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

[Rebel Mike]

Soccer on ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports
ESPN and ABC Sports are the U.S. English-language homes of the Men's and Women's FIFA World Cup events through 2014. The networks combine to present the most comprehensive soccer coverage in the United States, featuring Major League Soccer, the nation's premier soccer league, and the U.S. National Teams. In addition, ESPN provides extensive coverage of the UEFA Champions League and the NCAA Men's and Women's soccer championships.

In 2005, ESPN, ABC Sports and ESPN2 acquired the rights for exclusive English-language telecasts of the FIFA World Cup� and the FIFA Women's World Cup for another eight years in the United States. The three networks will televise the entire 2010 FIFA World Cup� (South Africa), the 2014 FIFA World Cup� and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 (China)

ESPN, Inc. also acquired the rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and 2013 and other events.

[kinghenry89]

Nobody will watch soccer in the US until 2010 when the World Cup starts again.

Doodah. Doodah.

[wildthing2022000]

^ I will watch.

[Exit 117]

No matter how hard they try, soccer won't be big in the US.

[Sundayjack]

Yes, I analyzed this proposal for ABC/ESPN, and offered the following report before the deal was signed:

In 2010, the World Cup will garner ratings just slightly ahead of the WNBA, the winner will be Italy, Germany, or Brazil, and the final score of the championship game will be "1-nil".

In 2014, things will change a bit. The World Cup will overcome the ESPN Spelling Bee Championship for ratings. The eventual winner will be Germany, Brazil or Italy, and the final score of the final game will be "1-nil".



Meanwhile, through it all, Stuart Scott will still be annoying.

[tcrock]

Nobody will watch soccer in the US until 2010 when the World Cup starts again.

Doodah. Doodah.

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching

[Rextasy]

In 2014, things will change a bit. The World Cup will overcome the ESPN Spelling Bee Championship for ratings. The eventual winner will be Germany, Brazil or Italy, and the final score of the final game will be "1-nil".
[/INDENT]

It won't come close to the World Paintball Championship though..

[jonnyd]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching


i couldnt not have said it any better myself

[devilonthetownhallroof]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching

The problem with soccer, to me, is that it's just SO boring. Everytime I try to watch it, it just seems like NOTHING happens. It's not just the lack of scoring, it's the lack of scoring CHANCES. Most of the time it seems they're just running around the middle of the field with the ball, turn it over, then the other team does the same. At least in hockey you see 30-40 shots a side each game, and sustained offensive attacks, so there's at least the CHANCE of something happening. I love 1-0 games in hockey, as long as the score is such because of great goaltending, and not a lack of shots.

[statjeff22]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching

You're right about unfamiliarity breeding contempt (the opposite of the saying), but hockey proves kinghenry's point - coming from a position of strength in the 80s and early 90s that soccer has never come close to, it has collapsed to the point of irrelevance to all except those who are true fans.

IMO, your complaint about the comments on the refereeing really doesn't ring true, either. It is not the people who don't watch soccer who are complaining, it's the people who do, and it's those people who (in the TGG threads, at least) keep saying how teams got robbed in every game, that FIFA is doing a horrible job controlling the refs, and so on. If there was a general perception that EVERY game in the NFL or MLB playoffs was determined by bad calls, people would watch it a lot less.

[Italian Seafood]

Soccer to me is like the Olympics, every four years I get interested and root for the USA (and Italy in soccer), but it just doesn't keep my interest beyond that. Not that it's a bad game, but we have so many other sports we're into here that soccer will never be #1. It will always have its place and I think our team will continue to be competitive on a world scale, which will help.

[winstonbiggs]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching


Soccer doesn't get a fair shake here because they don't stop the clock. It isn't sponser friendly.

[ScotsJet]

I think the emotion and passion in 'soccer' make it what it is. It's because so many people care so much and it matters so much that it's great.

[Rebel Mike]

Soccer doesn't get a fair shake here because they don't stop the clock. It isn't sponser friendly.

And winstonbiggs never fails with the right points. :up: As true as this may be, the fact of the matter is sponsorship comes from the jerseys as well as whatever commercials half time brings. Also, note the right side of the scoreboard on ESPN. Currently it says "Adidas". The first half was T-Mobile.

An example:

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

[tcrock]

IMO, your complaint about the comments on the refereeing really doesn't ring true, either. It is not the people who don't watch soccer who are complaining, it's the people who do, and it's those people who (in the TGG threads, at least) keep saying how teams got robbed in every game, that FIFA is doing a horrible job controlling the refs, and so on. If there was a general perception that EVERY game in the NFL or MLB playoffs was determined by bad calls, people would watch it a lot less.

I'm basing that referee comment on a letter to newsday I saw on sunday, where someone wrote something like "Can't wait for "real football" to return because referees don't decide the outcome of a game...players do"....which I took obvious exception to.........i've seen that sort of sentiment echoed on this forum as well...

I mean I hear what your saying, but wasn't the Super Bowl marred by several very questionable calls that definitely had an impact on the outcome?

I would say from my perspective, officiating was suspect in a few of the World Cup games, but not the majority. Officiating in soccer is much more subjective anyhow,, which leaves it naturally open to more criticism...which maybe is the reason people here "hate" it, amongst other reasons.

[statjeff22]

I'm basing that referee comment on a letter to newsday I saw on sunday, where someone wrote something like "Can't wait for "real football" to return because referees don't decide the outcome of a game...players do"....which I took obvious exception to.........i've seen that sort of sentiment echoed on this forum as well...

I mean I hear what your saying, but wasn't the Super Bowl marred by several very questionable calls that definitely had an impact on the outcome?



Yes, and so was the NBA Finals, and people were up in arms over it. The difference, I think, is the outsized importance of a bad call in a sport where 1-0 games are routine.

I don't think that officiating is actually the biggest reason why soccer hasn't made it here, but rather the lack of scoring and scoring chances. When I turn on the TV with 35 minutes left in the second half of a 1-0 game and hear an announcer say that "this match is probably over," why should I be interested? And this is coming from someone who played the game in high school.

[gustoonarmy]

Soccer will never be popular in the US until you get scorelines like 36-24

[Dinobot 2]

It's just too boring. Don't like it.

[winstonbiggs]

Yes, and so was the NBA Finals, and people were up in arms over it. The difference, I think, is the outsized importance of a bad call in a sport where 1-0 games are routine.

I don't think that officiating is actually the biggest reason why soccer hasn't made it here, but rather the lack of scoring and scoring chances. When I turn on the TV with 35 minutes left in the second half of a 1-0 game and hear an announcer say that "this match is probably over," why should I be interested? And this is coming from someone who played the game in high school.

It could also be that we suck at it. Notice how the Yankees didn't draw when they sucked. How about the Mets for years and Hockey, bad example all 20,000 of them in the Metro area have tickets for all 3 teams.

A 1 zip 2 to 1 game in baseball can be great or it can bore you to tears. A 6 3 Jet vs. Colts game when both teams suck stinks but a 6-3 Jets Pats game for a playoff berth is incredible.

We just don't have the players or the context to understand and love the game. Soccer is every bit as good as the NBA, Hockey, Baseball or football, we just don't get it and we don't relate to the players.

I was in India about 10 years ago during some big Cricket tournament. I watched about 35 hours of Cricket over a couple of nights because I couldn't sleep. Anyway I couldn't figure out the game and eventually was bored to tears but the crowd were going wild and clearly something was going on.

Americans are into American sports and very into individual players in the sport. We just can't relate and until we develop American stars and see them regularly on TV, which isn't going to happen we will always look at soccer as a foreign game.

Isn't FIFA sort of like Unicef a division of the UN?

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Doing away with the absurd offsides rules would be a giant step in the right direction for soccer. Not only does this bring play to a grinding halt, its absolutely nonsensical. Obviously you can't have strikes standing by the goal all game, but calling offsides when a guy makes a nice pass, and the striker is a half stride in front of the cowardly defender running away from the play in an attempt to get an offsides call is the height of ridiculousness.

[tcrock]

It could also be that we suck at it. Notice how the Yankees didn't draw when they sucked. How about the Mets for years and Hockey, bad example all 20,000 of them in the Metro area have tickets for all 3 teams.

A 1 zip 2 to 1 game in baseball can be great or it can bore you to tears. A 6 3 Jet vs. Colts game when both teams suck stinks but a 6-3 Jets Pats game for a playoff berth is incredible.

We just don't have the players or the context to understand and love the game. Soccer is every bit as good as the NBA, Hockey, Baseball or football, we just don't get it and we don't relate to the players.

I was in India about 10 years ago during some big Cricket tournament. I watched about 35 hours of Cricket over a couple of nights because I couldn't sleep. Anyway I couldn't figure out the game and eventually was bored to tears but the crowd were going wild and clearly something was going on.

Americans are into American sports and very into individual players in the sport. We just can't relate and until we develop American stars and see them regularly on TV, which isn't going to happen we will always look at soccer as a foreign game.

Isn't FIFA sort of like Unicef a division of the UN?

agreed wholeheartedly....and I've basically been making this argument all along to different people.

Soccer by it's nature is just a more patient game in the way it is played as well as the way in which it is watched. It on a huge field with players needing to maintain a level of stamina in order to be able to last a full game...and it's played without the hands, which by nature means less accuracy and more difficulty in creating scoring chances. we aren't a patient people, that's for sure.

I mean people in this country love basketball, but i would argue that in any competitive basketball game, you can basically skip the first 3 and a half quarters , turn on the game in the last five minutes or so...and you'll see all you need to see. Then of course you have to deal with the 10 timeouts that the teams call and the fouls....so that 5 minutes can take 45 minutes to tick off...but I digress

[Cakes]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching


I dislike-


that players cannot use their hands. Obviously, the sport ceases to be soccer the moment they change the rules and allow players to use their hands. When I played youth soccer I hated the fact that my arms could only be used for balance. Has there ever been a handless soccer player? Or a Jim Abbott or Tom Dempsey type guy with a stub for a hand? What about a Pete Gray type?

the lack of scoring. 1-0 games that are "over" with a half to go is ridiculous to me

the flopping. That's a very wussy-type action. That's something that flew on the playground when I was in elementary school. Seeing grown men do it is very, very sad.



I like-


the lack of commercials

the fact that the players are very athletic and that doing steroids would probably be a bad thing because steroids take away players' lateral movement (look at David Boston and Albert Pujols- one couldn't run laterally and the other one knocked himself out of the lineup for weeks trying to jog laterally)

[statjeff22]

agreed wholeheartedly....and I've basically been making this argument all along to different people.

Soccer by it's nature is just a more patient game in the way it is played as well as the way in which it is watched. It on a huge field with players needing to maintain a level of stamina in order to be able to last a full game...and it's played without the hands, which by nature means less accuracy and more difficulty in creating scoring chances. we aren't a patient people, that's for sure.

I mean people in this country love basketball, but i would argue that in any competitive basketball game, you can basically skip the first 3 and a half quarters , turn on the game in the last five minutes or so...and you'll see all you need to see. Then of course you have to deal with the 10 timeouts that the teams call and the fouls....so that 5 minutes can take 45 minutes to tick off...but I digress


But my point is the exact opposite - in a basketball game it's usually exciting at the end because either team can still win, while in soccer the game is barely half over and one team might have no chance even if they're only down one goal (if they're down two goals, forget it). The thing about baseball is that being down 3 or 4 runs in the 7th or 8th inning is a lead that can be overcome; it's like tennis that way.

Certainly culture matters, since many NFL games ARE boring - if you're down 20 points going into the fourth quarter, it's just about sure that it's over.

[tcrock]

I dislike-


that players cannot use their hands. Obviously, the sport ceases to be soccer the moment they change the rules and allow players to use their hands. When I played youth soccer I hated the fact that my arms could only be used for balance. Has there ever been a handless soccer player? Or a Jim Abbott or Tom Dempsey type guy with a stub for a hand? What about a Pete Gray type?

the lack of scoring. 1-0 games that are "over" with a half to go is ridiculous to me

the flopping. That's a very wussy-type action. That's something that flew on the playground when I was in elementary school. Seeing grown men do it is very, very sad.



I like-


the lack of commercials

the fact that the players are very athletic and that doing steroids would probably be a bad thing because steroids take away players' lateral movement (look at David Boston and Albert Pujols- one couldn't run laterally and the other one knocked himself out of the lineup for weeks trying to jog laterally)



I agree with the flopping part, but that's a little overblown. If you watch you'll see that this seems to be a more regional thing. All country's players take dives but it always seems to me that the Meditteranean contries (Italy, France, Spain) are definitely more actors. England, Germany, The Dutch the Czechs etc take dives too, but they get up and play as opposed to rolling around in fake agony. South Americans countries seem to be pretty adept at the acting part too. of course these aren't quite facts, but i've been sort of watching it closely in this tourney and that's the way it looks to me. I don't want to paint with such broad strokes because they're obviously are exceptions

I also think sometimes these guys get legitamtely hurt, but some of the tackles don't seem like much to us because we're more accustomed to seeing a big football hit.

[winstonbiggs]

But my point is the exact opposite - in a basketball game it's usually exciting at the end because either team can still win, while in soccer the game is barely half over and one team might have no chance even if they're only down one goal (if they're down two goals, forget it). The thing about baseball is that being down 3 or 4 runs in the 7th or 8th inning is a lead that can be overcome; it's like tennis that way.

Certainly culture matters, since many NFL games ARE boring - if you're down 20 points going into the fourth quarter, it's just about sure that it's over.


I challenge you to watch more than 20 minutes of a regular season NBA game without ripping your eyeballs out. It is physically impossible to watch NBA basketball without channel surfing at least 20 minutes of the real game time.

[statjeff22]

I challenge you to watch more than 20 minutes of a regular season NBA game without ripping your eyeballs out. It is physically impossible to watch NBA basketball without channel surfing at least 20 minutes of the real game time.

Probably so, but I can't watch 20 seconds of a regular season MLS game without ripping my eyeballs out.

This is the World Cup, Winston, and it is still unwatchable to most Americans.

[winstonbiggs]

Probably so, but I can't watch 20 seconds of a regular season MLS game without ripping my eyeballs out.

This is the World Cup, Winston, and it is still unwatchable to most Americans.

Check Mate.

[tcrock]

But my point is the exact opposite - in a basketball game it's usually exciting at the end because either team can still win, while in soccer the game is barely half over and one team might have no chance even if they're only down one goal (if they're down two goals, forget it). The thing about baseball is that being down 3 or 4 runs in the 7th or 8th inning is a lead that can be overcome; it's like tennis that way.

Certainly culture matters, since many NFL games ARE boring - if you're down 20 points going into the fourth quarter, it's just about sure that it's over.



yeah, i understand what your saying....but you're overstaing the 1-0 game being over by a long shot. There have been plenty examples of that in this tourney alone........the Aussies were a great example amongst others. Just like any sport it depends on the teams. If Brazil is down 1..the fans of the team up one will be on the edge of their seat until the whistle blows.....same can be said of any good team in soccer.

it's all a matter of perspective, I agree a basketball gamme is exciting at the end...........but it makes you think what the hell is the purpose of the first 40 minutes.

