Why isn't football / soccer that popular in North America, United States / USA ?

[slikpulla152]

I can only speak for the NJCAA and the USL,

*off topic*
the national team is not bad. They were better a few years ago, but they have room for improvement. The most obvious thing to me is, Eddie Johnson needs to either be a better forward or they need a replacement. Clint Mathis used to be reliable.

 

[titsrock]

I can only speak for the NJCAA and the USL,

*off topic*
the national team is not bad. They were better a few years ago, but they have room for improvement. The most obvious thing to me is, Eddie Johnson needs to either be a better forward or they need a replacement. Clint Mathis used to be reliable.

I think the current US squad is great, for the most part. Bruce Arena just lost his edge. Bob Bradley has done great things thus far. The key US player now and in the immediate future is Clint Dempsey. He is a better Forward then Midfielder. I am an anti-Donavon. I just think he's overrated and forced down our throats. I would like less Donavon and more Ching/Twellman/Johnson/Beasley/Dempsey...

 

[Jiggah33]

I guess I should add my 2 cents, since many others have, just for the sake of being heard.

Every sport can be seen as a great and glorious sport, the competition is the key for some, the knowledge a fan has for the sport is just as important as the fundamentals of the sport itself. How do they expect me to enjoy something with out explaining a small amount of the action to me. Yes I am am using the word ME, I can only speak for myself, not for Canada, U.S.A. or England.

I watched soccer and all I heard was "and he makes a nice pass to.....that is a red card foul....oh now a yellow card foul....and the keeper made an astounding save!!!!" just some randoms, and I must say as a non-soccer fan some of the saves are cool, but how can a player miss a HUGE net that makes the tender look like a midget infront of it. The strategy of the players needs to be rehashed if they can't fake a kick and send the ball to a teammate closer to the side of the goal.

Same goes for NFL: They have 4 damn downs to go 10 yrds. A player falls forward and his body covers over 2 yrds of the distance instantly....do the math, to successfully get a first down they need 3 yrds on the first 3 plays and 1 on the final play. It is so easy its ridiculous, and those fat lazy bastards can't figure out that a goalline push does that exact amount successfully with ease.

I like watching the plays unfold and learning new techinques, but hockey's trap was boring and took no skill, soccer's "fear of losing a ball" and constant tripping just looks childish, golf's walking , baseball....too many damn teams to follow, i forget half the league after taking 30min to list the first half of it.

I just sit back, watch whatever sport I have access to, and I cheer or boo some teams I see, then go back to drinkin' my expensive beer and eating my expensive food. Can we get a topic on concessions ass raping us on prices, we can all agree on that.

 

[nightwanker]

Re: Judging by the length of some of the responses....

THe question I have for International People---Do you really care AND WANT the US to take soccer seriously? We have the athletes and Money to dominate the sport if we REALLY WANT TO.

If the US took soccer seriously...we would field a side of 6'4" players who could all run 4.4/40 yard dashes. We could literally put out a side of physically dominating players...if we really wanted to. We are a wealthy nation and our players are simply healthier then the rest of the worlds...for lack of a better description.

Sorry, I got to say that:
Would they all be doped just like Your sprinters maybe? (This sentence is designed to be provocative...)

WE ARE A NATIONALISTIC PEOPLE, even if we sort of downplay it globally. If you visit the US during an Olympics, you'll meet an entire nation of "experts" in all the little Olympic sports, for example.

But - as I heard - US TV stations only show winning tournaments.
And the most Americans just watch delayed airings of the olympic competions (if they are overseas).
In Europe many people get up or stay awake if there are sports in America or Asia. And even disciplines with no national perspectives get high rates.

I guess that's one more reason why FIFA-football isn't to popular in the US.
There is no American dreamteam to outact all the others (like basketball used to in the early 90s), or great expectations as in gymnastics, figure skating, track and field, swimming...

Sometimes it seems Americans don't like to compete, if they can't win.
That's just a guess!

