set, and we go again. It's violent, for some it's exciting, and it's very commercial. Commercial being the key here.

You're trying to compare a sport that remains true to what a sport is supposed to be to an event that is immersed in commercialism and actually takes time out so the commercials get air time.

American football is no less or more skillful than Soccer, there is however a huge lack of finesse when you compare the two.

Not understanding why basketball is more popular is rather empty headed. Aside from scoring and use of hands, Basketball and Soccer are very similar in strategy and play. Basketball is constant, fluid, and decisive. While soccer is similar, it doesn't hold the same pace.

I like soccer, but not to the same extent as Basketball or Football.

You also have to consider the many levels of each sport. In the US it's pretty clear as far as what we can tune into. The NFL, the CFL, collegiate, and Arena leagues are what we have to choose from. We can understand the announcers, we know the game, and we know the players. Soccer doesn't have the same backing. We can't understand the announcers, aside from the few anomalies ... we don't know the players, and my generation and prior generations don't understand the game.

You also have to consider the age factor. A 30 something year old Football player may have a few years left. A 30 something year old Football player has a following. He has gained notice from HS, through College, and onto the professional play. How many 30 something year old professional soccer players are there? Not many. Soccer players turn pro very young ... like teenagers. In the US, this doesn't happen very often and is often frowned upon.

[StrayRogue]

I'm assuming your post was in reference to Soccer in the States, Tsa?

[Tsa`ah]

Soccer in general. States or not.

I'm comparing the popularity of one sport to the other in the States. The comparison does not hold true outside of the US borders.

Take it as "this" is why soccer in the states can't compare to football in the states.

[Meos]

For the most part soccer is BORING. That US womens team though, when they beat Brazil, that was absoulty glorious.

Why football is better to me? We have almost 100 years of rich NFL history. Every sunday pretty much revolves around football. Plus I played football for alot of years, I APPRECIATE how good those athlets and coaches are. Every game is a great show and much more entertaining then your everyday soccer game.


[Edited on 10-20-2004 by Meos]

[xtc]

yeah those athlets are great I appericate them too. sccoer sckus

[StrayRogue]

I will accept that your football is so popular due to its commerical impact. However, you cannot say that "in general" Soccer does not have the backing that Football does. In America it doesn't. Most countries around the world it does.

But believe what you like. I'm of the belief that you don't like it and it doesn't recieve as much commercial success simply because you suck at it.

[Meos]

Commercial impact comes after the game bEing awsome. If the game wasn't awsome, it'd have no commerical impact. I'm not one for commericals anyway, expect when I see a clever one.

[Edited on 10-20-2004 by Meos]

[Tsa`ah]

And that is another key reason.

Baseball survives because of the History. Baseball is part of the culture. Kids play it, teens play it, and adults play it. We're raised with it. While the average Baseball game is rather boring, there are the stellar moments of excitement. That excitement builds as the season comes to a close.

Football is much the same. Many kids/teens played it. There's a bit more respect from former players who remember the sacrifice, commitment, pain, exhaustion and everything else attached to the sport. We know the names of the great players of the past.

You can't get a blank expression from a former player if you ask them who the Galloping Ghost was, who Nameth was, who Montana was, who Payton was. It's an affiliation.

Soccer in the states is coming around thanks to soccer moms and youth interest. More kids are playing soccer and attending camps now than they were when I was a kid. More schools are offering soccer as an athletic. These are larger schools however. The youth athletic staples in this country are basket ball, foot ball, and base ball. That's what we're fed.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by LordAdredrin
I'm actually debating making an atempt to follow pro hockey this year. Hehehe. Talk about bad timing.
Originally posted by Tsa`ah
Basketball is constant, fluid, and decisive.Allow me to clarify. I'll never understand why NBA Basketball is more popular than soccer.

[Meos]

Originally posted by Latrinsorm
Originally posted by Tsa`ah[/i]
Basketball is constant, fluid, and decisive.Allow me to clarify. I'll never understand why NBA Basketball is more popular than soccer. [/quote]

Bulls dynasty, I will say no more.

[xtc]

meos for fucks sake learn to spell

[Tsa`ah]

In all honestly Meos, the Bull's dynasty run was the herald to the end of the NBA as we knew it. The NBA had been slipping and losing ground to the individual player and ego for the longest time.

I can't watch an NBA game and be as thrilled or entertained since Jordan retired for the last time as a Bull.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by xtc
meos for fucks sake learn to spell

This coming from a guy who doesn't know what a shift key or period is for.

[Meos]

I was gonna say the same thing... And what the fuck are you talking about? That's how you spell dynasty isn't it?

[xtc]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah

Originally posted by xtc
meos for fucks sake learn to spell

This coming from a guy who doesn't know what a shift key or period is for.

Meos for fuck's sake learn how to spell. Tsa'ah screw you. I am just maximizing my insults before November 1st.

[Betheny]

Probably because big corporations prefer the sports that are popular now.

Also, we like people beating each other up.

[Miss X]

Mmm, nothing nicer than footballers thighs. I will only really watch football when England or Liverpool are playing, it's nice now and then but I'd much rather watch Tennis!

[Betheny]

Good god, tennis. One sport i will never, ever understand. Kind of like soccer.

[Sean]

Here in Jersey the metrostars were popular for like .. a year. Soccer just doesn't hold our interest I suppose. Although last I heard they were trying to build some new uber stadium to try and boost interest and stop them from having to share stadiums.

But I also get the feeling europeans don't really want Americans to be interested in soccer. Look at all the whining man u people when Glazer started buying stock in the company. And all the bitching they are doing to stop him from gaining controlling interest.

PS. Theres no way in hell I'm getting up at like 4 in the morning to watch world cup games in addition to that so besides the rare game I'll see in some foreign language channel surfing rarely I'm not going to see any marquee games for the most part.

