Soccer haters in the USA..it's here to stay.

[sozopol]

this article about Sepp Blatter's re-election has been on the front page of the Times all day

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[ShadeTree#55]

Nah, we'll just trust your judgment and the 3 other huge soccer fans on this thread that believe every bit of positive PR about soccer.

Facts like Beckham making 40 million dollars while based in the USA have no place in juncs world.

[MBGreen]

Facts like Beckham making 40 million dollars while based in the USA have no place in juncs world.
Beckham was already a household name worldwide before he crossed the pond.


The fact that he made 40 million dollars while living on American soil has no bearing on soccer's popularity in the USA.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc says he wasn't known at all in this country. Are you saying that the average American knows world soccer stars which would be a recent a development since the folding of the NASL, implying growth?

[Johnny English]

Beckham was already a household name worldwide before he crossed the pond.


The fact that he made 40 million dollars while living on American soil has no bearing on soccer's popularity in the USA.

He made quite a chunk of it from the US, but I do accept the point that he's something of an anomaly. If Shaquille had gone to play for Milton Keynes Lions five years ago there would have been a huge amount of noise about it and they'd have sold some shirts, but I would guess that it would have had a negligible long term effect on the number of people watching basketball in the UK.

[nyjunc]

junc says he wasn't known at all in this country. Are you saying that the average American knows world soccer stars which would be a recent a development since the folding of the NASL, implying growth?

He's not known more than his wife, I never said he wasn't known at all. You guys keep making up your lines that you think I said.

Soccer has grown w/o a doubt just not as much as you think.

[ShadeTree#55]

He is way more famous then his wife, always was. In this country, in England, everywhere.

[nyjunc]

He is way more famous then his wife, always was. In this country, in England, everywhere.

Not in the US but everywhere else.

[Italian Seafood]

Not in the US but everywhere else.

He's more famous than Posh Spice, come on. Soccer aside, who would even remember Posh Spice otherwise, or that there even were the Spice Girls?

NOTE: Your answer might say a lot about you. :grin:

[FirstTimeCaller]

Only in Juncs world can you go from saying Beckham is more famous in America then the best current players in the game (Messi and Rooney) and comparing his notoriety to the all time most recognizable face in the history of sports, Pele.... to the next day saying nobody knows him despite his fame and fortune.

He made quite a chunk of it from the US, but I do accept the point that he's something of an anomaly. If Shaquille had gone to play for Milton Keynes Lions five years ago there would have been a huge amount of noise about it and they'd have sold some shirts, but I would guess that it would have had a negligible long term effect on the number of people watching basketball in the UK.

The comments about Beckham were not about his notoriety driving growth (although it very well could) they were about his notoriety in the US being an indicator of growth.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Not in the US but everywhere else.

Not in Juncs pink unicorn themed bedroom... in that chamber, spice girls rule all! Zigazig ha!

[TommyGreen]

this article about Sepp Blatter's re-election has been on the front page of the Times all day

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So what? There's also an article about the German E Coli outbreak. The NY Times is more of an international newspaper than just a local/national one. Also, the story affects the U.S since we're in the lead to host in 2022 if Qatar gets the boot.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Also, the story affects the U.S since we're in the lead to host in 2022 if Qatar gets the boot.

That could very well be the point of posting it... I mean the topic of the thread is Soccer in the US, not Juncs psychosis (depsite his trolling).

[nyjunc]

He's more famous than Posh Spice, come on. Soccer aside, who would even remember Posh Spice otherwise, or that there even were the Spice Girls?

NOTE: Your answer might say a lot about you. :grin:

That's how much we think of soccer, some flash in the pan band is more famous.

Only in Juncs world can you go from saying Beckham is more famous in America then the best current players in the game (Messi and Rooney) and comparing his notoriety to the all time most recognizable face in the history of sports, Pele.... to the next day saying nobody knows him despite his fame and fortune.



The comments about Beckham were not about his notoriety driving growth (although it very well could) they were about his notoriety in the US being an indicator of growth.

reading really isn't your friend. You guys like to make up alot of stuff that you interpret I say, I guess that helps your weak arguments?

David Beckham could walk down most streets in thsi Country w/o being noticed. Outside of LA where paparazzi would be following him(b/c of his wife).

[Green Hurricane]

I don't see why the soccer fans in this thread are so passionate about claiming how their sports is on some meteoric rise. It's not. It's a niche sport, and it will always be a niche sport. That article posted a few pages ago is a perfect example of this, there are a good number of passionate soccer fans in this country, but there have always been. The key is that that number is so incredibly dwarfed by the other major sports that its relegated to 2nd (3rd?) class status.

Without the pull of a local brand or the promotion/entertainment oriented draw like boxing/MMA it will always be where it is now. Has the internet made it a lot easier to be fans of the game? Sure, but it's done the same for ALL of the other sports too.

And Junc's right about Beckham, he gained his first notoriety as a great soccer player, but the whole tabloid thing made him a celebrity. People might not recognize him all over the country, but the comparison of recognizing him over Messi, Rooney, or any of the other guys listed among the sports best over the past few years isn't close. The only guy who can touch him is probably C Ronaldo because he has a bit of the same tabloid draw (dating models and such). I don't know why you soccer guys are ripping that opinion, because it's the same reason that housewives (as one of you said) would recognize Tom Brady and Big Ben a lot more than Drew Brees or Phillip Rivers.

[ShadeTree#55]

That's how much we think of soccer, some flash in the pan band is more famous.



reading really isn't your friend. You guys like to make up alot of stuff that you interpret I say, I guess that helps your weak arguments?

David Beckham could walk down most streets in thsi Country w/o being noticed. Outside of LA where paparazzi would be following him(b/c of his wife).

Selling 70 million or so records is a flash in the pan?

Beckham has been on the cover of every supermarket tabloid countless times, he has national TV spots. You are nuts.

[nyjunc]

Selling 70 million or so records is a flash in the pan?

Beckham has been on the cover of every supermarket tabloid countless times, he has national TV spots. You are nuts.

He has been on those tabloids why/ BECAUSE OF HIS WIFE!

[ShadeTree#55]

Because he is an international superstar.

[nyjunc]

Because he is an international superstar.

so why aren't Messi and Rooney all over the tabloids in the US?

[ShadeTree#55]

Cristiano Ronaldo is.

junc is like a veal. Get out of your box.

[nyjunc]

Cristiano Ronaldo is.

junc is like a veal. Get out of your box.

Always deflecting. Weren't the 2 guys you brought up named messie and rooney? What does Ronaldo have to do w/ this?

Do you have a subscription to the Nat'l Enquirer?

[ShadeTree#55]

I was talking about Ronaldo and Beckham the 2 highest paid and most recognizable athletes on the planet. That everyday Americans are familiar with due to there international celebrity status.

In the marketing dept, Rooney and Messi and getting there, but one is a bald goon and the other looks like a hobbit. So housewives aren't creaming themselves over them. But they are on sports center all the time for there skill.

[Italian Seafood]

He has been on those tabloids why/ BECAUSE OF HIS WIFE!

That's how much we think of soccer, some flash in the pan band is more famous.



reading really isn't your friend. You guys like to make up alot of stuff that you interpret I say, I guess that helps your weak arguments?

David Beckham could walk down most streets in thsi Country w/o being noticed. Outside of LA where paparazzi would be following him(b/c of his wife).

Again I have to disagree. He's married to Posh Spice, not Madonna. If she hadn't married him should would be long forgotten, maybe sharing a pipe with Courtney Love, but certainly not in the tabloids.

[guinness77]

HOLY SHIT!!!

For the love of all that's good and (somewhat) decent:
Put a fucking pin in this thread. Please.

[Italian Seafood]

HOLY SHIT!!!

For the love of all that's good and (somewhat) decent:
Put a fucking pin in this thread. Please.

Hey man, you're knocking it out in that death pool. Shit. Glad you don't have me on there.

[guinness77]

Hey man, you're knocking it out in that death pool. Shit. Glad you don't have me on there.

ahahahah...like I said in that thread: Wilford Brimley better watch his fuckin' back. The diabeeetus don't fuck around, doesn't care what your name is....

[nyjunc]

I was talking about Ronaldo and Beckham the 2 highest paid and most recognizable athletes on the planet. That everyday Americans are familiar with due to there international celebrity status.

In the marketing dept, Rooney and Messi and getting there, but one is a bald goon and the other looks like a hobbit. So housewives aren't creaming themselves over them. But they are on sports center all the time for there skill.

Most recognizable around the globe, not in the US.

[ShadeTree#55]

Bullshit....That would go for Roger Ferder, Rafa Nadal and Manny Pacquiao too?

[MBGreen]

why don't you guys just agree to disagree already.

[MadBacker Prime]

This soccer thing has been going on for months now.

Who gives a shit?

It seems you either hate it or love it, end of argument.

[nyjunc]

why don't you guys just agree to disagree already.

What fun is that? Why does everyone take everything so seriously? Sure we may have killed this thread to death but what else are we going to talk about now w/ the labor mess? Let's just have fun.

[MBGreen]

What fun is that? Why does everyone take everything so seriously? Sure we may have killed this thread to death but what else are we going to talk about now w/ the labor mess? Let's just have fun.
there's nothing fun about soccer, junc. :wink:

[nyjunc]

there's nothing fun about soccer, junc. :wink:

Good point.:jets:

[Italian Seafood]

You can close this thread, junc will just move on to arguing about college hoops, Brady vs Manning, whatever, it doesn't matter. Like he said, what the hell else do we have to do these days?

Personally I think Kellen Clemens never got a fair shot. :grin:

[MadBacker Prime]

there's nothing fun about soccer, junc. :wink:



There was that one time the American butch chick ripped off her shirt.

That was fun for lesbians all over the world.

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[MBGreen]

^ is that a dude?

[tcrock]

This soccer thing has been going on for months now.

Who gives a shit?

It seems you either hate it or love it, end of argument.

that's not the argument, it's the steadfast, jingoistic, blinders on mentality that the sport is not growing as far and national interest in concerned..........so that facts like the domestic league growing, attendance growing, national TV ratings increasing for both domestic and games abroad etc get ignored. That's what pisses me off

loving or hating it is subjective, like music, you can't really argue someone's opinion, unless of course, someone states theirs as fact....which happens a lot in this thread.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc opinion is fact, in his mind. In his little world filled with spice girls posters, where Pele is still the biggest soccer star.

[nyjunc]

junc opinion is fact, in his mind. In his little world filled with spice girls posters, where Pele is still the biggest soccer star.

yes, for some reason messi, Rooney and beckham aren't huge stars to me and most Americans despite all of Shade's favorite supermarket tabloids.

