I agree. Soccer is the number one sport played by youth in alot of states in America and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a cross over into the professional side of it hence leaving it up to the likes of baseball and american football to reep in the profits and attention. Soccer has come a long way in America and to this day is considered the number one sport in the world. It can only grow stronger and will hopefully follow in the baseball and american football footsteps to sports superstardom status in America.
OK, so what is it that Americans don't understand about soccer? This argument can be used to explain why people would have trouble picking up American football, or baseball, cricket or rugby, all of which are somewhat complicated. But soccer is the simplest team sport -- which is why it's spread to so much of the world.
Soccer is not very simple at all. It took me many years to start understanding the complexities and tactical subtleties (and I still feel like there's a lot I still don't get). I'm talking about noticing things happening away from the ball. Also being able to notice and judge a player's technical ability. It's like a Van Gogh painting. Someone with no knowledge of art might think it was a simple child's doodle.
True. Most American sports are very stat friendly but Soccer is not in most part. Soccer is mostly about intangibles. Look at how Arsenal plays, how they pass, you cannot quantify that with stats.
Boloni, thank you!! I want to emphatically CONFIRM this excellent point. This is why the way the sport is presented is so important. I grew up playing the sport. All my friends played it. Didn't like it particularly much. It wasn't until my family moved to Italy and I saw the '78 World Cup with Italian commentary that I began to get the sport. Why? International Italian TV commentary is very technically and tactically detailed. Very sophisticated in its analysis. As many years as I'd played the game on playgrounds, I had no idea what the difference between a flat back four and a sweeper system was. In Italy, I learned the difference between various kinds of attacking mids. For example, the Italians use terms like "strategista" (strategist....as with Lothar Mattheus) and a "regista" (director....as with Roberto Baggio). I could watch and replay entire matches just to watch the defensive sophistication of Ruud Kroll or Gaetano Scirea. I began to understand the importance of team formations and how teams could morph in "shape" depending on the needs of a match or how a match progressed. I learned about the nuanced ways of striking a ball to produce particular effects and how only certain players could routinely do certain things. There's so much more, of course. These things have to be part of the way the sport is presented. It is exctremely poorly done on mainstream US TV. We are told there are all these American kids playing the sport and they've been doing so for years. Well, so how come TV producers feel they have to feed us 'Soccer For Dummies'? There's a contradiction between this notion of many American kids playing soccer and then rejecting it when they grow up and the fact that soccer presentation on a channel like ESPN is so unsophisticated. It means that kids are growing up and playing and experiencing only a shadow of the sport. It's possible that the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Champions League, etc. exposure now occuring will change this to a degree. But it's quite clear too many Americans are not exposed to the nuances of football, as you point out.
This is one American who used to love the NBA and NFL when I was younger but when I switched to loving soccer over time, it was mainly because I lost respect for most players in the NBA/NFL. The NBA especially has just become one gigantic rap sheet. I'm not saying players in the EPL or MLS are angels or anything, but half the league doesn't have a criminal record. That's one thing I wish more and more Americans would wake up to. Why would you be so ignorant to support a player who sleeps with 14 year old girls (ala Michael Vick) or murders someone (Ray Lewis). Here is a site that lists all NFL player arrests. Just look how disturbing this is: http://nflcrimes.blogspot.com/
There are approximately 1500 NFL players on rosters during a season. Obviously you were exaggerating for effect, but the NFL's problem with crime among players is probably no better or worse than among other leagues and sports around the world.
You're kidding right? MLS has about 300+ players on their rosters? How many of them have criminal records? How about the Eredivisie or Serie A? I lived in Spain where everything that happens in La Liga is under a microscope. I honestly don't remember anything beyond the occasional traffic or alcohol issue. I certainly don't know of too many rape or gun charges, and those are somewhat common in NFL and NBA.
Look at the difference between MLS players and NFL players. You got one set of players who are mostly from the middle to upper class then you have another set who are from the lower class where crime is a major problem regardless of occupation and they used football as an escape from that life.
