Soccer in the states... FOOTBALL!

[Gigersaint]

Looking around the web as I do most evenings looking at different football related sites I stumbled across this article from The Weekly Standard in the USA.

 

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000%5C000%5C012%5C384qgmke.asp?pg=1

 

This maybe the view of one or two American reporters, but surely this cannot be how most Americans view one of their fastest growing sports? Page 1 is bad enough, but gets worse on page 2!

 

I have never been able to understand how a game that has so much popularity around the world is so over looked or dis-regarded in North America.

 

Football is surely one of the most talked about, conversation breaking sports in the world but still struggles to captivate what appears to be the majority of North America.

I understand that Beckham in addition to joining LA Galaxy wanted to raise the profile of Football in the States but again this has been to no avail as it was with World Cup for USA 94. (I'm sure I didn't imagine it... but didn't they request 4 Quarters, or 3 Thirds from FIFA instead of a half time so they could squeeze in more advertising?)

 

What can the citizens of the USA be missing in football that the rest of us in the world aren't?

[RedAndWhite91]

A lot of them contrast it to their version of 'football' (handegg) and see our 'football' (football) as poncey and full of sissies just because we don't wear armour and clatter everyone as part of the game. That's the impression I get when yanks write on football videos on youtube anyway. However, I reckon if you let them experience some 'real' football they would understand just how great it is.

 

But.

 

That article has p!ssed me off because of it's blatant ignorance. The way they describe 'soccer' reminds me a lot of NFL - "Whole blocks of game time transpire during which absolutely nothing happens." and "men running up and down a grassy field for 90 minutes with little happening as fans scream wildly."

 

I don't care about opinion - That article is bullsh!t.

[UniS]

That has made me want to cry with pity for the idiots who wrote it. The article spends four paragraphs going on about opposable thumbs... it's not a very strong argument. Next time the USA get a gold in a track event at the Olympics, I'm sure they'll give the medals back as they didn't have to use opposable thumbs to win - right?

 

I wish I was awake enough to explain quite how angry that has made me... it's the unashamed ignorance taht riles me most. I bet they think they've made a very reasoned argument, when it's just absolute cr@p.

 

Like RAW91 says above, the defence "it's someone's opinion" is rubbish. it's highly misguided. Imagine justifying racism by saying "it's an opinion"?

 

And they wonder why the rest of the world hates yanks?

[Gigersaint]

I must admit when I read the article I was incensed and couldn't understand how the game could be so mis-read, and if this is how the North American media report on a game of football then maybe they need to employ a few reporters who actually do know how to report on a game.

[Mao Cap]

Doesn't bother me in the slightest what Americans think of football, and I'm sure they don't take similarly daft and ignorant opinions of people from other parts of the world on their sports very seriously either.

 

That article is pretty much the equivalent of uninformed people over here parroting the view that "American football players are wimps because they wear body armour" - moronic thing to say because players can be tackled above the waist in NFL, without armour they'd probably have serious injuries every game, along with an occasional death. Morons are morons wherever you are.

 

That said, they seem to enjoy laying into football more than the rest of the world likes laying into their sports; I can't see any British or continental newspapers taking the time to give a lengthy slagging to baseball or whatnot. But then, Yanks get very insecure and aggressive about anything that's popular and not American. It's how they roll.

[Gigersaint]

Doesn't bother me in the slightest what Americans think of football, and I'm sure they don't take similarly daft and ignorant opinions of people from other parts of the world on their sports very seriously either.

 

That article is pretty much the equivalent of uninformed people over here parroting the view that "American football players are wimps because they wear body armour" - moronic thing to say because players can be tackled above the waist in NFL, without armour they'd probably have serious injuries every game, along with an occasional death. Morons are morons wherever you are.

 

That said, they seem to enjoy laying into football more than the rest of the world likes laying into their sports; I can't see any British or continental newspapers taking the time to give a lengthy slagging to baseball or whatnot. But then, Yanks get very insecure and aggressive about anything that's popular and not American. It's how they roll.

 

Quite true, although I've not watched Ice Hockey in the USA, I have watched it in Canada and seen the Toronto Maple Leafs at their old stadium at Maple Leaf Gardens before they moved to the Air Canada stadium and would one day like to go over in the summer to watch the Blue Jays at the Sky Dome, each part and parcel of a sport played in the same leagues with the USA. Not something I've slagged off but have enjoyed attending or have wanted to attend all the same.

 

I've seen quite a few posters on here that have also recently enjoyed the NFL game at Wembley. So if we are able to take to their sports, and on a national scale such as the NFL for example why is it difficult for the USA to take to Football on the same scale?

 

Further to the requests that were apparently made to FIFA for USA 94, wasn't there other requests made to the MLS early on that the USA wanted to liven games up with ideas such as scoring zones? I don't recall it including a 6 or 18 yard box but instead a semi circle emulating from Goal with 3 different zones 10 or so yards apart in which points were awarded for a goal depending on the zone from where it was scored from?