[ShadeTree#55]

40 games are available through American TV providers this weekend.

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[sozopol]

When I dropped my kids off at school this morning, I saw, among the crowds of kids, a Holland jersey, two Brazil jerseys, and a US jersey. And I don't remember seeing any other sports jerseys. This was just a two-minute pass through, though.

[wildthing2022000]

First thing I saw on ratings
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Fans of Manchester United are probably trying to forget the drubbing their team got on Saturday at the hands of Messi & Co, but here is a fresh reminder: The ratings for the UEFA Champions League final, which is like the Super Bowl for European soccer clubs, came in this morning. The game between Manchester United and Barcelona, which Barcelona won 3-1, drew 4.2 million viewers on Fox and Fox Deportes (formerly Fox en Espanol). That was up 91% from last year's final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich and up 86% from the 2009 final, which also featured Manchester United and Barcelona. U.S. viewership of the UEFA Champions League final has grown exponentially over the past decade. The English-language viewing has gone from 264,000 viewers on ESPN in 2002 to 2.6 million on Fox this year. That, combined with a string of viewership records posted by last year's World Cup, underscores the growing popularity of high-level international soccer in the U.S.

[fenwyr]

First thing I saw on ratings
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Fans of Manchester United are probably trying to forget the drubbing their team got on Saturday at the hands of Messi & Co, but here is a fresh reminder: The ratings for the UEFA Champions League final, which is like the Super Bowl for European soccer clubs, came in this morning. The game between Manchester United and Barcelona, which Barcelona won 3-1, drew 4.2 million viewers on Fox and Fox Deportes (formerly Fox en Espanol). That was up 91% from last year's final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich and up 86% from the 2009 final, which also featured Manchester United and Barcelona. U.S. viewership of the UEFA Champions League final has grown exponentially over the past decade. The English-language viewing has gone from 264,000 viewers on ESPN in 2002 to 2.6 million on Fox this year. That, combined with a string of viewership records posted by last year's World Cup, underscores the growing popularity of high-level international soccer in the U.S.

I'm sure that has nothing to do with our shifting demographic over the past decade...

[deathstar]

Grown exponentially....

"The U.S. Hispanic population is projected to grow exponentially to over 100 million people by 2050, which will be approximately one quarter of the total U.S. population."

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Thats alot of Hispanics in America...holy shit!

[sozopol]

I'm sure that has nothing to do with our shifting demographic over the past decade...

yeah, all these damn swarthy foreigners and their soccer


The English-language viewing has gone from 264,000 viewers on ESPN in 2002 to 2.6 million on Fox this year.

er... oh

[FirstTimeCaller]

David Beckham could walk down most streets in thsi Country w/o being noticed. Outside of LA where paparazzi would be following him(b/c of his wife).

Yeah but so could 98% of America's pro-athletes. There's only a handful that reach the status you're talking about.

I don't see why the soccer fans in this thread are so passionate about claiming how their sports is on some meteoric rise. It's not. It's a niche sport, and it will always be a niche sport. That article posted a few pages ago is a perfect example of this, there are a good number of passionate soccer fans in this country, but there have always been. The key is that that number is so incredibly dwarfed by the other major sports that its relegated to 2nd (3rd?) class status.

I don't think anybody in this thread disagrees with any of that. There's nobody claiming growth is meteoric and it will eclipse the big 3. I think the point is sustained consistent growth. While the passion of the debate might be extreme at times the general message is really rather moderate. Soccer is growing in the US. It's a pretty vanila statement really... The MLS is growing as a league, MLS attendance growing, the itnernational team is gaining popularity and selling more tickets then ever, the TV coverage is growing for both the MLS and international leagues... I mean these are all facts.



Always deflecting. Weren't the 2 guys you brought up named messie and rooney? What does Ronaldo have to do w/ this?

Actually it was me who brought up Rooney and Messi, but I never claimed they were as well know as Beckham and Pele... that's a ridiculous comparisson that you made up. Both Messi and Rooney are far younger and less successful in the game then Beckham and Pele. Messi is only 23 years old! Neither have made dramatic moves to the US league as both Pele and Beckham have. And neither live the rockstar lifestyle that Pele and Beckham do so they won't get the housewives fame (for lack of a better term). And to be fair (as raised before)... one looks like shrek and the other like a hobit.. not as marketable as Renaldo or Beckham.

My point was that Messi and Rooney are rocognized in the American sports world now. The coverage this past weekend was focused on them, as was most of the World Cup coverage. They both have major sponsorships with Adidas or Nike so they're in America media. Perhaps a guy who knows nothing about the sport, the teams, or the men themselves walks right by that and doesn't notice it... but it's there. There will be more of it too this summer when Barca and Man United both tour the US and play each other in front of a sold out crowd at RFK July 30th.

[guinness77]

junc....I can't believe I'm even getting involved in this ridiculous discussion...Posh Spice is getting followed by the paparazzi because she IS married to Beckham. In case you've missed it, there's a new Pepsi commercial where the big-titted Spanish broad from Modern Family gets everybody to leave the beach because, "she saw David Beckham at the pier," not because Posh Spice was there. How come the other 4 "Spices" have fallen off a cliff in this country, whereas Victoria Beckham is still a household name? It may be because women think the guy is hot, but that really doesn't matter, he does kick a soccer ball for a living.
In synopsis...nobody gives a shit about Victoria Beckham because she was Posh Spice, people still care because her last name is Beckham.

FTR: I actually agree with you, mostly. Soccer aka football, will never be a top 4 sport in this country. While I love the football overseas, the MLS really does not a whole lot for me. When Tottenham played the Red Bulls last year in an exhibition, I was rooting Spurs all the way. Football has definitely made some inroads, but the sport isn't "exciting" enough for mainstream Americans. And by mainstream, I mean instant gratification, Old Navy shopping, Michelob Ultra drinking, watching a four-hour baseball game mass of simpletons. I love the game, as do the passionate soccer fans that post on this site, and in the country. I really could give a fuck about the sport's popularity. I enjoy it, that's all that matters to me.

[nyjunc]

junc....I can't believe I'm even getting involved in this ridiculous discussion...Posh Spice is getting followed by the paparazzi because she IS married to Beckham. In case you've missed it, there's a new Pepsi commercial where the big-titted Spanish broad from Modern Family gets everybody to leave the beach because, "she saw David Beckham at the pier," not because Posh Spice was there. How come the other 4 "Spices" have fallen off a cliff in this country, whereas Victoria Beckham is still a household name? It may be because women think the guy is hot, but that really doesn't matter, he does kick a soccer ball for a living.
In synopsis...nobody gives a shit about Victoria Beckham because she was Posh Spice, people still care because her last name is Beckham.

FTR: I actually agree with you, mostly. Soccer aka football, will never be a top 4 sport in this country. While I love the football overseas, the MLS really does not a whole lot for me. When Tottenham played the Red Bulls last year in an exhibition, I was rooting Spurs all the way. Football has definitely made some inroads, but the sport isn't "exciting" enough for mainstream Americans. And by mainstream, I mean instant gratification, Old Navy shopping, Michelob Ultra drinking, watching a four-hour baseball game mass of simpletons. I love the game, as do the passionate soccer fans that post on this site, and in the country. I really could give a fuck about the sport's popularity. I enjoy it, that's all that matters to me.

You guys keep pointing to this commercial as if it somehow validates your opinions. A million people get commercials, Posh has a ton. The paparazzi may follow Posh b/c of Beckham everywhere else but not here. here he is Mr. Posh Spice.

Posh was the only good looking spice girl and was only famous for being good looking.

That is all that should matter to all of you guys- who cares if a nitwit like me likes it or not? I have fun goofing around w/ all this stuff but if it does ever become a major sport here it won't bother me. We all have our likes and dislikes and we all have our opinions.

[Johnny English]

I think that what has become clear from this whole discussion is that Junc is a big fan of the Spice Girls.

[guinness77]

I don't think anybody in this thread disagrees with any of that. There's nobody claiming growth is meteoric and it will eclipse the big 3. I think the point is sustained consistent growth. While the passion of the debate might be extreme at times the general message is really rather moderate. Soccer is growing in the US. It's a pretty vanila statement really... The MLS is growing as a league, MLS attendance growing, the itnernational team is gaining popularity and selling more tickets then ever, the TV coverage is growing for both the MLS and international leagues... I mean these are all facts.

This is actually pretty much, nail hitting the head. In terms of fans, soccer aka football is still a niche sport, but more people follow it now than I've ever seen in my 34 years alive.

[guinness77]

You guys keep pointing to this commercial as if it somehow validates your opinions. A million people get commercials, Posh has a ton. The paparazzi may follow Posh b/c of Beckham everywhere else but not here. here he is Mr. Posh Spice.

Man, you really are stubborn. *ahem* who gives a shit about Posh Spice, other than you? A thousand girls are running off the beach because they want to fuck him, not because he's married to some one-hit wonder, who, despite your dick screaming at you, ain't that hot. At all.
She's in no commericals, failed as a fashionista, and hasn't released a pop single in a decade. See that, I bolded it so you can't miss it.
I even threw you a bone, mostly agreeing with you, but Jesus, on this point you're wrong to the point of being delusional.

[MBGreen]

You guys keep pointing to this commercial as if it somehow validates your opinions. A million people get commercials, Posh has a ton. The paparazzi may follow Posh b/c of Beckham everywhere else but not here. here he is Mr. Posh Spice.

Posh was the only good looking spice girl and was only famous for being good looking.

That is all that should matter to all of you guys- who cares if a nitwit like me likes it or not? I have fun goofing around w/ all this stuff but if it does ever become a major sport here it won't bother me. We all have our likes and dislikes and we all have our opinions.

Posh Spice looks like a plastic cyborg.

[guinness77]

I think that what has become clear from this whole discussion is that Junc is a big fan of the Spice Girls.
hahahahaha...no just one....
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I heard she likes to watch, Jabba...uh, I mean Junc.

[guinness77]

That is all that should matter to all of you guys- who cares if a nitwit like me likes it or not? I have fun goofing around w/ all this stuff but if it does ever become a major sport here it won't bother me. We all have our likes and dislikes and we all have our opinions.

Again, FTR, I agree with this statement 100 percent.

[guinness77]

Posh Spice looks like a plastic cyborg.

FWIW, the blonde one always looked as though she'd be a lot of fun.

[guinness77]

The other reason why it won't get that big in this country, and I don't know if this part has been broached by anyone yet, is because a major network can't stick an hour and a half of commercials in between plays like it can in any other sport.

