Easy way for US soccer to be popular

[jwfgeol]

WIN!

Winning will always bring more interest. The Olympics is a great example. Who the heck ever heard of Rulon Gardner before he won a gold? If the US were competitive on a consistent basis in international soccer, much more people would be interested in the outcome, IMO.

[AppGuy04]

Soccer is boring to watch, they need to tweek it, like the NHL did

[blur2005]

Soccer is boring to watch, they need to tweek it, like the NHL did
HAHAHA

Funny you should say that, since MLS originally tried to Americanize the game and it didn't do anything for them. They went to FIFA rules and the league as a whole is a better now that it has ever been. Soccer is exciting, and those who say it isn't must not have a pulse.

[SU Jag]

I love international soccer! The fans are off the chains and the game is faster, but I cant watch American soccer(MLS). I can watch the US against other international teams but the MLS is terrible.

If you watch baseball(before September) or golf, you can not call soccer boring at all

[griz37]

HAHAHA

Funny you should say that, since MLS originally tried to Americanize the game and it didn't do anything for them. They went to FIFA rules and the league as a whole is a better now that it has ever been. Soccer is exciting, and those who say it isn't must not have a pulse.


Just curious what you find exciting about soccer? I have tried to like it but just can't find a reason. I agree w/SU Jag about the fans, they are great. But w/all the sports we have in the US, where stuff actually happens, I just can't see the game ever catching on.

[Baldy]

HAHAHA

Funny you should say that, since MLS originally tried to Americanize the game and it didn't do anything for them. They went to FIFA rules and the league as a whole is a better now that it has ever been. Soccer is exciting, and those who say it isn't must not have a pulse.
I guess 78% of Americans don't have a pulse.

World Cup Scores Only Small Audience (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/June%20Dailies/soccer.htm)

"Despite a high level of media coverage for the World Cup soccer tournament, three-fourths of Americans (78%) are not following the action very closely if at all. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults found that just 6% are following the tournament very closely.

Nine percent (9%) of men are paying close attention along with 3% of women."

Soccer = xcoffeex

[HiHiYikas]

Our best athletes just don't become soccer players.

In other countries, soccer is the single biggest sport. It's the only game in town. All the best athletes grow up wanting to be soccer players.

It's the way baseball was in the US in the 40's, when other pro leagues were either brand new and struggling or a few years from coming into existence.

Does anybody honestly think a kid like Jackie Robinson, who was outstanding at 4 or 5 sports at UCLA, would go into pro baseball today? He led the Pacific Coast conference in scoring on the basketball court, set a national collegiate record in long jump, and was an outstanding running back, too. Baseball wasn't even his best sport, probably, but it was the only decent professional league in the late 1940's. And what sport do you think Robinson would be famous for if he grew up in Brazil?

American kids today - the ones who grow up with outstanding athletic ability - don't remotely consider becoming a soccer player. Our best "soccer players" are in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Why would they want anything else?

In South America, it's different. Their Michael Vick's, Tiger Woods', Lebron James', and Derek Jeter's grow up hoping to play in the World Cup, not some other championship.

[GeauxColonels]

I love international soccer! The fans are off the chains and the game is faster, but I cant watch American soccer(MLS). I can watch the US against other international teams but the MLS is terrible.

If you watch baseball(before September) or golf, you can not call soccer boring at all
Personally, I agree. I can easily watch any game in the World Cup and ANY game the US national team plays. But the MLS just doesn't appeal to me. Some Americans like soccer....most don't. I like it, but not NEARLY as much as good ol American football!

[TheValleyRaider]

The real trouble with Soccer is we don't see enough of it at the highest level here. I was always a fan of the game, but watching half a season of the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League gave me a whole new level of appreciation for it. I'll agree, it isn't always the most exciting sport. But then again, even football and baseball have plenty of dead time where everyone stands around doing nothing. It's being able to watch it at a high level with someone who knows the game. We all learned football/baseball/name American sport here from playing it with our friends, watching the world's best professionals, and from hearing our parents and older siblings talk about it. If you can somehow listen to a British commentator do and EPL game, it's incredible how much they see and how much is going on. There's no better way to learn the game than a pint in your hand and a real expert on the BBC.

[Tod]

Our best athletes just don't become soccer players.

