Why isn't Soccer popular in America?

[pinupglam01]

Actually, I think the assertion in this thread is a bit off base. FIFA has just announced that of all the tickets sold for the World Cup, the U.S. is second only to South Africa:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-world-cup-usa-fans-20100622,0,7484911.story

136,500 tickets were sold in the U.S. — more than the number sold in Germany, Italy, France, Mexico and Brazil combined. Certainly a lot of those were because we have fans from all over the world who live here, but the volume of American support cannot be denied. All you had to do was watch the match this morning against Algeria to see that the largest portion of the support was for America.

And speaking as an American who is definitely into and watching the World Cup, I wouldn't characterize it as "not popular". We watch and support our teams on the biggest world stage, without a doubt.

 

[roronoa3000]

And speaking as an American who is definitely into and watching the World Cup, I wouldn't characterize it as "not popular". We watch and support our teams on the biggest world stage, without a doubt.

On a world stage. yes.
Soccer regular season, no.

It is last sport on most peoples minds cause we have more big sports than any other country. 4 huge leagues making billions a year from fans. How much does MLS make? A fraction of NFL annual revenue.

I care so little about soccer normally that I don't even know when soccer season is. I am only interested now cause the U.S is playing the world. If they lose I won't watch another match for another 4 years.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Actually, I think the assertion in this thread is a bit off base. FIFA has just announced that of all the tickets sold for the World Cup, the U.S. is second only to South Africa:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-world-cup-usa-fans-20100622,0,7484911.story

136,500 tickets were sold in the U.S. — more than the number sold in Germany, Italy, France, Mexico and Brazil combined. Certainly a lot of those were because we have fans from all over the world who live here, but the volume of American support cannot be denied. All you had to do was watch the match this morning against Algeria to see that the largest portion of the support was for America.

And speaking as an American who is definitely into and watching the World Cup, I wouldn't characterize it as "not popular". We watch and support our teams on the biggest world stage, without a doubt.

You bring up a good point. Maybe the question should be is soccer gaining in popularity? Here's a good article from the London Times
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/international/article2571269.ece

 

[PlumpRump]

This, too:
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/bradley-punish-the-floppers--fbintl_dw-flopping062510.html

...tired of seeing generally fit, strong players writhe on the field like a wounded duck after a phantom touch, only to have one of their wincing eyes peeking at the referee...

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

This, too:
http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/bradley-punish-the-floppers--fbintl_dw-flopping062510.html

I think that shit is funny as hell when they do that. It's also fun when a player takes a particularly rough fall. Either way, I see NFL players acting whilst lying on the ground as well and then limp off just to return a few plays. Only players I can think that don't really do shit like that are hockey players, but even they will play off a high stick if it is just close to their face.

 

[Straight Shooter]

There is some form of flopping in every sport, albeit not to the extent of soccer players though.

 

[Straight Shooter]

MLS is going to have to bear the brunt of raising soccer's profile in this country. It's nice that every four years Americans get excited about soccer, but they have to realize that we a have a good domestic league that we should pay attention to more. I would hope that the people who jumped on the USA bandwagon and liked what they saw will transfer all that excitement and interest to MLS once the World Cup is over.

 

[Ace Bandage]

MLS is going to have to bear the brunt of raising soccer's profile in this country. It's nice that every four years Americans get excited about soccer, but they have to realize that we a have a good domestic league that we should pay attention to more. I would hope that the people who jumped on the USA bandwagon and liked what they saw will transfer all that excitement and interest to MLS once the World Cup is over.

Okay, first of all, no. The MLS is a joke. It has been from its inception. The disparity in quality of play between the MLS and the EPL, Serie A, or La Liga is equal to the disparity between class A baseball and the MLB. There is no comparison. If the MLS has to be bear the brunt of raising soccer's profile, it's not going to happen. Period.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

^ Not to mention MLS' most (only?) successful franchise is in Canada. That's just sad.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Okay, first of all, no. The MLS is a joke. It has been from its inception. The disparity in quality of play between the MLS and the EPL, Serie A, or La Liga is equal to the disparity between class A baseball and the MLB. There is no comparison. If the MLS has to be bear the brunt of raising soccer's profile, it's not going to happen. Period.

