Should soccer become the United States new sport of choice on the air?

1. 33

   Johnathan L Groomposted 13 years ago

   
   While it is famous worldwide, soccer is low in the ranks of favorite televised sporting events by most.  Why?  Should soccer get more American publicity?

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   1. 86

      I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Soccer has a chance to show itself off to Americans every 4 years during the World Cup, with coverage of games on multiple TV channels and also online. So far, it's been a miserable failure. The action is slow, and the dives are something American sports fans have trouble swallowing. When we see a basketball player fake an injury to get a foul call people are talking about it for weeks and the player gets taunted everywhere he goes. In soccer it seems to happen a dozen times every game. If they instituted some sort of challenge system with instant replay for dives, I think American sports fans might start taking the sport more seriously.

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   2. 72

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Soccer isn't an American sport.
      Nope!

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2. 89

   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   if soccer generates as much money as football,then it will become popular.

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   1. 60

      Matt in Jaxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It does everywhere else, but it's impossible in the U.S. without the popularity and advertising level.

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3. 60

   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   its way to slow and boring, however is basketball and real football stay on strike then it has a shot! Then again mma could rule the roost!

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4. 79

   thisisoliposted 13 years ago

   Lol soccer is a lot faster than american football.
   
   To be honest though I am english and living in America, and listening to the over analysis year round would probably kill the game for me, I jsut want to watch a goame fo football, and drink my beer!

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   1. 86

      I am DB Cooperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      They play non-stop in soccer, and because of that it's generally slower. Players are jogging most of the time. American football has breaks in the action every time a player is tackled or goes out of bounds with the ball (or when a pass falls incomplete), so the players rest for 40 seconds and then all 22 players on the field go back at it at full speed.
      
      There are few other sports where nearly everyone is going full speed on every play, which is probably why it's so popular in the United States. During the 40 seconds of downtime between plays we watch replays of the previous play, which makes it a great sport for television (and the NFL dominates all other sports in the United States in terms of TV viewers). In soccer, you might see something worthy of a replay every 5 to 10 minutes.

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5. 60

   optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

   alot faster wow your crazy. It all has to do with what you grew up playing and watching to how you see each sport. My problem with soccer is I played until I was 14 and was told by refs I was to physical and It wasnt right for me to play any other way!! So I kind of have a grudge for it! Its still better to play then watch! Nice point d.b. to bad your asnwer is an obvious one.

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6. 61

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   Most Americans would rather watch grass grow.

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   1. 72

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Of course, it's more exciting to watch grass grow than it is to watch the particular sport this thread is about.

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   2. 80

      TamCorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nooooo, I'd rather watch football!
      
      Soccer, to me, is more fun to watch in person, when someone you know is playing it.  Since I get all confused, trying to figure the game out, at least I get the enjoyment of watching someone I know having a great time, lol...

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7. 72

   Reality Bytesposted 13 years ago

   Listen world.  America does not embrace soccer.  We let our children play the game but that is it.
   
   We do not enjoy watching soccer.
   
   Professional soccer is at the same level as the WNBA or watching paint dry.
   
   Nothing like watching a game for hours that ends in a draw.  Boring!
   
   we do not like soccer today.
   
   we did not like soccer yesterday.
   
   nothing is going to change the fact
   
   we do not like soccer, why can't you all accept that?
   
   

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8. 61

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   I like the ambiance like golf, but generally not a fan. In European cities it takes kids in the piazzas, four piles of books and a ball to play. Did like the world cup of course, the best players.

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9. 60

   Matt in Jaxposted 13 years ago

   I think that it's an awesome game to play in comparison to viewing it like Optimus said. But I don't want it to sound as though I don't enjoy watching it because I do. But Reality kind of hit the nail on the head...the U.S. will  not embrace the sport. The highest ratings it will get on television would only rival arena football which is sad. Just have to hit a pub or watch on Espn 3 if I want to get my soccer fix and still live in the 'States.

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10. 59

    Jonathan Jancoposted 13 years ago

    I love soccer but until we have a range of real talent in the MLS, it will take a backseat to the sports of domestic origin. That may take some time, since the five big soccer leagues in Europe generate the kind of capital that makes the NFL look like a tag sale.

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11. 33

    Johnathan L Groomposted 13 years ago

    The sports industry is becoming more and more like one anyways...

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12. 60

    Matt in Jaxposted 13 years ago

    Will the women's loss in the World Cup inspire more young girls to play or less?

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    1. 33

       Johnathan L Groomposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I believe the press did an excellent job publicizing the sportsplay, and women's soccer (for the first time ever, maybe) has a chance at becoming a sought out and watched American event!
       -johnathan-

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13. 59

    Jonathan Jancoposted 13 years ago

    The World Cup will always have an American audience because many of us come from or are descendents of people who come from many of these countries that participate in it. That being said I think the women's game picks up momentum as women's sports in general are met with a greater enthusiasm.

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14. 93

    Paul Kuehnposted 13 years ago

    To me, soccer is not as exciting as basketball, football, and football because there is not that much scoring and because it isn't as physical as basketball and football.  Soccer will not become really popular in the States until it can compete with basketball and football for first high school game viewers and then for college viewers like the NCAA football does.

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    1. 33

       Johnathan L Groomposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Soccer is great, it is just under-rated!
       -johnathan-

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15. 70

    kingisposted 13 years ago

    Well, NBC and Versus will take their chances by broadcasting MLS games on both of their networks beginning next year.

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