[kinghenry89]

speak for yourself :wink:

we know the haters and detractors outnumber the supporters of soccer............but i would think, as your obviously a hockey fan, that you would understand what it's like when people dis a sport you're into........hockey has it's detractors as well if you hadn't noticed.

soccer gets some of the more itellectual riducule, like for instance "it's a communist sport" ...brilliant, and the ever so American, "there's just not enough scoring" or "any sport that you can't use your hands...isn't a sport"...another brilliant observation.....and of course the "there's not enough timeouts and commercials in soccer"

and lately all the haters are pointing out some of the questionable officiating as a reason why they "hate" the sport.......like there's never a bad pass intereference call in our football that decides a game (and there's even video replay, timeouts and all the other time stoppages...but still bad officiating occurrs)

soccer never gets a fair shake in this country.....and never will, because whatever we're not good at, we don't watch. (and that does happen with hockey too, to a lesser extent....but it never gets the same respects as football, baseball and basketball)

but it won't stop me from watching

Don't get me wrong, I like soccer perfectly fine. But, as you pointed out, I like hockey as well and it doesn't make people pay attention to it.

To me the World Cup is like the Olympics. Everybody is a swimming or gymnastics expert and enthusiast for a month, then they stop caring for 4 years until the games roll around again.

Until the US gets a more competitive league than the MLS they aren't going to get fans watching on a consistent basis.

[tcrock]

Don't get me wrong, I like soccer perfectly fine. But, as you pointed out, I like hockey as well and it doesn't make people pay attention to it.

To me the World Cup is like the Olympics. Everybody is a swimming or gymnastics expert and enthusiast for a month, then they stop caring for 4 years until the games roll around again.

Until the US gets a more competitive league than the MLS they aren't going to get fans watching on a consistent basis.


absolutely......It just gets me when people routinely dismiss the sport when to me the only reason we like any sport is because we have rooting interests. To me hockey is the only real exciting game to watch as a sport. all others football, and baseball especially, if you watch a game, don't know the teams, what league they're in, how this game falls in the context of a season or a playoff, and don't know any players, I would think those games are as boring as people find soccer

[Rebel Mike]

so get fox soccer channel and follow the premiership

[ThunderbirdJet]

Soccer in this country will always be a third tier sport. Kinda like tennis and lacrosse. Pro soccer teams have a 300k cap. In europe, a great player makes over four times that much. Until people will pay to watch and attend, it will remain a third tier sport.

[gustoonarmy]

Soccer in this country will always be a third tier sport. Kinda like tennis and lacrosse. Pro soccer teams have a 300k cap. In europe, a great player makes over four times that much. Until people will pay to watch and attend, it will remain a third tier sport.
Michael Owen makes �103,000 a week. Nice work if you can get it

[abyzmul]

Soccer doesn't get a fair shake here because they don't stop the clock. It isn't sponser friendly.
That's it right there. If they can make people watch that horrible Big Brother show, they can market soccer successfully. As long as they can make money off of it.

[nyjunc]

Soccer on ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports
ESPN and ABC Sports are the U.S. English-language homes of the Men's and Women's FIFA World Cup events through 2014. The networks combine to present the most comprehensive soccer coverage in the United States, featuring Major League Soccer, the nation's premier soccer league, and the U.S. National Teams. In addition, ESPN provides extensive coverage of the UEFA Champions League and the NCAA Men's and Women's soccer championships.

In 2005, ESPN, ABC Sports and ESPN2 acquired the rights for exclusive English-language telecasts of the FIFA World Cup� and the FIFA Women's World Cup for another eight years in the United States. The three networks will televise the entire 2010 FIFA World Cup� (South Africa), the 2014 FIFA World Cup� and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 (China)

ESPN, Inc. also acquired the rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and 2013 and other events.

What's here to stay? Coverage of the WC? is that a big deal? They televise the kids spelling bee in prime time. Soccer's lack of popularity is here to stay. Remember when the WC was here and SI had the issue w/ the headline "Soccer Mania!"? They had great press all throughout that tourney and soccer was "huge" for a moment but of course it couldn't sustain success and never will. The WC is an event, people care about events(no one cares about speed skating but televise it on the Olympics and it gets huge ratings) but soccer itslef will never be a big time sport in this Country.

[jonnyd]

I challenge you to watch more than 20 minutes of a regular season NBA game without ripping your eyeballs out. It is physically impossible to watch NBA basketball without channel surfing at least 20 minutes of the real game time.



20 minutes??impossible.10???ummm very unlikely..5?yeah maybe if theres nothing else on

[wildthing2022000]

What's here to stay? Coverage of the WC? is that a big deal? They televise the kids spelling bee in prime time. Soccer's lack of popularity is here to stay. Remember when the WC was here and SI had the issue w/ the headline "Soccer Mania!"? They had great press all throughout that tourney and soccer was "huge" for a moment but of course it couldn't sustain success and never will. The WC is an event, people care about events(no one cares about speed skating but televise it on the Olympics and it gets huge ratings) but soccer itslef will never be a big time sport in this Country.

Of course after '94 they made a professional soccer league but I guess that's nothing. Did you know MLS is expanding into Canada next year?

[Rebel Mike]

MLS may also get David Beckham.

[jonnyd]

well i kinda lean towards the side of soccer will never be big here....however,there is no doubting the fact that way more kids play soccer today than 20 years ago....less and less kids are playing baseball and basketball...so maybe 20 years from now soccer will be way bigger....if video games dont crush yuoth sports in this country all together

[nyjunc]

Of course after '94 they made a professional soccer league but I guess that's nothing. Did you know MLS is expanding into Canada next year?

That's great. No one cares about it here so let's go to Canada!

The WNBA has been on for 10 years too, is that a success? Is Women's basketball becoming more popular and moving into the mainstream? Of course not.

[FirstTimeCaller]

SportsWatch

April 6, 2011, 12:24 a.m. EDT

Champions League paces soccer’s U.S. gains
Chelsea, Manchester United face off in broadcaster’s dream game

By Sam Mamudi, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League game between Manchester United and Chelsea could be one of the soccer competition’s most-watched games in the U.S., judging by recent viewing figures, which show a dramatic rise in the number of Americans watching the sport.

Manchester United and Chelsea, between them winners of the past six Barclays English Premier League titles, will go head-to-head in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, which sees the top clubs from Europe take each other on.



European club soccer is one of the fastest growing televised sports in the U.S., with executives of the two main soccer broadcasters reporting dramatic increases in viewership.

“The audience growth we’re seeing for the Premier League is right up there with our top sports,” said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president of programming at ESPN who oversees the network’s soccer coverage.

This season, three Premier League games on ESPN have garnered more than 500,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Co, which collects data on viewership. Last season just one game broke that mark, a matchup between Manchester United and Chelsea in April that all but decided the title.

Meanwhile, February’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Liverpool was the most-watched broadcast in Fox Soccer Channel’s history, with an average audience of 418,000. Fox Soccer’s average audience for the last full Premier League season, from Aug. 2009 to May 2010, rose roughly 75% from the previous year.

“The growth of audiences for international soccer has been taking off,” said Stephen Master, vice president of Nielsen Sports. “These are very impressive numbers, especially considering the time slots.”

The figures are comparable to those for National Hockey League games or regular-season college basketball games, said Master. That’s all the more impressive given that Fox Soccer Channel is only in 40 million homes — about 40% of cable-owning households — and unlike U.S. sports, games are never in prime time. Due to time difference, European soccer games are shown either early morning on weekends or mid-afternoon eastern time on weekdays.

Wednesday’s game — kick off 2.45 pm eastern — is close to a dream contest for TV executives. Manchester United and Chelsea are, ratings-wise, the two most popular teams in the most popular soccer league.

“The Premier League is without question the mainstay of the channel,” said David Nathanson, executive vice president of Fox Soccer.

Champion viewers
Fox Soccer took over coverage of Champions League games in fall 2009. In its second season, the channel has seen a jump in audience — average viewership for last year’s Round of 16 games was 139,000; this year that figure is 158,000. With the Manchester United-Chelsea matchup in the quarter-final, and a potential Barcelona-Real Madrid semi-final on tap, ratings for the later stages could be well ahead of last year’s numbers.

Guglielmino said part of the success is simply due to U.S. viewers being able to watch some of the top brands in world sports — various studies have found that clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are among the best-known sports franchises in the world.

But another part of the increase this season is due to last summer’s World Cup. ESPN saw its highest-ever average audience for the competition — 3.3 million for each game — up 41% from 2006’s tournament. That has helped increase general soccer audiences following the event.

“It’s important to see the World Cup as a global event that transcends its sport,” in the way that people watch tennis and golf majors in much larger numbers than the non-majors, said Guglielmino.

“But there’s also clearly the opportunity [to gain] new fans from the World Cup, for example fans following their favorite players back to their clubs,” he added. “It does drive new awareness and new audiences.”

“The World Cup was so well-received that it helped lift all soccer,” said Fox Soccer’s Nathanson, who attributed the ratings jump for the 2009-2010 Premier League season to excitement building ahead of the global event.

“Our job is to capture the World Cup’s halo effect and keep that momentum going,” he said.

As part of that effort, Fox will show the Champions League final on its network channel, a repeat of its approach last year.

About 1.6 million people watched that game on Fox, between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich — a 14% rise from the previous year’s final between Barcelona and Manchester United broadcast on ESPN. The former game was on a Saturday and the latter was played on a Wednesday.

Fox is pushing ahead with broadening its Champions League audience this year, for the first time showing one leg of each semi-final — before the final, the knock-out stages are two-legged, home-and-away affairs — on its FX channel. While FX is in 99 million homes, more than double Fox Soccer’s reach.

“We’re giving more — and unprecedented — exposure for this year’s Champions League,” said Nathanson.
Sam Mamudi is a reporter for MarketWatch, based in New York

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[nyjunc]

Wow, soccer has really taken off! even w/ espn shoving it down our throats no one cares. Pretty soon soccer games will begin to approach ratings juggernauts like the WNBA and the Pro Bowlers tour.

[MBGreen]

Soccer is for little kids......and fags.

[ShadeTree#55]

Makes sense that they expanded up north.

[TommyGreen]

I've played soccer my entire life, and it's the only sport I can play well. That being said, I love the sport as far as playing goes. The World Cup is interesting because, as someone mentioned earlier, it's like the Olympics. It's a great win-or-you're-out tournament, which can produce some exciting games. I don't have a club team, and I'd seriously rather watch the National Spelling Bee than a regular season game in any league.

It's sort of like college basketball. You can love playing basketball, but if you grew up in an area with no college team, didn't go to a school with a Division 1 team, or just don't have a team to root for, then regular season college BBall is a snore. March Madness would be like the World Cup except in the WC's case you at least have the USA to root for.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Wow, soccer has really taken off! even w/ espn shoving it down our throats no one cares. Pretty soon soccer games will begin to approach ratings juggernauts like the WNBA and the Pro Bowlers tour.

I love how your counter argument has developed over the years and how you completely neglect the facts. Remember when you used to say it was just for (illegal) immigrants? Perhaps you should "dig a little deeper" and actually read the facts.... regular season soccer being played at mid-day on a Wednesday in s stadium half way around the world and being shown on limited US cable networks is pulling the same following as your beloved NCAA basketball (which is absolutely driven down the throat of all sports fans in prime time on ESPN) and the NHL.

Time to come up with a better argument Juncs.

[Italian Seafood]

For now I score this argument 0-0, like most soccer games. :up:

I've gotten into Serie A a bit, the games are on in the morning so they don't compete with anything else I want to see, and I'm usually home Sunday mornings with my kids where I can see the games. Fiorentina is the team I adopted, they've given me some good times so far.

[Johnny English]

Fiorentina are a fascinating club. Have you read their history, even just over the last fifteen years? Never a dull moment.....

[nyjunc]

I love how your counter argument has developed over the years and how you completely neglect the facts. Remember when you used to say it was just for (illegal) immigrants? Perhaps you should "dig a little deeper" and actually read the facts.... regular season soccer being played at mid-day on a Wednesday in s stadium half way around the world and being shown on limited US cable networks is pulling the same following as your beloved NCAA basketball (which is absolutely driven down the throat of all sports fans in prime time on ESPN) and the NHL.

Time to come up with a better argument Juncs.

I nevers aid it was just for illegal immigrants but what other argument would you have if you didn't make things up? I said it was popular in LA b/c it was filled w/ illegal immigrants from Mexico- wouldn't you agree that is true?

It's not pulling any following, that "article" was all PR spin. The women's NCAA Tourney draws more people to their sets. ESPN is showving soccer down our throats and still no one is watching. It's a nice thing every 4 years w/ the world cup, it will never be a major sport in this Country- I'm sorry to break that to you. MLS is equivalent to the WNBA as a sports league in this Country.

[nyjunc]

ftlfPb0gyxI

[ShadeTree#55]

junc 78,000 packed the new meadowlands for an exhibition. And it appears the Yankee fans have taken to dressing like blue seats this season.

[Italian Seafood]

Fiorentina are a fascinating club. Have you read their history, even just over the last fifteen years? Never a dull moment.....

I started rooting for them in the 2006-07 season after watching Luca Toni play in the World Cup. then of course he left the team but they had a couple of seasons where they made it to Europa and Champions League, almost won Europa (or UEFA) the one year, lost on PKs.

I've caught up a bit on their history as I've gone along, didn't know it was so deep. Too bad Prandelli left to coach the Italian team but they still have Frey in goal and Mutu is back. I wish they had kept Giampaolo Pazzini though. Doesn't look like they will qualify for any European play again for next year.

[nyjunc]

junc 78,000 packed the new meadowlands for an exhibition. And it appears the Yankee fans have taken to dressing like blue seats this season.

That's great, how many of those people were American? if they played there regularly they would draw like the metrostars drew at the old Stadium.

It's cold out there, I was there last night and it was empty but there were people in every section. others just chose not to come b/c of the weather. It's not like CitiField where most of the sections are empty.

Soccer is becoming a major sport in this Country just like Kaz Matsui was once the best SS in NY.

[Jets201]

That's great, how many of those people were American? if they played there regularly they would draw like the metrostars drew at the old Stadium.



Plenty. Every time you post about soccer, you reveal your complete ignorance about it.

[nyjunc]

Plenty. Every time you post about soccer, you reveal your complete ignorance about it.

Plenty as in how many? what were the prices on the tickets? I didn't even know there was a soccer game at the Stadium until after it was played- that's how little publicity it received so I have a hard time believing that stadium was filled w/ english speaking American citizens.

I am ignorant about it b/c no one cares about it in this Country. The few soccer fans are busy trying to pump up the sport. I am in my mid 30s and I have been hearing about how popular soccer was becoming for probably 25-30 of my years on the planet. I apologize if I am skeptical. Soccer is not popular in the Country as a spectator sport, it never has been and it likely never will be- at least not in our lifetimes.

[BIG COUNTRY]

That's great, how many of those people were American? if they played there regularly they would draw like the metrostars drew at the old Stadium.

It's cold out there, I was there last night and it was empty but there were people in every section. others just chose not to come b/c of the weather. It's not like CitiField where most of the sections are empty.