In other countries, soccer is the single biggest sport. It's the only game in town. All the best athletes grow up wanting to be soccer players.

It's the way baseball was in the US in the 40's, when other pro leagues were either brand new and struggling or a few years from coming into existence.

Does anybody honestly think a kid like Jackie Robinson, who was outstanding at 4 or 5 sports at UCLA, would go into pro baseball today? He led the Pacific Coast conference in scoring on the basketball court, set a national collegiate record in long jump, and was an outstanding running back, too. Baseball wasn't even his best sport, probably, but it was the only decent professional league in the late 1940's. And what sport do you think Robinson would be famous for if he grew up in Brazil?

American kids today - the ones who grow up with outstanding athletic ability - don't remotely consider becoming a soccer player. Our best "soccer players" are in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Why would they want anything else?

In South America, it's different. Their Michael Vick's, Tiger Woods', Lebron James', and Derek Jeter's grow up hoping to play in the World Cup, not some other championship.


Absolutely! :nod: :nod:

Not that that means we could absolutely dominate soccer, but with the emphasis on sports and the money we have in the US, we would be a power in soccer if that is what we (players and fans and $$$) wanted.

Not sour grapes, because I don't care about soccer, although I always care that the US does well.

[AppGuy04]

Soccer is exciting, and those who say it isn't must not have a pulse.

International soccer, maybe, but not MLS, I would rather watch Bowling than MLS

As for tweeking the rules, if you take a player or 2 off of each side or widen the field, it would open things up alot more for goals, and face it, thats what we want to see, not a team going up 1-0 and then kicking the ball around for 85 minutes. And if you say that would ruin the game, I say to the contrary, the NHL scoring went up at the beginning of the season until teams adjusted and then it was back to normal. More goals = more fans, thats my stance. Just like HR's in baseball, excitement is what we want, and soccer doesn't have enough of it

[Pard4Life]

I became obsessed with the World Cup after they held the tournament in the U.S. in 1994. Sports Illustrated for Kids followed it very closely and I ended up starting a tournament in the backyard. I guess their marketing ploys worked on me since I am now in that 6% who follow the World Cup very closely.

However, I would never watch an MLS game. Maybe if Beckham or some other stars came over, but I could not waste my time with the league. I follow Bundesliga more closely than MLS.

I don't think the league will ever capture attention... unless, uh, we win the World Cup.

[walliver]

Soccer, like rugby, is a continuous action sport. For some reason, Americans like to watch sports with lots of breaks and time-outs. If you are watching a soccer game on television and get up to get a beer or go to the bathroom, you might miss the only exciting play of the day.

[jwfgeol]

I became obsessed with the World Cup after they held the tournament in the U.S. in 1994.
I did too. And Romario from Brazil was my favorite player. He's 40 now but still plays for Miami FC in the US First Division. Zinho also plays for Miami. But as for the MLS, I can't really watch it. I work with several Europeans in my office (huge soccer fans) who don't watch MLS because they think it is too boring and don't know the players.

[AppGuy04]

If you are watching a soccer game on television and get up to get a beer or go to the bathroom, you might miss the only exciting play of the day.

Thats part of the problem, in alot of games, there is only 1 or 2 exciting moments, sorry, but that won't keep my attention for 2 hours

[Tribefan]

Changing the rules to make it more exciting? Why should the world change the rules so the US can relate to it better?

If we win, people will watch. It's that simple.

[Marcus Garvey]

WIN!

Winning will always bring more interest. The Olympics is a great example. Who the heck ever heard of Rulon Gardner before he won a gold? If the US were competitive on a consistent basis in international soccer, much more people would be interested in the outcome, IMO.

Ummm.... Who the hell is Rulon Gardner? Seriously, I've never heard of him.

A German fan once said to my brother that Germany "owns" the U.S. in soccer. My bro merely pointed out that we're 2-0 against Germany in World Wars!!!! :thumbsup:

[dbackjon]

Ummm.... Who the hell is Rulon Gardner? Seriously, I've never heard of him.

A German fan once said to my brother that Germany "owns" the U.S. in soccer. My bro merely pointed out that we're 2-0 against Germany in World Wars!!!! :thumbsup:

Rulon Gardner - Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler.



And xlolx at the last part!