And why does "America" hesitate to take place with the best players in an American football world championship or in baseball?
But their tournaments are called "World Series" and stuff like that - and if not named this way, surely assumed to be something like that.
Just because they don't take the others too seriously???
All these Boxing Federations, every single one with it's own Champion.
The world races in Formula 1, but America does it's own show.
Okay, it's much about marketing.

 

[KungFuDude]

This is getting a bit too us vs them and it doesn't prove anything at all either way.

You know, you're right. It's becoming just another pseudo hater thread.


::yawns::


Well, I'm off to watch some football. REAL football. ...


v----------------------------------------------------------v

 

[senob44]

I get a kick out of some posters on this thread thinking they know baseball from playing it for a couple years in school...:1orglaugh

More on topic...
I played soccer from the age of 5 until 18. (I stopped playing since my college didn't have a soccer team) I absolutely loved the sport. For most of that time it was my favorite sport to play. I loved the ball movement and the deceptive simplicity of the game. I started out playing defense and by high school, I eventually ended up the starting keeper for the varsity team. As much as I loved soccer though, it never translated into a love of watching it. I guess I am a true American because it just seems too boring to me. I mean, I vaguely, kind of like watching it, but nothing compared to baseball (which I also played throughout my youth and in college). I would say I enjoy watching soccer as much as American football. Two very different games and I don't care for watching either that much. I guess it is perhaps my love of baseball which has kept soccer from catching on for me. To me, baseball is the finest game as far as strategy is concerned. McRocket, I believe, got into the intricacies earlier, so I won't expound. However, I do agree that soccer has a lot more strategy involved in it than most Americans realize.

 

[Roughneck]

This is getting a bit too us vs them and it doesn't prove anything at all either way.

I agree with you.

I enjoyed following soccer when my kids were young - my favourite team was the Germans (the GDR mind you). Of course, that was back when I used to follow tennis too. I kinda quit following that sport with the departure of Boris Becker and Ivan Lendl.

It's hard to follow soccer here in the States.

I can't stand football - too many damned stoppages during play. Too many "flags", too many rules and a little too much "direction", know what I mean? It's nearly not as "spontaneous" as a sport ought to be. You have 4 quarters of 15 minutes each and it takes hours to fucking play.

I don't like baseball - it's a little "stiad" IMHO. Curiously, I like cricket. I would love to see more cricket here in the US.
Can't stand basketball.

LOL - about the only sport I do follow now is hockey

cheers,

 

[marquis2]

I believe you are talking about rounders. Baseball was invented in the U.S. And ironically soccer is considered mainly a kids game here.



Baseball has been more popular than cricket since it was invented in the mid 1800's. People never really played cricket here either.

Basically you're trying to convince us cricket and rugby are better? Not happening dude. The reverse is also true if I try the same thing on you.

In the early 1900s there was a great debate in the US as to which game would be the one which would become #1 as it was very even at the time.There was a LOT of cricket played. The first EVER international cricket match was - wait for it - Canada vs USA.
As you say I'm talking about rounders.But baseball isn't an invention, it's a development of rounders.I played rounders as a kid and have no problem following or understanding baseball because of that.Baseball is simply rounders writ large.
By the way, hockey is also an English game.

 

[poggy]

In the early 1900s there was a great debate in the US as to which game would be the one which would become #1 as it was very even at the time.There was a LOT of cricket played. The first EVER international cricket match was - wait for it - Canada vs USA.
As you say I'm talking about rounders.But baseball isn't an invention, it's a development of rounders.I played rounders as a kid and have no problem following or understanding baseball because of that.Baseball is simply rounders writ large.
By the way, hockey is also an English game.

Half the famous games/sports in the world are English in origin.

Too much time on our hands in the old days. With all the slaves and servants doing the work.

Hockey is correctly English. But ice hockey which they all mean isn't. Yes it comes from the grass field version. But the English would never have thought of playing it on ice wearing ice skates.

Even though we invent and circulate all these games. We soon became useless at them. Because as we invent them we think automatically that we will remain the best at them. So don't put in the work others do to be the best. So then we end up playing catch up.