[nyjunc]

Man, you really are stubborn. *ahem* who gives a shit about Posh Spice, other than you? A thousand girls are running off the beach because they want to fuck him, not because he's married to some one-hit wonder, who, despite your dick screaming at you, ain't that hot. At all.
She's in no commericals, failed as a fashionista, and hasn't released a pop single in a decade. See that, I bolded it so you can't miss it.
I even threw you a bone, mostly agreeing with you, but Jesus, on this point you're wrong to the point of being delusional.

I don't care about her but we have a celebrity obsessed culture and others care.

Right now she's not doing anything but she is still mroe known than David Beckham in this Country.

Posh Spice looks like a plastic cyborg.

Compared to those other freaks in the group she stood out and she was known for being the good looking one of the group.

The other reason why it won't get that big in this country, and I don't know if this part has been broached by anyone yet, is because a major network can't stick an hour and a half of commercials in between plays like it can in any other sport.

The constant ads on the screen and on the players jerseys more than makes up for that. I think the fact that commercials are more exciting than the soccer game itself would make people wish there were breaks every few mins:up:

[MBGreen]

Compared to those other freaks in the group she stood out and she was known for being the good looking one of the group.




if she's the best looking one.....that's pretty bad.

[nyjunc]

if she's the best looking one.....that's pretty bad.

She was good looking in her prime. beckham has ruined her.

[MBGreen]

She was good looking in her prime. beckham has ruined her.
I think plastic surgery ruined her.

She's morphed into a vampire bat.


EDIT: Beckham didn't ruin her, junc...he's too busy leading the charge for soccer enthusiasts everywhere. :)

[gustoonarmy]

I don't care about her but we have a celebrity obsessed culture and others care.

Right now she's not doing anything but she is still mroe known than David Beckham in this Country.



Compared to those other freaks in the group she stood out and she was known for being the good looking one of the group.



The constant ads on the screen and on the players jerseys more than makes up for that. I think the fact that commercials are more exciting than the soccer game itself would make people wish there were breaks every few mins:up:

If thats correct, it surprises me.
The Spice Girls were around for a decade or so, whilst David is STILL doing his thang. Sure, Posh has now moved into fashion, and from what I've read seems to be doing well and knows her stuff.
But Becks is a global brand and well known, so for him to play second fiddle to Posh surprises me.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc watches the Spice girl movie every night to fall asleep, so he has pink Spice Girl dreams. In his dream world he is Beckham following around Posh Spice like a lap dog.
A typical exchange:

"Honey I am so glad I married you, who would have known me based on my fame alone?"

[nyjunc]

If thats correct, it surprises me.
The Spice Girls were around for a decade or so, whilst David is STILL doing his thang. Sure, Posh has now moved into fashion, and from what I've read seems to be doing well and knows her stuff.
But Becks is a global brand and well known, so for him to play second fiddle to Posh surprises me.

David is still doing his thing but nobody knows what it is he is doing.

[sozopol]

If thats correct, it surprises me.


Trust me, it is not correct. I really don't know what planet that guy is living on. Or, more likely, he's trolling as I said before.

[nyjunc]

Trust me, it is not correct. I really don't know what planet that guy is living on. Or, more likely, he's trolling as I said before.

It is correct, you guys live in your small world of soccer fans in the US. To you guys he's huge, to normal Aamericans that do not pay attention to soccer he's no big deal.

[Coach K]

Beckham is a nobody in america. is that what this debate is about?


theres plenty of better players at more glamorous scoring positions who should be marketed before him.

he gets girls wet and sells clothes and cologne and is a solid player.

end of story.

soccer is a dope sport but will ALWAYS play second fiddle to football,baseball, and basketball.

at least in the US.

i dont watch until the world cup though. the flopping is beyond irritating though. last cup was great though.

[Jets201]

i dont watch until the world cup though. the flopping is beyond irritating though. last cup was great though.

Doesn't happen in England with the frequency that it does in other European leagues. Much more pure game.

[fenwyr]

Soccer is OK. I don't mind watching when it's on at the bar, as long as it means there isn't a baseball game on. I like that there are no commercials and few stoppages in play. MLS is really sloppy though. You would think they at least practiced corner kicks.

As far as the Spice Girls, I would have lined up to tap ANY of them back in the day, but Posh was the hottest by a long shot.

[FirstTimeCaller]

It is correct, you guys live in your small world of soccer fans in the US. To you guys he's huge, to normal Aamericans that do not pay attention to soccer he's no big deal.

If you don't pay attention to something it's not a big deal. This is some real brilliant stuff right there.

[gustoonarmy]

David is still doing his thing but nobody knows what it is he is doing.

I get that we have no football to talk about, but this playing dumb act is as transparent as your debate.

Trust me, it is not correct. I really don't know what planet that guy is living on. Or, more likely, he's trolling as I said before.

Trolling.

It is correct, you guys live in your small world of soccer fans in the US. To you guys he's huge, to normal Aamericans that do not pay attention to soccer he's no big deal.

Problem I have with that statement, and this isn't an attack on AMERICANS, (learn to spell Junc :wink:) is that the vast majority of AMERICANS don't even hold a passport, and are not really interested in anything outside of the US. And why not, the US is a great country, so for you to say that we live in a small world smacks of pots and kettles.

[nyjunc]

If you don't pay attention to something it's not a big deal. This is some real brilliant stuff right there.

Nah, it's huge b/c your tiny group of soccer fans in this Countyr loves it.

I get that we have no football to talk about, but this playing dumb act is as transparent as your debate.



Trolling.



Problem I have with that statement, and this isn't an attack on AMERICANS, (learn to spell Junc :wink:) is that the vast majority of AMERICANS don't even hold a passport, and are not really interested in anything outside of the US. And why not, the US is a great country, so for you to say that we live in a small world smacks of pots and kettles.

Is anyone talking about beckham or the LA Galaxy? I heard how beckham was going to be the star to make soccer popualr here- he's disappeared.

The US is a Country built on immigrants so i don't buy the excuse that people don't like to travel outside of the US.

I am talking about soccer fans in this Counbtry- that small world of soccer fans. not around the globe where other Countries ahve so little entertainment that they find that sport exciting. This discussion is about soccer in THIS Country.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc since Beckham has arrived:
The league has expanded.
TV ratings have increased.
Attendance is up.
5 soccer specific stadiums have opened with 2 more under construction.

[nyjunc]

junc since Beckham has arrived:
The league has expanded.
TV ratings have increased.
Attendance is up.
5 soccer specific stadiums have opened with 2 more under construction.

awesome and it's still hasn't made a blip on the radar. Again, I acknowledge growth but there hasn't been a amoment to make sports fans in this Country take notice. Even w/ ESPN shqoimg more soccer b/c they got the World Cup.

It's not hard to go from 0 to 1, it's very diffiuclt to go from 0 to 10. They have a long way to go. They are moving at a snails pace right now, it's positive movement which is good but they need to pick up the pace a bit.

[sozopol]

I am talking about soccer fans in this Counbtry- that small world of soccer fans. not around the globe where other Countries ahve so little entertainment that they find that sport exciting. This discussion is about soccer in THIS Country.

you are one bitter, xenophobic dude. Even if you are trolling.

[nyjunc]

you are one bitter, xenophobic dude. Even if you are trolling.

blah, blah blah. Yes I'm trolling, I satrted this asinine thread to show soccer moved from their own 1 yd line to their own 2 yard line.

Bitter? I couldn't care less if soccer becomes popular, I live in reality and the reality is soccer is not popular in this Country. Does that mean there are no fans? of course not, there are plenty of soccer fans but compared w/ other popular sports there aren't many soccer fans. An event like the WC draw people just like the Olympics draw people but outside of every 4th year it struggles like Olympic sports.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Again, I acknowledge growth but there hasn't been a amoment to make sports fans in this Country take notice. Even w/ ESPN shqoimg more soccer b/c they got the World Cup.

You make it so easy to prove your wrong.

To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.

U.S. Men's National Team Wins Best Moment at 2010 ESPY Awards
U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Landon Donovan won three ESPYs this evening, including Best Moment for his extra-time goal against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. with a 1-0 victory and a place in the Round of 16. Donovan also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

CHICAGO (July 14, 2010) – The U.S. Men’s National Team won Best Moment at the ESPY Awards this evening for its 1-0 victory in added time against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. a place in the Round of 16. U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan, who scored the winning goal against Algeria, also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

Donovan accepted the ESPY for Best Moment along with eight of his teammates live on stage at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Joining Donovan on stage were Jozy Altidore, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Edson Buddle, Steve Cherundolo, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber and Stuart Holden.

“The comment I’ve received more than any other is ‘thank you for inspiring us and inspiring our country,’” said Donovan during his acceptance speech. “I believe it takes two to tango and I want to say on behalf of all of us, thank you for allowing us to inspire you guys. You put everything else aside to let us inspire you, so thank you so much.”

Others nominees in the category were the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl championship, figure skater Joannie Rochette's bronze-medal Olympic performance following the death of her mother and Phil Mickelson's win at the Masters.

“That whole tournament was an emotional roller coaster for us, and to have the support of all of America behind us felt amazing after that goal went in,” added Bocanegra, the U.S. MNT captain, in acceptance of the award. “We’d like to thank U.S. Soccer. We’re accepting this award on behalf of the team and our coaching staff. We’d like to really thank John Skipper and ESPN for really believing in soccer in America and the world.”

The ESPY awards are given out annually since 1993 and are determined by fan vote.

[nyjunc]

You make it so easy to prove your wrong.

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U.S. Men's National Team Wins Best Moment at 2010 ESPY Awards
U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Landon Donovan won three ESPYs this evening, including Best Moment for his extra-time goal against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. with a 1-0 victory and a place in the Round of 16. Donovan also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

CHICAGO (July 14, 2010) – The U.S. Men’s National Team won Best Moment at the ESPY Awards this evening for its 1-0 victory in added time against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. a place in the Round of 16. U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan, who scored the winning goal against Algeria, also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

Donovan accepted the ESPY for Best Moment along with eight of his teammates live on stage at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Joining Donovan on stage were Jozy Altidore, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Edson Buddle, Steve Cherundolo, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber and Stuart Holden.

“The comment I’ve received more than any other is ‘thank you for inspiring us and inspiring our country,’” said Donovan during his acceptance speech. “I believe it takes two to tango and I want to say on behalf of all of us, thank you for allowing us to inspire you guys. You put everything else aside to let us inspire you, so thank you so much.”

Others nominees in the category were the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl championship, figure skater Joannie Rochette's bronze-medal Olympic performance following the death of her mother and Phil Mickelson's win at the Masters.

