I just hope this helps make soccer more popular over here. I don't even play the game but damn is it fun to watch. I was at a pub in Italy when they were playing NZ and when they scored, the city erupted. Too bad I have to leave the US to experience something that awesome.
Unfortunately, since the US didn't advance very far, the temperature of "soccer fever" will probably return to normal pretty quickly. Had the US made it to the final four or something like that, it would have been a real boost, but I think the interest will die down very quickly just like before.
I enjoyed playing soccer through High School but never really got into watching professional ball, after watching this World Cup I can honestly say that I can't seriously enjoy watching because of the officiating, Fifa takes a beautiful sport and combines it with horrible refs and it just seems unfair.
I am really sick and tired of people down playing the US teams accomplishments in the world cup. Making it past group play is not small accomplishment. Over 200 teams try to make it to group play. Being a regular in the world cup is an accomplishment.
The US is a strong team. Maybe not the strongest and we may not have played our best against Ghana but we play good and we don't take dives when no one touches us and get carried off on a stretcher. The moment the US loses everyone jumps on the "USA sucks at football and they always will, why do they bother" band wagon faster than the people who jump on the "USA is finally interested in Soccer" band wagon. And don't call it 2 ties and a in in group play. It was two wins and a tie. That was a blown call by the Ref. We won the damn group with good teams in our group. Its not like we had to go up against the lack luster French.
US is a good team and anyone that says otherwise can blow it out their ass.
Do the Italians Suck? cause they call it Calcio instead of Football. How about all of Africa, cause they call it Soccer. The final game of the World Cup in 2010 is going to be played in Soccer City Stadium.
I don't care what its called. I love watching the game played and the US team played it well.
I love the myth that everybody in the US hates soccer. And it seems to be based on a comparison between soccer and sports that are more popular here. Sure, in the US soccer is a niche sport. But you have to put that into perspective. 14 million Americans watched the US-Ghana match. If every person in Portugal watches Portugal-Spain this week, that would be 11 million people. The US has a large population and even a niche sport here can have an enormous fanbase.
But this is the world cup. That's like saying swimming is a big sport in the US because a lot of people watch Michael Phelps.
I believe the lack of money in football compared to the big three (NFL, MLB, NBA) show the lack of popularity. Many teams still don't even have their own stadiums.
Soccer is growing in the US, the MLS has done a great job of expanding, and they found themselves a few cities that have been able to spark a large following. We're up to, what, 9 Soccer-Specific pro-stadiums in the US? Union just moved into PPL Park. Timbers will be in PGE Park next year. Soccer is gaining in the US as far as popularity, which is pretty obvious: Kids from the 80's-90's that played soccer and were the cause of the phrase "Soccer Mom" are now adults, who want to consume alcoholic beverages and go deaf and horse at a soccer match. Soccer will continue to grow in the US, because it's sort of the perfect game for the consumer: Approximately 2 hours in length total making it perfect for weekdays, very rowdy and loud, and if you're watching it on TV, very little commercial interruption. Baseball turnouts for weekdays tend to be high at the start of the game but people end up leaving because the game takes forever and people need to get sleep to go to work the next day. Soccer, there's still plenty of time to party after the game. I find American Football boring to watch, less than a minute of activity, 3 minutes of commercials.
The US National Teams have a lot of work to do in order to become world-class, but at least the support for that is growing in the US.
USA is pretty much the best at everything else. Can't the rest of the world have soccer? Also, I'm no soccer/football junkie but seems to me if there was more scoring, the game would be bearable. Maybe shortening the field would increase the energy instead of having 1-1 ties...
I think it's only a matter of time before Soccer is an international power in the world of soccer.
Due to the large population of the USA, it has a vast pool of players to pull from. Inevitably there will be enough naturally skilled players to field a solid team. Plus with the MLS rising in popularity, it gives young players something to strive and push for. A strong professional league is essential for really being competitive on the world stage. As the MLS grows, it'll provide and even stronger pool of players to pull together a team from. Plus the US loves their sports, and has the money to back them well.
in 2002 the USA made it to the Quarter-Finals, and now they made it once more to the round of 16, they've shown that they deserve to be there.
As a Canadian, I hope one day we can be respected in the international Soccer community, but it'll be a lot longer that it takes the USA to get there
This article seemed to be full of unwarranted attacks on the USA team/coach. We had an easier draw than some for the group phase, but we still did very well on the world setting. I think we could have gone farther if we tried harder earlier into our games, but when we were full on we were very dangerous.
I was happy with the USAs performance but very unhappy with the refereeing in this tournament (germany v serbia was ridiculous with an insane amount of yellow cards and a crazy red). A yellow card is not for minor first time offenses and an instant red card(ie no previous yellow) for an accident? I'd like to see some of these referees banned from the profession on the international level. The terrible offsides and handball refereeing both stole and gave away goals all throughout this tournament.
