I think that means a lot, when those kids some of whom will develop a love/passion for the sport grow up they are going to be fans of the sport through their youth into adulthood and pass that appreciation and participation on to their kids. Right now we have mostly youths who play it but parents who don’t get it (except immigrant families from countries who already have an appreciation of it). When you have grandparents, parents and kids who have all played/play soccer don’t you think there will be more appreciation/fandom of the sport than there is now?
I think it is ridiculous to assume that somehow there is something in our genetic makeup or culture that will categorically prevent THE most popular sport in the world from EVER taking root in our country. Will it be slow…yes, has it begun…yes. Some things remain to be seen like if the MLS will ever be on par with the top European leagues. But in terms of popularity as defined by those who play the sport across age groups and those who follow the sport even if its not the MLS/US National team, I see that popularity rising and continuing to rise.
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
2)Just because everyone thinks it’s cool does not make it so. It just makes the rest of the world a bunch of pussies. The rest of the world can’t take us on a battlefield they direct all their energy on the soccer field.
mike[/quote]
rofl I think you have some reading to do then come back and edit your post
Football as we call it here in England, is a great game, which i both enjoy watching and playing. At times certain games can be boring, but this is prevalent within almost every sport. When you end up watching a great game, and getting wrapped up in the drama, only then will you understand what a beautifully exciting sport it can be.
As for the reason why it probably won’t ever develop in America (to the same level as here in England), i feel this is certainly due to the cultural traditions of the repective countries. Over here we’ve been playing football since the 1870’s, not exactly sure about America, but it’s nowhere near as long i dont think. The same applies to Grid Iron (American Football) over here, no one gives a crap about it here, cos we don’t have that tradition and love of the game (no disrespect to American football meant, before anyway gets their panties in a bunch).
I find it totally rediculous that some douchebag who’s never played and does not understand football’s brilliance, would summise that it is ruining America.
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
I’ve been trying to say it better for years, but could never pull it off like this:
mike
[/quote]
Anyone who calls the game “soccer”, clearly hasn’t got a clue: it’s called football.
On the world stage, it’s not the game it used to be, largely thanks to commercial hyjacking as in so many other sports, extortionate ticket and kit prices, but its still a game played by millions worldwide and is clearly gaining popularity in the USA and should be respected for that.
However a much better game is rugby.
Gazz
[quote]malonetd wrote:
I always hear how soccer is growing in popularity and there are so many kids playing it today. So what? It doesn’t mean anything.
The reason so many kids play soccer is because it’s cheap and easy. There’s very little equipment to buy and within minutes you can have 20 6-year-olds “playing” a game of soccer. [/quote]
I don’t care either way but I see that being brought up as a reason why soccer is not ‘really’ popular. Like it being easy to pick up somehow makes it inferior or the whole popularity thing is a sham. If anything,that could equally be constructed as an argument for why it’s good.
If you all look at the last few sentences of the article, you would see that the “teacher/author” admits to reading while his young daughter plays her games. Meaning basically that he is showing her he doesn’t support her and doesn’t give a crap about the activity. What kind of message does that sound out to his daughter??? She’s actually involved in a positive, structured activity as opposed to sitting in front of a t.v. all day watching it or playing video games and he basically snubs his nose at that?
Well FUCK THAT SHIT that worthless pile of garbage is what is causing our gang problems because by not supporting his kids he is saying “I don’t care what you do” and making them think they need to go out and find people that do care about what they do. I refuse to take anything some jackoff like this says seriously and anyone that does I think needs to reevaluate their priorities.
Your a proper tool. Fair enough your from the states and soccer isnt that big over there, but man in the rest of the world soccer is fucking huge.
And another thing, if you had the players that play in the european leagues over in america it would be a different story. The amount of world class players in europe is unreal!!
Man, I’m not a fan of soccer, or soccer players but I think that article is incredibly moronic.
It’s all here - fast-kicking, low scoring, and ties? You bet!