“That whole tournament was an emotional roller coaster for us, and to have the support of all of America behind us felt amazing after that goal went in,” added Bocanegra, the U.S. MNT captain, in acceptance of the award. “We’d like to thank U.S. Soccer. We’re accepting this award on behalf of the team and our coaching staff. We’d like to really thank John Skipper and ESPN for really believing in soccer in America and the world.”

The ESPY awards are given out annually since 1993 and are determined by fan vote.

Oh boy, it's beyond comical now. Yes, the ESPY award proves how soccer has taken hold of the Country:lol: Let's look some of the past winners of the award shall we?

2006 Jason McElwain's 20 points in four minutes
2008 Central Washington University softball players carry rival around the bases
2009 U. S. men's 4x100-meter swimming relay team wins gold medal

Clearly this is an indication of the growth of soccer. They are this close to being relvant, right behind women's softball and men's swimming:lol:

[TommyGreen]

You make it so easy to prove your wrong.

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U.S. Men's National Team Wins Best Moment at 2010 ESPY Awards
U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Landon Donovan won three ESPYs this evening, including Best Moment for his extra-time goal against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. with a 1-0 victory and a place in the Round of 16. Donovan also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

CHICAGO (July 14, 2010) – The U.S. Men’s National Team won Best Moment at the ESPY Awards this evening for its 1-0 victory in added time against Algeria in the team’s final group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that provided the U.S. a place in the Round of 16. U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan, who scored the winning goal against Algeria, also won the Castrol Performance Under Pressure and Best MLS Player awards.

Donovan accepted the ESPY for Best Moment along with eight of his teammates live on stage at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Joining Donovan on stage were Jozy Altidore, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Edson Buddle, Steve Cherundolo, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber and Stuart Holden.

“The comment I’ve received more than any other is ‘thank you for inspiring us and inspiring our country,’” said Donovan during his acceptance speech. “I believe it takes two to tango and I want to say on behalf of all of us, thank you for allowing us to inspire you guys. You put everything else aside to let us inspire you, so thank you so much.”

Others nominees in the category were the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl championship, figure skater Joannie Rochette's bronze-medal Olympic performance following the death of her mother and Phil Mickelson's win at the Masters.

“That whole tournament was an emotional roller coaster for us, and to have the support of all of America behind us felt amazing after that goal went in,” added Bocanegra, the U.S. MNT captain, in acceptance of the award. “We’d like to thank U.S. Soccer. We’re accepting this award on behalf of the team and our coaching staff. We’d like to really thank John Skipper and ESPN for really believing in soccer in America and the world.”

The ESPY awards are given out annually since 1993 and are determined by fan vote.

Oh, come on. I have to agree with Junc here. What exactly does this prove? Yeah, it was an exciting moment, but so was getting into the Second Round in 1994, and I don't think I've ever seen as much soccer hype as there were when we actually hosted the World Cup.

[FirstTimeCaller]

What you specifically said... and I quote

"there hasn't been a amoment to make sports fans in this Country take notice."


You could not possibly be more wrong about that. ESPN, the leading sports media company in the United States, put out an open poll to all American sports fans asking them what was the biggest sports moment of the year in 2010 and they voted that the most significant moment of the year happened in a soccer game. The directly disproves your comment that there has not been a moment to make sports fans in this country take notice.

What makes this so great is that earlier in the thread you were using ESPN coverage as an indicator of what the average American sports fan pays attention to. There could not be a story any more taylor made to shut your mouth... and yet you keep trolling and spinning.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Oh, come on. I have to agree with Junc here. What exactly does this prove?

It proves that he doesn't have a clue what he talking about and that he's simply trolling the thread out of boredom/sadness.

[nyjunc]

What you specifically said... and I quote




You could not possibly be more wrong about that. ESPN, the leading sports media company in the United States, put out an open poll to all American sports fans asking them what was the biggest sports moment of the year in 2010 and they voted that the most significant moment of the year happened in a soccer game. The directly disproves your comment that there has not been a moment to make sports fans in this country take notice.

What makes this so great is that earlier in the thread you were using ESPN coverage as an indicator of what the average American sports fan pays attention to. There could not be a story any more taylor made to shut your mouth... and yet you keep trolling and spinning.

You are reaching very badly. That moment was the national team in the WORLD CUP. Again, the WC, like the Olympics, we pay attention to every 4 years. That was a really cool moment much like Michael Phelps winning all those golds but once the WC is over we forget just like Michael Phelps has disappeared.

Again:

2006 Jason McElwain's 20 points in four minutes
2008 Central Washington University softball players carry rival around the bases
2009 U. S. men's 4x100-meter swimming relay team wins gold medal


ESPN put out a vote and these were the results in prior years. It tells us anything and anyone who trurst espn to put out unbiased info doesn't know espn. ESPN is in bed w/ soccer now b/c of the world cup. That's why they show more MLS games and other soccer games.

When was I useing espn coverage as an indicator? I think I said there was no mention of the game last week, no big pre game hype and not much coverage after the game. That's very different than what you are trying to say that I wrote. Keep spinning those wheels, by the time you are done maybe David beckham will win an espy for his great work in MLS.

[nyjunc]

It proves that he doesn't have a clue what he talking about and that he's simply trolling the thread out of boredom/sadness.

It proves the Central University softball team is cared about as much as soccer in this Country:lol:

[FirstTimeCaller]

You are reaching very badly. That moment was the national team in the WORLD CUP. Again, the WC, like the Olympics, we pay attention to every 4 years. That was a really cool moment much like Michael Phelps winning all those golds but once the WC is over we forget just like Michael Phelps has disappeared.

It's funny how your trying to include a disclaimer on your original comment now because you're incapable of just saying that you messed up. Keep spinning. :breakdance:




Again:

2006 Jason McElwain's 20 points in four minutes
2008 Central Washington University softball players carry rival around the bases
2009 U. S. men's 4x100-meter swimming relay team wins gold medal


ESPN put out a vote and these were the results in prior years. It tells us anything and anyone who trurst espn to put out unbiased info doesn't know espn. ESPN is in bed w/ soccer now b/c of the world cup. That's why they show more MLS games and other soccer games.

ESPN didn't chose the winner, average American sports fans did. How come you only want to list 06, 08, 09... why do you continue to remove 07 and the rest of the list? :breakdance:

[FirstTimeCaller]

It proves the Central University softball team is cared about as much as soccer in this Country:lol:

We're talking about a moment to make sports fans in this Country take notice... you raised the topic, not me.

[nyjunc]

It's funny how your trying to include a disclaimer on your original comment now because you're incapable of just saying that you messed up. Keep spinning. :breakdance:






ESPN didn't chose the winner, average American sports fans did. How come you only want to list 06, 08, 09... why do you continue to remove 07 and the rest of the list? :breakdance:

I wasn't offering a disclaimer, it's obvious to anyone who could read but you interpreted my post to try to strengthen your weak argument.

I understand that, they also chose the swin team the year before and the college softball team before that,...

What does '07 or the other winners have to do w/ anything?

We're talking about a moment to make sports fans in this Country take notice... you raised the topic, not me.

Yep, Americans have taken notice. Soccer is everywhere.

July 4th, 1994 issue of SI
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[ShadeTree#55]

junc since that picture, the domestic league has 11 soccer specific stadiums, a national tv contract. The national team sells 60k+ tickets to exhibition matches. All of which was not happening before 1994.

Hence "growth" you .

[nyjunc]

junc since that picture, the domestic league has 11 soccer specific stadiums, a national tv contract. The national team sells 60k+ tickets to exhibition matches. All of which was not happening before 1994.

Hence "growth" you fucking retard.

That's amazing, the red Bulls are really packing them in to that tiny Stadium they have. They don't even average 20,000 a game.

What Nat'l TV contract? MLS has espn/ABC b/c of the World Cup.

Yes exhibition games were selling out big Stadiums prior to 1994. The Cosmos in the NASL sold out regularly in the 70s as well.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I wasn't offering a disclaimer, it's obvious to anyone who could read but you interpreted my post to try to strengthen your weak argument.

I quoted your post directly and showed you how the average American sport fan voted and proved you wrong.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc your mother must have smoked crack when she was pregnant with you then repeatedly dropped you on your thick head.

You are dumb.

[sozopol]

Hence "growth" you fucking retard.

you made me spit my diet coke right there

I tell you what-- when my fucking Dad--74 yrs old, not really a sports fan--knows about the Barca-Man United final the other day... that's growth for ya.

[Jets201]

Oh, come on. I have to agree with Junc here. What exactly does this prove? Yeah, it was an exciting moment, but so was getting into the Second Round in 1994, and I don't think I've ever seen as much soccer hype as there were when we actually hosted the World Cup.

Sorry, the interest wasn't as high and there definitely weren't scenes like from this video in 94. (and it's not just little kids from the traveling soccer team and their parents) I'm old enough to remember. The last time Americans got behind one of their national teams to this extent was for the hockey team, and that had intense political undercurrents.

jbn3rOPmR9w

[nyjunc]

junc your mother must have smoked crack when she was pregnant with you then repeatedly dropped you on your thick head.

You are dumb.

Now the attacks. It always happens when you have nothing else. It's as sad as the sport you love and the baseball team you love.

[nyjunc]

I quoted your post directly and showed you how the average American sport fan voted and proved you wrong.

This was what you posted:

"You are reaching very badly. That moment was the national team in the WORLD CUP. Again, the WC, like the Olympics, we pay attention to every 4 years. That was a really cool moment much like Michael Phelps winning all those golds but once the WC is over we forget just like Michael Phelps has disappeared."

What does that have to do w/ espn?

[ShadeTree#55]

Now the attacks. It always happens when you have nothing else. It's as sad as the sport you love and the baseball team you love.

Facts don't work.

In the world cup year of 1998 they played a friendly (exhibition) at the Citrus Bowl capacity 70000. They drew 12773.

Same year they played a friendly at RFK capacity 56k+. They drew 20379

Growth. Look it up.

[ShadeTree#55]

I see you lurking, no response for facts? Or shall you retort with more baseless claims as usual?

[ShadeTree#55]

I believe the term for dealing with trolls in such a decisive manner is...

PWNED

[FirstTimeCaller]

This was what you posted:

"You are reaching very badly. That moment was the national team in the WORLD CUP. Again, the WC, like the Olympics, we pay attention to every 4 years. That was a really cool moment much like Michael Phelps winning all those golds but once the WC is over we forget just like Michael Phelps has disappeared."

What does that have to do w/ espn?



I think your just intentionally trying to get off topic now. Clearly the point I was making was around your quote "there hasn't been a amoment to make sports fans in this Country take notice."