Soccer is becoming a major sport in this Country just like Kaz Matsui was once the best SS in NY.

Dude Im a soccer and baseball fan but I love the way you say soccer is boring when baseball is the only sport Im a fan of that Ive fallen asleep to.

Just because you dont like it doesnt mean no one else in the country does.

[Jets201]

Plenty as in how many? what were the prices on the tickets? I didn't even know there was a soccer game at the Stadium until after it was played- that's how little publicity it received so I have a hard time believing that stadium was filled w/ english speaking American citizens.

I am ignorant about it b/c no one cares about it in this Country. The few soccer fans are busy trying to pump up the sport. I am in my mid 30s and I have been hearing about how popular soccer was becoming for probably 25-30 of my years on the planet. I apologize if I am skeptical. Soccer is not popular in the Country as a spectator sport, it never has been and it likely never will be- at least not in our lifetimes.

Plenty as in tens of thousands. Please stop with that idea that it was mostly "illegal immigrants" in attendance.

Bolded part - you couldn't be more wrong, what a ridiculous generalization that is. Skepticism and ignorance are entirely different. If no one cares about soccer in this country, then please attempt to explain this away:

USA - Ghana 2010 World Cup match: 19.4 million viewers
Lakers - Celtics 2010 NBA Finals Average: 18.1 million viewers

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You want to say that it's only because of the international implications? Ok, then why was the Champions League final (pro soccer, not international) broadcast on Fox? Not Fox Soccer, not ESPN Deportes, not GOLTV, or Univision, but Fox?

As for your point that it's only illegal immigrants who care about soccer in the USA, then why would so many people tune in to watch the USA play? 19.4 million viewers beg to differ, many of them good ol' red blooded 'Mercans like you and me.

Soccer is growing by leaps and bounds in this country, as much as it upsets you.

[Jetskees]

Junc you really are just completely ignorant, it's sad really. I was at the US vs Argentina and that game was packed with Americans on a freezing cold windy day for a game that didn't count for anything.

Keep pretending that no one cares about soccer if that makes you feel better... I'm pretty sure you need that.

[nyjunc]

Dude Im a soccer and baseball fan but I love the way you say soccer is boring when baseball is the only sport Im a fan of that Ive fallen asleep to.

Just because you dont like it doesnt mean no one else in the country does.

I never said baseball wasn't boring, it can be very boring at times but soccer is on a completely different level w/ regards to boredom.

I don't fault people for liking soccer, just don't try to tell me how popular it is in this Country b/c we all know it is not.

Plenty as in tens of thousands. Please stop with that idea that it was mostly "illegal immigrants" in attendance.

Bolded part - you couldn't be more wrong, what a ridiculous generalization that is. Skepticism and ignorance are entirely different. If no one cares about soccer in this country, then please attempt to explain this away:

USA - Ghana 2010 World Cup match: 19.4 million viewers
Lakers - Celtics 2010 NBA Finals Average: 18.1 million viewers

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You want to say that it's only because of the international implications? Ok, then why was the Champions League final (pro soccer, not international) broadcast on Fox? Not Fox Soccer, not ESPN Deportes, not GOLTV, or Univision, but Fox?

As for your point that it's only illegal immigrants who care about soccer in the USA, then why would so many people tune in to watch the USA play? 19.4 million viewers beg to differ, many of them good ol' red blooded 'Mercans like you and me.

Soccer is growing by leaps and bounds in this country, as much as it upsets you.

tens of thousands, is that 20,000, 30,000?

That 18.1 mil average was avering over 7 games, the WC was ONE game. You don't see a difference? That also includes univision #s. The WC is an event, it will get ratings. A soccer league in the US will never get ratings.

It doesn't upset me, I couldn't care less. i just feel bad for the soccer fans that think it is growing to where it can be a major sport here. I guess someday when Spanish becomes the language of the majority like it is heading we'll see soccer as a major sport but until then it's not happening.

Junc you really are just completely ignorant, it's sad really. I was at the US vs Argentina and that game was packed with Americans on a freezing cold windy day for a game that didn't count for anything.

Keep pretending that no one cares about soccer if that makes you feel better... I'm pretty sure you need that.

How much did it cost to go to the game?

The place wasn't packed w/ Argentians or Americans of Argentinian descent?

The truly ignorant ones are those that believe soccer is a major sport in this country.

[Jets201]

Ah so now it's Americans of Argentine descent. Lol. I had no idea they were less American than American Americans! I see there's a reason why you were voted most argumentative poster, you like to argue for argument's sake, no matter how wrong and misinformed you are about the topic at hand.

[nyjunc]

Ah so now it's Americans of Argentine descent. Lol. I had no idea they were less American than American Americans! I see there's a reason why you were voted most argumentative poster, you like to argue for argument's sake, no matter how wrong and misinformed you are about the topic at hand.

People like to pretend they are from different Countries, it's like the Italian descendants rooting for Italy in the WC(my ancestry is Italian and Irish). That doesn't mean we'd see sellouts every game, I think we saw that w/ the metrostars who couldn't draw flies then moved into a tiny Stadium in NJ.

I ask again, how much were the tickets? what was the makeup of the fans attending the game? you seem to be avoiding this.

I'm most argumentative b/c I don't believe every word I see in an article or every word that people tell me. I know soccer is not a major sport, you guys are pretending that it is.

[ShadeTree#55]

25,000, including 30 Skyboxes (20 lower level and 10 upper level) and 1,000 club seats. Is not "tiny" Bigger then most NBA/NHL arenas.

At the Meadowlands tickets for the match ranged from 350 to 45 bucks.

[Jets201]

Junc, arguing semantics is really a poor way to prove your point. First it was no Americans, then it was all illegal immigrants, now its Americans id Argentine descent. Make your mind up. Id love to poke more holes in your astoundingly weak argument but don't have the time. I'll leave it at this for now: I'd bet that the team in that tiny stadium you mentioned draws more fans than quite a few hockey and basketball teams, and even some baseball teams.

[Hemi]

Fuck soccer.....

[Italian Seafood]

I think soccer becomes more popular here as technology makes the world smaller. Just like people overseas have become NBA fans over the past 20 years, we now have access to the best leagues in the world, which are in Europe, which helps promote the sport. People want to see the best, wherever they are, whatever the sport is, and the US soccer leagues have never been that so they've never caught on to a large degree. I got more interested in the Italian and English leagues in two weeks than I did in the US leagues my whole life.

I don't think soccer ever approaches our other sports in this country, just like the NBA or NHL won't surpass soccer overseas, but to me it's the same concept of globalization of a sport. Younger people here may not realize this, but even up to about ten years ago we couldn't see the EPL or Serie A, etc, even if we wanted to. Those leagues are the best advertisment for the sport, not a USA-Argentina game or the Red Bulls, just like the NBA finals are bigger and more intense than Olympic basketball.

[ShadeTree#55]

I think the NHL could have a run for there money down the line. The plan the MLS has been great, get support established, get soccer stadiums built, keep the salarys down while sprinkling in names. It is a great plan.

They have 9 soccer specific stadiums now with 4 under construction to be finished in the next year or 2.

[nyjunc]

25,000, including 30 Skyboxes (20 lower level and 10 upper level) and 1,000 club seats. Is not "tiny" Bigger then most NBA/NHL arenas.

At the Meadowlands tickets for the match ranged from 350 to 45 bucks.

It is the size of an arena, that's a tiny stadium.

I assume you mean 35 to 45? so tickets were cheap.

Junc, arguing semantics is really a poor way to prove your point. First it was no Americans, then it was all illegal immigrants, now its Americans id Argentine descent. Make your mind up. Id love to poke more holes in your astoundingly weak argument but don't have the time. I'll leave it at this for now: I'd bet that the team in that tiny stadium you mentioned draws more fans than quite a few hockey and basketball teams, and even some baseball teams.

I didn't change anything, you are having problems reading. The illegal immigrants remark was about the popularity of MLS in LA.

You haven't poked any holes, the only weak argument here are the pro-soccer arguments.

Is that actual attendance? I rememebr when the metrostars would post 10,000 attendance and maybe 500 people were in the building. Do you guys understand that these fledgling inflate #s and also give away tickets so people will show up?


This past weekend, just one year after opening the most expensive purpose-built soccer stadium in America (ignoring Gillette and a host of other NFLy stadia) in the middle of the country's largest market, New York distributed fewer tickets and may have drawn fewer fans than did their old, cold, and busted single entity partner in Columbus, Ohio by a count of 13,664 to 14,549. Word on the street is that *neither* crowd approached the announced figures and that 10-12k would perhaps be better estimates.



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You guys act like they are playing inf ront of 25,000 people a night.

2010 highest attendance: 25,000
2010 lowest attendance: 1,935

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New York, New York. A city with nearly 10 professional sports teams. A city of over 18 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. The world capital so to speak. Yet somehow the New York Red Bulls still manage to not sell-out their newly built state-of-the-art stadium. The question cannot be as simple as to whether or not soccer is popular in New York City, because NYC has a plethora of foreigners who have a passion for the game. Just last week the new Giants Stadium hosted a sell-out crowd of 77,507 for the Mexico-Ecuador match. Likewise, every summer we see sell-out crowds in New York's American football stadium when world-class soccer teams come play there, either against other international visitor or the local NY Red Bulls. So yes, there are soccer fans in New York City.



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[Italian Seafood]

I think the NHL could have a run for there money down the line. The plan the MLS has been great, get support established, get soccer stadiums built, keep the salarys down while sprinkling in names. It is a great plan.

They have 9 soccer specific stadiums now with 4 under construction to be finished in the next year or 2.

I agree the MLS has a better overall plan then the NHL does--which is horrendous, in my opinion--but I don't see soccer ever passing hockey here. I could be wrong, you never know.

[nyjunc]

I agree the MLS has a better overall plan then the NHL does--which is horrendous, in my opinion--but I don't see soccer ever passing hockey here. I could be wrong, you never know.

If Pele couldn't help sustain soccer interest in this Country then no one can. Remember how Beckham was supposed to take soccer to the next level here? :lol::lol:

[Italian Seafood]

If Pele couldn't help sustain soccer interest in this Country then no one can. Remember how Beckham was supposed to take soccer to the next level here? :lol::lol:

Again, I don't think the US leagues are the way soccer is going to be popular here. It's about us being able to see the best players in the world in their primes on TV playing in Europe, the same way people around the world got to see Michael Jordan play basketball on TV. Basketball didn't catch on by people in France watching the French league, it caught on when the world got to see the NBA. Same goes for kids here who grow up playing soccer and get to see Messi or whomever against the world's best.

[nyjunc]

Again, I don't think the US leagues are the way soccer is going to be popular here. It's about us being able to see the best players in the world in their primes on TV playing in Europe, the same way people around the world got to see Michael Jordan play basketball on TV. Basketball didn't catch on by people in France watching the French league, it caught on when the world got to see the NBA. Same goes for kids here who grow up playing soccer and get to see Messi or whomever against the world's best.

I partially agree but we aren't the rest of the world. We want the best players playing here in the US. The only chance it would have would be is if the premiere soccer players around the world were playing in MLS or some other league they come up w/ here in the US. IF that happened then soccer could be a majpr sport here but that's not happening.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc 3 hundred and fifty dollars.

[nyjunc]

junc 3 hundred and fifty dollars.

who would pay $350 to watch a soccer game? I'm guessing most of the stadioum was closer to $45 than $350.

[ShadeTree#55]

The MLS doesn't need the best, they can thrive with young and older stars.

Look and Brazil and Argentina, 2 soccer mad countries, they support their local teams. Yet all of their stars are playing in Europe. If Agudelo has a great couple of years with the Red Bull, then they sell him to Europe and he moves on MLS cashes in. Same thing with a player like Dempsey who might return to the MLS as his EPL time comes to an end like McBride did.

[Theo Huxtable]

Does anyone have a stream for the Man Utd game? For some godawful reason they're only showing yesterdays games up in Albany.

[ShadeTree#55]

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

[Theo Huxtable]

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

Thank you so much Shade.

[nyjunc]

The MLS doesn't need the best, they can thrive with young and older stars.

Look and Brazil and Argentina, 2 soccer mad countries, they support their local teams. Yet all of their stars are playing in Europe. If Agudelo has a great couple of years with the Red Bull, then they sell him to Europe and he moves on MLS cashes in. Same thing with a player like Dempsey who might return to the MLS as his EPL time comes to an end like McBride did.

Yes, they clearly are thriving:lol:

[ShadeTree#55]

How many people watched the early games of the NBA? The NFL for that matter. It takes time.

[Italian Seafood]

I partially agree but we aren't the rest of the world. We want the best players playing here in the US. The only chance it would have would be is if the premiere soccer players around the world were playing in MLS or some other league they come up w/ here in the US. IF that happened then soccer could be a majpr sport here but that's not happening.

That's why they get huge crowds (and yes, pay $350) when a big team comes here, either from the European leagues or a country like Argentina with a lot of well-known stars. I'm not saying soccer will ever approach our sports here, but from a TV standpoint the European leagues, and therefore soccer as a sport, will do well the longer they are on here and people follow them longer. I can live here and root for Fiorentina just like people on TGG can root for the Jets while they live in Italy or England. It doesn't mean the NFL will ever pass soccer where they live, but all sports are now more global for obvious reasons, which includes soccer here.

The MLS doesn't need the best, they can thrive with young and older stars.

Look and Brazil and Argentina, 2 soccer mad countries, they support their local teams. Yet all of their stars are playing in Europe. If Agudelo has a great couple of years with the Red Bull, then they sell him to Europe and he moves on MLS cashes in. Same thing with a player like Dempsey who might return to the MLS as his EPL time comes to an end like McBride did.

The MLS can survive and even thrive, and it likely will, but it's never going to pass our sports here or the European leagues in terms of popularity or success. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its niche but it is what it's going to be.

[nyjunc]

How many people watched the early games of the NBA? The NFL for that matter. It takes time.

Those sports weren't the most popular around the world and MLS has been around for 15 years now and hasn't made a dent in the American sports world.

That's why they get huge crowds (and yes, pay $350) when a big team comes here, either from the European leagues or a country like Argentina with a lot of well-known stars. I'm not saying soccer will ever approach our sports here, but from a TV standpoint the European leagues, and therefore soccer as a sport, will do well the longer they are on here and people follow them longer. I can live here and root for Fiorentina just like people on TGG can root for the Jets while they live in Italy or England. It doesn't mean the NFL will ever pass soccer where they live, but all sports are now more global for obvious reasons, which includes soccer here.



The MLS can survive and even thrive, and it likely will, but it's never going to pass our sports here or the European leagues in terms of popularity or success. That doesn't mean it doesn't have its niche but it is what it's going to be.

As a one time a year or every couple of years event? sure but they couldn't come close to selling that building out on a regular basis.

[ShadeTree#55]

How do you define "dent"?

[IATA]

How do you define "dent"?


dent 1 (dnt)
n.
1. A depression in a surface made by pressure or a blow: a dent in the side of a car.
2. Informal A significant, usually diminishing effect or impression: The loss put a dent in the team's confidence.
3. Informal Meaningful progress; headway: at least made a dent in the work.
v. dent·ed, dent·ing, dents
v.tr.
To make a dent in.
v.intr.
To become dented: a fender that dents easily.