Football is a good example of this. England didn't enter the World Cup till 1950. Because they thought they was too good for all the other teams. They then rightly lost to the USA and it was solely because they thought that they was too good. It took them another 16 years to get a team good enough to win it in 1966. The only time England have won it. Why because still they have the mentality that they only have to turn up to be in with a great chance of winning it.

Same happens in the European Championships too. Already it's turning into a if we qualify were as good as in the final quotes from people. But looking from a reality stand point at the moment. We'll get our arse kicked in the quarters. Because to win these things you have to have the right frame of mind and put the hard work in. Something that won't happen if you just turn up expecting to win it because your England.

This might be why the rugby boys have done so well. They have had a shumbles in the last four years. But have gone into the World Cup determined to defend their title best they can. They got a kick in the backside off South Africa in the groups. Then put it all together to beat two of the favourites in Australia and France in the last two matches. To set up a final against South Africa again. Who will no doubt not rest on the fact they hammered England in the group match. But will come at them to try do it again.

 

[Jagger69]

Soccer is actually becoming more popular in the US IMO. However, it will never reach the level of football, baseball, etc unless or until the best American athletes are choosing to play professional soccer....which ain't likely any time soon. Personally, I find soccer to be slow and boring but I certainly don't begrudge someone who is a fan.

Hell, I like to watch golf on TV and there's nothing slower than that so to each his own I guess!

 

[bugmenot567]

Soccer requires more endurance and athleticism then other spots, like baseball where player hardly break a sweat. I don't know why people dont watch it more. I guess its a combination of the media not hyping it as much and people like myself who have a well enough time watching other sports.

 

[USNinc]

Soccer was the first sport I ever played when i was a kid and i just didn't enjoy it at all.
I then went and played Football and just fell in love with it.

Alot had to do with what I could watch on TV and then it was just pure enjoyment.
Maybe I just didn't understand everything involved with Soccer.....but after trying it for a season I just didn't care enough to.

I think the country talk is just stupid.
Who cares why one country doesn't like it as much and vice versa.
I don't care if a bunch of Germans are watching the Detroit Lions play on sundays....it doesn't effect me at all.
They better be rooting for the Lions tho....

 

[E-Ann-Hilden]

Americans seldom pay attention to any sport over seas.
Football (Soccer) does not interest older sports fans
Younger sports fan have not become Soccer fans, even they played it growing up
Most people in this country grow up playing American Football, Baseball, Hockey, Baseball etc..
The Soccer team in many areas and cities have a smaller following compared to other sports
We have little familarity with the teams and players overseas
Scoring is low in most soccer matches and we do not undertand the rules of the game
U.S. public has so much exposure to other bigger name sports and little time to add another

I have no problem with soccer, but I did grow up with it and niether did my family or friends

 

[dave_rhino]

America doesn't like simple sports like Football.

This advert will explain further;

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sjI-qh37xf0

 

[devlinvelez]

I like American Football, just because it's a real sport with attitude. Soccer just sucks. And nothing anyone says will change my perception. Oh, and I happen to be from a place where soccer is played and I will never accept it as a sport that I would watch. Go Raiders!!!!

 

[titsrock]

Re: Judging by the length of some of the responses....

Sorry, I got to say that:
Would they all be doped just like Your sprinters maybe? (This sentence is designed to be provocative...)

We're not the only cheaters. "Olympic" sports have a history of doping..ask anyone leftover from East Germany in the 60s and China in the 90s. Americans have ruined Cycling only because we win the races. Every other countries' cyclists all dope but they still aren't good enough to beat our dopers.

But - as I heard - US TV stations only show winning tournaments.
And the most Americans just watch delayed airings of the olympic competions (if they are overseas).
In Europe many people get up or stay awake if there are sports in America or Asia. And even disciplines with no national perspectives get high rates.

This is only half correct. Americans are simply satisfied getting the results online and then waiting for the broadcast of their favorite sport or the sport in which an American won. If there is a big Gold medal competition..a large part of Americans will stay up and watch it because WE enjoy coming into work the next day, having massive talks at the water coolers and spending the remaining work day telling everyone we ever talk to that we "pulled an all-nighter watching COMPETITION X and we're slow, groggy etc. for the rest of the day"...it's like a badge of courage in the workplace. It's a way for every American to sacrifice for the team!