After realizing how ridiculous that was you came back with the disclaimer... outside of the national team and the Olympics there hasn't been a moment to make sports fans in this country take notice. When faced with facts your story always changes... you either shift the focus or try to discredit the criteria. I don't give a shit about an ESPY, but when you claim to be the voice of the average American fan, as you do, and then you are so out of touch with what the actual average american fan is thinking... it just proves how far you have your head in the sand.

[nyjunc]

Facts don't work.

In the world cup year of 1998 they played a friendly (exhibition) at the Citrus Bowl capacity 70000. They drew 12773.

Same year they played a friendly at RFK capacity 56k+. They drew 20379

Growth. Look it up.

In the 70s:

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1977 77,691 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1979 76,031 Tulsa Roughnecks at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1978 74,901 New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (Soccer Bowl-78 in N.J.)
1977 73,669 Rochester Lancers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1979 72,342 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos
1978 71,219 Seattle Sounders at New York Cosmos
1980 70,312 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos
1978 65,287 Portland Timbers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1978 62,497 New England Tea Men at New York Cosmos
1977 62,394 Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos

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[ShadeTree#55]

A professional league with a high profile star, huge finical backing and no real plan.

Not an international friendly an "exhibition" as you called it.


And your own link makes you look like a fool. Look at the top games.

GROWTH!!! HAHAHA

2006 92,650 New England Revolution at Chivas USA
1996 92,216 Tampa Bay Mutiny at Los Angeles Galaxy
2005 88,816 Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA
1996 78,416 East vs. West (East Rutherford, N.J.) MSL All-Star game

[nyjunc]

I believe the term for dealing with trolls in such a decisive manner is...

PWNED

:rofl2::rofl2::rofl2::rofl2:

Some day you will learn. This is as easy as "Kaz Matsui is the best SS in NY"

I think your just intentionally trying to get off topic now. Clearly the point I was making was around your quote "there hasn't been a amoment to make sports fans in this Country take notice."

After realizing how ridiculous that was you came back with the disclaimer... outside of the national team and the Olympics there hasn't been a moment to make sports fans in this country take notice. When faced with facts your story always changes... you either shift the focus or try to discredit the criteria. I don't give a shit about an ESPY, but when you claim to be the voice of the average American fan, as you do, and then you are so out of touch with what the actual average american fan is thinking... it just proves how far you have your head in the sand.

You are all over the place you have no idea what you are even arguing.

That was a great moment but the fact that I forgot about it already and it's only been less than a year should tell you all you need to know.

My story never changes, you guys just bring up nonsense. Soccer is big b/c they won an espy, soccer is big b/c they built many new tiny stadiums that they can't fill,... it's nonsense. is ti growing ? YES but at a snails pace.

[ShadeTree#55]

Top 4 attendance records for professional soccer in America occur after 1994 SI cover. FACT

You can't handle facts.

Soccer in the US has learned from the Pele experiment and have taken the lesson and GROWN!!!

[FirstTimeCaller]

That was a great moment but the fact that I forgot about it already and it's only been less than a year should tell you all you need to know.

It did. It told me you have no clue what you're talking about... you're just babbling on and on simply for the sake of getting the last word.

[nyjunc]

A professional league with a high profile star, huge finical backing and no real plan.

Not an international friendly an "exhibition" as you called it.


And your own link makes you look like a fool. Look at the top games.

GROWTH!!! HAHAHA

2006 92,650 New England Revolution at Chivas USA
1996 92,216 Tampa Bay Mutiny at Los Angeles Galaxy
2005 88,816 Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA
1996 78,416 East vs. West (East Rutherford, N.J.) MSL All-Star game

Apparently reading comprehension is as difficult for you as it is for your soccer loving buddy. The point is soccer had high attendance figiues as long ago as the 70s and you are discussing growth. No MLS teams are averaged over 40,000 like the Cosmos did so should we take that as a sign of regression?


As fas as those teams you posted:

Attendance Last week:

chivas 15,000 fans
Galaxy 22,000
in NJ? 18,000

[nyjunc]

Top 4 attendance records for professional soccer in America occur after 1994 SI cover. FACT

You can't handle facts.

Soccer in the US has learned from the Pele experiment and have taken the lesson and GROWN!!!

Weren't they all set at the Coliseum in the '94 WC?

It did. It told me you have no clue what you're talking about... you're just babbling on and on simply for the sake of getting the last word.

It has come to this, huh? You don't even have a clue what you are attacking me about.

[ShadeTree#55]

As I stated but you failed to read they learned from the missteps of the NASL and have grown.

If someone put a team together like the Cosmos of the 70's it sure as hell would sell out any stadium.

But that model was not good for the GROWTH of soccer. It was good for the Cosmos.

[nyjunc]

Although MLS has not reached the heights of the NASL in the '70s, it has found stability among a market made up of Hispanic and Latin American's and Canadians and those who truly appreciate the beauty of the game.

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[ShadeTree#55]

Weren't they all set at the Coliseum in the '94 WC?.

No, intentional soccer is different from association soccer. Or "professional" for the veal in the thread.

[nyjunc]

As I stated but you failed to read they learned from the missteps of the NASL and have grown.

If someone put a team together like the Cosmos of the 70's it sure as hell would sell out any stadium.

But that model was not good for the GROWTH of soccer. It was good for the Cosmos.

Obviously soccer is huge in this Country now, I am clearly mistaken. They did win the espy so that's huge.

Why do you care that others care about soccer?

[nyjunc]

No, intentional soccer is different from association soccer. Or "professional" for the veal in the thread.

so what are the 4 games that had the largest attendance?

[FirstTimeCaller]

It has come to this, huh? You don't even have a clue what you are attacking me about.

It's not an attack, you're just not making any sense anymore. You can't even stand behind your own quotes.

You go from saying there are no great moments.... to saying there was a great moment but it doesn't count because it's the national team and you already forgot it about.... to saying you never change your story.

It's retarded.

[ShadeTree#55]

Again your own link makes you look like a

The league started out with ten teams and marketed it's brand around North American players. Although the league struggled financially, leadership pushed on with clear vision and structure. The league gained greater promise after the success of the US men's national team reached the quarter finals of the 2002 world cup.

As MLS developed it's home grown talent a new trend arose with talented North American players leaving for big money contracts in Europe. Though this was looked upon by many as a negative, it can also be seen as a positive in that MLS seems to have found a successful formula for growing home grown talent. As Americans grew their knowledge of the sport they also learnt about the world game and it's talent, drawing a major sporting name in David Beckham to the MLS, to market the sport as part of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Although MLS has not reached the heights of the NASL in the '70s, it has found stability among a market made up of Hispanic and Latin American's and Canadians and those who truly appreciate the beauty of the game. The league has grown to 16 teams with further expansion planned in both the United States and Canada.

So what does the future hold for the beautiful game in North America? Will it ever reach the heights of the major sports like baseball and American Football? With the United States and Canada's demographics quickly changing with many foreigners who hold soccer dear moving to the States and Canada, and continued success among the youth, the future of the sport looks bright.

[MBGreen]

this thread has morphed from a spirited debate into a stalemate of frustration. I mentioned this about 20 pages ago, but again, maybe the 3 of you should just agree to disagree.

I have no problem letting this god awful thread continue...but please refrain from the personal attacks, guys.

[pats-hater]

this thread has morphed from a spirited debate into a stalemate of frustration. I mentioned this about 20 pages ago, but again, maybe the 3 of you should just agree to disagree.

I have no problem letting this god awful thread continue...but please refrain from the personal attacks, guys.

fuck American soccer.

[nyjunc]

Again your own link makes you look like a fool.

Enough w/ the childish insults.

You want more quotes from that article?

After the demise of the NASL in 1984, the sport seemed near collapse in North America

The total attendance of the 1994 world cup was around 3.5 million around a million more than the previous record set four years earlier in Italy. Soccer in America seemed like it was back.



Although MLS has not reached the heights of the NASL in the '70s, it has found stability among a market made up of Hispanic and Latin American's and Canadians and those who truly appreciate the beauty of the game.


What a compliment!

So what does the future hold for the beautiful game in North America? Will it ever reach the heights of the major sports like baseball and American Football? With the United States and Canada's demographics quickly changing with many foreigners who hold soccer dear moving to the States and Canada, and continued success among the youth, the future of the sport looks bright.



Basically they are saying when America is mostly spanish it has a chance to become a major sport. isn't that what I have been saying all along?

this thread has morphed from a spirited debate into a stalemate of frustration. I mentioned this about 20 pages ago, but again, maybe the 3 of you should just agree to disagree.

I have no problem letting this god awful thread continue...but please refrain from the personal attacks, guys.

Can you acknowledge that I wasn't attacking anyone? This makes it seem like we were attacking each other, it was all shade.

[ShadeTree#55]

So a "near collapse" to 11 soccer only stadiums and a growing league means?

[ShadeTree#55]

Can you acknowledge that I wasn't attacking anyone? This makes it seem like we were attacking each other, it was all shade.

Sorry no more attacks from me, you jingoist.:breakdance:

[MBGreen]

Enough w/ the childish insults.

You want more quotes from that article?







What a compliment!



Basically they are saying when America is mostly spanish it has a chance to become a major sport. isn't that what I have been saying all along?



Can you acknowledge that I wasn't attacking anyone? This makes it seem like we were attacking each other, it was all shade.
it was a general warning for all parties involved, junc. I'm not singling anyone out....unless the attacks continue.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I didn't attack anybody, what am I being warned for?

[nyjunc]

So a "near collapse" to 11 soccer only stadiums and a growing league means?

You keep trotting out the Stadiums, they are the size of arena and they don't sell out. They are growing but it's at a very slow pace. You don't seem to want to admit that. They were at a point where there was nowhere to go but up, it's clearly growing just not as fast as you claim.

[FirstTimeCaller]

You keep trotting out the Stadiums, they are the size of arena and they don't sell out. They are growing but it's at a very slow pace. You don't seem to want to admit that. They were at a point where there was nowhere to go but up, it's clearly growing just not as fast as you claim.

The argument that there's nowhere to go but up doesn't work after the first few seasons of growth and it neglects you're earlier admission that there is indeed growth. If something has been growing for 15 years clearly there is something to be lost.

[nyjunc]

The argument that there's nowhere to go but up doesn't work after the first few seasons of growth and it neglects you're earlier admission that there is indeed growth. If something has been growing for 15 years clearly there is something to be lost.