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Like that.

[nyjunc]

How do you define "dent"?

After 15 years you would think it would have some relevance on the sports scene, it does not. I have yet to see any metro stars newws on the front or back cover of any NYC paper, I have yet to see a feature article in any paper, I have yet to see it on espn.com or any of the other major sports websites w/o having to earch under "other sports" or something like that, I have seen more items on the WNBA than MLS and the WNBA is also completely irrelevant.

There are some positives, they have a bucnh of new soccer only Stadiums. That has to help but it's not translating to the casual fan. I don't like soccer but I can watch a WC game or any big game(at least for a little while). I'm the type of fan the league needs to attract in order to grow- not just the hardcore soccer fan.

[Italian Seafood]

As a one time a year or every couple of years event? sure but they couldn't come close to selling that building out on a regular basis.

I think we're saying the same thing here. Again, I see the popularity growing from people watching the top leagues on TV from Europe, and even most of the stadiums over there are pretty small except for a few. The fact that they can sell out the Meadowlands at all ever tells you there are fans here, they just don't often get to see the top players in the world. What we have with MLS is basically a AAA league, maybe even AA (the people who know the sport better can share better insight on that), so they're only going to draw so much on a regular basis, like minor league baseball.

[nyjunc]

I think we're saying the same thing here. Again, I see the popularity growing from people watching the top leagues on TV from Europe, and even most of the stadiums over there are pretty small except for a few. The fact that they can sell out the Meadowlands at all ever tells you there are fans here, they just don't often get to see the top players in the world. What we have with MLS is basically a AAA league, maybe even AA (the people who know the sport better can share better insight on that), so they're only going to draw so much on a regular basis, like minor league baseball.

They sell out the women's FF and title game too, big events(that's not even big) or perceived big events will sell out.

[ShadeTree#55]

I'm the type of fan the league needs to attract in order to grow- not just the hardcore soccer fan.

No you're really not. You are jaded and don't like the sport, the MLS needs to sell it to people who love the sport, may watch foreign leagues and want to experience it first hand.

Or fans of the National team that want to watch some of our younger players develop 1st hand.

Also the immigrants who have a natural love for the game from birth.

Hopefully the Cosmos will return with the next expansion, then your should start seeing more local interests. Many fans included myself refuse to root for a team in NJ that never played a game in NY. The Cosmos have a large base waiting to get into the MLS game.

[Johnny English]

I think we're saying the same thing here. Again, I see the popularity growing from people watching the top leagues on TV from Europe, and even most of the stadiums over there are pretty small except for a few. The fact that they can sell out the Meadowlands at all ever tells you there are fans here, they just don't often get to see the top players in the world. What we have with MLS is basically a AAA league, maybe even AA (the people who know the sport better can share better insight on that), so they're only going to draw so much on a regular basis, like minor league baseball.

I've seen a few MLS games in Toronto, I'm not sure where it compares on the baseball spectrum but I'd say that the game is slightly different. There seems to be more of an emphasis on attacking football than perhaps in the European leagues, the defending is absolutely shocking from what I've seen but some of the attacking play is decent. The levels of athleticism are extremely high and the standard of homegrown player coming from the US is better than I have ever seen, as can be shown from the number making successful careers in Europe. It's a long haul for the sport to grow, but I think one of its biggest strengths is the summer season - it isn't having to compete with football, basketball or hockey, and baseball and soccer aren't natural competitors. I can see it building nicely if it carries on the way it is going.

[ShadeTree#55]

How is the stadium up there? I have been to the Red Bull and Philly.

[nyjunc]

No you're really not. You are jaded and don't like the sport, the MLS needs to sell it to people who love the sport, may watch foreign leagues and want to experience it first hand.

Or fans of the National team that want to watch some of our younger players develop 1st hand.

Also the immigrants who have a natural love for the game from birth.

Hopefully the Cosmos will return with the next expansion, then your should start seeing more local interests. Many fans included myself refuse to root for a team in NJ that never played a game in NY. The Cosmos have a large base waiting to get into the MLS game.

I am jaded but I can be swayed if the games and leagues are interesting. It's easier to win over soccer fans like you than a sports fan like me. Winning over general sports fans can take that league to the next level.

Isn't it amazing how we are a Country made of immigrants and yet we hate soccer as a Country?

MLS can barely support one team in the area, putting a 2nd team here would be a mistake.

The Jets & Giants play in NJ and that doesn't seem to affect how many fans they have. The Cosmos in the 70s had a nice run, made soccer relevant for a brief moment but they couldn't sustain success.

[GreenMachine]

Jnc get pissed about people saying Basketball sucks, but trolls soccer threads. Nice.

[Johnny English]

How is the stadium up there? I have been to the Red Bull and Philly.

It's a decent enough stadium, but the wind does howl off the lake at times. No roof, so you need to pick a good day to go; there's a fabulous view of the city skyline from the main stand though. They have a pretty hardcore crowd who have their crazy corner, although I don't know what it's like this year - a lot of people got pissed off with the management team of Mo Johnston and Preki last year, certainly my friends gave up their season tickets.

[ShadeTree#55]

NYC needs a team. A real NY team not some NJ knockoff. I don't know how I would feel about the Jets if they started play in NJ.

[nyjunc]

Jnc get pissed about people saying Basketball sucks, but trolls soccer threads. Nice.

I don't get pissed, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have no problem w/ anyone liking or loving soccer, I do have to respond when Is ee misinformation being posted as was in this thread pretending lik Soccer is on the verge of becoming a big time sport in this Country b/c it is not.

[nyjunc]

NYC needs a team. A real NY team not some NJ knockoff. I don't know how I would feel about the Jets if they started play in NJ.

NYC has the Mets and no one goes to those games:up:

[ShadeTree#55]

As many as the Yankees nowadays. Brrrr its too cold.

[Italian Seafood]

They sell out the women's FF and title game too, big events(that's not even big) or perceived big events will sell out.

They get 80,000 for the womens' Final Four?

[nyjunc]

As many as the Yankees nowadays. Brrrr its too cold.

I was there last night and while it was pretty empty there were more people there than any Met game at CitriField besides Opening days or when the Yanks visit.

They get 80,000 for the womens' Final Four?

They have held it in domes in the past- not 80,000 but alot more than 20,000.

[Italian Seafood]

They have held it in domes in the past- not 80,000 but alot more than 20,000.

Ok, bring a top European team into the stadium and they get 80,000 easy, many paying big bucks to see it. I don't think womens' college hoops is a good analogy, they don't come near 80,000 and if not for being propped by the NCAA and their "fairness" regulations it probably wouldn't even be televised.

[ShadeTree#55]

The Gold Cup final is going to be in the Rose bowl this summer, that should be a sellout

[Jetaho]

I think we can all agree that the interest in soccer at all levels has grown considerably in the past 20 years. Television and other media coverage, MLS, and the popularity of our national teams all demonstrate this. It is not in line with the big 4 but it is certainly gaining ground.

There are plenty of haters, but I've learned to just ignore them. I also make a point not to trash on other sports that I view as stupid or boring. What's the point? Live and let live.

[Italian Seafood]

The Gold Cup final is going to be in the Rose bowl this summer, that should be a sellout

I was at a Gold Cup doubleheader in Foxboro in 2007, it was sold out. Granted there were less USA fans there of the four teams playing, but the place was full.

[Jetskees]

The argument is about the MLS now? I'm a pretty big soccer fan and I will barely ever watch the MLS because it is not high quality soccer compared to European club and international soccer.

One of the main reasons we love watching the NFL, NBA, and MLB is because that is the highest level of play and best athletes on the planet at their craft. I do believe the MLS is getting better, but right now there are few players in the MLS who could even get on a roster in the English Premier league.

The European leagues have a massive head start on us, but we will continue to slowly close the gap.

[BIG COUNTRY]

Using the metrostars attendance and saying its the reason soccer isnt growing is the equivalent of posting the SI Yankees or the Brooklyn cyclones attendance and then claiming thats the reason everyone hates baseball.

[Italian Seafood]

Using the metrostars attendance and saying its the reason soccer isnt growing is the equivalent of posting the SI Yankees or the Brooklyn cyclones attendance and then claiming thats the reason everyone hates baseball.

Also, still calling them the "Metrostars" is a pretty good indication that one is not really paying attention.

[nyjunc]

Using the metrostars attendance and saying its the reason soccer isnt growing is the equivalent of posting the SI Yankees or the Brooklyn cyclones attendance and then claiming thats the reason everyone hates baseball.

Where are the "Yankees" or "Mets" of soccer in this Country? The English leagues or wherever are not going to ever be as big as sports leagues in this Country. Maybe part of the problem is that the soccer league in this Country is equivalent to the minor leagues? maybe that's why no one pays attention?

Also, still calling them the "Metrostars" is a pretty good indication that one is not really paying attention.

I apologize, "Red Bull New York":lol:

[ShadeTree#55]

The Red Bull had 20,982 for opening night.

Seattle Sounders drew 36,443 for their opener.

[Italian Seafood]

Where are the "Yankees" or "Mets" of soccer in this Country? The English leagues or wherever are not going to ever be as big as sports leagues in this Country. Maybe part of the problem is that the soccer league in this Country is equivalent to the minor leagues? maybe that's why no one pays attention?

That's what I've been trying to tell you. For example, if one of the Red Bulls starts playing really well he gets bought up by a big European team and he's gone from MLS, thus MLS is basically a minor league despite the name.

Equate it to basketball in Europe, they have leagues with good players but for the most part if a player is good enough he eventually comes here to play in the NBA. Still, basketball has grown in leaps and bounds overseas the past 20 years, as evidenced by international competition. Soccer is the inverse here, we have a league which is viable but not as good as the European leagues, but fans here can now watch the European leagues on TV which helps the sport overall. It's never going to overtake our other sports but it is growing and the USA is now a player in world competition just as the rest of the world has gained on us in basketball.

[TommyGreen]

Soccer will never hit it big in the U.S, but who gives a shit? If you like it, good for you. If you don't, then don't watch it.

[ShadeTree#55]

One thing people should like is that in Seattle the season ticket holders can vote out the GM. That is awesome.

[ShadeTree#55]

Oh and if the MLS changes the rules to make teams have to have natural grass, Qwest field will change. Based on the soccer tenants needs, how about that?

[nyjunc]

The Red Bull had 20,982 for opening night.

Seattle Sounders drew 36,443 for their opener.

What did they have for night two? I posted that article yesterday discussing the poor attendance and we KNOW they inflate attendance #s anyway.

That's what I've been trying to tell you. For example, if one of the Red Bulls starts playing really well he gets bought up by a big European team and he's gone from MLS, thus MLS is basically a minor league despite the name.

Equate it to basketball in Europe, they have leagues with good players but for the most part if a player is good enough he eventually comes here to play in the NBA. Still, basketball has grown in leaps and bounds overseas the past 20 years, as evidenced by international competition. Soccer is the inverse here, we have a league which is viable but not as good as the European leagues, but fans here can now watch the European leagues on TV which helps the sport overall. It's never going to overtake our other sports but it is growing and the USA is now a player in world competition just as the rest of the world has gained on us in basketball.

We aren't Europe, European Leagues will never be huge here. We want it here. IF we had the talent of the top foreign leagues playing in the US then there would be a chance.

Soccer will never hit it big in the U.S, but who gives a shit? If you like it, good for you. If you don't, then don't watch it.

This sums it up nicely.

One thing people should like is that in Seattle the season ticket holders can vote out the GM. That is awesome.

That is cool but asinine. Could you imagine how bad the Jets would be if we could vote the GM or coach out?

Oh and if the MLS changes the rules to make teams have to have natural grass, Qwest field will change. Based on the soccer tenants needs, how about that?

Maybe the Seahawaks want grass? why else would they change for a team that puts 20-30,000 people in the seats vs. a team that puts 70,000 people in the seats?

[ShadeTree#55]

Doesn't look inflated to me. They averaged 36,000+ in 2010

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And the season ticket holders having a voice is something they took from Barcelona. They do quite well with it. It is a great way of making fans feel a connection to something they have invested time a money into. IMO

[nyjunc]

Doesn't look inflated to me. They averaged 36,000+ in 2010

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I don't know what that building holds but almost the entire UD has a tarp covering it along w/ the EZ.

Seattle has nice attendance #s, pretty impressive for a soccer team. The tickets aren't expensive which helps but the #s are still impressive.

[nyjunc]

Doesn't look inflated to me. They averaged 36,000+ in 2010

And the season ticket holders having a voice is something they took from Barcelona. They do quite well with it. It is a great way of making fans feel a connection to something they have invested time a money into. IMO

I have invested plenty in the Jets through the years but that shouldn't give me the right to make any decisions. We know how fans sway w/ the wind- if you win a game you are going to the SB, if you lose you are going 0-16. I wouldn't want average fans making any decisions like that. My guess is they give the fans a vote but they skew the results to keep guys they want as GM.

[Sundayjack]

I became a soccer hater just for this thread.

[Jets201]

Isn't it amazing how we are a Country made of immigrants and yet we hate soccer as a Country?




Nah, it's amazing how off-base you are. If you think it's not growing significantly or that "we hate it" (not too broad of a generalization there), you're flat out wrong. You hate the sport, not we, and people who like it annoy you. That much is pretty clear by now.

[Italian Seafood]

We aren't Europe, European Leagues will never be huge here. We want it here. IF we had the talent of the top foreign leagues playing in the US then there would be a chance.

"Huge" is a subjective term that can be debated all day--not that you would do such a thing, junc. :grin:

I disagree that it has to be played here to be popular, again the world is becoming a much smaller place as time goes by. I see a lot of kids wearing jerseys of European soccer players now, something you never saw even ten years ago--again exactly what you see with the NBA, and to a lesser degree the NHL and NFL overseas. I'm not saying it's going to catch our sports, it isn't, but soccer as a sport is being bolstered more by having the European leagues on TV than it has ever been by domestic leagues here or international play with the USA making a run every 4-8 years.

[FirstTimeCaller]

ESPN is shoving soccer down our throats and at the very same time not publicizing soccer matches like last weeks enough.

Your not talking about illegal aliens supporting soccer but want to know how many English speaking American citizens attended the game last week.

Great points Junc!!

[nyjunc]

Nah, it's amazing how off-base you are. If you think it's not growing significantly or that "we hate it" (not too broad of a generalization there), you're flat out wrong. You hate the sport, not we, and people who like it annoy you. That much is pretty clear by now.

I have been hearing how soccer is growing for DECADES. has it grown? Sure but it hasn't been growing quickly. It's growing at a Gary Coleman or Webster rate.

I don't have any problem w/ people likeing the sport. We can choose whaqtever sports we like, my problem is the false info being spread by the soccer lovers acting like it is the next big thing- again, I have heard this for decades. Soccer was big in this Country for 5 mins w/ the Cosmos in the 70s, soccer will never sustain success.

This discussion is like the Rutgers football discussion from a few years ago when RU fans were telling me how RU fever was taking oer NY and how big RU football would be. For 5 mins it was fairly big, just like soccer in the last 70s or the '94 WC. It will never be a big sport here unless the top ploayers are playing here and since our best athletes play other sports we will likely never see it.