 

It was reading this article that reminded me of a few things in the past that the USA wanted to change to make football more playable in their Country, all of which were turned down by FIFA or were dismissed as completely unworkable. If this was widely publicised back then and was favoured in the USA is this maybe a reason they can't take the game over there in its current format now and why they maybe want something extra to cheer?

 

I don't understand myself and is why I put this topic up for discussion for thoughts by others.

[NY Saint]

Hahaha. Really funny article and I particularly enjoyed the use of satire (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire) perhaps you gents/ladies should take a quick read of the definition after you've taken a deep breath.

 

Ignoring the American's use of wit, because (my turn to generalise now) that's what most Brits do when they think of the American sense of humour, many Americans are not brought up to believe there future lives will need to have anything to do with this foreign language and are disaffected with our sport. In the eight years I've been here and witnessed NFL, NBA, MLS and college (university in our language) equivalent sport, its the way the athletic programs are setup for students that allows them to excel in more profitable pursuits than football in America. College's well developed sporting programs are setup to encourage students to graduate into professional athletes in the NFL, NBA even pro golf and play those sports in North America where their lives exist, rather than football. Soccer is a massively growing 'alternative' sport in the US played by everyone up to college, boys and girls - look at the success of the US women's national team, but is essentially only played to our sixth form level and then students are offered a chance at an education free of charge (or heavily subsidised) to learn and play for a university. Yes, there are soccer scholarships but they are fewer in number than most other American sports. America grew and created its own sports possibly because the Pilgrims were attempting to create something different to the place they were escaping when they first landed at Plymouth Rock. However many Americans will find time to enjoy our sport, as much as many Brits enjoy the NBA, NFL and NHL. Just out of curiosity have any you watched a full game of those three sports? And or college sport?

[Saint George]

lol, that's just a light hearted **** take, written during the last world Cup and mainly in response to the constant drone of "Americans 'must like' Soccer"....... I wouldn't get too 'outraged' about it heh

 

The NFL, NBA and MLB keep most Americans occupied for most of the year, so not much room for another major sport here. and besides, Soccer doesn't quite cut it when put up against American Football or Basketball, Pro 'or' Collage........

The amateur game's pretty popular here, with a surprising amount of Soccer fields eround most Cities. But none the less, the Pro game is destined to stay in the 'minor' bracket for the foreseeable future.

 

I think peeps would prolly give themselves a little less stress if they could just accept that the 'whole' world doesn't 'need' to love Soccer...

[saintwarwick]

lol, that's just a light hearted **** take, written during the last world Cup and mainly in response to the constant drone of "Americans 'must like' Soccer"....... I wouldn't get too 'outraged' about it heh

 

The NFL, NBA and MLB keep most Americans occupied for most of the year, so not much room for another major sport here. and besides, Soccer doesn't quite cut it when put up against American Football or Basketball, Pro 'or' Collage........

The amateur game's pretty popular here, with a surprising amount of Soccer fields eround most Cities. But none the less, the Pro game is destined to stay in the 'minor' bracket for the foreseeable future.

 

I think peeps would prolly give themselves a little less stress if they could just accept that the 'whole' world doesn't 'need' to love Soccer...

 

But the 'whole' world does love football except North America, hth

[Saint George]

But the 'whole' world does love football except North America, hth

 

So why do you and so many other peeps have a problem with that?.....Why do ya'll feel the need to 'force' Soccer down the throat of Americans?

[RonManager]

So why do you and so many other peeps have a problem with that?.....Why do ya'll feel the need to 'force' Soccer down the throat of Americans?

 

Indeed. Leave well alone I say.

 

Imagine if they did start taking it seriously to the point that it became their national game and you had the first American heading FIFA. The possibilities of what they would do to the game are nightmarish.

[UniS]

Ha, I did wonder if it was meant to be satirical when I read it. I just assumed it wouldn't be - it's not a concept understood too well in the USA.

 

I feel so... American... for not getting it.

[saintwarwick]

So why do you and so many other peeps have a problem with that?.....Why do ya'll feel the need to 'force' Soccer down the throat of Americans?

 

I don't have a problem with it I am just posting facts that 'football' is loved all over the world except North America. Seems you are getting wound up on this

[Rut]

Football (or soccer as you really do have to call it here) is the same as American Football in the UK. Some people are really into it but a lot of people don't like it.

 

Both are the major sports in one country - and a minor one in the other.

 

Both countries have good TV coverage of the 2 sports. If Saints were in the Prem I could watch them (live or delayed) pretty much every week.

 

Both get good crowds in the other country. The NFL game at Wembley sold out in minutes and I'm pretty sure that the World Cup in the USA in 1994 is still the most attended WC ever.

 

I've met some really clued up soccer fans here - most don't know much about it all though. That said the un-clued up ones don't really know much about sport full stop. They will walk around in their Colts top but ask them who they are playing next game and they ain't got a clue. They feel as if they should be into it so walk-the-walk... Do other ex-pats living over in the USA find that?

 

I don't really care anymore. I love both soccer and the NFL and watch tons of both - that is what counts.