I wouldn't say it has been growing for 15 years, MLS was literally down w/ the WNBA until recently. They have made some godd decisions w/ expansion fanchises in MLS in the last few years which have helped the league grow. It's still moving at a slow pace but it's moving in the right direction. I have never argued against that, my problem is this false notion that it is somehow relvant in the US all of a sudden and that's not true. Maybe some day.

[Italian Seafood]

I think we should just rename this "Junc's Goodwill Tour 2011" and keep it going.

[nyjunc]

I think we should just rename this "Junc's Goodwill Tour 2011" and keep it going.

I speak the truth, if it offends people there's nothing I can do.

[MBGreen]

I speak the truth, if it offends people there's nothing I can do.
no, junc...you speak your opinion like everyone else.

Your word isn't gospel around here.

[nyjunc]

no, junc...you speak your opinion like everyone else.

Your word isn't gospel around here.

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[sozopol]

It is not a stalemate, it's a bunch of people using facts, numbers and personal experience to convince the retarded kid. Why are we bothering?

Anyway here's another article, just in about 5 seconds of Googling.

Major League Soccer is Poised to Overtake the NHL as the 4th Most Popular Professional Sports League in the U.S. (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

[MBGreen]

^ The dunce who wrote that article compared a Seattle MLS game to a Blackhawks game in Chicago regarding attendance.

How about comparing attendance with a city that has an NHL team and a MLS team?

That article is bogus....just like the argument in this thread.

[nyjunc]

It is not a stalemate, it's a bunch of people using facts, numbers and personal experience to convince the retarded kid. Why are we bothering?

Anyway here's another article, just in about 5 seconds of Googling.

Major League Soccer is Poised to Overtake the NHL as the 4th Most Popular Professional Sports League in the U.S. (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

oh God. Fox sports latino:lol:

First off the NHL isn't the #4 sports league anymore and MLS isn't close to being anywhere near the top. Not even in the dicsussion.

They are comparing a league w/ 30 teams to one w/ 18.

They use the opening night ratings and then use that to put down the average rating of the NHL. I'm pretty sure the highest rated NHL game is going to blow that MLS rating out of the water. That article is crowing about 600,000 viwers- seriously?

It does mention one intelligent point which I have been saying forever, as the spanish speaking population grows so will the popularity of soccer.

In 2009, 33 percent of MLS fans were Hispanic, more than twice that of any other league.

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“As the Hispanic community continues to grow and becomes the largest minority group in America, I believe we [at MLS] have the opportunity to leapfrog No. 4 [U.S. sports league] and are poised to become that No. 3,”

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Do you guys believe every positive article you read? that was pure fluff from a spanish sports website.

I feel bad for some of you guys that you are gullable. You just believe everything they tell you. Let common sense be your guide.

[Jets201]

Do you guys believe every positive article you read? that was pure fluff from a spanish sports website.



And...what difference does that make? Do you dismiss information from any and every source that runs counter to your argument?

[wildthing2022000]

First off the NHL isn't the #4 sports league anymore

What sports league is #4 if it's not NHL?

[Jetaho]

44 pages of this shit? Well done everybody. :beer:

[GREG]

What sports league is #4 if it's not NHL?

Personally I dont consider it a sport but maybe Nascar. I dont care how much soccer grows, it will never reach the popularity of the NFL and MLB

[nyjunc]

And...what difference does that make? Do you dismiss information from any and every source that runs counter to your argument?

read that article again, that was a joke of an article.

What sports league is #4 if it's not NHL?

I don't know? NASCAR, one of the MMA leagues but there is a big dropoff after the big 3. The NHL used to be up there but they are still climbing back after the missed season. The NHL is well ahead of MLS w/o a doubt despite that fluff in that article but it's well behind the big 3 right now.

[sozopol]

Personally I dont consider it a sport but maybe Nascar. I dont care how much soccer grows, it will never reach the popularity of the NFL and MLB

MLB? The median attendance this year for MLB is 25,000

MLB attendance 2011 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

and here is MLS so far, with a median of 17,000

MLS attendance (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

here is NBA with 17,500

NBA 2010-2011 attendance (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

and NHL 18,000

NHL attendance 2011 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

So MLS is right there with NBA and NHL and not far behind MLB.

oh God. Fox sports latino:lol:

Trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here... what's LOL about Fox Sports Latino

[nyjunc]

MLB? The median attendance this year for MLB is 25,000

MLB attendance 2011 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

and here is MLS so far, with a median of 17,000

MLS attendance (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

here is NBA with 17,500

NBA 2010-2011 attendance (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

and NHL 18,000

NHL attendance 2011 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

So MLS is right there with NBA and NHL and not far behind MLB.



Trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here... what's LOL about Fox Sports Latino

Isn't it weird that Sporting KC does not have attendance #s? wouldn't the average tell us more? You are comparing your 9th placed team in attendance w/ the 15th in the other 3 sports.


The leader in MLS would be 90th in MLB, the 2nd place team in MLS would be 21st. The Royals would be 5th in MLS attendance and they are 27th in MLB

The NBA & NHL play in smaller venues, that's the only reason they are close but still behind.

[Cakes]

1977 77,691 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1979 76,031 Tulsa Roughnecks at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1978 74,901 New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (Soccer Bowl-78 in N.J.)
1977 73,669 Rochester Lancers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1979 72,342 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos
1978 71,219 Seattle Sounders at New York Cosmos
1980 70,312 Fort Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos
1978 65,287 Portland Timbers at New York Cosmos (Playoff)
1978 62,497 New England Tea Men at New York Cosmos
1977 62,394 Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos

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horrible names in that league

[deathstar]

btw the fort lauderdale strikers are back...

think i saw that in the paper about 3 weeks ago...

are they even in the main soccer league?

[sozopol]

Isn't it weird that Sporting KC does not have attendance #s? wouldn't the average tell us more? You are comparing your 9th placed team in attendance w/ the 15th in the other 3 sports.


It is not weird at all. KC hasn't played a home game yet this year, smartass-- they went on a 10-game road trip to start the season while their brand new soccer-specific stadium was being finished. Their next home game is their home opener.

The leader in MLS would be 90th in MLB, the 2nd place team in MLS would be 21st.

what is this nonsense

The Royals would be 5th in MLS attendance and they are 27th in MLB

The NBA & NHL play in smaller venues, that's the only reason they are close but still behind.

MLS is still expanding--by the way the NY Cosmos will probably be the next expansion team, after Montreal starts up next season. The league is still so young compared to the other established ones. Anyway they've already essentially caught up to NHL and NBA, who would've believed that 10 years ago. C'mon man.

[nyjunc]

It is not weird at all. KC hasn't played a home game yet this year, smartass-- they went on a 10-game road trip to start the season while their brand new soccer-specific stadium was being finished. Their next home game is their home opener.



what is this nonsense



MLS is still expanding--by the way the NY Cosmos will probably be the next expansion team, after Montreal starts up next season. The league is still so young compared to the other established ones. Anyway they've already essentially caught up to NHL and NBA, who would've believed that 10 years ago. C'mon man.

I didn't realize Sporting KC would be getting a brand new state of the art 5,000 seat stadium. My apoligues.

That is supposed to be 9th not 90th.


Expansion does not equal success, ask the NHL and NBA about that. Sometimes you can over expand. We'llsee what happens. Maybe they can crow about getting 700,000 people to watch a soccer game soon!

[wildthing2022000]

I didn't realize Sporting KC would be getting a brand new state of the art 5,000 seat stadium. My apoligues.

Expansion does not equal success, ask the NHL and NBA about that. Sometimes you can over expand. We'llsee what happens. Maybe they can crow about getting 700,000 people to watch a soccer game soon!

It's 18,467.

As for expansion it has work well for MLS, once they dumped the commish after the Florida contractions. Steadily from 2005 they have added 8 teams, 9 in 2012, which 4 of the franchises were "promoted" from the USL which shows market viability unlike the NBA and NHL's expansion into untested waters like Phoenix and Atlanta were in the NHL and Vancouver was in the NBA.

[nyjunc]

It's 18,467.

As for expansion it has work well for MLS, once they dumped the commish after the Florida contractions. Steadily from 2005 they have added 8 teams, 9 in 2012, which 4 of the franchises were "promoted" from the USL which shows market viability unlike the NBA and NHL's expansion into untested waters like Phoenix and Atlanta were in the NHL and Vancouver was in the NBA.

It's worked in the past few years, there's no guarantee it will continue to work.

[tcrock]

It's worked in the past few years, there's no guarantee it will continue to work.

great argument lol............i think you officially lost this debate about 15 pages ago

but i admire your tenacity

[MBGreen]

great argument lol............i think you officially lost this debate about 15 pages ago

but i admire your tenacity
way to throw gas on the fire.



expect another 30 pages to be added to this thread.

[nyjunc]

great argument lol............i think you officially lost this debate about 15 pages ago

but i admire your tenacity

yes, clearly I have lost. Soccer is everywhere, it has invaded the US. We all love it which is why we see comedic articles crowing about soccer generating a rating of 600,000 people. Expansion does not euqal success, it is still way down on the list of most popular sports here- much closer to the WNBA than the NFL, NBA or MLB.

[nyjunc]

Big crowd for the US-Canada game

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[MBGreen]

soccer and cricket are neck and neck in the race to overtake the NHL in popularity.


:smile:

[Scikotic]

Soccer is gay.


GCnzJwg86nw

[gustoonarmy]

way to throw gas on the fire.



expect another 30 pages to be added to this thread.

Haha, I think it deserves 5 *****s now

[gustoonarmy]

At least soccer doesn't have lock outs :)

[nyjunc]

At least soccer doesn't have lock outs :)

Unfortunately:jets:

[gustoonarmy]

Unfortunately:jets:

Don't you mean ...... :lol:

[nyjunc]

Don't you mean ...... :lol:

:ohmy:Come on, we don't have that many smiley's to choose from.:manning:

[pennyflame]

We can all agree that soccer is boring to watch and has very little action (ie. scoring), one would accept that it would be a very unsuccessful sport and that superior more exciting sports like the NFL, MLB and NBA to dominate the global spectator sport market and get the biggest ratings. Yet the opposite occurs. As mind-baffling as it seems, soccer is watched by more people and actually excites more people than any other sport, including all our exciting sport. Why haven't our better sports replaced soccer in other countries like our movies, TV and music have?

[FirstTimeCaller]

Really Junc?? Did you need to take it this far?

[MBGreen]

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[Cakes]

Subscribin'

[RevisOfNazareth]

Feel free to lock the its here to stay thread. This should be the new soccer thread..

[pennyflame]

To like soccer and be American are mutually exclusive. If a person like soccer, they are not an American, but have been brainwashed by a third world country's culture to accept soccer because of tradition/cheapness of that sport.