ESPN is shoving soccer down our throats and at the very same time not publicizing soccer matches like last weeks enough.

Your not talking about illegal aliens supporting soccer but want to know how many English speaking American citizens attended the game last week.

Great points Junc!!

They are always talking soccer on SC b/c they have games now just like they do w/ women's basketball.

So you don't think there is any difference btw immigrants who don't speak English coming from soccer loving Countries and Americans who grew up here speaking English?

I'm sorry to have to break this to you but it's not a popular spectator sport in this Country and it never will be. Why does it have to be popular? you like so go watch and enjoy, the rest of us will ignore it except for every 4 years for the WC(just like the Olympic sports).

[nyjunc]

"Huge" is a subjective term that can be debated all day--not that you would do such a thing, junc. :grin:

I disagree that it has to be played here to be popular, again the world is becoming a much smaller place as time goes by. I see a lot of kids wearing jerseys of European soccer players now, something you never saw even ten years ago--again exactly what you see with the NBA, and to a lesser degree the NHL and NFL overseas. I'm not saying it's going to catch our sports, it isn't, but soccer as a sport is being bolstered more by having the European leagues on TV than it has ever been by domestic leagues here or international play with the USA making a run every 4-8 years.

You can use whatever term you want, it will never catch on as far as big fan interest in overseas leagues. The players don't have to be American but they have to represent American Cities. IF that happened it could become big but it's not happening and b/c the best American athletes are not playing soccer we will have very few world class soccer players and those few guys will go play in Europe where they are gods rather than play here and be some anonymous players.

[FirstTimeCaller]

"Huge" is a subjective term that can be debated all day--not that you would do such a thing, junc. :grin:

I disagree that it has to be played here to be popular, again the world is becoming a much smaller place as time goes by. I see a lot of kids wearing jerseys of European soccer players now, something you never saw even ten years ago--again exactly what you see with the NBA, and to a lesser degree the NHL and NFL overseas. I'm not saying it's going to catch our sports, it isn't, but soccer as a sport is being bolstered more by having the European leagues on TV than it has ever been by domestic leagues here or international play with the USA making a run every 4-8 years.

Fair points, but even the following of the US National team has expanded will beyond the WC. It's not just something that draws attention every 4 years anymore. The Gold Cup, Confed cup, and even the friendly matched ans WC qualifications are becoming a big draw. 78,000 for a meaningless friendly in March... unspeakable 5 years ago. Part of that also has to do with the teams we're facing off against too (for instance Argentina). But that speaks to the quality of play the US team is putting up... 5 years ago they would not have been able to draw teams like Egypt, Argentina, Spain, and Paraguay for consecutive freindly matches. But they will come here now, because the sport is marketable in the US and the game is challenging. Years ago we would have been stuck playing a bunch of homo's.... like Canada or some other shit team.

[FirstTimeCaller]

They are always talking soccer on SC b/c they have games now just like they do w/ women's basketball.

But I thought you said the game wasn't publicized?

So you don't think there is any difference btw immigrants who don't speak English coming from soccer loving Countries and Americans who grew up here speaking English?

Not sure what language has to do with it. Perhaps you can verify how many English speak Americans were at the Yankee game the other night so we can disqualify them from the attendance numbers. (?)

I'm sorry to have to break this to you but it's not a popular spectator sport in this Country and it never will be. Why does it have to be popular? you like so go watch and enjoy, the rest of us will ignore it except for every 4 years for the WC(just like the Olympic sports).

For a guy who ignores it you sure like to speak about it as if you have some authority on the subject. It's funny really...

[nyjunc]

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[FirstTimeCaller]

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What's your point?

[nyjunc]

I think the title says it all:

"Most Popular Soccer Team in the U.S.: Mexico?"

[Italian Seafood]

Fair points, but even the following of the US National team has expanded will beyond the WC. It's not just something that draws attention every 4 years anymore. The Gold Cup, Confed cup, and even the friendly matched ans WC qualifications are becoming a big draw. 78,000 for a meaningless friendly in March... unspeakable 5 years ago. Part of that also has to do with the teams we're facing off against too (for instance Argentina). But that speaks to the quality of play the US team is putting up... 5 years ago they would not have been able to draw teams like Egypt, Argentina, Spain, and Paraguay for consecutive freindly matches. But they will come here now, because the sport is marketable in the US and the game is challenging. Years ago we would have been stuck playing a bunch of homo's.... like Canada or some other shit team.

I agree with this, I think it goes in tandem with having exposure to the European leagues. For example, if you get into watching a good USA run over the summer, you now don't have to wait a year (or years) to see those guys play again, you can watch them play in the EPL or wherever all year. The same reason the friendlys draw better now is people know who the players are on the other teams from seeing them play for their club teams and makes them a bigger draw.

[Italian Seafood]

You can use whatever term you want, it will never catch on as far as big fan interest in overseas leagues. The players don't have to be American but they have to represent American Cities. IF that happened it could become big but it's not happening and b/c the best American athletes are not playing soccer we will have very few world class soccer players and those few guys will go play in Europe where they are gods rather than play here and be some anonymous players.

Again I disagree. You have to realize the younger generation growing up with the Internet could care less where a team or a band comes from, it's all the same to them. Barcelona might as well be Denver, it's all on TV, all online and all available 24/7. I'm telling you, look around, look at how many kids you see with jerseys of European soccer teams/players. Not old guys like us, kids and teenagers.

[gustoonarmy]

You can use whatever term you want, it will never catch on as far as big fan interest in overseas leagues. The players don't have to be American but they have to represent American Cities. IF that happened it could become big but it's not happening and b/c the best American athletes are not playing soccer we will have very few world class soccer players and those few guys will go play in Europe where they are gods rather than play here and be some anonymous players.

The big IF is IF the big bucks come to the MLS, then it could become huge in the US.
I don't think anyone can argue, when it comes to entertainment, Americans are the tops at it, so I see no reason why in the very near future this shouldn't happen.
Don't disgard the WC as a means to a fast-track to popularity as well. I've said many times, if the US wins the world cup, or even gets as far as the semi's, soccer will really take off.

[TheCoolerGlennFoley]

The big IF is IF the big bucks come to the MLS, then it could become huge in the US.
I don't think anyone can argue, when it comes to entertainment, Americans are the tops at it, so I see no reason why in the very near future this shouldn't happen.
Don't disgard the WC as a means to a fast-track to popularity as well. I've said many times, if the US wins the world cup, or even gets as far as the semi's, soccer will really take off.

Something has to be entertaining to be entertainment. Which automatically disqualifies soccer.

[gustoonarmy]

Something has to be entertaining to be entertainment. Which automatically disqualifies soccer.

The world disagrees with you.

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

The US has competitions that call themselves World Champions, when the world isn't competing.:wink: But thats for another day.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I think the title says it all:

"Most Popular Soccer Team in the U.S.: Mexico?"

There's no surprises here. It makes sense a Mexican National game would attract Mexican fans.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc has no argument, he claims its like the WNBA, when I showed him a team that averages 36,000 a game.

He talks about the Red Bull nee Metrostars at the old Giants stadium not drawing an I show him they drew 25,000 for their opener.

None of that equal growth in his mind, nor does the stadiums being built.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I agree with this, I think it goes in tandem with having exposure to the European leagues. For example, if you get into watching a good USA run over the summer, you now don't have to wait a year (or years) to see those guys play again, you can watch them play in the EPL or wherever all year. The same reason the friendlys draw better now is people know who the players are on the other teams from seeing them play for their club teams and makes them a bigger draw.

Good point about tracking players in Europe. I think Liverpool missed a massive opportunity this year to acquire Dempsey at the transfer window. Off the strength of his EPL season and his WC performance his stock/notoriety/cred is at an all-time high for an American playing in Europe... Liverpool and their American ownership group should have taken him from Fulham and put him on the big stage in Liverpool for a few years and cross promoted the hell out of him in the US and UK. Would expand the Liverpool brand in the US and also would have given American fans a major player at a huge European club they could have easy access to through web/tv. Not sure I would classify Dempsey as a star but he's certainly a very solid player.

We talk about world class talent coming to america and making the sport popular but our first American star in Europe will raise the populairty of the sport in the US also.

[ShadeTree#55]

Deuce has as many EPL goals as Drogba...

[FirstTimeCaller]

junc has no argument, he claims its like the WNBA, when I showed him a team that averages 36,000 a game.

He talks about the Red Bull nee Metrostars at the old Giants stadium not drawing an I show him they drew 25,000 for their opener.

None of that equal growth in his mind, nor does the stadiums being built.

He spends a lot of time watching WNBA.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Deuce has as many EPL goals as Drogba...

Drogba is in another league then Dempsey. Just sayin....

[Italian Seafood]

The US has competitions that call themselves World Champions, when the world isn't competing.:wink: But thats for another day.

To be fair, all the sports where we claim to have the "world champion" we have the best players from around the world. If anything the term is more appropriate now than it used to be. The leagues and games are played here but the players in baseball and basketball are from all over. In hockey we don't call them "woirld champions" and if Canada wants to take us on in our football we'll beat the crap out of them.

[FirstTimeCaller]

To be fair, all the sports where we claim to have the "world champion" we have the best players from around the world. If anything the term is more appropriate now than it used to be. The leagues and games are played here but the players in baseball and basketball are from all over. In hockey we don't call them "woirld champions" and if Canada wants to take us on in our football we'll beat the crap out of them.

Agree 100%

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

To be fair, all the sports where we claim to have the "world champion" we have the best players from around the world. If anything the term is more appropriate now than it used to be. The leagues and games are played here but the players in baseball and basketball are from all over. In hockey we don't call them "woirld champions" and if Canada wants to take us on in our football we'll beat the crap out of them.

just becasue you have the best indiviual players in your league doesnt mean the best team in the world resides in your league ... i mean, look who won the world baseball classic

and the nba champs would be in a fight playing the euroleague champs with international rules

[nyjunc]

Again I disagree. You have to realize the younger generation growing up with the Internet could care less where a team or a band comes from, it's all the same to them. Barcelona might as well be Denver, it's all on TV, all online and all available 24/7. I'm telling you, look around, look at how many kids you see with jerseys of European soccer teams/players. Not old guys like us, kids and teenagers.

We'll see about that. Kids wear all kinds of jerseys, of players they don't kow or never heard of. That doesn't tell us anything(and I don't see kids wearing soccer jerseys anyway).

The big IF is IF the big bucks come to the MLS, then it could become huge in the US.
I don't think anyone can argue, when it comes to entertainment, Americans are the tops at it, so I see no reason why in the very near future this shouldn't happen.
Don't disgard the WC as a means to a fast-track to popularity as well. I've said many times, if the US wins the world cup, or even gets as far as the semi's, soccer will really take off.

Pele came in the 70s- that was supposed to be the springboard for soccer popularity. Didn't happen.

We had the WC in '94 which was a big success here- that was supposed to be the springboard for soccer popularity. Didn't happen

Then it was supposed to be Beckham playing MLS.

If we ever win the WC(doubtful b/c our best athletes do not play soccer) it will be big for a brief period of time then will fade into the background again.

Something has to be entertaining to be entertainment. Which automatically disqualifies soccer.

That's an excellent point:up:

junc has no argument, he claims its like the WNBA, when I showed him a team that averages 36,000 a game.

He talks about the Red Bull nee Metrostars at the old Giants stadium not drawing an I show him they drew 25,000 for their opener.

None of that equal growth in his mind, nor does the stadiums being built.

and you ignore that they didn't draw half that amount the next game and ignored the article I posted yesterday about their attendance.

He spends a lot of time watching WNBA.

It's more exciting than soccer and the athletes are at a higher level.

just becasue you have the best indiviual players in your league doesnt mean the best team in the world resides in your league ... i mean, look who won the world baseball classic

and the nba champs would be in a fight playing the euroleague champs with international rules

The WBC is silly, our players are just getting into spring training.

The NBA champ would have little problems winning against any team in the World.

[ShadeTree#55]

junc never lets the facts get in the way of a good circle jerk.

4,000,000 people paid in 2010 to see a sport no ones cares about.

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[ShadeTree#55]

For the record junc:

Average attendance for the 12-team WNBA through last Wednesday was down 3.7 percent to an average of 7,679

[MBGreen]

Entertainment hierarchy:

Sexual relations with Emmanuelle Chriqui > NFL Football > hockey > baseball > UFC > heart surgery > watching paint dry > college basketball > getting your face kicked in > dying in a fire > finding out J. Carlo is your father > soccer

[FirstTimeCaller]

3,999,999 did not pass Juncs homeland security test.

[ShadeTree#55]

Unlike the bleachers at Yankee stadium which are just all American boys out enjoying the countries National Pastime

[FirstTimeCaller]

Unlike the bleachers at Yankee stadium which are just all American boys out enjoying the countries National Pastime

Yeah, no Spanish being spoken at the Dodgers games either.

[Italian Seafood]

just becasue you have the best indiviual players in your league doesnt mean the best team in the world resides in your league ... i mean, look who won the world baseball classic

Anything can happen in a single or double elimination tournament.

and the nba champs would be in a fight playing the euroleague champs with international rules

I seriously doubt that, maybe for one game but not in a seven game series. Most of the best European (and South American and Asian) players are on NBA teams.

[Italian Seafood]

Unlike the bleachers at Yankee stadium which are just all American boys out enjoying the countries National Pastime

My personal favorites are the lime-green Jankees hats, usually worn tilted to the side a little. :up:

[desert swordz]

drogba is declining. that is all

[Italian Seafood]

We'll see about that. Kids wear all kinds of jerseys, of players they don't kow or never heard of. That doesn't tell us anything(and I don't see kids wearing soccer jerseys anyway).


Once again I have to disagree on a couple points. It's possible you don't see European soccer jerseys because you don't watch European soccer and wouldn't recognize them if you did.

Also, I would say most kids know exactly what jersey they are wearing and why, unless they're in a gang or something. Like any jerseys they aren't cheap, so I doubt their parents are randomly buying them for their kids to wear and they don't know what it is. I see them all the time, not just here in the NY area but when I travel. I think it does tell us a lot, it's probably as good a barometer as you can get, actually.

[........]

Yeah, no Spanish being spoken at the Dodgers games either.

Yeah, John Stow can tell you all about that one. I'd love to take my daughter to Dodger Stadium, but the last few times it was there it was a cholo-fest with a cacophony of language and threats that makes the shit here look like preschool.

And before the "THAT'S RACIST" kid gets posted, not all Hispanics are cholos by any stretch.

[gustoonarmy]

Pele came in the 70s- that was supposed to be the springboard for soccer popularity. Didn't happen.

We had the WC in '94 which was a big success here- that was supposed to be the springboard for soccer popularity. Didn't happen

Then it was supposed to be Beckham playing MLS.

If we ever win the WC(doubtful b/c our best athletes do not play soccer) it will be big for a brief period of time then will fade into the background again.





Pele came after his career was finished and into a fledgling league, of course its going to be crap. AND playing it in HUGE stadiums with no one in them , great job on the marketing there , of course it was doomed to failure. You win full marks on a crappy point.