 

I am really looking forward to seeing what it is like for the World Cup next year over here. The media coverage was excellent when USA qualified. Mexico getting in was good for the hype as well. I plan on not making too big-a deal of it at work though - mainly cos I'll probably be wanting to avoid a few scores and watch it when I get home. Nobody being into it will suit me fine!

 

I get the feeling that people will half talk about it if the USA do well - if not then it will be back to talk of what new lawnmower to buy...

 

Saints to beat Orient & Broncos to go 7-0. The perfect weekend coming up :-)

[LGTL]

The Americans have sold the largest amount of tickets of any nation through FIFA for World Cup next year. Make of that what you will.

[Gigersaint]

Indeed. Leave well alone I say.

 

Imagine if they did start taking it seriously to the point that it became their national game and you had the first American heading FIFA. The possibilities of what they would do to the game are nightmarish.

 

That is something I hadn't thought about, judging by previous ideas the USA have put forward... maybe it's a good thing afterall.

[the stain]

So why do you and so many other peeps have a problem with that?.....Why do ya'll feel the need to 'force' Soccer down the throat of Americans?

 

Y'all. Y'all. If you're going to make excrutiating use of someone else's slang, at least get it right.

[the stain]

The late Steven Wells had a lot of interesting things to say about the two football codes and the American psyche.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/jan/17/thetruththesoccerphobesref

[Saint George]

Football (or soccer as you really do have to call it here) is the same as American Football in the UK. Some people are really into it but a lot of people don't like it.

 

Both are the major sports in one country - and a minor one in the other.

 

Both countries have good TV coverage of the 2 sports. If Saints were in the Prem I could watch them (live or delayed) pretty much every week.

 

Both get good crowds in the other country. The NFL game at Wembley sold out in minutes and I'm pretty sure that the World Cup in the USA in 1994 is still the most attended WC ever.

 

I've met some really clued up soccer fans here - most don't know much about it all though. That said the un-clued up ones don't really know much about sport full stop. They will walk around in their Colts top but ask them who they are playing next game and they ain't got a clue. They feel as if they should be into it so walk-the-walk... Do other ex-pats living over in the USA find that?

 

I don't really care anymore. I love both soccer and the NFL and watch tons of both - that is what counts.

 

I am really looking forward to seeing what it is like for the World Cup next year over here. The media coverage was excellent when USA qualified. Mexico getting in was good for the hype as well. I plan on not making too big-a deal of it at work though - mainly cos I'll probably be wanting to avoid a few scores and watch it when I get home. Nobody being into it will suit me fine!

 

I get the feeling that people will half talk about it if the USA do well - if not then it will be back to talk of what new lawnmower to buy...

 

Saints to beat Orient & Broncos to go 7-0. The perfect weekend coming up :-)

 

Can't say that's the case down here.....The Saints and LSU are pretty much a religion around these parts. Some of the most passionate and crazy fans of 'any' sport I've ever seen.

Amazing, considering the Saints have been a perpetually loosing team, having never made the Superbowl and only made the playoffs 6 times in 40 years...Now we've been getting our act together a bit better over the last few years, the "City that care forgot" has reached even new hights of passion.

Win or lose, the team are always welcomed back from away games by hundreds, sometimes thousands of fans at the Airport, no matter what time of night or early morning it is......Everyone's a 'Who Dat' and a LSU Tiger

 

I'm just glad i bought my season tickets when we were still ****....The waiting list has grown to 50k and if this season continues the way its going that could well double by the end of the year........The Superdome and Tiger Stadium are some of the loudest and electric sporting arenas in the world, no doubt about that......120 - 130db's regularly recorded at field level.....We get right into the heads of the opposition and confuse them and force them into mistakes....Several games over the years have had cucial stages atributed to crowd noise....Players simply 'Hate' coming here

 

As for the World Cup here.....If the last one is anything to go by, Disney showed all the games live, so if you have a DVR you should have no probs getting to see the games...but don't expect to be able to talk about them with too many peeps...Most won't even know its on......The last one generated a little interest but all the diving and play acting, along with abusing the refs did the game no favors here.....I wanna say it set back pro Soccer here by a good decade or so...It really didn't go down well

 

Geaux Saints!

[Saint George]

Y'all. Y'all. If you're going to make excrutiating use of someone else's slang, at least get it right.

 

As a fully assimilated and card carrying Redneck, I will, in good 'ole Redneck fashion, use and spell the word, when and how, i want .......Now who the **** are you to say different?....So i suggest you run along old chap.

[LVSaint]

Y'all. Y'all. If you're going to make excrutiating use of someone else's slang, at least get it right.

 

Of course it should correctly be spelt this way (as a contraction of you all) but if you google it both ways "ya'll" is over 10 times more popular than "y'all".

 

Go figure!

 

It's a Southern thing.

[JonnyLove]

To be fair though this artical was written in 2006 before DB turned up in Major league Soccer and it's recent rise in popularity witht he premier league and football it self within the good old USA. So I would not get to angry about a bloke writing an article to, by the looks of things, has never seen a proper game of football and seems to just be writing about the USA football team.