The Official Soccer Basher Thread, Part Deux.

Discussion in 'Business and Media' started by geordienation, May 27, 2006.

  1. babytiger2001

    babytiger2001 New Member

    Dec 29, 2000
    Melbourne
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Moving to Business & Media.

    The mods there know, love and appreciate the drill -- merge into their Soccer Bashers thread.
     
  2. DCSharksFC

    DCSharksFC Member

    Feb 28, 2003
    Virginia Tech
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    to those who think he's ignorant, he seems to have at least followed the sport a little bit, he tossed out some names, and seems to have did a little research, in fact, i like his line about foudy and hamm not falling over the scent of a player, i thought that was classic

    he hates the sport, so what? if nething, i'd encourage him to watch a game or 2 during the cup, and see if it at least piques his interest, i don't really see it as soccer bashing as much as it is, if this sport was americanized, i'd love it
     
  3. HSEUPASSION

    HSEUPASSION New Member

    Apr 16, 2005
    Duck, NC
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    "In every other major athletic contest, ties are strictly forbidden."

    Yea, because that NFL thing is meaningless, nobody watches it.
     
  4. dsp87260

    dsp87260 New Member

    Mar 19, 2005
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    For me, soccer is all about the nationalism/patriotism. That's the angle I always push to people I know who don't normally watch it.

    "What are you a commie?! you don't want to support the USA?!"

    "We beat the rest of the world in everything else, let's beat them in this too."

    and along those same lines,

    "I love seeing the opposing nations and their fans go nuts when we beat them....this is the one sport most of the rest of the world cares about, let's ruin it for 'em.:D "

    stuff like that;)
     
  5. Anteaters FC

    Anteaters FC New Member

    Mar 28, 2004
    Santa Monica
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    I completely agree. I can understand the attitude with trying to get him to be more open-minded, but I think any response other than a non-offended, timid counterargument would probably just piss someone that clearly has no interest in soccer off even more.

    Imagine someone was trying to convince you that soccer was worthless. You probably wouldn't want to listen to him, right? What makes you think that you can change his mind?

    Life's too short to waste on trying to convince other people to like the same things you do when they clearly are not uninterested, they're actively against what you like...and don't tell me that you need to win people over one at a time. Yes, you do, but this is clearly someone that won't change his mind. Take someone that is indifferent or doesn't know all that much about soccer to a game--those are the people that need to be one over.
     
  6. geordienation

    geordienation Moderator

    Apr 21, 2001
    Chicago
    Club:
    Newcastle United FC
  7. okcomputer

    okcomputer Member

    Jun 25, 2003
    dc
    I didn't find that article that bad. The guy doesn't like soccer but at least he gave valid reasons like he doesn't like the rules, ties and faking of injuries. I agree with him on some of that myself. He didn't resort to cheap shots about rioting, etc. Also, he said he hopes the USA does well and even wins the whole thing. Many of these guys like Jim Rome actively root against the national team. I've seen much worse bashing articles then that.
     
  8. scaryice

    scaryice Member

    Jan 25, 2001
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Everybody is capable of changing their minds. They don't even have to become fans. Going from hating to indifferent is a victory in itself, especially when it comes to the media. If you don't try, then you're sure to fail.

    This goes for soccer, politics, anything.
     
  9. SYoshonis

    SYoshonis Member+

    Jun 8, 2000
    Lafayette, Louisiana
    Club:
    Michigan Bucks
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    I'd be happy with them realizing how lame their usual schtick is, and having the good sense to just STFU about soccer. I don't think that's too much to ask.
     
  10. bostonsoccermdl

    bostonsoccermdl Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 3, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    I agree. TO some extent it is a useless battle. I mean if someone is going to hold onto to some stereotype which is totally off, there is only so much you can do. Just antagonizing them will fuel their hatred.

    Having said that, I just logged into that site and will thoroughly enjoy crushing this guy over the topic of soccer. Yes, it is a slow day at work..
     
  11. bostonsoccermdl

    bostonsoccermdl Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 3, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    I am just generally curious to why there is "hate." I can understand an indifference to the game, but the entire bashing attitude doesnt make sense.

    Dont like the game, ok, move on to a sport you like.. no harm done.

    I feel like these people, essentially, had their girlfriends in HS stolen from the captain of the team so they are venting on the sport.

    Perhaps grabbing attention through controversy? Or appealing to Johhny Jock strap? It doesnt really make sense
     
  12. joebarnin

    joebarnin Member

    May 3, 2003
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Most people hate what they fear. And many people fear what they don't understand. So, if you have a closed mine, ignorance -> fear -> hate.

    Either that, or the "hate" is fake, just to generate controversy.
     
  13. Beau Dure

    Beau Dure Member+

    May 31, 2000
    Vienna, VA
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Historically, it's cultural -- soccer was antithetical to the notion of building a common American identity through American sports.

    Today, it's the lingering effects of that historical/cultural antipathy, mixed with a bit of fear that soccer and other sports (wait until columnists note the rise of lacrosse) will push them out of the comfort zones, mixed with the irritation (somewhat justifiable) of having been told every 15 years that soccer was the Next Big Thing, mixed with cheap sensationalism.

    Does that cover it?
     
  14. bostonsoccermdl

    bostonsoccermdl Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 3, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Yes. And well done, btw.

    repped.
     
  15. houstondynamofan

    houstondynamofan Red Card

    May 7, 2006
    houston,tx
    Add this to the mix.

    http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5649612

    As if being world class in one sport has ever equaled that in another. :rolleyes: See Michael Jordan in baseball for exhibit A.
    These guys live in such an insulated world.
     
  16. OldFanatic

    OldFanatic Member

    Jan 12, 2004
    Bay Area
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's not soccer bashing. It's called incoherent, juvenile blabbering.

    We need to have appropriate definitions around here for what constitutes and doesn't constitute soccer bashing.
     
  17. brittkamp

    brittkamp Member

    Nov 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I feel like these people, essentially, had their girlfriends in HS stolen from the captain of the team so they are venting on the sport.


    I love that quote

    I have always believed that this was one of the major reasons why these writers hate soccer players and the game!!!

    p.s. that fox sports article is the dumbest thing I have ever seen!
     
  18. Anthony W

    Anthony W New Member

    May 8, 2004
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    I think America is going to like lacrosse, it has men with sticks, but their is no ice and more scoring. Lacrosse is like Hockey's really hot cousin that does porno.
     
  19. Beau Dure

    Beau Dure Member+

    May 31, 2000
    Vienna, VA
    I've seen the same argument 100 times on BigSoccer.
     
  20. CrewSchmack

    CrewSchmack Member

    Columbus Crew SC
    United States
    Mar 3, 1999
    Delaware, OH
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    Except it's slower...and is actually Canada's offical summer national sport, and therefore gets the same treatment as their winter national sport.
     
  21. servotron

    servotron New Member

    Mar 4, 2004
    St Paul, MN
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    That MSN article was laughable! Was he really trying to be serious?

    With the possible exception of the goalkeeper, none of those athletes he mentioned would be in the kind of condition they would need to be in to perform for 90 minutes in the position he assigned.

    There's a reason most successful soccer players have a similar build.
     
  22. bostonsoccermdl

    bostonsoccermdl Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 3, 2002
    Denver, CO
    Re: How would you answer this article?

    That quote was fantastic. repped!
     

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