[Drew]

Can someone please tell me what was so wrong with this post that it had to be deleted:

"I enjoy soccer/footie but it's really hard to watch in the states. I'm not paying 30 bucks a game to watch Euro 2004, but that's how much it cost. The only thing we get for free if the world cup and sometimes we get english premier league games a week after they happened (go Arsenal). That being said, I like almost all the American sports, but I also like some of the more esoteric (in America) stuff. I watch Australian Rugby games all the time (they are on 4AM on Fox Sports World) and I'm a huge fan of Formula One racing which has an ardent, but very underground, following in the US, whereas in the rest of the world it's the most popular form of motorsport."

Because I've looked over this thread three times and it's not here anymore, but I'm positive I posted it. No one sent me a U2U explaining why it was deleted either.

[xtc]

Originally posted by Drew
Can someone please tell me what was so wrong with this post that it had to be deleted:

"I enjoy soccer/footie but it's really hard to watch in the states. I'm not paying 30 bucks a game to watch Euro 2004, but that's how much it cost. The only thing we get for free if the world cup and sometimes we get english premier league games a week after they happened (go Arsenal). That being said, I like almost all the American sports, but I also like some of the more esoteric (in America) stuff. I watch Australian Rugby games all the time (they are on 4AM on Fox Sports World) and I'm a huge fan of Formula One racing which has an ardent, but very underground, following in the US, whereas in the rest of the world it's the most popular form of motorsport."

Because I've looked over this thread three times and it's not here anymore, but I'm positive I posted it. No one sent me a U2U explaining why it was deleted either.

One of the mods must be chop happy this afternoon, posts are disappearing faster than Clinton's budget surplus.

[Drew]

Your post that said "meos for fucks sake learn how to spell" is still here, mine, which was on topic, got deleted???? :?:

[Edited on 10-20-2004 by Drew]

[xtc]

Originally posted by Drew
Your post that said "meos for fucks sake learn how to spell" is still here, mine, which was on topic, got deleted???? :?:

[Edited on 10-20-2004 by Drew]

maybe there are technical problems with the board today

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Tijay
But I also get the feeling europeans don't really want Americans to be interested in soccer. Look at all the whining man u people when Glazer started buying stock in the company. And all the bitching they are doing to stop him from gaining controlling interest.



Two things to that really.
Man Utd are the lowlifes of football in England. Sure they are popular and successful, but there is a joke that the majority of their fans come from anywhere but Manchester...and that isnt too far from the truth. Whereas other clubs tend to be supported by the people who come from that area (in the main), Man United's main contingent tend to be Japanese. So dont judge European (or even English) football by the self righteous bullshit that comes from the red part of Manchester.

The second point is, that people who come in and buy clubs out with no connection to the club generally want some return for their money. Football clubs arent an investment. If you plough money into a football club, it needs to be so that the team can buy players and the like and you are unlikely to see the kind of returns (if any) on your money that you would see on other kinds of businesses. Football just doenst work like that. And that's what football supporters get upset about.

There was some rich bloke from Thailand or something like that that wanted to buy out Liverpool. That didnt work out either. Its the same thing. West Ham were offered a load of dosh from some business bloke unconnected with the club but they turned him down - again because he wanted a controlling interest.

Thats just how it happens

[Ivex]

I agree that it's the pure heritage of sports in the US that keeps them alive and thriving. NBA basketball is nothing like it was from the 70s to the early 90s, those were the NBA's golden years, now it's crap. Baseball needs a change, just like the NFL did, and the NFL did the right thing -- salary caps. Right now, everyone who

1. Doesn't like the Yankees
2. Doesn't care about either the Sox or the NLCS champion

just want the Yankees to lose to prove to everyone that you don't need $180m a year for players to win a championship. A salary cap in baseball would help to balance things a bit, but I digress and I am getting way off topic.

Soccer has next to zero heritage here in the 'states. I can sit here all day and compare quarterbacks from the 70s onward, but if someone asks me my feelings on Pele's last season, I'd draw a blank and lose interest. I have a few theories on this, and it turns into a Catch-22.

1. Not enough commercialization. The NFL thrives on Bud Light vs. Miller Lite ads, great pre and post-game commentary, legendary broadcasters like John Madden (I know a lot of people don't like him), Al Michaels, Pat Summerall, Joe Thiesmann (Hall of Famer ex- QB), the list goes on...
2. Not enough interest from the American public to garner such commercialization. No one cares for another sport, since most people in the states think of soccer as the game their child plays on weekends with other kids, then grows up and plays another sport that will give him/her an Athetlic Scholarship such as football or basketball.

</spiel>

[Sean]

<< just want the Yankees to lose to prove to everyone that you don't need $180m a year for players to win a championship. A salary cap in baseball would help to balance things a bit, but I digress and I am getting way off topic. >>

Yea they just need to prove that you need to be the #2 highest paid team in baseball with $125million.

But anyway I agree with your inital point that the heritage of games in the states are a huge part of why we watch them. Growing up my mom and dad both introduced me to watching sports and creating a bond with my teams. Even though my Dad was a shitty mets fan. Neither of them raised me to be a soccer fan.

But on commercialization. Yes the NFL makes a lot of money from commercial gains and some networks (ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL network, etc.) all make a lot of money off the games but I'm not reall sure thats whats important to the fans. Most fans I know can't stand the pat summeralls or john maddens broadcasting the games. Infact me and my roommate generally sit around swearing at numb nuts like joe buck and john madden.

On a side note I do goto some of my school soccer games which are generally boring unless there are many red and or yellow cards distributed. But thats really because we don't have a football team and volleyball is worse than soccer.

[Edited on 10-20-2004 by Tijay]