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Is soccer slowly taking over in the United States?

  • Blackthorne said...

    Among other reasons, I would suggest the popularity is increasing as the Latino population is growing. Another reason why baseball is also going to see a bump in the coming years.

    We are getting a higher number of immigrants from Mexico though than the Caribbean and central America.

    hoke- to alter or manipulate so as to give a deceptively or superficially improved quality or value.

    The Doctor

  • TX Sparty said...

    They (whoever they are) were saying soccer was the next big thing in America back in the mid 80's when I played as a good.

    I'd like to get into soccer, but I can't see it really happening. All the good players are in foreign leagues. I guess I could watch the EPL, but I really wouldn't have a rooting interest in it. Or maybe go to some FC Dallas games.

    Try early 70's. Soccer was going to supplant baseball AND American Football.

    There was even talk of NFL/AFL franchises going belly up and those stadiums would be filled with 50,000 socer fans.

    They were wrong. We seem to like World Cup some, Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic soccer (because the women have won)

    We might have a dozen cities that might support teams with venues of 20,000 to 30,000 and have average crowds of 14,000-18,000. They get that in Germany.

    GRR Spartan

  • As I know very little about the MLS, are the games well attended and how well has the league progressed over the years?

    Emerald Green

  • Io Triumphe said...

    I don't understand this point, "I hope people don't like soccer?"

    Who cares what people enjoy watching? I don't enjoy synchronized swimming, but I don't care if you do, but I don't see why it should be diminished. I enjoy track, I know many people don't, but I don't see why it should be diminished.

    What's there to enjoy?

    I hope soccer remains a marginalized sport in this country (not eradicated, but on the periphery) so our sports networks continue to broadcast the games I want to watch.

    Howler ●

  • I love soccer, I much prefer it to basketball baseball and hockey, but that's just me. It's the international aspect, the fact that you can so easily tell that the players are so incredibly skilled. Watching Germany today, you see the premier players of the world in an international contest, country versus country, it's so entertaining to me. Often times, I'll watch a soccer game between two teams I have no rooting interest in only because I'm interested in the game. I hope one day soccer really catches on and becomes a premier sport in this country

    ass dan

  • I don't get the hate for soccer/fútbol/football. Its a lovely game that is like basketball mixed with american football. It takes extreme skill with the feet like basektball takes skill with the hands, its played on a pitch like a football field, and is a team of 11 guys trying to get a ball into a net. It is played beautifully at the highest levels, Hating soccer is like hating a certain breed of puppy. Its different but its still sport.

    Jahlil Suggs

  • I must say I like International play a lot better than the premiership, the sense of pride in your country and such is awesome. I love International play in basketball too, i just wish it was more competitive.

    Jahlil Suggs

  • ass dan said...

    I love soccer, I much prefer it to basketball baseball and hockey, but that's just me. It's the international aspect, the fact that you can so easily tell that the players are so incredibly skilled. Watching Germany today, you see the premier players of the world in an international contest, country versus country, it's so entertaining to me. Often times, I'll watch a soccer game between two teams I have no rooting interest in only because I'm interested in the game. I hope one day soccer really catches on and becomes a premier sport in this country

    I watched el Salvador / Mexico the other day instead of MLB

    RCMB Premium Poster

    Count gHostula

  • Slippery People said...

    Taking over? No. Getting significantly more popular? Yes.

    This is the correct answer.

    HillSpartan ●

  • Emerald Green said...

    I haven't done any research, so I could be wrong, but I have a hard time seeing the MLS surpassing the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, Golf, NCAA Football, or NCAA Basketball. I would find it interesting to see and compare the ratings for the MLS versus Women's NCAA Basketball, X-Games, fake wrestling, tennis, Wipeout, poker, horse racing, and other sports entertainment to see how the MLS has progressed over the years. Has the MLS been able to overtake arena football, NCAA hockey or baseball, WNBA, bowling, pool, rodeo, etc?

    I don't follow ratings but I think it would be useful in further fleshing out your question to have some of that data.

    Certainly soccer has the potential with its global popularity and how well suited it is for youth play, and both of those have probably helped spur it along in America.

    Can't really find much in terms of TV numbers, but as far as attendance goes, MLS fits in with the "big four." Their average per game is relatively similar to NHL and NBA, and growing quickly.

    This post was edited by Nutz Interface on 6/17/2012 at 10:01 PM

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    Nutz Interface ●

  • Howler said...

    What's there to enjoy?

    I hope soccer remains a marginalized sport in this country (not eradicated, but on the periphery) so our sports networks continue to broadcast the games I want to watch.

