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.
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
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.
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. " stuff like that
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.
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.
Fresh Meat http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/adam_hofstetter/05/31/uncommon.sense/index.html
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.
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.
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..
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
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.
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?
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. See Michael Jordan in baseball for exhibit A. These guys live in such an insulated world.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
And yet another. http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/sports/14737959.htm?source=rss&channel=bradenton_sports This could be the dumbest one yet.