WC in 94 was a flop? really? Ask the thousands of kids/adults, that now play as a result of it. I seem to remember alot of merchandising beigg sold too, and one of the best WCs I've ever had the privilege to watch.

Beckham. Once again at the twilight of his career and ONE player. That doesn't make an interesting league.

The US's best athletes don't play soccer? There you have it, athletes don't play soccer, footballers do.

I'm not going to go into great detail over this as you just don't understand football at all, but to get to where the EPL is now took a damn long time, and you think it can be replicated over night.
I'm happy that you don't like it and won't ever like it, but don't preach to me that its not entertaining. The US isn't the world and outside of the US its THE most popular sport on the planet.

[........]

Pele came after his career was finished and into a fledgling league, of course its going to be crap. AND playing it in HUGE stadiums with no one in them , great job on the marketing there , of course it was doomed to failure. You win full marks on a crappy point.

WC in 94 was a flop? really? Ask the thousands of kids/adults, that now play as a result of it. I seem to remember alot of merchandising beigg sold too, and one of the best WCs I've ever had the privilege to watch.

Beckham. Once again at the twilight of his career and ONE player. That doesn't make an interesting league.

The US's best athletes don't play soccer? There you have it, athletes don't play soccer, footballers do.

I'm not going to go into great detail over this as you just don't understand football at all, but to get to where the EPL is now took a damn long time, and you think it can be replicated over night.
I'm happy that you don't like it and won't ever like it, but don't preach to me that its not entertaining. The US isn't the world and outside of the US its THE most popular sport on the planet.

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/debate

[TommyGreen]

If we didn't have the NBA, NFL, or Hockey American soccer would probably reign supreme in the world.

[Jets201]

:lol:
I see junc is still grasping at straws, running against the wind and generally campaigning to be recognized as most argumentative poster on the entire world wide web.

Let's briefly sum it up:

In the last 8 or so years

-17 million people watched the USA play in a World Cup group match (not even an elimination game)

-Over 19 million tuned in a few days later

-The MLS, a league not 20 years old, has not only survived its infancy but is has built nearly 10 new stadiums, has signed multiyear, multimillion dollar sponsorship deals, and is now approaching the same average attendance of the NBA and NHL(not easy to admit because I love hockey and wish it was more popular)

-ESPN has attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers for English league games that start no later than 11 AM on a Saturday

-Youth and high school participation has sharply increased (increasing participation is a key goal of the MLS)

-Italian, German, French, and Spanish league games have been made available on cable TV

-A European pro match, the Champions League final, was broadcast on FOX (regular FOX, not fox business, news, or any of its other subsidiaries) and was watched by over a million viewers (would have been more if Barcelona was in the final)

Yeah, interest for soccer in the States is really crawling along isn't it

[Cakes]

Also, I would say most kids know exactly what jersey they are wearing and why, unless they're in a gang or something. Like any jerseys they aren't cheap, so I doubt their parents are randomly buying them for their kids to wear and they don't know what it is.

In St. Petersburg, you occasionally will see a grandmother buy a random NFL jersey for her grandson. The fucker will wear it too even if he doesn't like the team or know the player.

[Italian Seafood]

In St. Petersburg, you occasionally will see a grandmother buy a random NFL jersey for her grandson. The fucker will wear it too even if he doesn't like the team or know the player.

I would say that's more the exception to the rule. I'm not talking about little kids, I'm talking about teenagers who know what they are wearing and why. Just the fact that the jerseys are sold here tells you something, you never used to see them at all.

[........]

^Did not get it.

[Hobbes3259]

If we didn't have the NBA, NFL, or Hockey American soccer would probably reign supreme in the world.

You left out MLB....

[James Calvin]

In evolutionary terms, it's clear that the popularity of Soccer will wane around the world in future generations.

When the human population in many of the 'lesser' regions of the world discover that they have opposable thumbs they will discover that there are much better sports which take advantage of this remarkable trait that separates us from the beasts.

[wildthing2022000]

In evolutionary terms, it's clear that the popularity of Soccer will wane around the world in future generations.

When the human population in many of the 'lesser' regions of the world discover that they have opposable thumbs they will discover that there are much better sports which take advantage of this remarkable trait that separates us from the beasts.

Will third world countries evolve money? If not, soccer's still going to be the only sport they'll play since all they need is a ball.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Will third world countries evolve money?

Yes, except for areas above the 49th parallel which will actually devolve into a barter system based on homosexuall oral services as a means of payment. They will follow curling because all you need is a broom and a large rock, which most will have stored in their anus.

[gustoonarmy]

In evolutionary terms, it's clear that the popularity of Soccer will wane around the world in future generations.

When the human population in many of the 'lesser' regions of the world discover that they have opposable thumbs they will discover that there are much better sports which take advantage of this remarkable trait that separates us from the beasts.

I'm not entirely sure if you've slipped over and your head has inserted itself into your nether regions or your just Juncs puppet, but it's clear that you don't understand one of the fundamentals on why soccer/football is so popular worldwide ....
These 'lesser' regions? 3rd world?? If thats who you are directing that remark at, then it's clear you've never witnessed a group of children put down jerseys for goal posts and play football with any round object that can be found.
Not alot of other sports can boast the ease and availability of such a game.



Will third world countries evolve money? If not, soccer's still going to be the only sport they'll play since all they need is a ball.

A lot of kids in the 3rd world don't even own a football and use a ball made from taped up paper or tennis balls, or anything that can be kicked about.

[TheCoolerGlennFoley]

I like how the points for soccer is that it's popular in 3rd world countries, lots of little kids grow up playing the sport, and it's more popular then hockey in the NHL. Real strong argument there.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I like how the points for soccer is that it's popular in 3rd world countries, lots of little kids grow up playing the sport, and it's more popular then hockey in the NHL. Real strong argument there.

I like how your point includes a statement that something is more popular then hockey in the NHL. Way to go champ!! :up:

[MBGreen]

Soccer is about as entertaining as a Seth Rogen movie.

[LeonNYJ]

In evolutionary terms, it's clear that the popularity of Soccer will wane around the world in future generations.

When the human population in many of the 'lesser' regions of the world discover that they have opposable thumbs they will discover that there are much better sports which take advantage of this remarkable trait that separates us from the beasts.

The funny thing is that American Football is the most barbaric sport in the world... Oh well, haters gonna hate.

I'm not a huge soccer fan, but I do enjoy watching it when I have the time.

[Jets201]

Now we're arguing the merits of soccer? Only over a billion people watch the World Cup, they must all be delusional. One thing I think we can all agree on, especially basketball and football fans, is that over 90 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay is a fantastic thing in the age of constant advertising sensory assault. Soccer is one of the few sports for which advertising must conform to the sport and not the other way around. And the corporations can't do anything about it because the sport is so massively popular and the fans won't stand for them corrupting it with constant commercial interruptions.

[LeonNYJ]

Now we're arguing the merits of soccer? Only over a billion people watch the World Cup, they must all be delusional. One thing I think we can all agree on, especially basketball and football fans, is that over 90 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay is a fantastic thing in the age of constant advertising sensory assault. Soccer is one of the few sports for which advertising must conform to the sport and not the other way around. And the corporations can't do anything about it because the sport is so massively popular and the fans won't stand for them corrupting it with constant commercial interruptions.

This is true, however, my biggest beef with soccer is the power that officials have over the game. An undeserving PK can completely change a game. A PK is going to be a goal probably 90% of the time. Offside on non-offside goals, or no calls on offside goals. The power that the officials have in soccer is greater than any other sport.

No replay also doesn't help either. A ball can go in, but since there's no replay and it doesn't look like there will be any in the near future, there's no way of a review to be sure. That and you can't overturn a bad call from a referee via replay as well.

[Jets201]

This is true, however, my biggest beef with soccer is the power that officials have over the game. An undeserving PK can completely change a game. A PK is going to be a goal probably 90% of the time. Offside on non-offside goals, or no calls on offside goals. The power that the officials have in soccer is greater than any other sport.

No replay also doesn't help either. A ball can go in, but since there's no replay and it doesn't look like there will be any in the near future, there's no way of a review to be sure. That and you can't overturn a bad call from a referee via replay as well.


Agreed on both points, especially the second. Ask a fan of Chelsea FC,(English club) and they will certainly agree as well. Just two days ago they were denied a clear penalty by the same referee who denied them a clear goal a couple of years ago when he ruled that the ball did not completely cross the line despite all replays showing that it was a foot over the line.

The obstinance of FIFA and UEFA (soccer's largest governing organizations) on the replay technology issue is especially maddening. FIFA and UEFA are essentially massively corrupt oligarchies that constantly make decisions that fly in the face of common sense and the greater good of the game.

[gustoonarmy]

This is true, however, my biggest beef with soccer is the power that officials have over the game. An undeserving PK can completely change a game. A PK is going to be a goal probably 90% of the time. Offside on non-offside goals, or no calls on offside goals. The power that the officials have in soccer is greater than any other sport.

No replay also doesn't help either. A ball can go in, but since there's no replay and it doesn't look like there will be any in the near future, there's no way of a review to be sure. That and you can't overturn a bad call from a referee via replay as well.

This is the difference between US Football and Soccer, the officials in soccer are PART of the game, warts and all. In US football (bit like rugby) they follow strict guidelines where parameters are easily set.
Soccer is 90 mins of non stop action, whereas Football is stop-start. Watching on TV we all have the benefit of slow-mo replays where we can judge the ref, but in real time, its difficult. But to be fair, they get way more right than wrong, BUT its part and parcel of the game and is accepted. Some games you get a crap Ref.
Lol, I don't expect you to understand that, because I'm sure it'll have you scratching your head, in a football world where challenges etc take place.

I think soccer should have other options in place like sin bins, where a ref can dwell on a decision and maybe get help from replay to determine who or whats at fault. But not to the detriment of the game as we know it

[LeonNYJ]

On a goal, the game can easily be stopped for a review. There's no reason why not. I can understand in other instances, but for a goal there's no reason why it can't be stopped. Is there no way of stopping the game clock or something? It's silly.

Officials should at most only have a negligible influence on a game. The problem is that in soccer, a referee pretty much has the power to award a team a goal. It's what turns me off from the game a lot.

[MadBacker Prime]

There's a reason why a 15 year old kid can be a star in soccer.


If America's best athletes actually played the sport I'd be interested, but thankfully they play football, basketball, and hockey.

(I know baseball too, but I hate that almost as much as soccer)

[Hobbes3259]

In evolutionary terms, it's clear that the popularity of Soccer will wane around the world in future generations.

When the human population in many of the 'lesser' regions of the world discover that they have opposable thumbs they will discover that there are much better sports which take advantage of this remarkable trait that separates us from the beasts.

Good answer.

[Hobbes3259]

Now we're arguing the merits of soccer? Only over a billion people watch the World Cup, they must all be delusional. One thing I think we can all agree on, especially basketball and football fans, is that over 90 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay is a fantastic thing....

Someday when you're not 12, you'll start drinking beer and realize why that's a bad thing...

And all around the world, a half billion gay men enjoy sex with other men are you running out to join one of their clubs?

[Jets201]

There's a reason why a 15 year old kid can be a star in soccer.

Which 15 year old kid is a star in soccer? None I know of...

Someday when you're not 12, you'll start drinking beer and realize why that's a bad thing...

And all around the world, a half billion gay men enjoy sex with other men are you running out to join one of their clubs?


So you enjoy games being constantly interrupted? Suit yourself.

Second comment - pointless to even attempt to reply to that moronic analogy.

[desert swordz]

you either like it, or you don't. no need debating anything, to be honest.

[MadBacker Prime]

Which 15 year old kid is a star in soccer? None I know of...




So you enjoy games being constantly interrupted? Suit yourself.

Second comment - pointless to even attempt to reply to that moronic analogy.



Some kid, IN Europe somewhere.


Some soccer fan you are. lol

[MadBacker Prime]

you either like it, or you don't. no need debating anything, to be honest.


That makes sense.


Just more evidence of how much this offseason sucks.

[Jets201]

Some kid, IN Europe somewhere.


Some soccer fan you are. lol

Some 15 year old kid in Europe is a star? Maybe on his youth team, but definitely not professionally

[gustoonarmy]

As the OP says..

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

This pertains to soccer growing and being a sustainable sport in the US, it is.

Get over yourselves, if you don't think its a threat, what are you so worried about? No need to answer, really.

[MadBacker Prime]

Some 15 year old kid in Europe is a star? Maybe on his youth team, but definitely not professionally

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It was sarcasm, I thought soccer fans were keen on sarcasm?

[gustoonarmy]

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


It was sarcasm, I thought soccer fans were keen on sarcasm?

The puerile comments in this thread make it hard to distinguish.
Soccer fans love loyalty and a good argument, this thread has none, just misinformed guesses at best.
I find it funny that the few Americans that have visited the UK and taken in football, go home liking the sport, and after relaying their new found passion, get told that they are wrong, by people who have zero interest in the sport.

[Jets201]

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It was sarcasm, I thought soccer fans were keen on sarcasm?

Got you. It's kinda hard to discern sarcasm from the other nonsensical replies in the thread.

[LeonNYJ]

Most Americans are xenophobic when it comes to sports.

Hockey isn't popular because it's Canadian and most players are Canadian and a lot are European.

Soccer isn't popular because it's British/European and our league isn't that good and our national team is maybe slightly above average.

Most people don't even give the two sports a try because they don't understand the rules or don't want to. Possibly too high paced for them to follow or not enough stoppages for their ADD minds to handle. They don't have enough time to go to the fridge to get a beer, scratch their balls, take a leak and come back between plays.

Football is American = Popular. Majority of players are American.
Baseball is American = Popular. America's Pastime.
Basketball is American (invented by a Canadian though) = Popular. Majority of players are American.

[Cakes]

Most Americans are xenophobic when it comes to sports.Yes, that is true and I'm one of them. This is why I now sometimes refer to soccer as non-American football (NAF).





Hockey isn't popular because it's Canadian and most players are Canadian and a lot are European.My father only followed the NFL and MLB when I was a young and impressionable lad. Naturally, I took to football and baseball. My two grandfathers also both liked football and baseball, but nobody else in the extended family was particularly interested in sports. A couple neighborhood kids would occasionally talk about the Rangers and Devils, but that was it. I knew close to nothing about the sport till I was 12 or 13. Most of my friends in high school enjoyed the NHL. They got me into it a bit. I loved the NHL games for Sega Genesis, especially NHL 92 and NHLPA 93. I watched some NHL games and attended a few, but nothing ever really happened to get me to become a big fan of the sport.
My big problems with the sport are that I do not like ice skating and there aren't enough Americans in the NHL.




Soccer isn't popular because it's British/European and our league isn't that good and our national team is maybe slightly above average.The fact that the American team is not a top flight one is only a small problem for me. Mainly, I don't like the sport. See, I like using my hands. I like to type. I like to write. I like to hold things. I like to throw things. I like to touch things. You see what I'm sayin'? I played non-American football many years as a youth but chiefly looked at it as a form of exercise.