[TheValleyRaider]

Ummm.... Who the hell is Rulon Gardner? Seriously, I've never heard of him.

A German fan once said to my brother that Germany "owns" the U.S. in soccer. My bro merely pointed out that we're 2-0 against Germany in World Wars!!!! :thumbsup:

Some time in the Seventies, Germany beat England in a soccer match for the second time in the 20th Century. A major British newspaper's story began as follows: "Yesterday, Germany defeated England at our national game for only the second time this century. It is only fair, as England has beaten Germany at their's twice this century."

[Tod]

Some time in the Seventies, Germany beat England in a soccer match for the second time in the 20th Century. A major British newspaper's story began as follows: "Yesterday, Germany defeated England at our national game for only the second time this century. It is only fair, as England has beaten Germany at their's twice this century."

Ouch! That's brilliantly funny. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[Obzerver]

I love the game. All of my Soccer cronies would like to see this new rule; If a player is so injured they must stop play and receive medical assistance and leave the pitch...they should have to stay off the field for three minutes and then let on only when there is a stoppage of play. One would be amazed of how many players wouldn't need someone to come onto the field and apply the magic spray/sponge for them to recover. Many fans throughout the world have had it with the over-acting/feinting injuries, especially American fans and this would add some credibility to the game...

[TheValleyRaider]

Ouch! That's brilliantly funny. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

It's things like that that make me really love the English

Come on Ingerland! :)

[bluehenbillk]

I love the game. All of my Soccer cronies would like to see this new rule; If a player is so injured they must stop play and receive medical assistance and leave the pitch...they should have to stay off the field for three minutes and then let on only when there is a stoppage of play. One would be amazed of how many players wouldn't need someone to come onto the field and apply the magic spray/sponge for them to recover. Many fans throughout the world have had it with the over-acting/feinting injuries, especially American fans and this would add some credibility to the game...


Actually there is an article in the Philadelphia Daily News today that follows a similar mold, complaining about the unnecessary theatrics & dives that is the game of soccer. They suggest if the player is down for 10 seconds or more, he's out for 10 minutes, if he goes down twice in a game for 10 seconds each, he's out. And yellow cards for dives stay with the player thru the whole tournament.

[jwfgeol]

Thats part of the problem, in alot of games, there is only 1 or 2 exciting moments, sorry, but that won't keep my attention for 2 hours
While soccer can definitely be boring, I think there are some selling points.

1) No commercials during game play
2) No shots of benchwarms hogging the camera saying hello to mom
3) No wandering camera shots of random people in the stands or leaving the camera on the coach for 10 minutes when it should be on the field

[GannonFan]

Soccer, in it's current form, will never be very popular to watch and follow in America, no matter how well the US national team does. Like others have said, there's too many things wrong with soccer that just add up to it not being a great thing to watch. I agree with the fake injuries - they are just brutal and need to stop. I also agree with more stringent penalties for diving - maybe using some instant replays would help with that (Henry's acting job on that bogus call in the Spain/Italy game would've been noticed right away - guy gets a light elbow in the chest and isntantly falls to the ground clutching his face - terrible). I would also give the ref some less stringent ways to penalize players - yellow cards and red cards have way too much impact on the game and have been used way too much. Maybe take a page from hockey and lacrosse - for some fouls, the player could be sent off for a few minutes. That way the ref could police the game and not be, as they are way too often in soccer and this World Cup, the biggest decider of who wins and who loses.

[AppGuy04]

Maybe this would help: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AsXqYeYD81Hqix1_oGz52v8mw7YF?slug=englan dbeckham&prov=st&type=lgns

[jwfgeol]

Maybe this would help: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AsXqYeYD81Hqix1_oGz52v8mw7YF?slug=englan dbeckham&prov=st&type=lgns
Heard that Ronaldo is thinking about this too toward the end of his career. Maybe we get all the world's best players when they retire.

[AppGuy04]

Heard that Ronaldo is thinking about this too toward the end of his career. Maybe we get all the world's best players when they retire.

yeah, that seems more like an insult than anything

[AppGuy04]

See, this is why I don't watch soccer much. Dude gets his arm stepped on, and they stop the game to bring out a stretcher, wtf is that

[blur2005]

See, this is why I don't watch soccer much. Dude gets his arm stepped on, and they stop the game to bring out a stretcher, wtf is that
Let's meet up and I'll slam my cleet down on your arm while running and we'll see how you feel then...I'll admit there are too many dives in soccer, but really, besides that, there is little wrong with the game. I'm sorry some of you seem to find the run of play boring; to me, that's some of the best stuff. The game isn't all goals. Look at the 0-0 draw between Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago - easily one of the more entertaining games of the tournament. Sure, there are some bad ones like that, but I'd say there are plenty of boring games in other sports. I think it really helps to have played the game because it elevates your understanding of what's going on, allowing you to further appreciate stuff besides the goals. Considering that logic, soccer's appeal should only continue to grow in this country, as youth soccer is now bigger than Little League by over a million participants. Hopefully, I'm right.

[Obzerver]

blur, I agree with you. If someone doesn't get it...they don't get it. I foresee FIFA making some changes in the future(instant replay/penalties for diving/penalties for stoppage of play due to feinted injuries) which will be better for the game. Unfortunately, FIFA is run by old-schooled folk who are slooooow to adapt. It won't be until the next World Cup before anything of significance is done...if then.

[AppGuy04]

Let's meet up and I'll slam my cleet down on your arm while running and we'll see how you feel then...I'll admit there are too many dives in soccer, but really, besides that, there is little wrong with the game. I'm sorry some of you seem to find the run of play boring; to me, that's some of the best stuff. The game isn't all goals. Look at the 0-0 draw between Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago - easily one of the more entertaining games of the tournament. Sure, there are some bad ones like that, but I'd say there are plenty of boring games in other sports. I think it really helps to have played the game because it elevates your understanding of what's going on, allowing you to further appreciate stuff besides the goals. Considering that logic, soccer's appeal should only continue to grow in this country, as youth soccer is now bigger than Little League by over a million participants. Hopefully, I'm right.

Not saying it doesn't hurt, but damn, you don't walk with your arms, hell you don't even use your arms in soccer, thats all i was saying, don't bring a freaking stretcher out when a dude's ARM is hurt

[UNHWildCats]

WIN!

Winning will always bring more interest. The Olympics is a great example. Who the heck ever heard of Rulon Gardner before he won a gold? If the US were competitive on a consistent basis in international soccer, much more people would be interested in the outcome, IMO.

As long as the European run FIFA continues to do there best to put the Americans in impossible to win situations America will not suceed in Soccer on an international stage.

The Americans were out of being one of the 8 ranked teams in the WC after having beaten Mexico in 7 of their last 10 meetings including winning the CONCAF group for the world cup bid, yet Mexico got ranked and America was put in the toughest group with Italy, Czech and Ghana. USA also at the time of the Pairings fopr the Cup were #4 in FIFAs own rankings yet didnt receive one of the 8 bids.

Then came the ridiculous referee calls in the Italy game, interesting that the bad calls came against a European team.

[jwfgeol]

As long as the European run FIFA continues to do there best to put the Americans in impossible to win situations America will not suceed in Soccer on an international stage.

The Americans were out of being one of the 8 ranked teams in the WC after having beaten Mexico in 7 of their last 10 meetings including winning the CONCAF group for the world cup bid, yet Mexico got ranked and America was put in the toughest group with Italy, Czech and Ghana. USA also at the time of the Pairings fopr the Cup were #4 in FIFAs own rankings yet didnt receive one of the 8 bids.

Then came the ridiculous referee calls in the Italy game, interesting that the bad calls came against a European team.
I agree that Mexico getting seeded above the US is bs, especially with how much the US has beaten them recently; however, pretty much everyone agrees the FIFA rankings are worth next to nothing. They are actually changing the ranking system to only look at games over the last 4 years instead of the last 8 years like they do now. Also, the US plays in the Gold Cup which I believe is every two years, while the Euro Cup is every 4. More international matches means more points, and that is why the US is ranked so high. When you look at the US's win-loss record against the top European teams, top 5 in the world looks pretty unrealistic. Look at the rankings of the four teams left in the WC: 7,8,13,19. I'm not saying the US didn't get shafted, just saying there are other problems to be addressed (weakness of the MLS, better coaching tactics, etc.)

[ngineer]

I understand the analogy to baseball in terms of lack of excitement, and acknowledge the similarity. However, the primary disconnect, I think, is that most of US do not understand the nuance and strategies that I'm sure exist. Baseball certainly has it's 'boring' aspects, but those who understand the 'little things' that are always happening and which can translate into big changes in a game's outcome are the people who love baseball. There's no clock and each inning is a game in itself.
Soccer has constant back and forth motion, little scoring, which can be frustrating for alot of Americans weaned on sports that emphasize scoring.
I appreciate soccer for the significant sport it is, but unless the is something 'on the line', it's difficult to get into...

[Marcus Garvey]

Here's a question: Does soccer need to be popular in the U.S.? We've already got 4 major professional sports in North America. Can Europe say that?

What few soccer fans I know like the sport because they had played it in their youth. Often, but not always, their argument is that it's the most popular sport in the world. I just point out that, at one time, Baywatch was the most popular television show in the world, so you'll need a better argument than that if you want to convince me. Yesterday, my fiance and her friend watched the World Cup semifinal. I sat outside on the patio and read, 'nuff said.

[UNHWildCats]

Here's a question: Does soccer need to be popular in the U.S.? We've already got 4 major professional sports in North America. Can Europe say that?

What few soccer fans I know like the sport because they had played it in their youth. Often, but not always, their argument is that it's the most popular sport in the world. I just point out that, at one time, Baywatch was the most popular television show in the world, so you'll need a better argument than that if you want to convince me. Yesterday, my fiance and her friend watched the World Cup semifinal. I sat outside on the patio and read, 'nuff said.

Sure and while there major sports arent major or even in existance here there still major there they include..

Football (soccer)
Tennis
Cricket
Grand Prix Racing (F1) (Yes it qualifies as a sport)
Golf

[Marcus Garvey]

Sure and while there major sports arent major or even in existance here there still major there they include..

Football (soccer)
Tennis
Cricket
Grand Prix Racing (F1) (Yes it qualifies as a sport)
Golf

My bad, I wasn't clear. I meant 4 major team sports. So Tennis, Golf and auto racing aren't comparable to soccer, american football, etc...

How big is Cricket outside of the British Isles and her ex-colonies?

[Obzerver]

Must not be popular in Somalia...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/07/05/somalia.world.cup.ap/index.html

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I understand the analogy to baseball in terms of lack of excitement, and acknowledge the similarity. However, the primary disconnect, I think, is that most of US do not understand the nuance and strategies that I'm sure exist. Baseball certainly has it's 'boring' aspects, but those who understand the 'little things' that are always happening and which can translate into big changes in a game's outcome are the people who love baseball. There's no clock and each inning is a game in itself.
Soccer has constant back and forth motion, little scoring, which can be frustrating for alot of Americans weaned on sports that emphasize scoring.
I appreciate soccer for the significant sport it is, but unless the is something 'on the line', it's difficult to get into...

This is right on the money IMHO, ngineer. Most Americans do not understand the nuances of soccer and, therefore, have a hard time appreciating all the action on the field. The analogy to baseball holds true, also. I was raised on baseball and understand the game inside and out. As such, I find a 1-0 or 2-1 game very compelling because of the strategy involved. Conversely, others would find it a snooze fest. Same with the average American and soccer.

[blukeys]

This is right on the money IMHO, ngineer. Most Americans do not understand the nuances of soccer and, therefore, have a hard time appreciating all the action on the field. The analogy to baseball holds true, also. I was raised on baseball and understand the game inside and out. As such, I find a 1-0 or 2-1 game very compelling because of the strategy involved. Conversely, others would find it a snooze fest. Same with the average American and soccer.

Agree with the above and ngineer. As a kid I was a pitcher and remember how much fun it was to be in a duel with another good pitcher.

Soccer is the no. 1 sport in the world. Why would anyone want to change what is working world wide to get the U.S. on board? Anyone remember the New Coke fiasco????

Volleyball was growing in the late 80's and the rule makers were told that making certain changes would increase TV exposure and thereby increase the sport's popularity. The governing powers did all the above including changing the very means of scoring and the sport has NOT GROWN in spectator popularity.

Not only does soccer have to compete with the other team sports in the U.S.. It also has to compete with Nintendo and Play Stations. I know I don't understand the game. :nod: :nod: :nod: