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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 8/5/2008 1:59:31 PM
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mutinywxgirl
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Wonder_Woman
quote:
*******seriously shudders at the thought of EVER being called a soccer mom******
(I won't show that comment to the mini soccer players in my life)
Fortunately there are lots of soccer moms who are quite proud of it ... and who take their kids to see professional games to encourage them.
And that's wonderful - and we need them to do that - but I'm a professional woman who has RUN a men's professional team and worked in the league office of another group - and to be asked if I'm a soccer mom - because I'm a female in the sport - it's just not a good thing to me. I don't have kids and won't ever have kids - so it's not a moniker that is appropriate for me, and I don't like it for one second.
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 8/5/2008 2:16:55 PM
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mutinywxgirl
Posts: 13135
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From: west coast of FL
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Sorry you (or anyone else) was offended by it. That offense is what I feel when I'm called or asked if I am one.
You may be a professional - but I am a professional in the sport. It's different.
I have absolutely nothing against soccer moms and know that my beloved sport would not exist without them.
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 8/5/2008 2:24:13 PM
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Wonder_Woman
Posts: 100
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
Sorry you (or anyone else) was offended by it. That offense is what I feel when I'm called or asked if I am one.
You may be a professional - but I am a professional in the sport. It's different.
I have absolutely nothing against soccer moms and know that my beloved sport would not exist without them.
I never said I wasn't a professional in the sport. You know nothing whatsoever about me or what I do.
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 8/5/2008 4:13:49 PM
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creatief
Posts: 58
Joined: 3/30/2008
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At first:
There is no universal number one sport and it never will. No sport is better than the other. It all is about culture and which sport satisfies the needs of the people. Of course the success of the country in the sport, the marketing, the education of the kids, the values in the society, rich or poor country, geographical location, international relationships,... play a role in which sport gains the most respect.
But one other question? Why are the European so against Basketball, Baseball, Ice-Hockey,... ? You can ask the question in the other way too. At first I will talk about the big soccer-nations.
I am living in a very big soccer-nation, maybe the biggest in the world, and I can tell you that Basketball, Rugby, Baseball, Ice-Hockey,... are rising day by day in my country. Soccer, too, but just because the girls who never before were interested in soccer are following this "booming" sport. It is not really booming, but the media and economy try to build this illusion.
But here we can see a change in culture which you can see in the socialisation of the young people. They are not interested in soccer anymore. They are bored of it and want to watch the american sport + Rugby. In some areas Basketball, Handball or Ice-Hockey are number 1 now. The marketing strategies are getting better, the players are getting better and so these sports are becoming more attractive.
Now I want to look to northern america. (By the way, brazilians are americans too and football is booming there :-) ).
The standard sports there have great marketing and the best players in world. The MLS is very bad. The stars in the league were to weak for european clubs ( f.e. Donovan who could play in the third german league for the amateur-team of Bayer Leverkusen). The national team is full of second and third class player. And not to forget, their marketing is horrible. Soccer is going to rise in the us, no question, but I think it never will become number 1 because this sport is to boring.
I have played it more than 16 years and were a coach. I am allowed to say that soccer is boring. Why haven't I found it boring earlier? Because now I know more about the world and my personality has changed. By the way, I am still a fan of my soccer team, but there are more interesting sports in the world. But soccer is only sport number 4 in my hierarchy.
Now I want to look at sport in the us in general to see what chances soccer will get. In russia they are paying more money in ice-hockey and basketball than the NBA and NHL will ever be able to. So these sports will lose attraction. The oil-prices are still rising and russia will get more and more money for the RHL and their basketball league. This will increase the potential of soccer in the US. How big it really will become is a question of american culture.
By the way, why are there only girls writing in here? In my country, although we are winning everything in women-soccer, no one cares about women-soccer. It is so because it is to slow and less aggressiv (the reason why soccer will lose the number one status, if the culture keeps developing how it is). Now I know why all the americans I talked to said that soccer is a sport for the gay and girls. 
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 8/5/2008 11:26:00 PM
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VivaRonaldo7
Posts: 78
Joined: 7/28/2008
From: Chicago =)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: creatief
The MLS is very bad. The stars in the league were to weak for european clubs ( f.e. Donovan who could play in the third german league for the amateur-team of Bayer Leverkusen). The national team is full of second and third class player. And not to forget, their marketing is horrible. Soccer is going to rise in the us, no question, but I think it never will become number 1 because this sport is to boring.
I'm sorry, but the bolded part really offended me. THE MLS ISN'T VERY BAD. The only people who say the MLS is bad is people from other countries who have soccer leagues that are really good. I can understand why. We watch the Premier League on FSC here, and their games make the MLS look bad. But when it's the only thing you've got, it doesn't seem as bad. And as for 'the stars in the league being too weak for European clubs', that's not entirely true. Most of the stars in the MLS aren't from the USA. (Beckham, Blanco, etc.) However, there are other players from the MLS who aren't necessarily stars, but get into the big European leagues. Brad Guzan, a keeper from Chivas USA, just got traded to Aston Villa in the Premier League; Matt Pickens, the former keeper for the Chicago Fire, is playing for Queen's Park Rangers in the Championship; and Brian McBride has played for VFL Wolfsberg, Everton, The Columbus Crew, and Fulham, and its currently with the Chicago Fire.
quote:
Now I know why all the americans I talked to said that soccer is a sport for the gay and girls.
