Is it me or is pro soccer just never going to fly in the US?

[bull]

Again, I see what you're saying about how soccer can be boring and lacks the constant action and big plays us Americans like in football and basketball...but still doesn't explain why we do like of baseball, golf, and NASCAR, which 90% of the time are snoozefests. I still think it's one of those "we didn't invent it and we're really not that great at it, so to hell with it" deals.

Team sports are popular due to tradition as well as city/state affiliation and the part it plays into people's community allegiance. I suppose Nascar once played into our sense of brand loyalty but no so much anymore IMO. Golf is somewhat interesting to me on occasion because I like to see someone make things look so much easier than I do. There is something to that. Many things certain people can do very well is interesting to people who can't do it very well at all.

I stand corrected on the soccer salaries. But I have to wonder how much skill is involved in the game that most people in very good physical condition couldn't master fairly quickly? To me it just seems like if you know the rules, can jog for long periods of time and sprint for short distances you can play pro soccer.

[Ponch ®]

I stand corrected on the soccer salaries. But I have to wonder how much skill is involved in the game that most people in very good physical condition couldn't master fairly quickly? To me it just seems like if you know the rules, can jog for long periods of time and sprint for short distances you can play pro soccer.

There's a skill to it, for sure. Just like not every guy with a strong arm can be a good quaterback (see: Jamarcus Russell) or a good pitcher. There's a lot of finesse to soccer...dribbling around defenders, etc. Even hitting the ball with your head requires some sort of mastery if you want to do it right. Or a kick that bends like a knuckleball  (and it's all in how your foot hits the ball)....that sort of thing. 

[cpthowdy1369]

I believe they shoul make soccer more interesting and hide landmines throughout the field or every once in a while let a bull run across the field.  I would watch it then. Maybe even by a t-shirt.

[DodgeByDave]

Kickball is all very well a good game for rough girls, but not for delicate boys.
-Oscar Wilde

http://www.theonion.com/video/soccer-officially-announces-it-is-gay,17603/#previous-page

I can't decide which is more boring Napcar or Kickball

[nh_mopar_fan]

http://www.theonion.com/video/soccer-officially-announces-it-is-gay,17603/#previous-page

This is freaking beautiful.   

[cpthowdy1369]

    very well done.  Funny as hell

[DodgeByDave]

I believe they shoul make soccer more interesting and hide landmines throughout the field or every once in a while let a bull run across the field.  I would watch it then. Maybe even by a t-shirt.

Actually, that was tried once to less than stellar results. The final score was "Bull 1, Men 0"

Ahahhahhah I found a short from that epic match (also includes an explanation of why it's called a "pitch")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKkY3wcpB2M

(warning, semi not work safe. Male butt cheek nudity)

[jeryst]

I believe they shoul make soccer more interesting and hide landmines throughout the field or every once in a while let a bull run across the field.  I would watch it then. Maybe even by a t-shirt.

I think they should make them all play blindfolded. Use different pitched buzzers attached to players, the ball, and the goals.

Or it should be all naked women, with ground cameras.

That's the only two things that would make me watch it.

[89MOPAR]

Statistics - There are simply no meaningfull stats.   Americans like statistics.

  Example - baseball - RBI's , homeruns, strikeouts, batting average, etc etc
                football - touchdowns, pass completion, sacks, avg yards per carry, etc etc

What stats could you use for soccer ?   Miles run per game ?  Amount of backward passes ?  # of corner kicks ?  # of throw-ins ?
  Until someone comes up with some stats, there's no chance, and even then the chance for big time american acceptance is weak.

i was one of those kids who played soccer for about 7 years.  in retrospect, wish i'd played baseball or football / hockey instead.
They need to get rid of the "offsides" rule, then maybe it could be exciting [?]


               

[Shakey]

I don't think that everyone in the United States dislikes soccer!  I was in the MSP airport last Wednesday AM and everyplace I walked by had the US game on and the crowds were erupting like it was the championship game!

Sports - some like this and some like that - pretty simple!