I wouldn't call MLS a joke. Nobody is comparing MLS to some of the top leagues in Europe. You have to remember that some of the best national team players came up through MLS, players such as Donovan, Dempsey, Howard,and Altidore. To raise soccer's profile in this country, MLS will have to fill the void left by the excitement of the World Cup. I believe MLS is up to the challenge but it won't be done overnight. The league is constantly expanding with new franchises and by 2012 they will have added three new franchises. Almost every team is now playing in a soccer-specific stadium and they are very nice stadiums might I add, just look at PPL Park and Red Bull Arena.

With the US now eliminated, I hope that those Americans who jumped on the bandwagon and liked what they saw will give soccer a chance. Today the Sounders and the Union played and I wonder if those people with World Cup buzz sat down and at least caught some of the game?

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

I wouldn't call MLS a joke. Nobody is comparing MLS to some of the top leagues in Europe. You have to remember that some of the best national team players came up through MLS, players such as Donovan, Dempsey, Howard,and Altidore. To raise soccer's profile in this country, MLS will have to fill the void left by the excitement of the World Cup. I believe MLS is up to the challenge but it won't be done overnight. The league is constantly expanding with new franchises and by 2012 they will have added three new franchises. Almost every team is now playing in a soccer-specific stadium and they are very nice stadiums might I add, just look at PPL Park and Red Bull Arena.

With the US now eliminated, I hope that those Americans who jumped on the bandwagon and liked what they saw will give soccer a chance. Today the Sounders and the Union played and I wonder if those people with World Cup buzz sat down and at least caught some of the game?

It's not gonna happen Ice. I get fired up for bobsled every four years because its nation against nation I couldn't care less any other time. Same for soccer. It was OK while it lasted but now its over as far as I'm concerned. To be honest I don't think our team was even that good. 5 goals in 4 games? Eh :dunno:

 

[Darksquid]

f*ck you, that's why.

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

That's why.

 

[Bearded_Menace]

As I said before, Soccer players are such fucking babies. They get tripped up by a blade of grass and expect the ref to give them penalty kicks based on how well they paid attention in drama class. Basketball players have been officially moved up a notch on my shit list after many years of hatred and loathing for the amount of crying they do. Shame on you futbol!

 

[Straight Shooter]

As I said before, Soccer players are such fucking babies. They get tripped up by a blade of grass and expect the ref to give them penalty kicks based on how well they paid attention in drama class. Basketball players have been officially moved up a notch on my shit list after many years of hatred and loathing for the amount of crying they do. Shame on you futbol!

Not all soccer players do that. Just because you see a highlight once in a while on Sportscenter that shows a player flopping doesn't mean that every soccer player flops.

 

[roronoa3000]

 

[Nokternal]

^^ HAHA ouch my heart!

 

[Bearded_Menace]

Not all soccer players do that. Just because you see a highlight once in a while on Sportscenter that shows a player flopping doesn't mean that every soccer player flops.

Every once in a while? Try every 10 minutes. The shit looks pretty rampant to me. Next you are gonna tell me that the Brits are the most well behaved and understanding soccer fans on the face of the Earth.

 

[Hoodoo]

Not all soccer players do that. Just because you see a highlight once in a while on Sportscenter that shows a player flopping doesn't mean that every soccer player flops.

dude come on...yeah we know not every soccer player flops and dives...but it sure happens alot more then what you are inferring. And sadly that is one of hte reasons why it turns a lot of Americans off and call it a pansy sport...when these types of things happen it doesn't make for good face to bring in new fans

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I get to watch the Toronto/Houston MLS match on ESPN and all you pussies can eat a dick. :thefinger