A significant chunk of MLS players come from poor countries in Latin America, Caribbean and Africa. They've never been a problem any more than the affluent American players.
And the majority of NFL and basketball players have come from poor backrounds and live normal peacefull lives but theres some that for whatever reason still get mixed up in the stuff that they grew up around. But promps to the NFL commish whos putting an iron fist down on all this.
For every Premier League player you mention that hits a woman, I can name you 40 NFL idiots who did the same thing. And for the record, Craig Bellamy does NOT have a criminal record and was never charged with anything (not that I like the guy or anything). Lee Bowyer doesn't have a criminal record either. The incident you're referring to happen way back in 2001....in which during that time and now, over 300 NFL players were arrested! Do you actually watch or play soccer? Or do you come on here as a troll just to bash the sport? Typical 757 stupidity
I did not grow up playing nor watching soccer, but am a huge fan of it now. Both of my kids play and I've coached them both, it is a great sport, if I can find an over 40 league I may play this fall...with Advil as my sponsor. One thing that will help it take off, sadly, is when the sporting public can bet on it regularly. Not saying that it is necessary and am not encouraging gambling, but aside from watching our sports, we americans love to bet on them. Once Vegas gets into the act, this could really take off.
playing baseball is fun...but is boring to watch.... that is the same statement most people will say when talking about "soccer". I personally don't see what is so exciting about watching 240 pound men hit a ball...run around the bases for about 20 seconds...then sit in the dugout and chew gum. They probably sit in the dugout talking about last night's episode of "LOST" or something.
I love this sport but unlike many americans on this website I didnt feel it was my duty to bash american sports in the process of becoming a fan. And I will call all those out who feel the need to whine about how soccer is not welcomed in america only to turn around and bash our sports. Your also the first person Ive seen defend Lee Bowyer amazing... By the way name me the 40 nfl players who have assaulted women in a night club.
Im a fan of both and can say Ive found individual games from both sets agonizing. I remember the 2001 CL final I fell a sleep by the 60th minute and as far as baseball unless its the mets Im usually doing something else while watching the game.
I didn't defend Lee Bowyer. Racism is wrong no matter what the reason. I was just pointing out that he doesn't have a criminal record. And here are your 40 players. Keep in mind this is just for ASSAULT (I never said only "women in a nightclub") - it doesn't include robbery, murder, rape, or DUI. 3/4/07 Deshea Townsend Pittsburgh CB Arrested and charged with simple assault after incident at club 1/1/07 Travis Taylor Minnesota WR Arrested just after 3 a.m. outside a Minneapolis nightclub. Taylor was charged with three misdemeanors: fifth-degree assault, disorderly conduct and interfering with pedestrian or vehicular traffic. 12/4/06 Dominique Byrd St. Louis TE Charged with assault and armed criminal action for his alleged role in a Dec. 4 nightclub scuffle in downtown St. Louis. 12/4/06 Dominique Byrd St. Louis TE Charged with assault and armed criminal action for his alleged role in a Dec. 4 nightclub scuffle in downtown St. Louis. 10/28/06 Adam "Pacman" Jones Tennessee CB Cited for misdemeanor assault after being accused of spitting on a woman in a nightclub Oct. 26. 10/26/06 Robert Reynolds Tennessee LB Charged with domestic violence, assault and criminal damaging as a result of an Oct. 21 incident in Ohio with his estranged wife. 8/12/06 Randy Starks Tennessee DT Arrested and charged with domestic assault 6/19/06 Santonio Holmes Pittsburgh WR Holmes was arrested and charged by Columbus, Ohio, police with two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and simple assault. 5/13/06 Wayne Hunter Seattle OL Cited for fourth-degree assault and malicious mischief at sports bar 4/23/06 Ricky Manning Jr Chicago CB Manning was arrested charged with assault for allegedly attacking a man in a Denny's restaurant near the Westwood campus. 