It's a glaring and obvious reason why soccer will NEVER work in the US, its a game played in two halve a of 45mins, that mean advertising wise you have the start, middle and end.
Comapre that with a us football game, im i right in thinking that in some plays they have actually paused play for advertising?
I can think of one popular US sport that does not have a break in play just when it gets going.
It's okay, we'll make up for it with constant on-field advertising. Like logos on the grass or announcer name dropping or maybe commercials playing in the corner. We'll be able to change soccer from the "beautiful game" of the world to a capitalist utopia of colors and ads. Glorious!
It is sad to see that the people jumping on generalizations respond with more generalizations.
The world does not think that you suck at football. You did a swell job. You got to the last 16 well done. Realistically, that is pretty much on par with what can be reasonably expected, if not more than expected.
The world could care less whether football is popular in the US. Sure, the more the merrier, if not, nobody cares. You have your own sports that you enjoy more, nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think the world secretly enjoys having something not dominated by the US, commercially or otherwise.
Football is not a sissy game. Do you know why players dive so much? Because due to the lack of video reviews it is something that gives you or can give you a competitive advantage. It is cheap and everybody hates this, but it is just players exploiting their possibilities to win. I also want to state that in those cases where a player really is touched, it hurts a lot more compared to how it looks. The bottom of a football shoe is extremely painful to feel, especially on your legs. The slightest touch at full speed can have you screaming for mercy. It is no wonder that many veteran attack players suffer from major problems with walking after their football career. Let's not begin at the enormous stamina that is required for 2 x 45 mins of game play.
The bad officiating I absolutely agree with. This should end now. Unfortunately, the FIFA is extremely conventional, so what are we to do?
Anyway, my original point was that all the so-called criticism on the US (for not being successfull enough or for not liking football period) hardly exists other than a few who post it here. The rest does not care and very much wants you to succeed.
bnyoung11Jun 27, 2010
I just hope this helps make soccer more popular over here. I don't even play the game but damn is it fun to watch. I was at a pub in Italy when they were playing NZ and when they scored, the city erupted. Too bad I have to leave the US to experience something that awesome.
lordmikeJun 27, 2010
Unfortunately, since the US didn't advance very far, the temperature of "soccer fever" will probably return to normal pretty quickly. Had the US made it to the final four or something like that, it would have been a real boost, but I think the interest will die down very quickly just like before.
Better luck next time.
portnoyJun 28, 2010
Thank God, maybe it will simply die out here. There are way too many sports here now, no need for more.
thebawJun 27, 2010
Hi,
It's pronounced football.
Bye
kingbpdJun 27, 2010
I enjoyed playing soccer through High School but never really got into watching professional ball, after watching this World Cup I can honestly say that I can't seriously enjoy watching because of the officiating, Fifa takes a beautiful sport and combines it with horrible refs and it just seems unfair.
sputnikvJun 27, 2010
if by world you mean 32 countries...
Closed AccountJun 27, 2010
I am really sick and tired of people down playing the US teams accomplishments in the world cup. Making it past group play is not small accomplishment. Over 200 teams try to make it to group play. Being a regular in the world cup is an accomplishment.
The US is a strong team. Maybe not the strongest and we may not have played our best against Ghana but we play good and we don't take dives when no one touches us and get carried off on a stretcher. The moment the US loses everyone jumps on the "USA sucks at football and they always will, why do they bother" band wagon faster than the people who jump on the "USA is finally interested in Soccer" band wagon. And don't call it 2 ties and a in in group play. It was two wins and a tie. That was a blown call by the Ref. We won the damn group with good teams in our group. Its not like we had to go up against the lack luster French.
US is a good team and anyone that says otherwise can blow it out their ass.
syn3rgyzJun 28, 2010
USA sucks in my book until they stop calling football soccer
Closed AccountJun 28, 2010
The British were calling Soccer before they were calling it Football, by about 2 decades
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/06/the-origin-of-the-word-soccer/
Do the Italians Suck? cause they call it Calcio instead of Football. How about all of Africa, cause they call it Soccer. The final game of the World Cup in 2010 is going to be played in Soccer City Stadium.
I don't care what its called. I love watching the game played and the US team played it well.
Also: BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS.
ricker2005Jun 27, 2010
I love the myth that everybody in the US hates soccer. And it seems to be based on a comparison between soccer and sports that are more popular here. Sure, in the US soccer is a niche sport. But you have to put that into perspective. 14 million Americans watched the US-Ghana match. If every person in Portugal watches Portugal-Spain this week, that would be 11 million people. The US has a large population and even a niche sport here can have an enormous fanbase.
getmillsJun 28, 2010
But this is the world cup. That's like saying swimming is a big sport in the US because a lot of people watch Michael Phelps.