Most people don't even give the two sports a try because they don't understand the rules or don't want to. Possibly too high paced for them to follow or not enough stoppages for their ADD minds to handle. They don't have enough time to go to the fridge to get a beer, scratch their balls, take a leak and come back between plays.Maybe my favorite thing about NAF is the lack of commercials. My biggest problem with NFL games are the excessive commercial breaks and it seems to get worse with each season. I have dozed off several times in recent years while watching NFL games. With baseball and basketball games, I only doze off if I'm truly tired and am watching a late night game.

[CatoTheElder]

Hockey isn't popular because it's Canadian and most players are Canadian and a lot are European.

Clearly you've never been to Pittsburgh...or Chicago...or Buffalo...or Boston...or Washington DC...or New York.

[Foreign Alphabet]

I like how the points for soccer is that it's popular in 3rd world countries, lots of little kids grow up playing the sport, and it's more popular then hockey in the NHL. Real strong argument there.

Its pretty related. I was doing some research and I found out that soccer, more commonly referred to as "kick ball", was invented specifically for people too poor to play hockey or born into a climate too warm

[LeonNYJ]

Clearly you've never been to Pittsburgh...or Chicago...or Buffalo...or Boston...or Washington DC...or New York.

I live in NY and if you've ever been here you'd know that except for the die hards, no one cares about hockey unless the Rangers make the playoffs. They don't even talk about it on the radio. They'd rather discuss the Yankees pitching rotation and pitchas and catchas than the Rangers playoff run. Hell, they'd rather talk about the Lakers and Heat than the Rangers.

Pittsburgh? You mean that team that was going to go bankrupt and move until the NHL fixed the draft lottery (for the second time in 20 years) to have the most hyped player since Eric Lindros go there? The team that was playing in front of an empty arena on a game-by-game basis?

Buffalo is pretty much Canada, but I'll give you them.

Boston? Bostonians were boycotting the Bruins for years. It's not until they started becoming one of the top teams in the East, that they're suddenly popular again.

Chicago? See Boston. They sucked for years and no one was going to watch games. It wasn't until they started winning again, that Chicago is suddenly a hockey town again.

DC? See Pittsburgh, they were pretty much in the same boat before getting Ovechkin.


You can tell me Minnesota, Buffalo, Detroit (who hasn't been crappy since the early 80s), and maybe Philly. Otherwise, any other American market could care less about hockey when their team isn't a contender. At least in NY we still sell out when the team sucks, but we also have 19 million people to fill an arena.

[CatoTheElder]

I live in NY and if you've ever been there you'd know that except for the die hards, no one cares about hockey unless the Rangers make the playoffs. They don't even talk about it on the radio.
NY Metro-area has three active teams in a town that's historically been a baseball/basketball town.
Pittsburgh? You mean that team that was going to go bankrupt and move until the NHL fixed the draft lottery to have the most hyped player since Eric Lindros go there? The team that was playing in front of an empty arena on a game-by-game basis?
Would you pay to see those fucking teams? If the Jets put together lineups on par with what the Penguins' brass was doing to that team for that amount of time, I spend my money to watch them, either.

Boston? Bostonians were boycotting the Bruins for years. It's not until they started becoming one of the top teams in the East, that they're suddenly popular again.
College Hockey > NHL in Boston. Just because they're not swooning over a professional team while it was being managed like the Clippers doesn't mean they don't love the sport.
DC? See Pittsburgh, they were pretty much in the same boat before getting Ovechkin.
Jesus fuck, how do you not understand consumerism?
You can tell me Minnesota, Buffalo, Detroit (who hasn't been crappy since the early 80s), and maybe Philly. Otherwise, any other American market could care less about hockey when their team isn't a contender.

So...no one cares about hockey...except for the people who do...but they don't count.

[LeonNYJ]

NY Metro-area has three active teams in a town that's historically been a baseball/basketball town.

Would you pay to see those fucking teams? If the Jets put together lineups on par with what the Penguins' brass was doing to that team for that amount of time, I spend my money to watch them, either.


College Hockey > NHL in Boston. Just because they're not swooning over a professional team while it was being managed like the Clippers doesn't mean they don't love the sport.

Jesus fuck, how do you not understand consumerism?


So...no one cares about hockey...except for the people who do...but they don't count.

I'm not attacking hockey, it's my favorite sport, has been since I was a toddler. I play it, watch it. It's #1 for me by far.

However, you're blind if you think it's a popular sport. Pittsburgh and DC are a sham of a market. Pittsburgh was on the brink of bankruptcy when the league had to fix the lottery to get Lemieux and again to get Crosby. They only follow their team when it's one of the top in the league.

It's not like they were terrible for getting Crosby. They missed the playoffs for only three years. Prior to that they had been to the Conference finals. If the Jets pulled over a over a 16 year period, Champion, Champion, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs,conf finals, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, conf finals, miss, miss, miss. I'm sure you would surely abandon them.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for seven years! Seven years, I went to many games at the Garden in years where my team had a payroll that was through the roof and couldn't make it to the playoffs. I know what it is to follow a team when they suck. Pittsburgh is bullshit. They abandon their team when they suck for three years? Are you kidding?

In case you don't now the Capitals history... They missed the playoffs in 03-04, before that missed 3 times over 21 seasons. They made it to the Finals in 1998. What hardships those fans must have gone through. They also abandoned their team until they got the first overall pick and got Ovechkin. Another bullshit market.

Let's talk about the Bruins. Prior to the lockout they didn't make the playoffs 3 times in 37 years. Wow must have been such a horrible thing to go through. I mean, if your team doesn't win the championship each year, it must mean the management is complete crap and that you shouldn't follow the team. and yes, I know college hockey is huge in the Boston area... However, it's disgraceful to not follow your professional team in the same sport.

[WhiteShoeWillis]

Soccer can blow me. I couldn't care less if it's "here to stay", it's boring and I'll never watch or pay attention to it.

[wildthing2022000]

I'm not attacking hockey, it's my favorite sport, has been since I was a toddler. I play it, watch it. It's #1 for me by far.

However, you're blind if you think it's a popular sport. Pittsburgh and DC are a sham of a market. Pittsburgh was on the brink of bankruptcy when the league had to fix the lottery to get Lemieux and again to get Crosby. They only follow their team when it's one of the top in the league.

It's not like they were terrible for getting Crosby. They missed the playoffs for only three years. Prior to that they had been to the Conference finals. If the Jets pulled over a over a 16 year period, Champion, Champion, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs,conf finals, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, conf finals, miss, miss, miss. I'm sure you would surely abandon them.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for seven years! Seven years, I went to many games at the Garden in years where my team had a payroll that was through the roof and couldn't make it to the playoffs. I know what it is to follow a team when they suck. Pittsburgh is bullshit. They abandon their team when they suck for three years? Are you kidding?

In case you don't now the Capitals history... They missed the playoffs in 03-04, before that missed 3 times over 21 seasons. They made it to the Finals in 1998. What hardships those fans must have gone through. They also abandoned their team until they got the first overall pick and got Ovechkin. Another bullshit market.

Let's talk about the Bruins. Prior to the lockout they didn't make the playoffs 3 times in 37 years. Wow must have been such a horrible thing to go through. I mean, if your team doesn't win the championship each year, it must mean the management is complete crap and that you shouldn't follow the team. and yes, I know college hockey is huge in the Boston area... However, it's disgraceful to not follow your professional team in the same sport.

Could you actually do some research before you sound like a moron. The fans had nothing to do with the Penguins bankruptcy, the owners spent too much cash during the Cup years. They didn't fix the lottery either since the Pens had the most ping-pong balls in that lottery.

The rest of this rant is obvious Ranger bias but w/e moving on, yay you supported a bunch of shit teams, do you get a trophy for that?

As for the Caps it's kinda of hard to contend when the highest paid guy on the team is on the decline and injured. Can't just rebuild the team in a year.

You know absolutely nothing about the Bruins and their fans when you say that stuff. They hate their owner, since he always let the high priced talent leave town(Thorton) and the team is always good enough to get in the playoffs but never good enough to do anything once they get there. Their last cup was in 1972, their last cup appearance was in 1990, and their last conference final appearance 1992. Awesome team right there.....

[LeonNYJ]

Could you actually do some research before you sound like a moron. The fans had nothing to do with the Penguins bankruptcy, the owners spent too much cash during the Cup years. They didn't fix the lottery either since the Pens had the most ping-pong balls in that lottery.
The Pens, Rangers, and a few other teams all had the same amount of balls (believe it was four). Amazing how the Pens ended up with pick one and the Rangers with pick 15 I believe it was. And the fans had nothing to do with it? Check the attendance stats. In 03-04 Pittsburgh had the lowest attendance in the NHL. #30 of 30. The season before? #25. Before that? #22. They didn't even average a sellout in the season they went to the conference finals. Yeah, great fans there.


As for the Caps it's kinda of hard to contend when the highest paid guy on the team is on the decline and injured. Can't just rebuild the team in a year.
You mean the same guy who scored 123 points in 05-06? He hated playing there, oh well.
As I said, they only missed the playoffs 3 times out of 21 seasons pre-Ovechkin. Because their team isn't the best in the league no one should watch their team? From 2000 until they became one of the top teams in the league they only had one year where their attendance was above 90%. Heck, they were at the bottom after the lockout too until they soared to the top of the league. Sure they weren't good in that time, but does that mean that you abandon your team after a few bad years?

Lost in cup finals in 98, missed playoffs, finished 1st in their div two years straight, missed playoffs, 6th in the east, then scrapped and rebuilded for three years. That automatically means no one should go to games.

You know absolutely nothing about the Bruins and their fans when you say that stuff. They hate their owner, since he always let the high priced talent leave town(Thorton) and the team is always good enough to get in the playoffs but never good enough to do anything once they get there. Their last cup was in 1972, their last cup appearance was in 1990, and their last conference final appearance 1992. Awesome team right there.....
So what? The team was obviously still good enough to make the playoffs. Last time I checked Thorton hasn't won shit since he left Boston. These are the same people who watched the Red Sox for 86 years before they won a championship. So just because they made the playoffs and couldn't win the Cup they abandon their team? Just because they were giving away high priced players? GTFO with that. The Rangers bought all high priced players and never did anything. You root for your team regardless and if you get to the playoffs your team obviously isn't that bad.

Last time I checked the NY Jets haven't won the Super Bowl in 42 years. We have had some really shitty years thrown in there. Horrible teams, coaches, qbs, etc. I guess we should have abandoned them too til Rex came aboard because now we're contenders.

[James Calvin]

When soccer is carried by network TV on a regular schedule in the US and gets viewers and advertisers it will have caught on in the US.

Set your stopwatches...... now.

[pats-hater]

When soccer is carried by network TV on a regular schedule in the US and gets viewers and advertisers it will have caught on in the US.

Set your stopwatches...... now.


Thank God this will never happen.

[CatoTheElder]

As for the OP, I really don't care. If it catches on and starts getting carried by network TV the good for soccer and it's fans. Just don't screw with the way I get to enjoy watching the Mets lose.

[James Calvin]

Do you know why the term "Soccer Moms" is a catch phrase and not "Soccer Dads"?

Because the fathers are so embarrassed that their kid is playing a pussy sport, and make the Moms drive them.

[Trifco]

I don't like the idea of USA loving football (soccer) and I know it'll never be close to the top 3 sports.

But by now it should be obvious that it has found a market and it won't dissappear. Every season MLS has more teams and every team has more fans and every fan is more involved and willing to spend more money on it.

So, I don't see the problem with saying that "soccer is here to stay".

Most Americans are xenophobic when it comes to sports.

Hockey isn't popular because it's Canadian and most players are Canadian and a lot are European.

Soccer isn't popular because it's British/European and our league isn't that good and our national team is maybe slightly above average.

Most people don't even give the two sports a try because they don't understand the rules or don't want to. Possibly too high paced for them to follow or not enough stoppages for their ADD minds to handle. They don't have enough time to go to the fridge to get a beer, scratch their balls, take a leak and come back between plays.

Football is American = Popular. Majority of players are American.
Baseball is American = Popular. America's Pastime.
Basketball is American (invented by a Canadian though) = Popular. Majority of players are American.

You forgot F1.

[wildthing2022000]

The Pens, Rangers, and a few other teams all had the same amount of balls (believe it was four). Amazing how the Pens ended up with pick one and the Rangers with pick 15 I believe it was. And the fans had nothing to do with it? Check the attendance stats. In 03-04 Pittsburgh had the lowest attendance in the NHL. #30 of 30. The season before? #25. Before that? #22. They didn't even average a sellout in the season they went to the conference finals. Yeah, great fans there.



You mean the same guy who scored 123 points in 05-06? He hated playing there, oh well.
As I said, they only missed the playoffs 3 times out of 21 seasons pre-Ovechkin. Because their team isn't the best in the league no one should watch their team? From 2000 until they became one of the top teams in the league they only had one year where their attendance was above 90%. Heck, they were at the bottom after the lockout too until they soared to the top of the league. Sure they weren't good in that time, but does that mean that you abandon your team after a few bad years?

Lost in cup finals in 98, missed playoffs, finished 1st in their div two years straight, missed playoffs, 6th in the east, then scrapped and rebuilded for three years. That automatically means no one should go to games.


So what? The team was obviously still good enough to make the playoffs. Last time I checked Thorton hasn't won shit since he left Boston. These are the same people who watched the Red Sox for 86 years before they won a championship. So just because they made the playoffs and couldn't win the Cup they abandon their team? Just because they were giving away high priced players? GTFO with that. The Rangers bought all high priced players and never did anything. You root for your team regardless and if you get to the playoffs your team obviously isn't that bad.

Last time I checked the NY Jets haven't won the Super Bowl in 42 years. We have had some really shitty years thrown in there. Horrible teams, coaches, qbs, etc. I guess we should have abandoned them too til Rex came aboard because now we're contenders.

4 teams had 3 balls. So they had the best chance of winning and they won what a miracle....

So people have to watch bad teams play rather than decide with their wallet, just because your loyal doesn't mean you have fork over money for a bad product. Islander fans have that figured out quite well. Bad product = low attendance.

Thorton hasn't won shit? Who won the MVP and Art Ross in 2006? What do the Sharks have to do with what the Bruins did anyway. They also traded away Kessel who was looking for a new deal just like Thorton did.

Bruins fans didn't abandon their team, they just hate the owner just like Clipper fans do. There's a difference between liking the team and liking the guy who owns the team. Even the Red Sox had low attendance during their shit years just looking at the years where they were no where near the playoffs, they had empty seats just like everyone else. TV ratings dropped in 2010 since the team stunk. They're loyal but they know a turd sandwich when they see one. Even Jet fans know that unless you think everyone loved paying to see a 1-15 team back in '96.

[Cakes]

wildthing2022000- What's with the SuperSonics avatar? I was wondering about that because I see you are also using it at JetNation. You are a Celtics fan, right?

[MBGreen]

wildthing2022000- What's with the SuperSonics avatar? I was wondering about that because I see you are also using it at JetNation. You are a Celtics fan, right?
Maybe Shawn Kemp is his father.

[wildthing2022000]

wildthing2022000- What's with the SuperSonics avatar? I was wondering about that because I see you are also using it at JetNation. You are a Celtics fan, right?