4/11/06 Bryce Fisher Seattle DE Arrested, charged with fourth-degree assault on wife 2/17/06 Ahmad Carroll Green Bay CB Arrested on charges of third-degree assault on police officer at bar, disorderly conduct 2/12/06 Terry "Tank" Johnson Chicago DL Arrested for the second time in eight months in Chicago, charged with misdemeanors aggravated assault and resisting arrest. 1/15/06 Sean Locklear Seattle OL Arrested on a charge of assault for allegedly choking his girlfriend outside a downtown Seattle nightspot. 9/12/05 Larry Johnson Kansas City RB Cited for domestic abuse assault after an altercation with his girlfriend at a bar. The assault charge was later dismissed. 8/28/05 Kevin Williams Minnesota DT Arrested and charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree domestic assault after altercation involving wife. 7/13/05 Adam "Pacman" Jones Tennessee CB Arrested on charges of assault and felony vandalism stemming from a fight at a nightclub. 6/4/05 Sean Taylor Washington S_ Arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault with a firearm and misdemeanor simple battery related. 3/14/05 Brad Hopkins Tennessee OL Arrested and charged with domestic assault against his wife. 2/14/05 Samari Rolle Tennessee CB Arrested on assault charges after a Valentine's Day altercation with his wife. 1/1/05 Willie Middlebrooks Denver CB Arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, domestic violence and harassment of his girlfriend early New Year's Day. 10/19/04 David Boston Miami WR Arrested, charged with simple assault for allegedly striking a gate agent when the attendant would not allow Boston to board a late-night flight at Vermont airport. 12/5/03 Larry Johnson Kansas City RB Charged with aggravated assault, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly brandishing a gun during an argument with an ex-girlfriend at his home in Leawood, Kan. 10/21/03 Kenyatta Jones New England OL Arrested for allegedly assaulting his roommate with scalding water. Sebastian Janikowski Oakland K_ Arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor vandalism and public drunkenness after an altercation at a Walnut Creek nightclub. 7/15/03 Wayne Hunter Seattle OL Arrested, charged with assaulting pregnant girlfriend 5/31/03 Michael Pittman Tampa Bay RB Pittman (Mira Mesa High) was charged with aggravated assault after police said he used his Hummer to ram a car carrying his wife, 2-year-old son and a babysitter 3/29/03 Terrell Suggs Baltimore LB Charged with felony aggravated assault for an incident outside Phoenix Municipal Stadium. 11/22/02 Steve Smith Carolina WR Arrested on an assault charge stemming from a film-room fight that sent a teammate to the hospital. 7/25/02 Chris Terry Carolina OT Arrested on a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his wife. Warrant later issued after he failed to appear in court. 7/25/02 Chris Terry Carolina OT Arrested on a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his wife. Warrant later issued after he failed to appear in court. 7/13/02 Charlie Rogers Buffalo WR Arrested in the parking lot of a New Jersey go-go bar and charged with committing aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. 12/27/01 Bobby Hamilton New England DE Arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife at their Cumberland, R.I., apartment. 12/9/01 Neil Rackers Cincinnati K_ Charged with fourth-degree assault stemming from an altercation in a Covington, Ky.nightclub. 10/14/01 Damien Robinson N.Y. Jets S_ Arrested outside Giants Stadium for having an assault rifle and ammunition in the trunk of his car. 7/13/01 Aaron Gibson Detroit OT Charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault after a fight outside a nightclub in Pontiac, Mich. 5/23/01 Victor Riley Kansas City OT Charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property, misdemeanors of child endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident. He allegedly rammed his vehicle several times into a vehicle occupied by his wife and infant daughter. 3/2/01 Dwayne Carswell Denver TE Charged with third-degree assault and domestic violence in Pueblo, Colo.
