Kolemmitt;2255522 said:
My parents are European, so I grew up enjoying watching the World Cup with my Dad every four years. Since the U.S. was fairly poor during those years I usually cheered for the German team since my Dad is German or the Dutch team since my Mother is from Holland. I was actually in Europe, leading a tour of students, during the 2002 World Cup and almost got beat up when I told a group of rabid English fans on the Tube (subway) that I really didn't care all that much about Football (soccer)!
I think one of the reasons why soccer gets so much angst from fans of other sports, is that it tries to fit its European/South American model into the American sports scene. When I was coaching football, we missed out on several kids because of soccer, but that was fine, it was their season to play soccer so be it. Then in the winter, we missed out on kids playing basketball because of indoor soccer. Then when I was recruiting kids for my Track and Field team I missed out on athletes because of club soccer. But then as soccer fans tell me "There is no soccer season!" That's pretty un-American, if you ask me.
Secondly, I get really tired of Soccer fans telling me, in an arrogant manner, that "Its the most popular sport in every country other than the U.S.!" Which is a lie, and its overall popularity partly comes from the fact that its region of origin (Western Europe) politically dominated the poor countries of the world for decades.
Wow, such a tenuous grasp on the realities of athletics sports in the modern world.
Ya know, as far as soccer being pushed down anybody's throats here or soccer trying to push the European/South American model on the U.S. sports scene you are so way off, buddy, you come off rather . . . uninformed.
Iffin you can find anyone being coerced to see soccer, let me know. I will be there with you buddy to break that up. But, in fact, it's called a free society.
And I really think you show a lot of fear or paranoia about a simple game played with a round ball. From the boisturous Manchester stadium to the dusty streets of Lima.
Again, for the record, I would never go to see a soccer game. Nor would I go see bowling. Or golf (talk about lame). Just personal preference.
But don't be all general and stuff and be saying that soccer is being pushed into the American model (whatever that is, Mr. Global Exclusive MacKeepItOut). When last I heard, American football and Basketball are being pushed in Europe and American-nuanced golf and tennis are being pushed in the developing Asian countries. Whether we can fit the big-money, loud, trash-talking model into those areas, I will get back to you on that.
But, really, don't lose any sleep over soccer.
Focus, if you can, on good ol' American football.