[PocketThunder]

I don't think that everyone in the United States dislikes soccer!  I was in the MSP airport last Wednesday AM and everyplace I walked by had the US game on and the crowds were erupting like it was the championship game!

Sports - some like this and some like that - pretty simple!

You were 10 miles 16.09 km away from me and i didnt get a call?      

[moparstuart]

I don't think that everyone in the United States dislikes soccer!  I was in the MSP airport last Wednesday AM and everyplace I walked by had the US game on and the crowds were erupting like it was the championship game!

Sports - some like this and some like that - pretty simple!

You were 10 miles 16.09 km away from me and i didnt get a call?      

you wouldnt have answered

[Lennard]

All I see is a bunch of goofballs running around in circles for hours and when it's all said and done the score is 1-0 and the fans tear the place down.

I see/think the same thing when i watch Basketball, softball, American football, etc.

[Lennard]

You guys really want to know why we don't like soccer, WRC, F1, etc.?

It's because we don't like not being the best at something (or at least THINKING we're the best - see baseball). People play basketball and baseball all over the world, yet when the Lakers or the Yankees win we automatically anoint them "World Champions".  Hockey started losing popularity as soon as the Russians/Europeans started coming over to the NHL en masse and their native countries started winning major international competitions.

As I'm typing this, the US soccer team is getting its ass kicked by Slovenia(!), and there are no Americans in WRC or F1 (and Scott Speed failed miserably). If we're not kicking ass, we ignore it or cop out by saying its boring, too convoluted, etc...

Bingo! This goes for about a Million things.  Just like "World famous" actors, artists, bands, etc. I hear that all the time and i have lived in The Netherlands for 34 years and NEVER heard of those people.

[Ponch ®]

You guys really want to know why we don't like soccer, WRC, F1, etc.?

It's because we don't like not being the best at something (or at least THINKING we're the best - see baseball). People play basketball and baseball all over the world, yet when the Lakers or the Yankees win we automatically anoint them "World Champions".  Hockey started losing popularity as soon as the Russians/Europeans started coming over to the NHL en masse and their native countries started winning major international competitions.

As I'm typing this, the US soccer team is getting its ass kicked by Slovenia(!), and there are no Americans in WRC or F1 (and Scott Speed failed miserably). If we're not kicking ass, we ignore it or cop out by saying its boring, too convoluted, etc...

Bingo! This goes for about a Million things.  Just like "World famous" actors, artists, bands, etc. I hear that all the time and i have lived in The Netherlands for 34 years and NEVER heard of those people.

You really don't know who Bababooey is?

[Lennard]

You really don't know who Bababooey is?

The chick in your avatar?

[Ponch ®]

De Oranje!

[Lennard]

De Oranje wat? De Oranje sokken die ze aan heeft?

[Lennard]

I love soccer!

[miller]

How to make soccer more exciting...

http://www.collegehumor.com/article:1806657

[Lennard]

Well, the Dutch made into the final.

[hemi68charger]

Go Holland !!!  

The Netherlands vs Spain..   a 1st time winner for sure..............

[Ponch ®]

Go Holland !!!  

The Netherlands vs Spain..   a 1st time winner for sure..............

I'm in a dilemma now. I've been a fan of the Netherlands since '88. I was about 8 years old and spending the summer in Mexico, and I spent a good chunk of my time there glued to the TV watching the Oranje annihilate the competition in the European Cup. Ruud Gulit, Marco Van Basten, Frank Rijkaard were my favorite players for a few years after that.

On the other hand, there's Spain. For cultural reasons, there's some affinity for the Spanish team. And I've always liked them too.

[Shakey]

I don't think that everyone in the United States dislikes soccer!  I was in the MSP airport last Wednesday AM and everyplace I walked by had the US game on and the crowds were erupting like it was the championship game!

Sports - some like this and some like that - pretty simple!

You were 10 miles 16.09 km away from me and i didnt get a call?      

I was just passin' through, on my way home from Fargo.


Maybe next time we'll try to find some time for a