    This makes you sound ignorant.

    ass dan

  • Servo ●

  • Slowly? Absolutely. Demographics support it. The hispanic and latino populations are rising quickly in the US. In 2000, there were 35 million of them. As of the 2010 census, there were 50 million. Their most popular sport is soccer. That alone makes soccer more popular in the US. Also, I've noticed a much greater interest in European soccer especially among the 34 and younger crowd regardless of race. Older folks will never get into soccer. That's just the way it is. But the popularity will grow.

    As the popularity grows, so will the talent level in the US. Sure, the best of the best will always end up in the Premiership, La Liga, or the Bundesliga, eventually, there will be too much talent coming out of a nation with the resources and the population we have. When that happens, I think the quality of MLS will rise up to the point that, while it won't be considered an elite league, it will be much more respected than what it is today.

    The best thing MLS has done is that they've set up the league so that it is sustainable. Better to play in a sold out 20,000 seat stadium than a half empty 60,000 seat stadium that feels empty. I think the future is bright for MLS.

    wingfanjim

  • Jahlil Suggs said...

    I don't get the hate for soccer/fútbol/football. Its a lovely game that is like basketball mixed with american football. It takes extreme skill with the feet like basektball takes skill with the hands, its played on a pitch like a football field, and is a team of 11 guys trying to get a ball into a net. It is played beautifully at the highest levels, Hating soccer is like hating a certain breed of puppy. Its different but its still sport.

    Please bear with me here as I try to explain my personal experience with soccer.

    My first exposure, and only exposure to soccer, for a very long time, were videos of guys faking catastrophic, career ending injuries, getting stretchered off the field, only to return to the game a short while later.

    My second exposure to soccer was being told that I was a complete imbecile because I didn't believe that soccer was better than my beloved NCAA Football and NFL, and because I couldn't see that soccer players were clearly tougher and more manly than NCAA Football players.

    Then in the 1990s, I decided to watch some soccer matches to see what it was like. In each game I watched, players faked injuries, were carted off the field, and returned to play. Perhaps I was unlucky in the matches that I chose to watch, but that is what happened. After communicating my observations, I was again told that I was a moron of the highest level because I didn't believe that European soccer players were the baddest, toughest dudes out there.

    I don't hate soccer, but if any American has had similar experiences to myself, I can understand why they might scoff or send some loathing soccer's way.

    This post was edited by Emerald Green on 6/17/2012 at 10:07 PM

    Emerald Green

  • Servo said...

    fishing

    He is just exploiting one of the most sure-fire ways to get a BTP on the RCMB, as proven over and over again, throughout history. lol

    Emerald Green

  • Servo said...

    fishing

    If the World Cup was held every year, would that attract more fans or create less? I personally think the World Cup is the greatest sporting event to watch, but I do wonder if it's due more to the build-up of it occurring every 4 years as opposed to just the event in itself. Yeah I'm well aware it would be impossible to have it every year due to qualifying play, but I'm speaking theoretically.

    fallenangle

  • ass dan said...

    This makes you sound ignorant.

    That is absolutely fine. I'm an open-minded person on just about everything else, but when it comes to that miserable game, I'm more than happy to be labeled ignorant.

    Howler ●

  • Emerald Green said...

    Please bear with me here as I try to explain my personal experience with soccer.

    My first exposure, and only exposure to soccer, for a very long time, were videos of guys faking catastrophic, career ending injuries, getting stretchered off the field, only to return to the game a short while later.

    My second exposure to soccer was being told that I was a complete imbecile because I didn't believe that soccer was better than my beloved NCAA Football and NFL, and because I couldn't see that soccer players were clearly tougher and more manly than NCAA Football players.

    Then in the 1990s, I decided to watch some soccer matches to see what it was like. In each game I watched, players faked injuries, were carted off the field, and returned to play. Perhaps I was unlucky in the matches that I chose to watch, but that is what happened. After communicating my observations, I was again told that I was a moron of the highest level because I didn't believe that European soccer players were that baddest, toughest dudes out there.

    I don't hate soccer, but if any American has had similar experiences to myself, I can understand why they might scoff or send some loathing soccer's way.

    It's not a toughness game, it's about finess and strategy, it's as much a mental game as a physical game. I'll give you that the injury shit is overplayed and really annoying to see, but the overall product is fantastic IMO. The cohesiveness of the whole team is essential, one split second of weakness or hesitation and you're toast.

    Honestly, I developed my love for the game by playing a TON of fifa for xbox. makes you really appreciate the game when you can start seeing what these players can do. I attribute the resistance to soccer by Americans to a lack of true understanding and respect for the game. like when you watch football with a girl and she has no clue whats happening, so she's bored. same dynamic here, most here don't have an appreciation or understanding for the sport.

    ass dan

  • Io Triumphe said...

    I don't understand this point, "I hope people don't like soccer?"

    Who cares what people enjoy watching? I don't enjoy synchronized swimming, but I don't care if you do, but I don't see why it should be diminished. I enjoy track, I know many people don't, but I don't see why it should be diminished.