It's the name of my team in fantasy basketball and I liked them since I used them in the original NBA Jam.

[Cakes]

It's the name of my team in fantasy basketball and I liked them since I used them in the original NBA Jam.

Okay cool. The original NBA Jam games were great.

If I had to name my fantasy team after a real team I'd have to go with Portland Trailblazers because LaMarcus Aldridge, Gerald Wallace, and Wesley Matthews have been three of my top 5 or 6 players. I'm in a dogfight in our league's finals.

Edit- I just looked at my team log for the season. Aldridge and Matthews have been my two top scorers. Jason Richardson is #3 and Wallace is #4. I drafted Matthews at pick #155. According to Yahoo's ranking system and/or our league's settings, Matthews has been the 37th best player this season. Based upon the value I received that may have been the best pick I ever made in fantasy sports.

[wildthing2022000]

Okay cool. The original NBA Jam games were great.

If I had to name my fantasy team after a real team I'd have to go with Portland Trailblazers because LaMarcus Aldridge, Gerald Wallace, and Wesley Matthews have been three of my top 5 or 6 players. I'm in a dogfight in our league's finals.

Edit- I just looked at my team log for the season. Aldridge and Matthews have been my two top scorers. Jason Richardson is #3 and Wallace is #4. I drafted Matthews at pick #155. According to Yahoo's ranking system and/or our league's settings, Matthews has been the 37th best player this season. Based upon the value I received that may have been the best pick I ever made in fantasy sports.

I'm in the TGG one and I'm kicking ass as no one is even close(up 20.5 in rotisserie) and I have Durant who's my favorite non-Celtic.

[FirstTimeCaller]

This thread is great! No discernible direction, trolls galore, loads of people saying they hate the sport but at the same time pretending to speak with some authority about it, racism, nationalism, Rebel Mike-ism, Richard Dentism, Seattle Super Sonics, cheating Pittsburgh penguins, a truly all-star TGG line up of posters, gay Canada, JUNC grasping at straws, cholos, ..... total bullshit, it's perfect.

[Trifco]

This thread is great! No discernible direction, trolls galore, loads of people saying they hate the sport but at the same time pretending to speak with some authority about it, racism, nationalism, Rebel Mike-ism, Richard Dentism, Seattle Super Sonics, cheating Pittsburgh penguins, a truly all-star TGG line up of posters, gay Canada, JUNC grasping at straws, cholos, ..... total bullshit, it's perfect.

The OP should be banned!

oh, wait, what?... oh, thanks, that was fast.

[wildthing2022000]

This thread is great! No discernible direction, trolls galore, loads of people saying they hate the sport but at the same time pretending to speak with some authority about it, racism, nationalism, Rebel Mike-ism, Richard Dentism, Seattle Super Sonics, cheating Pittsburgh penguins, a truly all-star TGG line up of posters, gay Canada, JUNC grasping at straws, cholos, ..... total bullshit, it's perfect.

Thread's 4 years old there's bound to be an OT post every now and again.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Thread's 4 years old there's bound to be an OT post every now and again.

You must be a lot of fun to party with.

[wildthing2022000]

You must be a lot of fun to party with.

Try to stay on topic.

NE Rev's home attendance in 2011:
Gm. 1 - 12,914 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)
Gm. 2 - 7,114 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)
Gm. 3 - 7,970 (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

Result of a mediocre team in a mediocre city with a mediocre owner.

[BadgerOnLSD]

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[nyjunc]

junc never lets the facts get in the way of a good circle jerk.

4,000,000 people paid in 2010 to see a sport no ones cares about.



How exactly do you know they paid? They INFLATE attendance #s! Just like your Mets. You believe everything they tell you b/c you want to believe.

Yeah, no Spanish being spoken at the Dodgers games either.

Well no English is being spokem at LA Galaxy games either.

Once again I have to disagree on a couple points. It's possible you don't see European soccer jerseys because you don't watch European soccer and wouldn't recognize them if you did.

Also, I would say most kids know exactly what jersey they are wearing and why, unless they're in a gang or something. Like any jerseys they aren't cheap, so I doubt their parents are randomly buying them for their kids to wear and they don't know what it is. I see them all the time, not just here in the NY area but when I travel. I think it does tell us a lot, it's probably as good a barometer as you can get, actually.

I would recognize it wasn't an American sport, I could recognize the jerseys. Just like kids wearing throwbacks og players they never heard of they might be wearing soccer jerseys of players most never heard of.

Pele came after his career was finished and into a fledgling league, of course its going to be crap. AND playing it in HUGE stadiums with no one in them , great job on the marketing there , of course it was doomed to failure. You win full marks on a crappy point.

WC in 94 was a flop? really? Ask the thousands of kids/adults, that now play as a result of it. I seem to remember alot of merchandising beigg sold too, and one of the best WCs I've ever had the privilege to watch.

Beckham. Once again at the twilight of his career and ONE player. That doesn't make an interesting league.

The US's best athletes don't play soccer? There you have it, athletes don't play soccer, footballers do.

I'm not going to go into great detail over this as you just don't understand football at all, but to get to where the EPL is now took a damn long time, and you think it can be replicated over night.
I'm happy that you don't like it and won't ever like it, but don't preach to me that its not entertaining. The US isn't the world and outside of the US its THE most popular sport on the planet.

Pele was a big draw here briefly but soccer could not sustain success in the US.

The WC in 1994 was a huge success, what flopped was soccer sustaining success post world cup. ANY huge Int'l event will be huge here. they'd sell out the cricket world cup or rugby world cup if it was held in the US.

But beckham wa supposed to be a guy that brought a ton of attention to MLS and soccer in the US- didn't happen.

If our ploayers playing in the NFL and NBA chose soccer instead we'd have the best soccer Coutnry in the world and people would care. unfortunately for soccer our best athletes are playing other sports. That doesn't mean the players aren't good athletes, they just aren't the best we have.


I understand football perfectly, I don't get soccer. it's a borefest- even at the WC.

If you are enteratined by it have fun. I am not trying to stop anyone from watching it. Why do you guys care so much what I think?

Do you know why the term "Soccer Moms" is a catch phrase and not "Soccer Dads"?

Because the fathers are so embarrassed that their kid is playing a pussy sport, and make the Moms drive them.

:lol::up:

[TommyGreen]

If they brought back the Cosmos I'd probably become a fan of the team. I just can't ever bring myself to root for a team called Red Bull New York.

[nyjunc]

If they brought back the Cosmos I'd probably become a fan of the team. I just can't ever bring myself to root for a team called Red Bull New York.

I believe they are bringing back the Cosmos.

Red Bull NY is bad but it could be worse:

Chivas USA
Sporting Kansas City
Toronto FC
FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake


:lol::lol:

[TommyGreen]

See, that's the problem. They're trying too hard to be like the other clubs around the world. Plus, local teams should be able to be promoted to the major league, and lesser teams should be relegated.

[Jets201]

When soccer is carried by network TV on a regular schedule in the US and gets viewers and advertisers it will have caught on in the US.

Set your stopwatches...... now.

Thank God this will never happen.

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It started last year, and will become more prevalent. NBA and MLB usually get one game a week on network TV, otherwise it's on cable. So if network TV is your criteria, do you really think that within 10 years that MLS games or at least big games from foreign leagues won't be on network TV once a week? I don't think it's that far fetched considering ESPN has drawn over 500,000 viewers for English league games broadcast early on Saturday mornings.


Do you know why the term "Soccer Moms" is a catch phrase and not "Soccer Dads"?

Because the fathers are so embarrassed that their kid is playing a pussy sport, and make the Moms drive them.
:up:

There are millions of youth soccer players in this country, that's a lot of embarrassed fathers

See, that's the problem. They're trying too hard to be like the other clubs around the world. Plus, local teams should be able to be promoted to the major league, and lesser teams should be relegated.

I wish there was relegation in baseball, it would make the season immeasurably more exciting.

[nyjunc]

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It started last year, and will become more prevalent. NBA and MLB usually get one game a week on network TV, otherwise it's on cable. So if network TV is your criteria, do you really think that within 10 years that MLS games or at least big games from foreign leagues won't be on network TV once a week? I don't think it's that far fetched considering ESPN has drawn over 500,000 viewers for English league games broadcast early on Saturday mornings.



:up:

There are millions of youth soccer players in this country, that's a lot of embarrassed fathers



I wish there was relegation in baseball, it would make the season immeasurably more exciting.

He said on a regualr schedule, one game is not a regular schedule.

I thought they aired some MLS games on ABC though? since ABC is ESPN I thought they aired some games.

Soccer has always been popular among kids b/c it takes the least amount of skill(at that age) to be able to play soccer. The "cool kids" outgrow it quickly:up:

[ShadeTree#55]

The ESPN networks are set to broadcast 21 MLS regular-season matches in 2011.

FSC The premier soccer-only channel in North America will broadcast up to 31 regular-season games.

[nyjunc]

The ESPN networks are set to broadcast 21 MLS regular-season matches in 2011.

FSC The premier soccer-only channel in North America will broadcast up to 31 regular-season games.

NBC used to air XFL games, the espn networks show WNBA games. I'm guessing MKS will have a WNBA type of ratings impact on the espn networks.

[Jets201]

He said on a regualr schedule, one game is not a regular schedule.

I thought they aired some MLS games on ABC though? since ABC is ESPN I thought they aired some games.



That's what I'm getting at, that all sports are on network TV maybe once a week anyway, so it's really not a good measuring stick.

I think the MLS final is on ABC, but during the regular season it's ESPN and fox soccer channel

[MBGreen]

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[Hobbes3259]

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udaman!!!!!!!!

[Jets201]

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Looks like he's wearing a basketball jersey

[nyjunc]

Looks like he's wearing a basketball jersey

Nope, it's a soccer uniform:lol:

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[Jets201]

Nope, it's a soccer uniform:lol:

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No f'n way, look at those shorts, it's a basketball uniform straight out of the 70s. Soccer jerseys have sleeves btw :up:

[MBGreen]

No f'n way, look at those shorts, it's a basketball uniform straight out of the 70s. Soccer jerseys have sleeves btw :up:

he's right, junc....soccer players wear sleeves

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[Jets201]

I hate to give you haters ammo but google "tevez ferdinand funny pic" and get back to me

[ShadeTree#55]

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[Jets201]

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[nyjunc]

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[MadBacker Prime]

This site has a bunch of the pics above and more-

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[Foreign Alphabet]

One way soccer WON'T get popular in the U.S. is if mls games keep ending up like that DC draw with LA.....
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For it to become popular here it has to become somewhat americanized, and diving like a foot fairy will never be the way... American soccer needs to be tough to gain respect, and its going to need to be played like men, not pussies and/or italians

[ShadeTree#55]

Sidney Crosby is popular.

[Foreign Alphabet]

Sidney Crosby is popular.

Ah, but canadian. I assume he is giving some sort of leniency towards acting like a little girl due to his ethnicity.

I just meant that i've heard that particular aspect of soccer brought up many times, and can be a big reason to not like soccer

[Jets201]

Diving is soccer generally frowned upon in England and here. And let's not act like it doesn't happen in basketball and hockey.

[nyjunc]

Diving is soccer generally frowned upon in England and here. And let's not act like it doesn't happen in basketball and hockey.

It's not the same, guys aren't rolling around like they were just shot b/c they broke a nail.

[Foreign Alphabet]

Diving is soccer generally frowned upon in England and here. And let's not act like it doesn't happen in basketball and hockey.

Yes, but to a much lesser extent. It happens in every sport really, but none as much as soccer

[gustoonarmy]

Oh the irony.
We have the same argument in the UK about American football. Big girls in pads, real men play rugby.

[James Calvin]

Oh the irony.
We have the same argument in the UK about American football. Big girls in pads, real men play rugby.

We have the same argument about England. If we didn't bail you out in WWII you'd all be goose stepping and eating Hossenfeffer.

But you'd still be playing soccer.

[Foreign Alphabet]

Oh the irony.
We have the same argument in the UK about American football. Big girls in pads, real men play rugby.

Haha and somewhat smaller and weaker men. But thats a different argument, if I was saying that then I would be against nearly every sport

[nyjunc]

Oh the irony.
We have the same argument in the UK about American football. Big girls in pads, real men play rugby.

yes, these guys are much tougher than football players:lol:

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[JetsVilma28]

One way soccer WON'T get popular in the U.S. is if mls games keep ending up like that DC draw with LA.....
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For it to become popular here it has to become somewhat americanized, and diving like a foot fairy will never be the way... American soccer needs to be tough to gain respect, and its going to need to be played like men, not pussies and/or italians

The Germans should be our model. Those fuckers don't flop they play ball. Players should get carded more often for flopping. they should review the play after on the jumbotron so the player can witness her acting. Donovan is a queer. Soccer will never be popular in America, although our National team seems to be getting better. We tied someone in the World Cup and even beat some lithuanian team in stopage time. Stopage time is the time they add on at the end of the game to keep things exciting. That's all i got for now. :up:

[Hobbes3259]

Sidney Crosby is popular.

But at least he came out.

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[JetsVilma28]

Oh the irony.
We have the same argument in the UK about American football. Big girls in pads, real men play rugby.

The pads make the game more dangerous IMO. In rugby a player gets penalized for not wrapping up on a tackle. In football wrapping up tackles have all but vanished. Everyone in football is lowering the shoulder in their tackles. The BIG collisions are not close to comparison.

[gustoonarmy]

We have the same argument about England. If we didn't bail you out in WWII you'd all be goose stepping and eating Hossenfeffer.

But you'd still be playing soccer.

Prick.
late to both parties, maybe if the US had some bigger testicles it wouldn't have got to that. Thank fuck for the Japs bombing Pearl Harbour.
WE, you say that like you were there.

[gustoonarmy]

yes, these guys are much tougher than football players:lol:

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Did you tell your side of the romance yet?

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[nyjunc]

Did you tell your side of the romance yet?



Are you saying he wasn't tough b/c he was gay? I have seen some crazy posts on here but questioning the toughness of NFL players?:lol::lol:

[maynardsmyhero-uk]

Soccer is a game completely out of touch with its grassroots in the UK all the premiership wants is money and lots of it.

We have more amercian owners than UK owners....no longer are clubs part of the local scene. look at Man City ..if Sheikh bin almacshowaddywaddy walks away they are fucked.

Soccer died when Sky when global and the far east explosion happened ( not japan) 15 yrs ago. When teams start doing pre season in Kuala Lumpur you know its fucked.

Gus look at Newcastle , happy to finish midtable with the hope some unknown will save you from the current fake geordie you have!!

Soccer its fooke and thats not my bitterness at my shit clubs situation!!! honest!

[Foreign Alphabet]

The Germans should be our model. Those fuckers don't flop they play ball. Players should get carded more often for flopping. they should review the play after on the jumbotron so the player can witness her acting. Donovan is a queer. Soccer will never be popular in America, although our National team seems to be getting better. We tied someone in the World Cup and even beat some lithuanian team in stopage time. Stopage time is the time they add on at the end of the game to keep things exciting. That's all i got for now. :up:

The asians too. No one gets carded because no one dives, else they bring great dishonor to nation