Mike: nice try, but the writer of the article you linked to obviously plagiarized from the thread I started here 6 months ago, which was totally awesome!
http://www.T-Nation.com/free_online_forum/music_movies_girls_life/soccer_whats_the_point
I grew up playing soccer, indoor, outdoor, played Varsity soccer all through high school, still play, and coached U-17 soccer. One thing that fans/players always see are those that do not understand the game and bad mouth it. The “rocking the boat” metaphor - well, had he known the game, he would know the offense is trying to probe and see who the weak link in the defense is.
Ball possession goes back and forth. Whether they’re playing a 3 - 3- 4, or have just one striker and all back on D, the concept is “keep away,” so to speak, to set up for a shot on goal, courtesy of the weak link.
1-2’s, holds, corner kick plays, crosses, are all part of the drill in soccer, and when they’re pulled off just right, it’s a thing of beauty.
The weak links will be at fault for the goal and exposing them is part of the game. For example, the opposing team has the ball, the center mid-fielder is coming down the field dribbling, he’s lightly challenged and passes it left to the striker. The striker see’s two Fullbacks coming at him as the ball is passed. He then passes it back to the mid-field who chips it over the weak FB on the right side, and our other fast striker is able to put a shot on goal.
A body over the ball, toes pointed downward and quick, powerful shot to keep the keeper on his toes and the defense shaken up.
Just as in football, it’s also about destroying the opponents will to fight. This guy’s article makes no sense at all and it’s obvious he doesn’t understand the game. Understand the game and THEN BASH IT.
[quote]GVkid wrote:
If you all look at the last few sentences of the article, you would see that the “teacher/author” admits to reading while his young daughter plays her games. What kind of message does that sound out to his daughter??? [/quote]
Probably that he doesn’t like soccer.
I’m European, so I’ve been confronted with football (soccer) quite a bit, and I must say, I don’t like it.
But it’s not so much the game itself that puts me off, it’s rather the mentality of a lot of players who act like prima donna’s. Another thing that bothers me a lot, is the constant falling and overacting with the slightest contact, or even with no cantact at all. It delays the game and I find it disrespectful to the opponent and the referee. It’s a shame that this seems to be an integral part of the game.
So you don’t like soccer? Why neither do I!
Let’s make another thread about how gay it is so everyone will know that I’m cool!
Yeah sounds like a great idea!
[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
So you don’t like soccer? Why neither do I!
Let’s make another thread about how gay it is so everyone will know that I’m cool!
Yeah sounds like a great idea![/quote]
Is that meant for me? I can’t deny that I like to see a good football match from time to time, and I didn’t say the game is gay. But IMHO it could be so much better without the falling and whining, but that’s a problem of the players, that’s all.
Seeing that you’re from Holland, I can translate this in Dutch, so that the message reaches you through your thick-headed skull much clearer.
[quote]Carnage wrote:
Sick Rick wrote:
So you don’t like soccer? Why neither do I!
Let’s make another thread about how gay it is so everyone will know that I’m cool!
Yeah sounds like a great idea!
Is that meant for me? I can’t deny that I like to see a good football match from time to time, and I didn’t say the game is gay. But IMHO it could be so much better without the falling and whining, but that’s a problem of the players, that’s all.
Seeing that you’re from Holland, I can translate this in Dutch, so that the message reaches you through your thick-headed skull much clearer. [/quote]
And what exactly makes you think that my post was directed at you? It was directed to the OP. If you were to visit the other thread posted somewhere, you’d find that I completely agree with what you just said.
Maybe you should ask before you start shitting all over “thick-headed” people.
Then I stand corrected and owe you my sincere apologies, sir.
[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
So you don’t like soccer? Why neither do I!
Let’s make another thread about how gay it is so everyone will know that I’m cool!
Yeah sounds like a great idea![/quote]
I don’t play soccer, or watch it. But I wouldn’t say the sport itself sucks…
To each of its own…
I don’t play soccer, or watch it. But I wouldn’t say the sport itself sucks…
To each of its own…