I'm sorry, but soccer goes against everything we stand for.

[jetzIII]

My kid plays soccer, he is very good at it. I do watch it occasionaly. To me it's the same as watching golf, baseball or even the NBA. You only have to watch the last 2 minutes of the nba, it is usually tied up to that point.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Big crowd for the US-Canada game

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28,000 is not bad for a game against Canada (one of the world's worst teams) in the opening round on Tuesday night. To be fair, I expected more but it's nothing to be ashamed of.

[MBGreen]

To like soccer and be American are mutually exclusive. If a person like soccer, they are not an American, but have been brainwashed by a third world country's culture to accept soccer because of tradition/cheapness of that sport.

I'm sorry, but soccer goes against everything we stand for.
Shade and FTC are going to love the new kid.

[Klaus Casanova]

The rest of the world is not as accustomed to instant gratification as Americans are. It really is as simple as that. Ask anyone you know if they would rather play chess or checkers.

[pennyflame]

^ There is scoring, action and excitement in basketball, but not in soccer. Soccer is a sport about nothing, no one scores plus everyone acts like pussies. Its such a unlikable sport, that I think if I handed out the task of creating the worst sport to an average AMerican they'd come up with something similar to soccer. Soccer sucks dude, get with it.

[pennyflame]

"he rest of the world is not as accustomed to instant gratification as Americans are. It really is as simple as that. Ask anyone you know if they would rather play chess or checkers. "

Why don't they want gratification? Why does the rest of the world reject gratification unlike us, and like un-gratification?

[pennyflame]

Nobody cares about soccer in America except socialists, weak and skinny kids who couldn't play real sports and foreigners who haven't assimilated into our awesome dominant culture.

You can't be a cool manly guy and like soccer, deal with it. Soccer is the antithesis of American exceptionalism and culture.

[Klaus Casanova]

Your reading comprehension could use some fine tuning.

[jetzIII]

^ There is scoring, action and excitement in basketball, but not in soccer. Soccer is a sport about nothing, no one scores plus everyone acts like pussies. Its such a unlikable sport, that I think if I handed out the task of creating the worst sport to an average AMerican they'd come up with something similar to soccer. Soccer sucks dude, get with it.

Of course you have no clue...Your just pissed the USA got there ass kicked from Spain the other day..

You can sit there for 4hrs watching a baseball game going into extra innings ending up 1 to 0.. REAL EXCITEMENT THERE..

[pennyflame]

answer my question. why doesn't the rest of the world like instant gratification, why are we the only ones?

[MBGreen]

^ There is scoring, action and excitement in basketball, but not in soccer. Soccer is a sport about nothing, no one scores plus everyone acts like pussies. Its such a unlikable sport, that I think if I handed out the task of creating the worst sport to an average AMerican they'd come up with something similar to soccer. Soccer sucks dude, get with it.
It's well documented that I'm not a huge fan of soccer.


But even I think your argument is lame.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Shade and FTC are going to love the new kid.

Just wait until he says one thing about Canada... then he'll get banned!!!

[Klaus Casanova]

Your answer is capitalism and American network television.

[MBGreen]

Just wait until he says one thing about Canada... then he'll get banned!!!
hahaha...nah, I reserve that honor for your Apple buddy. :wink:

[ShadeTree#55]

Big crowd for the US-Canada game

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Biggest crowd for a Gold Cup match since 03. Growth.

[Hemi]

Another troll account, great.

[Poeman]

hey guys...

[FirstTimeCaller]

hahaha...nah, I reserve that honor for your Apple buddy. :wink:


Don't you mean honour?

[MBGreen]

Don't you mean honour?
ooooohhh....you're one of the sharper knives in the drawer.


I'm fluent in American as well.

[pennyflame]

Soccer apologists make me laugh. As that picture shows, only maybe 200 people showed up to that soccer game, all the statistics show that it has less fans than the WNBA.

Soccer will never be successful in our country because we have options, soccer will only be popular in countries like Italy, Brazil and England because they have nothing except soccer.

[pennyflame]

t's well documented that I'm not a huge fan of soccer.

Good, don't let the liberal soccer apologists make you feel guilty for knowing that soccer sucks. Its our damn right as Americans to make fun of soccer, deal with it.

[MBGreen]

Soccer apologists make me laugh. As that picture shows, only maybe 200 people showed up to that soccer game, all the statistics show that it has less fans than the WNBA.

Soccer will never be successful in our country because we have options, soccer will only be popular in countries like Italy, Brazil and England because they have nothing except soccer.
I think the English folks who participate in Equestrian will take issue with that last sentence.

[ShadeTree#55]

Well you're wrong. Your tone suggests that you probably have limited mental capacities, but why don't you recap where we are at and try to refute points with some facts.

[MBGreen]

Good, don't let the liberal soccer apologists make you feel guilty for knowing that soccer sucks. Its our damn right as Americans to make fun of soccer, deal with it.
I'm Canadian....but thanks for the pitchfork anyway, can I keep it?

[ShadeTree#55]

We already have a thread like this. Lets keep it in one place.

[FirstTimeCaller]

ooooohhh....you're one of the sharper knives in the drawer.


I'm fluent in American as well.

For a guy who claims he doesn't like soccer you sure seem to push your way into the conversation a lot.

[MBGreen]

We already have a thread like this. Lets keep it in one place.
I'm going to merge them.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Well you're wrong. Your tone suggests that you probably have limited mental capacities, but why don't you recap where we are at and try to refute points with some facts.

Because it's Junc's troll account.... there's no facts... we're just living in their world, lucky to be part of it.

[Scikotic]

For a guy who claims he doesn't like soccer you sure seem to push your way into the conversation a lot.

Since when do you have to agree with the thread to be able to post in it? Is this a new rule I wasn't aware of because I don't think my ban-hammer would be able to survive the workload it would be put through....

[nyjunc]

Biggest crowd for a Gold Cup match since 03. Growth.

What did they draw in '03? 150 people?

Because it's Junc's troll account.... there's no facts... we're just living in their world, lucky to be part of it.

Yes, I have nothing better to do than create a 2nd account to bash soccer b/c i cannot do it on my own:rolleyes:

The less I have to discuss this boring game the better, I'm just here so you to counter allt he fluff PR nonsense you guys posts w/ regards to the growth of soccer.

[ShadeTree#55]

28K is not bad for the 1st game in Detroit.

[ShadeTree#55]

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At Citi Field last night 40K

Like many others, Jose Vaca Jr. left work a little early to make the drive from Uniondale to Citi Field in time for Tuesday's exhibition soccer match between Greece and Ecuador. He arrived at the gates just in time to buy a yellow vuvuzela.

"It's a baseball stadium -- I never thought I'd see this," said Vaca, 24, a native of Quito, Ecuador. "Soccer is the sport we grew up with."

It was that way for many of the nearly 40,000 in attendance for the first soccer match played at Citi Field. The friendly match between the Greek and Ecuadorean national teams, which ended in a 1-1 draw, catered to those large populations living in New York. Even in a baseball stadium, a futbol-crazy crowd was quick to form.

Fans wore jerseys, T-shirts, hats and flags. They brought in vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and inflatable Thundersticks and painted their faces and arms. There was a blue Mohawk and a snare drum. One fan walked around wearing a feathered headdress.

"We're Greek!" said 16-year-old Anastasia Livanos of Hicksville, who used hair spray from Walgreens to dye her hair a bright blue. "I guess it's just in my blood."

Ecuador played Mexico in an exhibition match last season at New Meadowlands Stadium, but this was the first professional soccer match in Queens since Colombia and Czech Republic played at Shea Stadium in 2003. The stands were tightly packed and fans seemed to revel in the opportunity to finally see their national teams play so close to home.

"It's nice," said Luis Sanchez, 25, an Ecuador native living in Kew Gardens. "It's a comforting experience. It feels like home."

Kostas Dimitrakas, 46, drove six hours from Virginia with his family just to see the game. He'd seen Greece play twice in the World Cup in 1994 but not since and was eager to root for his national team.

"You have to love the sport and the country," Dimitrakas said.

"It's very exciting," said Joanne Touros, 54, of Astoria. "You can see the enthusiasm. Everybody's very patriotic."

Touros and her husband, Andreas, run the Kosmos Youth Soccer team, a Greek-American 18-and-under club that played on the field before the game. She said the opportunity to see professional soccer played live in this atmosphere was especially nice for young fans.

"I would love to see more games regardless of who's playing," Touros said. "This is amazing. The fact that they converted [the field]. You can see this is a very big soccer area."

Surveying the stadium and the large contingent with yellow Ecuadorean jerseys, Touros also didn't seem concerned about being outnumbered.

"The Greeks are always late," she said, laughing.

[nyjunc]

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At Citi Field last night 40K

Yep, filled w/ Greeks and Ecuadorians

[ShadeTree#55]

In America. Soccer making money, growing.

[ShadeTree#55]

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[MBGreen]

^ Apparently "Denial" isn't just a river in Egypt afterall.

[pennyflame]

That soccer game in the baseball stadium isn't helping your cause, as the article says only unassimilated immigrants go to soccer games in America, which is why we hate it. Soccer represents a threat to our unity as a country and our belief in America. Its foreign. Its unfamiliar and wierd and not from here. Take it back to Europe, we didn't leave Europe to come here and play soccer and eat baguettes.

[Rockefella]

That soccer game in the baseball stadium isn't helping your cause, as the article says only unassimilated immigrants go to soccer games in America, which is why we hate it. Soccer represents a threat to our unity as a country and our belief in America. Its foreign. Its unfamiliar and wierd and not from here. Take it back to Europe, we didn't leave Europe to come here and play soccer and eat baguettes.

Hell yeah GIT R DUN!!!

[nyjunc]

In America. Soccer making money, growing.

It is weird seeing Citifield filled w/ people.

[DisgruntledLionFan]

28K is not bad for the 1st game in Detroit.

There's a team in Detroit? Had no idea.

Where do they play?

[MBGreen]

It is weird seeing Citifield filled w/ people eating baguettes.

FYP....for accuracy.

:)

[DisgruntledLionFan]

Oh, the Gold Cup at FF.

Never heard of that, either.

And I like soccer.

[ShadeTree#55]

Well there is a thread on the Gold Cup if you would like an introduction.

[GatorGar]

I like the idea of liking soccer, in particular the way Europe does it, but my God it's boring to watch. We just got a minor league soccer team here in Orlando that plays at the Citrus Bowl and I've tried watching some games on tv, but it's soooo boring.

[ShadeTree#55]

I would suggest going to a game and sitting in the supporters section. It is a great time.

