My 7 ways Soccer can work in the US

[TheCowboy]

If they do not make it more offensive it will never become popular here in USA.

Need 5-4 games... 7-6...

That penalty kick nonsense is no way to end the game.

Honestly if they cut the field in half and allow for some hitting I would watch

 

[RastaRocket]

If they do not make it more offensive it will never become popular here in USA.

Need 5-4 games... 7-6...

That penalty kick nonsense is no way to end the game.

They don't need to do anything. It's going to be popular whether y'all like it or not.

 

[Future]

I bet 80% of the "I hate soccer, boring, yaya yada" crowd is over the age of 40. Soccer will become more popular in the usa over time. HD wide screens are helping the sport tremendously, so is fifa (the video game). It will only continue to grow

I don't think you're too far off, though there are still a lot of 20-somethings who say the same thing. But, if I'm not mistaken, there are MLS teams outdrawing MLB teams. I'm not going to say that soccer is going to surpass baseball, but I think as the older baseball fans start to fade out, that distance could very well shrink.

The only sport more boring than soccer is baseball, so it makes sense lol

 

[Future]

I should have added in my previous post that soccer players are amazingly athletic.

If for that reason alone it is fun to watch. It's tiring watching them.

I don't see it.

Are they in great shape, yes, for the most part. But amazingly athletic? Apart from a select few elite players, I wouldn't say so.

 

[burmafrd]

They don't need to do anything. It's going to be popular whether y'all like it or not.

sure. keep on telling yourself that

 

[burmafrd]

I bet 80% of the ratings and so called new fans are those either from counties that already are fanatics.

To be blunt look at the increase in the hispannic population and then look at the increase of ratings. I bet they are pretty close paralells.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

They don't need to do anything. It's going to be popular whether y'all like it or not.

It's unreasonable to think people will look at 0-0 screen for hours.

Less interference on offensive players approach to goalie/net. 7-6, 5-3 scores in the future.

It's coming whether you like it or not. Just look at sports and it's offensive evolution.

 

[jterrell]

JMO, but a similar soccer euphoria sweeps the nation every four or so years and the momentum rarely carries over beyond the world cup.

the NFL playoffs are vastly more popular than the NFL regular season but it doesn't mean the NFL regular season is hurting....
the days of soccer being only an every 4 year event are completely gone.
the sport is shown year round and as more fans get into euro leagues and transfer windows it will rival the other major sports not named NFL.

 

[jterrell]

It's unreasonable to think people will look at 0-0 screen for hours.

Less interference on offensive players approach to goalie/net. 7-6, 5-3 scores in the future.

It's coming whether you like it or not. Just look at sports and it's offensive evolution.

please post less and think more....
this is 2014. Soccer has been the worlds most dominant sport for over 50 years.....

soccer isn't changing to some high scoring game and doing so would make it worse to watch not better.
the integral moments in soccer are about play being close where one goal makes a real difference in the end result.
scoring goals actually matters.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

please post less and think more....
this is 2014. Soccer has been the worlds most dominant sport for over 50 years.....

soccer isn't changing to some high scoring game and doing so would make it worse to watch not better.
the integral moments in soccer are about play being close where one goal makes a real difference in the end result.
scoring goals actually matters.

Cute.


You will never get the casual fan. Which is what is needed for the draw to go up.

 

[RastaRocket]

sure. keep on telling yourself that

Right back at you

 

[RastaRocket]

Cute.


You will never get the casual fan. Which is what is needed for the draw to go up.

They may not get you or Burma; but they will get plenty more casual fans like they already have. Why do y'all care so much? If you don't like it then don't like it.

 

[jterrell]

Cute.


You will never get the casual fan. Which is what is needed for the draw to go up.

All you say would be fine if ANY of it was true.
The "casual" fan isn't what truly matters to any sport.
It is the number of die-hards that expand it; they drive it and are marketing and advertising.
--you see any Tim Howard memes??

But again EVERY possible indicator suggests soccer is growing in this country. --and that was BEFORE the World Cup.
Youth participation is larger here than in ANY country in the world.
OVER 20 million.
Ratings were at literally 0 not long ago but now you have significant offerings for European soccer and international games that are merely friendlies.
The EPL games hosted here on national TV broadcasts have blown away anything else sports related in those timeslots.

The thought there is some fundamental change to the way the game is played is rather goofy.
There are legit complaints made about small stylistic things but largely they either do not apply to major League matches (i.e. shootouts), or just flat incorrect i.e. MOAR SCORING BRO.

There is plenty of scoring in exhibition soccer and lower level games.
Almost no one watches because they suck.
Key is quality. When quality matches matter and they sit 0-0 at 90 minutes no one is disappointed it isn't 5-5; they are concerned about getting to 1 and winning.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

They may not get you or Burma; but they will get plenty more casual fans like they already have. Why do y'all care so much? If you don't like it then don't like it.

I want to like it. It needs life though.

A casual fan WILL NOT, I repeat will not stare at a 0-0 game for almost 2 hours. That is crazy.

I am interested in them making it more exciting.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

All you say would be fine if ANY of it was true.
The "casual" fan isn't what truly matters to any sport.
It is the number of die-hards that expand it; they drive it and are marketing and advertising.
--you see any Tim Howard memes??

But again EVERY possible indicator suggests soccer is growing in this country. --and that was BEFORE the World Cup.
Youth participation is larger here than in ANY country in the world.
OVER 20 million.
Ratings were at literally 0 not long ago but now you have significant offerings for European soccer and international games that are merely friendlies.
The EPL games hosted here on national TV broadcasts have blown away anything else sports related in those timeslots.

The thought there is some fundamental change to the way the game is played is rather goofy.
There are legit complaints made about small stylistic things but largely they either do not apply to major League matches (i.e. shootouts), or just flat incorrect i.e. MOAR SCORING BRO.

There is plenty of scoring in exhibition soccer and lower level games.
Almost no one watches because they suck.
Key is quality. When quality matches matter and they sit 0-0 at 90 minutes no one is disappointed it isn't 5-5; they are concerned about getting to 1 and winning.

Sorry. Every fan counts.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

the NFL playoffs are vastly more popular than the NFL regular season but it doesn't mean the NFL regular season is hurting....
the days of soccer being only an every 4 year event are completely gone.
the sport is shown year round and as more fans get into euro leagues and transfer windows it will rival the other major sports not named NFL.

I wouldn't equate the difference between the NFL regular season and the NFL playoffs as being the same as year round soccer versus the World Cup. I'd compare the world cup to the Olympics first.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I bet 80% of the ratings and so called new fans are those either from counties that already are fanatics.

To be blunt look at the increase in the hispannic population and then look at the increase of ratings. I bet they are pretty close paralells.

yea, no coincidence there imo

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I see they have already implemented my new offensive philosophy.... 5-0 Germany lol

 

[RastaRocket]

I want to like it. It needs life though.

A casual fan WILL NOT, I repeat will not stare at a 0-0 game for almost 2 hours. That is crazy.

I am interested in them making it more exciting.

They already do...

 

[daschoo]

Couple of things.
Firstly the sport is not changing to appeal to an American audience, it's the biggest sport on the planet as it is.
Secondly I personally prefer the "low scoring" system. A goal means so much. I've ended up about 3 rows in front of my seat celebrating. I'll take the adrenalin rush from a goal over a high scoring sport like basketball where an individual score is nothing to get excited by due to there being what about 90 odd a game. Each to their own though.
Thirdly I get why American fans would like to see the sport grow in the country but I can't get my head round why anyone else gives a **** either way.