Most of those are simple assault and misdemeanor assult charges which means it could have been something as simple as him bumping a guy and the guy called the police and pressed charges. And I looked at the nfl crime website and the majority of those are DUIs, marijuana charges, and illegal gun possesion. Maybe in the little shelter world some people live in thats a big deal for those of us in the real world DUIs are no big deal (well they are but you know what I mean), Pot is definently not a big deal, and If was was a big time athlete I would definently have gun regardless of the anti gun laws the state I play in have.
I'll tell you one reason Americans hate soccer players, and this is a direct quote, cleaned up for BS: "They're a bunch of [freaking] European [pansies] that fall down and roll around on the ground like [freaking] little girls, and then hop off the [freaking] stretcher the instant they get to the sidelines! What a bunch of [freakers]!! They wouldn't last two seconds in a football game!" Imagine trying to watch a World Cup game at a sports bar with a half-drunk Saints fan screaming at the TV, being cheered on by half the people in the bar, who would really rather watch Celebrity Poker than soccer. My brother-in-law, an F-16 pilot currently in Iraq, who was a running back in high school, plays soccer on base with other airmen (my little sister converted him to the beautiful game). There are a lot of foreigners on air bases, and some of them will come out and play soccer with the Americans. When they get brushed off the ball, and fall down and roll around, it is like an invitation to get hacked, and they get a pretty rough time of it until they learn to keep on their feet and take their licks like men. And though I grew up with soccer, not American football, I would have to agree that it looks pretty pathetic to have grown men flopping around on the ground complaining to the ref. So I can understand the haters' perspective from a certain angle. If we could fine players for that type of behaviour, and clean the game up, it would go a long way towards making the game palatable for the average Joe in the US. Americans don't like whiners.
I don't think NFL Football is a very good example of a sport one should to compare with soccer aesthetically. In my opinion Basketball is the most popular American sport that resembles soccer in its simplicity and barring of hard contact. Both sports severely limit contact because if they didn't the offense and the creativity in the game would suffer. As result both sports are plagued by the benefits of selling fouls on your opponents. For example in the NBA it is widely excepted as ok to try and draw a charge on your opponent or drive the lane and look for contact. Soccer does face one different problem, however, and that is players who have been fouled have a reason to exacerbate their injuries where as in the NBA that wouldn't help much. If a player can draw a card on an opponent it will alter the way he has to play for the rest of the game. If he draws a pk the impact on the game is massive. Soccer does need to curtail these huge benefits of feigning fouls and injuries but it is difficult. A third body hypothetically should be able to punish all divers after the fact. But dives are usually not clear cut even in the replays. How can you tell how much a player really got hurt on a specific play? I could see a whole other controversy springing from the desire to cut down on the benefits of diving. It is not fair to compare the actions of NFL football players to those of soccer players off the field either. Football players are playing a sport where they are required to release their fury on their opponents. Those that can do this the best will become the best football players (especially defensive players). You rarely see quarterbacks having troubles with with battery because their position doesn't require such rage. I don't see why it comes as such a shock for some people when they see that somebody who is essentially paid to batter his opponents on the football field can't control this fury and lets it slip over into their personal life. They are good at football because they are good at battering people in the first place! That being said I think that a more fair comparison would be between Football and Rugby players.
The only time I'm doing something else during a game is if it is the Mets . I'm with you. I've seen baseball games that would have you one the edge of your seat, and also some that would have you out of your seat, and off to the store. Same goes for soccer games. I don't think it's fair to generalize a particular sport as boring all the way around.
I smoke pot, drink at bars and sometimes argue with my girlfriend. So do many other people I know. But I don't get arrested. Do you know why? It's my attitude. I know where to draw the line, and bar owners and neighbors don't have to call the cops on me. A lot of football players obviously lack this discipline. It's their problem, and as a fan I look down on the ones that act like idiots. Just because violence is part of your job doesn't mean you're allowed to bring that into your home or the community. There are so many NFL tough guys out there that live positive lives in the community, so it is possible. The ones that can't, don't deserve my or anyone else's fandom.