[Jetskees]

I like the idea of liking soccer, in particular the way Europe does it, but my God it's boring to watch. We just got a minor league soccer team here in Orlando that plays at the Citrus Bowl and I've tried watching some games on tv, but it's soooo boring.

I won't even watch Professional American Soccer on tv, let alone minor league... and I love soccer. It might be fun to go see a game live, but if you have any interest in getting into soccer you are watching the wrong thing. Check out almost any of the European Leagues on TV, it's like you're watching a totally different game. Very entertaining IMO.

[Johnny English]

Canada (one of the world's worst teams)

Not even close. According to FIFA rankings they're in the top half of teams in the world; they're currently ranked 75th out of 208.

[ShadeTree#55]

I think he meant as human beings. They are a vile bunch.

[MBGreen]

I think he meant as human beings. They are a vile bunch.
coming from you, that's a ringing endorsement.

[TommyGreen]

Found this gem in The Onion regarding the 2010 MLS Championship Cup:

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[ShadeTree#55]

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Cool video of Sporting KC's new digs.

[pennyflame]

Making fun of soccer is like making fun of Europeans, it fills me with pride and patriotism. Fun easy and feels good.

[ShadeTree#55]

Making fun of soccer is like making fun of Europeans, it fills me with pride and patriotism. Fun easy and feels good.


I say you're a poor excuse for an American if you don't support the US in all sports. We are the best country, right?

[pennyflame]

Quick question to soccer fans: how do you find the willpower? I mean everybody is telling you your sport sucks and is boring, there is overwhelming peer pressure to NOT like soccer, yet for somereason you soccer-loving ways persist. What do you get out of soccer (its certainly not competition or excitement or displays of elite athleticism) that makes you so devoted to soccer?

[nyjunc]

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Cool video of Sporting KC's new digs.

It's nice I guess but it is tiny. It looks like it should be for High School sports.

[ShadeTree#55]

18500 for soccer 20K for concerts not that small. What high school has a facility that size?

[ShadeTree#55]

Quick question to soccer fans: how do you find the willpower? I mean everybody is telling you your sport sucks and is boring, there is overwhelming peer pressure to NOT like soccer, yet for somereason you soccer-loving ways persist. What do you get out of soccer (its certainly not competition or excitement or displays of elite athleticism) that makes you so devoted to soccer?
It annoys people like you, so it has that going for it. :breakdance:

[MBGreen]

I say you're a poor excuse for an American if you don't support the US in all sports. We are the best country, right?
uh oh, find a few cracks in the foundation? :lol:

[gustoonarmy]

Quick question to soccer fans: how do you find the willpower? I mean everybody is telling you your sport sucks and is boring, there is overwhelming peer pressure to NOT like soccer, yet for somereason you soccer-loving ways persist. What do you get out of soccer (its certainly not competition or excitement or displays of elite athleticism) that makes you so devoted to soccer?

No, some tards from am American Football site in one country are, yeah really overwhelming...

[nyjunc]

18500 for soccer 20K for concerts not that small. What high school has a facility that size?

That does not look like it has 18,500 seats in it.

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[Klaus Casanova]

I am sure the comparison has been made already, and probably multiple times in this thread, but I will make it one more... watching American soccer is like watching NFL Europe. A sport that has no real chance of success outside of it's natural setting, is watered down in both talent and coaching and thus is viewed rightly as a charade.

And now, having looked through a large portion of this thread, I find it fairly obvious that 'pennyflame' is someone from the pro-soccer contingent on this forum poking a bit of fun at 'nyjunc'.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Not even close. According to FIFA rankings they're in the top half of teams in the world; they're currently ranked 75th out of 208.

Pfft... your legitmate point has no place in a thread like this.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I retire from this thread.

[nyjunc]

I retire from this thread.

Come on, it's all in fun.

[ShadeTree#55]

I retire from this thread. Unless junc tries to have the last word, then fuck it.

[nyjunc]

I retire from this thread. Unless junc tries to have the last word, then fuck it.

slinking away like your buddy. This is all in fun, lighten up guys.

Just b/c nobody likes your favorite sport you shouldn't run away, it shouldn't matter toy uo that soccer isn't popular in this Country. You guys enjoy and that is all that should matter to you.

[ShadeTree#55]

It is growing in popularity.

[MBGreen]

I retire from this thread. Unless junc tries to have the last word, then fuck it.

slinking away like your buddy. This is all in fun, lighten up guys.

Just b/c nobody likes your favorite sport you shouldn't run away, it shouldn't matter toy uo that soccer isn't popular in this Country. You guys enjoy and that is all that should matter to you.

It is growing in popularity.

:rofl:



............

[nyjunc]

It is growing in popularity.

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[MBGreen]

I still have tears in my eyes....that was priceless. :lol:

[ShadeTree#55]

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[nyjunc]

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Wow! soccer is building HS size stadiums like that while one of the least successful MLB teams is building this:

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and one of the least successful NBA teams is building this:

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[ShadeTree#55]

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Seating 18,467 for soccer and 25,000 for concerts, the stadium boasts technological innovations which Sporting KC proclaims is "the next generation of fan experience."

"It's remarkable. It's a technological marvel for the sport of soccer," said MLS commissioner Don Garber, on hand for Thursday's opening. "It has so many new and innovative things that will provide fans an experience that will set the standard for not just soccer but in many ways even for other sports."

Throughout the facility, Cisco Connected Sports Solutions offers high-def video, interactive fan services and digital content. More than 150 WiFi access points will accommodate mobile and hand-held devices. People will be able to order food and drink delivered to them without leaving their seats as well as keep up with stats during the action.

"We realize some of these things may not always go perfectly and there's going to be a bit of learning around some of these solutions," said Robb Heineman, one of Sporting KC's five owners. "But for us, this is really exciting. This is the beginning of what we believe will be a really cool collaboration."

More than 330 high definition televisions will be placed around the stadium, the first MLS park fully equipped for HDTV.

In the plush home locker room, players will sit on $5,000 seats imported from Spain. The seats are equipped with power docks so they can access information during halftime. The spacious media room where postgame interviews will be conducted is right next to a large bar and food area. Fans will be able to look through the glass partition to see the interviews while the audio is piped to them.

"Without a doubt, this is the most technologically advanced soccer stadium in the country," Garber said. "It could be on the leading edge of technology of any stadium, including some of the NFL stadiums. That technology will not just provide unique experiences for fans, but also is extended to providing real competitive benefits for players and coaches."

[MBGreen]

^ yeah, but.....who's going to fill the stadium? Doesn't the USA have immigration laws?

[nyjunc]

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It doesn't change the fact that it is a tiny Stadium and if they squeeze 18,000 in there it's going to be a fire hazard.

[ShadeTree#55]

Fire hazard? Really?

[nyjunc]

Fire hazard? Really?

It's tiny regardless but it looks much smaller than an 18,000 seat Stadium.

[ShadeTree#55]

Well its bigger. Seating 18,467 for soccer and 25,000 for concerts.

So not only are you the utmost authority on the American sporting landscape, you are also like rain man and can count stadium seats from a picture?

Hmmmm Definitely smaller then 18,00 definitely ....

[nyjunc]

Well its bigger. Seating 18,467 for soccer and 25,000 for concerts.

So not only are you the utmost authority on the American sporting landscape, you are also like rain man and can count stadium seats from a picture?

Hmmmm Definitely smaller then 18,00 definitely ....

It looks smaller, I guess it's not. it's still a tiny stadium for a professional sports team and looks much worse and is much smaller than those 2 I posted but if a tiny little stadium like that shows growth who am I to argue?:ohmy:

[ShadeTree#55]

Ownership of a soccer specific stadium is most certainly growth. It increases revenue, and atmosphere.

As a Jet fan you should be familiar with playing second fiddle in our "home" and how it effects a fan base.

Actually the great Lamar Hunt founded the KC soccer team. I think he knew a little something about start up leagues.

[nyjunc]

Ownership of a soccer specific stadium is most certainly growth. It increases revenue, and atmosphere.

As a Jet fan you should be familiar with playing second fiddle in our "home" and how it effects a fan base.

Actually the great Lamar Hunt founded the KC soccer team. I think he knew a little something about start up leagues.

Now you are comparing the AFL to MLS? MLS is in it's 16 th season, the AFL merged w/ the NFL long before their 16th season.

[deathstar]

Flying bear kills two Canadians in freak accident

Two Canadians died instantly in a freak accident when a car hit a 440-pound (200-kg) black bear and sent the animal flying straight through the windshield of an oncoming vehicle, local media said Wednesday.

The bear's body hit the 25-year-old driver and a 40-year-old man sitting behind her and then shot out of the back window. The bear also died.

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[ShadeTree#55]

Now you are comparing the AFL to MLS? MLS is in it's 16 th season, the AFL merged w/ the NFL long before their 16th season.

I am saying Lamar Hunt has founded quite a few sporting endeavors, most have done well.

[sozopol]

Just wait until the Cosmos are back in business in a couple of years out in Flushing.

Finally, a football team will return to NYC! :wink:

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[ShadeTree#55]

I'll have season tickets that's for sure.

[tcrock]

Just wait until the Cosmos are back in business in a couple of years out in Flushing.

Finally, a football team will return to NYC! :wink:

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What's the story on this situation anyway, I've heard rumblings, and the name being bought....but last I knew these discussions were with the Wilpons as far as having a team, that can't be good.

I will definitely be at a lot of games if this should happen............I still don't even know where Red Bull Arena is

[ShadeTree#55]

Its picking up steam, they have 2 academy's one east coast and one west coast with solid players. Some playing for the U-17 USMNT. They have a deal with Umbro, they are making money or merchandise. They of course would have to dump the west coast academy and Umbro if they get a franchise.

It looks good, no one is saying much from the MLS though.

[nyjunc]

That would be a great idea, instead of 1 struggling MLS franchise in the NYC area let's have 2!

[MBGreen]

That would be a great idea, instead of 1 struggling MLS franchise in the NYC area let's have 2!
misery loves company, junc.

[ShadeTree#55]

Many people refuse to acknowledge the scum pit known as Jersey as the "NY area". You can keep your Jersey Shore and Sopranos. We want and actual NYC team. Not a half ass NJ substitute.

[ShadeTree#55]

wrong thread...

Soccer is growing.

[nyjunc]

Many people refuse to acknowledge the scum pit known as Jersey as the "NY area". You can keep your Jersey Shore and Sopranos. We want and actual NYC team. Not a half ass NJ substitute.

Yes b/c none from NY will go to NJ to watch their team play.:breakdance: