Any publicity is good publicity

Jonathan Cid · 08 Aug 2009, 03:50 PM

There are a couple of threads on the "Soccer in the USA" forum (as expected) where we American soccer fans discuss and bemoan the coverage of the mainstream media. However, despite some of the crummy coverage soccer has been given, we've also seen many positive signs of the sport's growth in this country. More time for MLS on TV, MLS clubs drawing better numbers of fans, the success of a club like the Sounders with 30k+ fans at matches, the steady improvement of the USMNT.

I think we need to look at the cause and effect here. Is there an increase, however slight, or not-so-slight, in coverage of soccer, whether positive or negative? If there is, why is that? Why so many articles with ignorant simpletons foaming at the mouth, fearing a takeover by soccer in America? I'd venture to say that this is the result of the tremendous improvements we've seen for soccer in the USA in a relatively short period of time.

This leads to the second, and really important question, which is my question to you all - could the negative coverage backfire? As it is, soccer is mysterious to most Americans. They just don't know about it. Could any publicity, bad or good, given to soccer, elevate awareness and curiosity regarding the sport? Could someone who hears Jim Rome viciously attacking soccer perhaps decide that they'd like to watch a soccer match for themselves to see what it's really all about? Could we actually take advantage of negative publicity and Americans' natural curiosity to create more curiosity, and thereby interest, in soccer?

As we Americans are fond of saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Your thoughts?

IKickAndIm50 · 08 Aug 2009, 04:24 PM

i agree it is a positive sign that soccer is even being mentioned even if its being mocked, it raises awareness of our sport!

DCUdiplomat96 · 08 Aug 2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Cid

There are a couple of threads on the "Soccer in the USA" forum (as expected) where we American soccer fans discuss and bemoan the coverage of the mainstream media. However, despite some of the crummy coverage soccer has been given, we've also seen many positive signs of the sport's growth in this country. More time for MLS on TV, MLS clubs drawing better numbers of fans, the success of a club like the Sounders with 30k+ fans at matches, the steady improvement of the USMNT.

I think we need to look at the cause and effect here. Is there an increase, however slight, or not-so-slight, in coverage of soccer, whether positive or negative? If there is, why is that? Why so many articles with ignorant simpletons foaming at the mouth, fearing a takeover by soccer in America? I'd venture to say that this is the result of the tremendous improvements we've seen for soccer in the USA in a relatively short period of time.

This leads to the second, and really important question, which is my question to you all - could the negative coverage backfire? As it is, soccer is mysterious to most Americans. They just don't know about it. Could any publicity, bad or good, given to soccer, elevate awareness and curiosity regarding the sport? Could someone who hears Jim Rome viciously attacking soccer perhaps decide that they'd like to watch a soccer match for themselves to see what it's really all about? Could we actually take advantage of negative publicity and Americans' natural curiosity to create more curiosity, and thereby interest, in soccer?

As we Americans are fond of saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Your thoughts?

soccer in the media is improving, but soccer hasnt really crossed over mainstream, my reason is its not really impacting the american sports fanbase base. sure you have the latinos and expat fan base along with you small domestica american soccer fan base but socer needs to working finding a place in the massive and competitve sports scene here in america.... people need to understand that ESPN doesnt make sports popular , fans do, attending games in huge number and the vibe that follows it.

the soccer culture is in question IMO because look at the situation in seattle sure its not a big issue, or maybe depends on who you talk to, but the Band vs the ECS, why cant the ECS stop complaining and let the band play, its a good american tradition that can america can contribute to the game of soccer, along with our traditional way of crowinig champions thru the playoffs... and other things. MLS and the teams along with US soccer still need a better way of marketing the game, not to just your soccer fans but to sports fans period.

Absolute · 08 Aug 2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCUdiplomat96

soccer in the media is improving, but soccer hasnt really crossed over mainstream, my reason is its not really impacting the american sports fanbase base. sure you have the latinos and expat fan base along with you small domestica american soccer fan base but socer needs to working finding a place in the massive and competitve sports scene here in america.... people need to understand that ESPN doesnt make sports popular , fans do, attending games in huge number and the vibe that follows it.

the soccer culture is in question IMO because look at the situation in seattle sure its not a big issue, or maybe depends on who you talk to, but the Band vs the ECS, why cant the ECS stop complaining and let the band play, its a good american tradition that can america can contribute to the game of soccer, along with our traditional way of crowinig champions thru the playoffs... and other things. MLS and the teams along with US soccer still need a better way of marketing the game, not to just your soccer fans but to sports fans period.

People don't like the band? That sucks. I thought it was pretty cool, and unique- for soccer.

DCUdiplomat96 · 09 Aug 2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolute

People don't like the band? That sucks. I thought it was pretty cool, and unique- for soccer.

Yeah i wish DCU had something like that too, I have noiced lately that the band dont play as much as they did the first two games.

bigredfutbol · 09 Aug 2009, 10:46 AM

Yesterday my neighbor--not at ALL a soccer fan--asked me if I was going to the DCU-Real Madrid game today.

It's certainly more visible now than it was even eleven years ago when I started following the sport.

Jonathan Cid · 09 Aug 2009, 06:29 PM

Yeah, the level of visibility has risen dramatically, if you consider that MLS didn't get going until 1996, which is very, very recent. In 13 years, much progress has been made. I think as the visibility increases, it's good to see Americans add our own flavor to soccer, such as having those bands playing during the game. Why not? Soccer is not a monolithic religion. Every nation gives it their own extra this and that. It also gives soccer in the USA a uniquely American feel, which Americans will appreciate as the sport grows. It's difficult to give the sport bad publicity, once Americans consider it an "American sport", something we can be proud of.

wcssstar33 · 10 Aug 2009, 10:05 AM

We here are very much traditionalists and know the game inside and out. The scary thing (yet exciting) is that as the sport grows in popularity, the American public will create its own vision of soccer. It's own way of calling a game, its own vocabulary and slang, and its own perception of how the game is best played.

Jonathan Cid · 10 Aug 2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcssstar33

We here are very much traditionalists and know the game inside and out. The scary thing (yet exciting) is that as the sport grows in popularity, the American public will create its own vision of soccer. It's own way of calling a game, its own vocabulary and slang, and its own perception of how the game is best played.

I don't think it'll go too far though. I believe that as Americans participate in international soccer, no one is going to try to completely alter the game in terms of it's vocabulary and things like that. And anyhow, the game itself will be the same no matter how much "exception" we Americans decide to take on things.

wcssstar33 · 10 Aug 2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Cid

I don't think it'll go too far though. I believe that as Americans participate in international soccer, no one is going to try to completely alter the game in terms of it's vocabulary and things like that. And anyhow, the game itself will be the same no matter how much "exception" we Americans decide to take on things.

I meant calling things we would call touchlines america sidelines, and surely we would never use the word gaffer.