Why I Like Soccer

DadOf8 · 04-08-2005, 11:59 AM

I can't quite figure out why soccer hasn't caught on in the USA as much as other sports have. Listening to sports talk on the AM dial it's almost if some people want it to go away and die. I wish people would just sit down and take some time with it before the so quickly dismiss it to an untimely demise. Some of us have been fortunate enough to live in another country where Soccer (Football) is the number one sport. Having spent time in Brazil (during the 1990 world cup) I could not get away from soccer, it was everywhere. Each time Brazil would win everything would stop, people would run out into the street and celebrate. I've never seen anything like it before or since. I was able to sit down and watch some World Cup matches while I was in Brazil. I was pulling for the USA and Brazilian teams. Having a team to pull for really makes a difference. What I soon found out is that there is an excitement that builds as you're watching the game, a suspense even. The climax of this suspense is when your team scores a goal. Even if your team is down a goal or two, there is still a chance your team can come back and win it or tie it. In no other game (except maybe baseball) is there such suspense. In every other game I've witnessed there is contant gratification. In soccer, you build up to that gradually. That's why soccer is great, that's why I'm a RSL season ticket holder, that's why I will follow soccer even if I am not as knowledgeable of its intricacies as others are. Soccer is a great game, I hope everyone will give RSL a chance. If they do, I predict RSL will be more successful than the Jazz. I also predict that RSL will bring home a championship before the Jazz.

Hiddnfox · 04-08-2005, 12:52 PM

I agree, although I have not yet experienced soccer outside the US, I still feel people look at the 'old' MLS and see what a wierd start we had. you know they say that first impressions are everything. after 10 years I feel we are making progress, but we need a few more bad apples in the other sports to get some of these fans over to the soccer side

Aero · 04-08-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiddnfox

get some of these fans over to the soccer side

Come to the soccer side of the force Luke! I, Darth Tater, your father, command you. Give in. Let the power flow through you.

Rover · 04-09-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf8

I can't quite figure out why soccer hasn't caught on in the USA as much as other sports have. Listening to sports talk on the AM dial it's almost if some people want it to go away and die. I wish people would just sit down and take some time with it before the so quickly dismiss it to an untimely demise.

You've observed something that is unique about soccer in the United States. You will find plenty of people who prefer one sport over another, but soccer seems to be the only sport that some people want to destroy. This has historical roots in how football (in particular) grew to prominence a century ago, and has persisited to the present day. That's the bad news.

The good news is that despite all the efforts of soccer-haters, it is no longer working. This forum is one example of why, but overall it's because you can't keep a good game down.

I don't worry about people like that. Their myopia is sad but in the end not relevent to soccer's growth. As Marcelo Balboa says, we have plenty of our own fans. If there are sports fans who don't like soccer, so what? We'll succeed without them.

Jim Umber · 04-09-2005, 10:04 AM

Yes, the force will win out in the end. It is in everything, part of everything, and cannot be denied.

May the force be with you.

Jose Luis Luviano · 04-13-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf8

Listening to sports talk on the AM dial it's almost if some people want it to go away and die. .

Certain Stature-Challenged LA-based sports radio talk show hosts have lower ratings in their home towns than Spanish language sports talk shows that spend 80% of their time talking about soccer.

Also, said Stature-Challenged LA-based sports radio talk show host figured out pretty early that he was not going to play basketball, football or even baseball.

Then in 1996, the LA Galaxy shows up with Jorge Campos, Cobi Jones & Mauricio Cienfuegos.

How about if we taunt you every week for not being able to realize your dream & let's see how much you support the people who are, albeit unintentionally, taunting you?