    Because if it becomes bigger, it will be covered more and we don't want to see it.

    They are trying to force soccer and womens hoops down our throats hoping it catches on, but all it does is tick a lot of people off. I would rather watch replays of football than real time soccer and most would.

    I've tried watching soccer many times, but it isn't enjoyable.

    signature image
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    There's a time and a place for everything and it's called college.

    277Gunson ●

  • ass dan said...

    It's not a toughness game, it's about finess and strategy, it's as much a mental game as a physical game. I'll give you that the injury shit is overplayed and really annoying to see, but the overall product is fantastic IMO. The cohesiveness of the whole team is essential, one split second of weakness or hesitation and you're toast.

    Honestly, I developed my love for the game by playing a TON of fifa for xbox. makes you really appreciate the game when you can start seeing what these players can do. I attribute the resistance to soccer by Americans to a lack of true understanding and respect for the game. like when you watch football with a girl and she has no clue whats happening, so she's bored. same dynamic here, most here don't have an appreciation or understanding for the sport.

    Soccer is as physical if not more physical than basketball. Golf, baseball, and tennis are not contact sports, yet people still enjoy them.

    hoke- to alter or manipulate so as to give a deceptively or superficially improved quality or value.

    The Doctor

  • Emerald Green said...

    He is just exploiting one of the most sure-fire ways to get a BTP on the RCMB, as proven over and over again, throughout history. lol

    Let's just pretend I posted a "what dorm did you live in?" thread and give me a BTP. Score!!!!!

    signature image

    "As far as the downvotes. It's a gnat biting an lion" -- A member of tRCMB Justice League, taking the internet WAY WAY too seriously.

    Rocket_Play ●

  • 277Gunson said...

    Because if it becomes bigger, it will be covered more and we don't want to see it.

    They are trying to force soccer and womens hoops down our throats hoping it catches on, but all it does is tick a lot of people off. I would rather watch replays of football than real time soccer and most would.

    I've tried watching soccer many times, but it isn't enjoyable.

    Pro and international men's soccer is light years better than wnba. Euro and World cup is broadcast around the globe no one cares about wnba and if there's not a demand for these games then espn isn't going to broadcast them its that simple.

    RCMB Premium Poster

    Count gHostula

  • ass dan said...

    Honestly, I developed my love for the game by playing a TON of fifa for xbox. makes you really appreciate the game when you can start seeing what these players can do. I attribute the resistance to soccer by Americans to a lack of true understanding and respect for the game. like when you watch football with a girl and she has no clue whats happening, so she's bored. same dynamic here, most here don't have an appreciation or understanding for the sport.

    Yeah, I always thought soccer was kind of boring until I started playing it. Obviously, there are other ways to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the game, but it certainly helps make it more enjoyable. I think you can compare it to baseball quite a bit. People that don't understand the game tend to enjoy it less. People watch soccer and see guys miss the net 80% of the time without realizing how hard it is to put a shot on target. They think that if there hasn't been any goals, shots, etc lately, that nothing has happened. Granted, 0-0 draws are usually probably boring, but the ones that get bored during a good defensive 1-0, 1-1 game are equatable to the people who get bored watching a pitcher's duel in baseball.

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    Nutz Interface ●

  • Emerald Green said...

    Please bear with me here as I try to explain my personal experience with soccer.

    My first exposure, and only exposure to soccer, for a very long time, were videos of guys faking catastrophic, career ending injuries, getting stretchered off the field, only to return to the game a short while later.

    My second exposure to soccer was being told that I was a complete imbecile because I didn't believe that soccer was better than my beloved NCAA Football and NFL, and because I couldn't see that soccer players were clearly tougher and more manly than NCAA Football players.

    Then in the 1990s, I decided to watch some soccer matches to see what it was like. In each game I watched, players faked injuries, were carted off the field, and returned to play. Perhaps I was unlucky in the matches that I chose to watch, but that is what happened. After communicating my observations, I was again told that I was a moron of the highest level because I didn't believe that European soccer players were the baddest, toughest dudes out there.

    I don't hate soccer, but if any American has had similar experiences to myself, I can understand why they might scoff or send some loathing soccer's way.

    You must have watched the Italians or the Brazilians a lot.

    Also, how much is it really different than all the flopping that happens in basketball? Have you stopped watching basketball because of all the flopping there?

    This post was edited by wingfanjim on 6/17/2012 at 10:13 PM

    wingfanjim

  • The Doctor said...

    Soccer is as physical if not more physical than basketball. Golf, baseball, and tennis are not contact sports, yet people still enjoy them.

    I wouldn't really call basketball a contact sport. both are much more about finess and getting to a spot rather than tackling or hitting. There happens to be contact, but there's usually a foul to accompany it which is why i don't stick it in the same category as hockey football and lacrosse

    ass dan

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