So I roll out of bed today, and I realize...

[TheEnigma]

Everyone knows only their particular obsession really matters....Those other guys are just nuts to love that other xxxxx sport.

Here here...:toast2:

 

[NorTex]

I enjoy playing soccer...played in high school...was a ball boy for the Chicago Sting professional soccer team back in the 70s.

I understand soccer and respect the talent and physical ability that it takes to play at a high level.

However, soccer is absolutely BORING to watch.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I would watch a pre-season game from the Dave Campo days 5 times in a row over the World Cup finals, its not a fun sport to watch.
Simple as that

 

[Kobal]

Everyone knows only their particular obsession really matters....Those other guys are just nuts to love that other xxxxx sport.

BTW. I just can't stand watching cricket.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

The only athletic events currently being held are MLB, the World Cup, the College World Series, and the WNBA (okay, so maybe that one doesnt count as an athletic event).

This time of year really, really sucks......

Being in America I can see this being a problem. Personally I'm pretty big into "football", so the WC isnt all that bad

 

[arglebargle]

BTW. I just can't stand watching cricket.

I once had a second or two when I thought I understood cricket. Then I woke up....

 

[burmafrd]

I would rather watch WNBA then the NBA because I love basketball- which is a sport of passing and shooting and movement and defense and such. Which the NBA only does a little of between dunks.
Have to laugh at the idiot that claimed soccer is just as complicated as football. NOT EVEN CLOSE. How many different plays does soccer have - like I said not even close.
As regards those morons that say that since we don't love soccer they are superior. GAG. And they claim WE are arrogant.
I would rather watch cricket then soccer.
Lots of kids play soccer and enjoy it. THEN they grow up and they no longer care that much. Millions of kids have been playing soccer in the US for the last 20 years. It has meant NOTHING. MLS is a minor sport. 90% of the US could care less if the US team does well or not in the World Cup. The only popular US team was the girls-and that did not last. Kids will continue to play and then grow up and lose interest.
BY THE WAY: why would we have any respect for a sport that has worse fans then the Eagles?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

The only athletic events currently being held are MLB, the World Cup, the College World Series, and the WNBA (okay, so maybe that one doesnt count as an athletic event).

This time of year really, really sucks......

Therefore, I went back to bed......wake me on 28 July in Oxnard!

 

[pancakeman]

I never thought the WNBA would make it past the second year.

According to Wikipedia, the WNBA is "targetting profitability in 2007."

 

[Kobal]

I would rather watch cricket then soccer.

wow...you the man!

 

[peplaw06]

Lots of kids play soccer and enjoy it. THEN they grow up and they no longer care that much. Millions of kids have been playing soccer in the US for the last 20 years. It has meant NOTHING. MLS is a minor sport. 90% of the US could care less if the US team does well or not in the World Cup.

Exactly right. Tons of kids play soccer. I remember I did. Which is probably the only reason I can somewhat tolerate it. But the kids grow up and don't have the access to as many college programs or professional leagues, so they lose interest.

I understand the point about soccer is an easy sport to play in poor countries because you only have to have a ball. But I have to disagree slightly. The point has already been made about the popularity of baseball in the Carribbean and Central/South America. All you have to have for baseball is a stick and a rock. Same with basketball in the inner cities. They all have basketball hoops in the parks, all you have to have is a ball. Football could easily be played in "poor" countries, you don't have to go out and buy shoulder pads. How many people here played football as kids with helmets and pads??

I think the main reason American football is behind the world's football in popularity is because they're called the same thing. It sounds elementary, but when you grow up calling soccer football then someone comes and says, "hey here's a new sport, called "football" then proceeds to show you a sport where only like two people use their feet, there will be confusion. They assume America is trying to change the sport they love, and reject it. Just my two cents.

 

[burmafrd]

I really question that its the lack of college or pros that are a major reason for soccer interest dieing out as people get older. I think that it is just our society and culture- soccer just does not do it for us.

 

[The30YardSlant]

The World Cup is the single greatest event in World Sport. Literally billions more people care about it then football. America is by far the most provincial of the Western industrial elite. The attitude expressed towards sport in this thread is wonderful evidence of this.

I am sorry, but if you cannot appreciate the brilliance of Maxi Rodriguez's goal against Mexico yesterday evening, then you do not appreciate the brilliance of a superior athlete in general.

Again, soccer is for kids not athletic enough for basketball, not tough enough for football, and not coordinated enough for baseball.

Soccer players are nacys who flop after any little bit of contact. Come to thik of it, Manu Ginobili's tendencies are starting to make sense, it must be a foreign thing.

 

[jackrussell]

The only athletic events currently being held are MLB, the World Cup, the College World Series, and the WNBA (okay, so maybe that one doesnt count as an athletic event).

This time of year really, really sucks......

Here's a thought.

Back away from the TV and go out and do something.

 

[AbeBeta]

I really question that its the lack of college or pros that are a major reason for soccer interest dieing out as people get older. I think that it is just our society and culture- soccer just does not do it for us.

But NASCAR and Wresting do.

Everywhere that soccer is big, kids play it all day, in the streets etc. The U.S. doesn't have that -- kids do play soccer but most of it is that organized stuff. Most places where soccer is big it is the "common man's" sport -- in the U.S. soccer has become more associated with the middle and upper classes (e.g., organized leagues, soccer moms, etc.). We've somehow managed to turn U.S. soccer into something that upper-middle class liberals are more likely to follow than are poor folks (note: I said MORE likely -- that's not an absolute). That's the really weird cultural part of it - most U.S. soccer fans are pretty much the opposite of the rest of the world.

 

[The30YardSlant]

But NASCAR and Wresting do.

Everywhere that soccer is big, kids play it all day, in the streets etc. The U.S. doesn't have that -- kids do play soccer but most of it is that organized stuff. Most places where soccer is big it is the "common man's" sport -- in the U.S. soccer has become more associated with the middle and upper classes (e.g., organized leagues, soccer moms, etc.). We've somehow managed to turn U.S. soccer into something that upper-middle class liberals are more likely to follow than are poor folks (note: I said MORE likely -- that's not an absolute). That's the really weird cultural part of it - most U.S. soccer fans are pretty much the opposite of the rest of the world.

First of all, neither NASCAR nor wrestling is a sport. One involves turning left in a car all day long and the other is fixed.

In the US, we go out back and play basketball with our friends, not soccer. It's just the culture we live in.

 

[burmafrd]

Since upper class liberals are always whinning and crying about how we need to be more like the rest of the world, that does make some sense.

 

[Kangaroo]

I once had a second or two when I thought I understood cricket. Then I woke up....

What is really sad I sat down and watched two curling matches last year (non Olympics) and was more enthralled with that than soccer

I can't believe I just admitted to that :bang2:

 

[AbeBeta]

Since upper class liberals are always whinning and crying about how we need to be more like the rest of the world, that does make some sense.

There is a difference between being "more like the rest of the world" and appreciating some of the cool stuff that other cultures bring us. Huge difference there.

 

[AbeBeta]

In the US, we go out back and play basketball with our friends, not soccer. It's just the culture we live in.

Playing basketball doesn't preclude you from playing soccer.

It seems to me that Argentina, a country where they love soccer, does both. If you don't believe that please see their gold medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Who got the silver that year? Italy. A country that also does both.