Welcome to the United States, where we only care about the sports we dub "American".  
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And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...
11.21.08
Pshyeah. <3
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/1/2008 3:31:36 PM
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rcamejo01
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in a word...BORING! Well not really, I'm a baseball guy, come from a baseball family, yet my 7 year old want to play Soccer!!!!! As they say in the south.."I Likeda Died!" But when I thought about it, I figured if my son was happy playing Soccer, I'd support him all the way....but hopefully the infactuation with soccer wont last....
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True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made. FDR
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/1/2008 9:17:12 PM
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solomonsprayer
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Americans, according to one ESPN analyst, do not dislike soccer so much as they prefer other sports.
They enjoy the violence of football, the tradition of baseball, and fast-pace and excitement of basketball and hockey. ....
In foreign countries, however, people enjoy soccer "more" because they have access to it. Poor countries just need any open space and a single soccer ball to play and it's easy. ...Football requires gear, a stadium and has a lot of physical contact. Basketball needs hoops and a ball and the right floor (hardwood...thought they can play on concrete too).....Baseball needs a stadium/park and gear as well. ....Swimming, golf, tennis etc. require lots more money...
Soccer is supposedly the easiest and cheapest sport to play on a whim amongst poor people in Third and Second World countries.
In America, where there is more variety and choices, we do not share that same maniacial love of the game and tend to look down on other countries for doing so. Perhaps we think we are better than them or above it? ....I don't know. Perhaps it's not seen as manly enough like football? ...
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/2/2008 4:48:37 PM
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Irish2
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Soccer just doesn't measure up to American Football; not much else to say on the subject
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/2/2008 4:54:36 PM
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wareaglekd
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We are not that talented w/ our feet! kd
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/2/2008 7:26:45 PM
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mapachito13
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I like watching american football and hockey on TV as my first choices and soccer comes third. The reason why I use the term "american" football is because soccer is called football in every other country except for here where the term soccer was invented. And truthfully, soccer is more "foot"ball than the americanized version where the ball hits a foot only during punts, extra points and field goals.
Soccer doesn't translate well to the TV because the intricate footwork and the player's skill with the ball cannot be appreciated in the large pan shots required to cover the action.
I do think soccer has gained more popularity in this country than 20 years ago. I think this is due to the explosion of soccer leagues and when you play a sport, you appreciate it more. Also the influx of hispanics in whose countries of origin "futbol" is THE sport (in some form or the other for over 500 years) has also added fans.
Their has also been a new interest created by the European leagues. I see many kids with Manchester Utd. shirts running around. The USA's success in recent Olympics has also gotten some other americans interested.
Off Topic: As far as the comments that hockey doesn't translate well because of the size of the puck; how do you explain golf? The golf ball is smaller than a hockey puck. But ,then again, it is moving at a slower pace than a hockey puck (which is always in motion).
Baseball is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Soccer is way more exciting than that yawner of a sport.
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"I would argue that the most serious threat to the United States is not someone hiding in a cave in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but our own fiscal irresponsibility."-David Walker, fmr comptroller general of the US
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/4/2008 3:29:41 PM
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stampinlady
Posts: 1737
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quote:
do think soccer has gained more popularity in this country than 20 years ago.
Yes it has. I thought this thread was dead.
I know many of you probably thought I was nutty asking this question because so many of our kids play, but I really did run into dads who felt that way. It just seems like there's not much coverage on the news as there is with other sports.
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/4/2008 3:56:22 PM
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mutinywxgirl
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clarification: It's MLS, not "the MLS".
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/5/2008 1:48:28 PM
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mapachito13
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
quote:
do think soccer has gained more popularity in this country than 20 years ago.
Yes it has. I thought this thread was dead.
I know many of you probably thought I was nutty asking this question because so many of our kids play, but I really did run into dads who felt that way. It just seems like there's not much coverage on the news as there is with other sports.
Unless you are watching "las noticias en Espanol" and are a fan of Equipo America, las Chivas o Cruz Azul. The Spanish language stations give massive coverage to soccer. In fact, they lead off the sports coverage with it on most nights.
Hockey gets overlooked in both languages even though we have two teams, the Kings and Ducks, in the LA area!
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"I would argue that the most serious threat to the United States is not someone hiding in a cave in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but our own fiscal irresponsibility."-David Walker, fmr comptroller general of the US
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/7/2008 10:19:34 AM
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cog41
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It will never ever take the place of football. Overall it is still viewed as a foreign sport and thus rejected by most fans. No matter how many kids play the game it will always be considered one of the lesser sports.
I'm not putting it down, that's just the way I see it.
And no, I am not a soccer fan. At all! never will be! Can't make me!
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Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you."
Hook'em Horns! Roll Tide!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/8/2008 11:33:52 AM
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mapachito13
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quote:
ORIGINAL: cog41
It will never ever take the place of football. Overall it is still viewed as a foreign sport and thus rejected by most fans. No matter how many kids play the game it will always be considered one of the lesser sports.
I'm not putting it down, that's just the way I see it.
And no, I am not a soccer fan. At all! never will be! Can't make me!
Actually, in reality basketball, and soccer are the only two sports invented in the Americas. American football is based on rugby. Baseball on cricket. Even hockey is rumored to be based on field hockey which is said to have been depicted on 4000 year old Egyptian carvings!
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"I would argue that the most serious threat to the United States is not someone hiding in a cave in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but our own fiscal irresponsibility."-David Walker, fmr comptroller general of the US
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/8/2008 12:17:37 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1293
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
I don't get it. I have been told by a few parents that there's no way they'd let their kids play soccer because it's not American. Yikes, what kind of answer is that? I noticed that the news hardly covers local soccer yet alone their own national teams. What's up?
makes me wonder if they think GOLF is "unamerican", too......i wouldn't call it "UnAmerican", but, it sure doesn't have it's origins here in the states.
And, hockey? well, that's debatable....as it is more of a "Canadian" thing.....but, still widely played in the northern tier of the country....
you know what's "UnAmerican"? Having NHL hockey teams....and hockey leagues in places like DALLAS......there's no "rhyme or reason" for it....
(this coming from a guy who grew up in Detroit "Hockeytown" Michigan....and, I now live in Dallas)
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Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/9/2008 6:58:46 AM
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mapachito13
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
I don't get it. I have been told by a few parents that there's no way they'd let their kids play soccer because it's not American. Yikes, what kind of answer is that? I noticed that the news hardly covers local soccer yet alone their own national teams. What's up?
makes me wonder if they think GOLF is "unamerican", too......i wouldn't call it "UnAmerican", but, it sure doesn't have it's origins here in the states.
And, hockey? well, that's debatable....as it is more of a "Canadian" thing.....but, still widely played in the northern tier of the country....
you know what's "UnAmerican"? Having NHL hockey teams....and hockey leagues in places like DALLAS......there's no "rhyme or reason" for it....
(this coming from a guy who grew up in Detroit "Hockeytown" Michigan....and, I now live in Dallas)
Yep, Golf is British as well. But it shouldn't matter what country any sport originates. It all boils down to what sport appeals to someone on the personal level.
BTW, does that make you a Wings or Stars fan or both? I've been a Wings fan for awhile since the Kings haven't put a winning team on the ice since 1993. Although the Ducks have won my allegience since the new owners have brought the Cup to SoCal something that even The Great One couldn't do in 1993. Darn them Habs!
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"I would argue that the most serious threat to the United States is not someone hiding in a cave in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but our own fiscal irresponsibility."-David Walker, fmr comptroller general of the US
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/9/2008 10:28:58 AM
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cog41
Posts: 643
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From: The Great State of Texas
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quote:
Actually, in reality basketball, and soccer are the only two sports invented in the Americas. American football is based on rugby. Baseball on cricket. Even hockey is rumored to be based on field hockey which is said to have been depicted on 4000 year old Egyptian carvings!
You find games that come from other games all day. But in these United States soccer won't ever in any form or fashion ever take the place of "AMERICAN" football.
Especially the game of college football.
_____________________________
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you."
Hook'em Horns! Roll Tide!
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/9/2008 12:33:37 PM
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iwillfearnoevil
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From: upstate NY
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
I think a lot of folks see soccer as a sport for children. dH says it's a "two dimensional sport", so that's why it's a good warm up sport before they start baseball or basketball.
i agree ... soccer is a great game for kids ...
also the news would cover soccer if more people had interest but once kids grow up, no one seems to care (barring worldwide tourneys like world cup & olympics). i'm sure there are some 'soccer moms' who watch pro soccer years after their kids stop playing, just not many.
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/9/2008 2:18:07 PM
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broyce1981
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mapachito13
The reason why I use the term "american" football is because soccer is called football in every other country except for here where the term soccer was invented.
Just for clarification, the word soccer is used in Canada and Australia as well as the United States. And the term soccer itself was invented in England, not in the US.
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/10/2008 7:50:46 AM
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ninjai
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From: new zealand
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It's soccer in New Zealand as well. Rugby is also called football. It's weird we all call our sports football.
Soccer still has a poncy vibe in New zealand.
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RE: Why are Americans so against soccer? - 9/11/2008 7:34:04 AM
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mapachito13
Posts: 2335
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Do you think if the USA makes it to the World Cup Finals that more people will come on board?
Welcome ninjai, good to have a kiwi on board! Just one question, since we are two countries separated by a common language, what does having a"poncy vibe" mean?
_____________________________
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
"I would argue that the most serious threat to the United States is not someone hiding in a cave in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but our own fiscal irresponsibility."-David Walker, fmr comptroller general of the US
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