I believe the lack of money in football compared to the big three (NFL, MLB, NBA) show the lack of popularity. Many teams still don't even have their own stadiums.
gusterbearJun 27, 2010
Soccer is growing in the US, the MLS has done a great job of expanding, and they found themselves a few cities that have been able to spark a large following. We're up to, what, 9 Soccer-Specific pro-stadiums in the US? Union just moved into PPL Park. Timbers will be in PGE Park next year. Soccer is gaining in the US as far as popularity, which is pretty obvious: Kids from the 80's-90's that played soccer and were the cause of the phrase "Soccer Mom" are now adults, who want to consume alcoholic beverages and go deaf and horse at a soccer match. Soccer will continue to grow in the US, because it's sort of the perfect game for the consumer: Approximately 2 hours in length total making it perfect for weekdays, very rowdy and loud, and if you're watching it on TV, very little commercial interruption. Baseball turnouts for weekdays tend to be high at the start of the game but people end up leaving because the game takes forever and people need to get sleep to go to work the next day. Soccer, there's still plenty of time to party after the game. I find American Football boring to watch, less than a minute of activity, 3 minutes of commercials.
The US National Teams have a lot of work to do in order to become world-class, but at least the support for that is growing in the US.
jamponymesengerJun 28, 2010
USA is pretty much the best at everything else. Can't the rest of the world have soccer? Also, I'm no soccer/football junkie but seems to me if there was more scoring, the game would be bearable. Maybe shortening the field would increase the energy instead of having 1-1 ties...
xtortion08Jun 28, 2010
That's why we get beat in the WBC then huh?
hyperionhkJun 28, 2010
I think it's only a matter of time before Soccer is an international power in the world of soccer.
Due to the large population of the USA, it has a vast pool of players to pull from. Inevitably there will be enough naturally skilled players to field a solid team. Plus with the MLS rising in popularity, it gives young players something to strive and push for. A strong professional league is essential for really being competitive on the world stage. As the MLS grows, it'll provide and even stronger pool of players to pull together a team from. Plus the US loves their sports, and has the money to back them well.
in 2002 the USA made it to the Quarter-Finals, and now they made it once more to the round of 16, they've shown that they deserve to be there.
As a Canadian, I hope one day we can be respected in the international Soccer community, but it'll be a lot longer that it takes the USA to get there
halsfieldJun 28, 2010
This article seemed to be full of unwarranted attacks on the USA team/coach. We had an easier draw than some for the group phase, but we still did very well on the world setting. I think we could have gone farther if we tried harder earlier into our games, but when we were full on we were very dangerous.
I was happy with the USAs performance but very unhappy with the refereeing in this tournament (germany v serbia was ridiculous with an insane amount of yellow cards and a crazy red). A yellow card is not for minor first time offenses and an instant red card(ie no previous yellow) for an accident? I'd like to see some of these referees banned from the profession on the international level. The terrible offsides and handball refereeing both stole and gave away goals all throughout this tournament.
westeastJun 28, 2010
It's a glaring and obvious reason why soccer will NEVER work in the US, its a game played in two halve a of 45mins, that mean advertising wise you have the start, middle and end.
Comapre that with a us football game, im i right in thinking that in some plays they have actually paused play for advertising?
I can think of one popular US sport that does not have a break in play just when it gets going.
commonwealthJun 28, 2010
It's okay, we'll make up for it with constant on-field advertising. Like logos on the grass or announcer name dropping or maybe commercials playing in the corner. We'll be able to change soccer from the "beautiful game" of the world to a capitalist utopia of colors and ads. Glorious!
fledderJun 28, 2010
It is sad to see that the people jumping on generalizations respond with more generalizations.
The world does not think that you suck at football. You did a swell job. You got to the last 16 well done. Realistically, that is pretty much on par with what can be reasonably expected, if not more than expected.
The world could care less whether football is popular in the US. Sure, the more the merrier, if not, nobody cares. You have your own sports that you enjoy more, nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think the world secretly enjoys having something not dominated by the US, commercially or otherwise.
Football is not a sissy game. Do you know why players dive so much? Because due to the lack of video reviews it is something that gives you or can give you a competitive advantage. It is cheap and everybody hates this, but it is just players exploiting their possibilities to win. I also want to state that in those cases where a player really is touched, it hurts a lot more compared to how it looks. The bottom of a football shoe is extremely painful to feel, especially on your legs. The slightest touch at full speed can have you screaming for mercy. It is no wonder that many veteran attack players suffer from major problems with walking after their football career. Let's not begin at the enormous stamina that is required for 2 x 45 mins of game play.
The bad officiating I absolutely agree with. This should end now. Unfortunately, the FIFA is extremely conventional, so what are we to do?
Anyway, my original point was that all the so-called criticism on the US (for not being successfull enough or for not liking football period) hardly exists other than a few who post it here. The rest does not care and very much wants you to succeed.
alberttogoalJun 28, 2010
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