I guess that's one more reason why FIFA-football isn't to popular in the US.
There is no American dreamteam to outact all the others (like basketball used to in the early 90s), or great expectations as in gymnastics, figure skating, track and field, swimming...

Sometimes it seems Americans don't like to compete, if they can't win.
That's just a guess!

And why does "America" hesitate to take place with the best players in an American football world championship or in baseball?
But their tournaments are called "World Series" and stuff like that - and if not named this way, surely assumed to be something like that.
Just because they don't take the others too seriously???
All these Boxing Federations, every single one with it's own Champion.
The world races in Formula 1, but America does it's own show.
Okay, it's much about marketing.

You're all over the place here. Many topics blending into one another I will respond to most of them...

--The US was NOT the country that started to play professional athletes nor were we a country that bitched and moaned about wanting to do so. It was countries like Greece, France, Spain, Italy that bitched and moaned. You can't fault American Media for coming up with a clever marketing phrase for the greatest collection of basketball players ever. Before the Dream Team we were happy to send in a team of college players. Now..sadly..the companies only want Pros, not amateurs.

--Americans do like to compete. The funding for ALL FRINGE SPORTS--Olympics/Rugby team/National Soccer Teams etc. is CORPORATE DONOR BASED...and in order to keep the money flowing to these sports...HYPE must be used. We do not use Govt Money to support athletes as most countries do.

--Boxing is a dead sport. Too much corruption and cheating. Nobody cares about it in America or anywhere. Car Racing is a different animal. I personally don't give a shit about any car races. I accept that Formula 1 is the "real auto racing." NASCAR is a lame sport on many levels. You have to understand that for MOST AMERICANS..a great car is a Musclecar with a Huge Engine that you can hear from a mile away and it goes 0-60 in about 5 secs. Cars that TURN...well..those are for wimpy Euro cars. THAT's not MY perception but the American Auto Industry was constructed on that philosophy. Thankfully we have German Cars to drive.

 

[titsrock]

Soccer requires more endurance and athleticism then other spots, like baseball where player hardly break a sweat. I don't know why people dont watch it more. I guess its a combination of the media not hyping it as much and people like myself who have a well enough time watching other sports.

Soccer players are in incredible shape. Baseball players used to be wheezy, fat asses who showed up to spring training drunk and/or stoned. Then..they discovered "Juice" and the Statuesque physiques were born...well..maybe in Sammy Sosa's case..

I played Baseball as a kid. Hated playing it. Hate watching it on television. I can only sit through the 8/9th innings. I don't even like showing up to watch it live.

 

[E-Ann-Hilden]

Soccer requires more endurance and athleticism then other spots, like baseball where player hardly break a sweat. I don't know why people dont watch it more. I guess its a combination of the media not hyping it as much and people like myself who have a well enough time watching other sports.

Well here is analysis by ESPN, pretty reputable site.

Top 5 Sports difficulty ratings

1) Boxing
2) Ice Hockey
3) Football
4) Basketball
5) Wrestling

10) Soccer

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills

No doubt any major league sports takes quite a bit of talent, skill and athletic ability, but Soccer is not the top in my book either.

 

[titsrock]

Well here is analysis by ESPN, pretty reputable site.

Top 5 Sports difficulty ratings

1) Boxing
2) Ice Hockey
3) Football
4) Basketball
5) Wrestling

10) Soccer

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills

No doubt any major league sports takes quite a bit of talent, skill and athletic ability, but Soccer is not the top in my book either.

ESPN doesn't have much credibility. It's entertainment-oriented when it isn't promoting its own sports coverage.

The only way to put a panel together is to find a group of people who have excelled in all of these sports.

Soccer is not the hardest sport to play. It certainly requires more endurance and athleticism then baseball.

 

[allconfererence]

You go hit the spherical ball with the round stick, solidly, and then you can tell me baseball is less athletic than soccer.

If you can run alot, go play soccer.

Baseball is and always will be far more skill oriented than most sports. It requires more fine motor skills where sports like soccer need gross motor skills.