Soccer set to overtake other sports in America

[The Imp]

Oh, I'm not saying it would kill the NBA or something. I'm just saying that Americans wont have anything to watch, and I think a lot are going to pick up soccer, if only for a season.

Well, unless the MLB strikes, the MLS won't have a lot more people watching this year(not taking into account expansion). The MLS and MLB seasons roughly coincide.

However, the continued trend towards America becoming a minority-majority nation will pretty much ensure that Soccer in America will continue to grow steadily.

 

[Dachs]

Yea, maybe in Seattle where they lost their basketball team (RIP Supersonics ), their NFL team is in freefall, and their big college team (U of Washington) has sucked horribly for years. Their MLS team packs the stadium and is the most popular soccer team in the country.

Maybe near the border and places with a high Mexican population, but they will watch Euro or Mexican leagues over the MLS and many of them also follow the NFL.

Everywhere else, soccer is a niche sport and a solid 4th to 5th or worse.

Basically, this post. The article is a joke. We're on the heels of the most recent Super Bowl being the most-watched program in the history of American television, and soccer is set to overtake it? Really?

 

[otago]

Some facts are wrong here, the most watched sport including TV etc is cricket, just look at the population of India and other ex Brit colonies in the Far East.
The fastest bloke in the world over 100 and 200 metres came from cricket and still plays charity matches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pU089Ct0Sk
Generates good pace, nice action.

Soccer, those who play soccer in my country are wimps who failed the physical for the school chess team.
American football, league, AFL, soccer, all good sports for the working class types.
Soccer, for some strange reason they have violence problems among their so called supporters, something we do not get in union.
Better educated supporters ?

Most violent sport, Union, League is fast and has some big hits but does not have the sheer amount of violence that happens when one has a forward pack trampling one into the ground.

It would be most unwise for some idiot to run on the field and attack players as happens at times in soccer, for union types are good at elegant violence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_nBTmRc9LI

Pads in American football, much like baseball players using mitts,we would not want to be that soft in Union or Cricket.
And a cricket ball is harder and heavier than a Baseball ball.

 

[Camikaze]

You know it's a pretty funny coincidence, because 'soccer' will be the most popular sport in Australia too, in roughly 84 days.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Doesn't really excuse why your game is so horribly misnamed.

It is named Football, because we do not use horses in it.

 

[Azale]

I hope it overtakes all the other sports without actually growing any. There is far too much interest in athletics as it is. Of course, I know this is extremely unlikely to happen.

Yes, you make this abundantly clear in every sports thread in OT. You never get much more beyond "rawr sports bad" though.

... I assume that Mexican immigration is "helping" Soccer in America.

Kinda, not really. I know a fair amount of Mexicans...and let's just say, if they talk sports, it's not about the Houston Dynamo or FC Dallas.

So ? we get a couple dead in rugby each year, it is the risk one takes to enjoy a difficult subtle sport.

Yea well, that is both an economic impossibility and a public relations impossibility for American football. I highly doubt that risk is necessary to enjoy any sport worth a damn.

 

[holy king]

Firstly, because American football is quite literally the best sport on the planet and is the only sport that truly bonds one with a team

yeah, it's just that that team may suddenly play their home games 1000 miles away next season.

 

[PiMan]

Yea well, that is both an economic impossibility and a public relations impossibility for American football. I highly doubt that risk is necessary to enjoy any sport worth a damn.

That's OK, because otago was wrong. There have been less than 100 deaths in well over a century of rugby.

btw
Aussie Rules > other football codes > Gridiron (aka American "Football")

And if not being played on horses had anything to do with it, then field hockey would be considered a form of football. But it isn't.

 

[Azale]

That's OK, because otago was wrong. There have been less than 100 deaths in well over a century of rugby.

btw
Aussie Rules > other football codes > Gridiron (aka American "Football")

And if not being played on horses had anything to do with it, then field hockey would be considered a form of football. But it isn't.

Of course otago was wrong, but he was implying 2 deaths a year (during play) is worth it.

bla bla bla greater than signs bla bla bla whining about American football name bla bla bla

 

[REDY]

There is reason why is football most popular in the world so therofore I think that trend of football in America will continue and in some years it should be sport numero uno.
Americans didnt come from Mars or Moon, I generaly think that they should find enjoyment in playing same sports as we had. Everything what was generally good in USA was exported to world because its dominance, American football didnt make it. Its popularity in America will probably not weaken in future, I think that there will be more state of stagnation as we should see in ice hockey or ski jumping in Czechia. There is chance for football.
There are several reasons.
1)Most important is that you dont need much special equipment. Just ball and players.
2)Rules are clear, you dont need to learn much and its generally about common sense, unlike running around after homerun as is it in baseball or softball or reaching some zones as in american football(?) or hockey.
3)Every position in tactics needs player of another type. There is not general problem of length and muscles. When is player small and weak, he still should learn to be most important player in team - just not try make from him central defender. Give him position as winger or offensive player who dont take much heading challenges or fighting in scrum. Some sports like volleyball, basketball and I believe that on some scale also American football have it more complicated and smaller players have serious disadvantage.
4)Football is much more aestitically attractive. The players play naturally, dont need any armors or bats. The game has its tempo and dynamics as running, producing natural moves which you should understand. When you see skilled player with ball its beautiful experience as well when you play and control ball nicely. Its not about strenght or pace only. Skating has also its dynamics, but playing with stick and being oon skates is much less natural. There is without doubt much more creativity than in playing on small playground. Football is one of sports which should be hardly played by robots in future.

 

[Whomp]

Redy--your theory only works for kids who can't play the other sports. In fact, I can't think of one talented athlete I've known over the years who played 3 sports and one inclded soccer. The big 3 and/or hockey/lacrosse as a substitute but never soccer.

I also know a bunch of kids who are around 7-12 today. They play soccer on an organized basis but when they play at the park or outside the house it's never an option.

Yesterday with great weather it was hockey (only need a ball and a stick bonus if you have a net) and basketball (a basket and a ball). In the fall all they need is a football and in summer it is a ball, bat and glove (or you share one). It's not any more complicated than that and that's how they play.

 

[GinandTonic]

Redy--your theory only works for kids who can't play the other sports. In fact, I can't think of one talented athlete I've known over the years who played 3 sports and one inclded soccer. The big 3 and/or hockey/lacrosse as a substitute but never soccer.

Lots of football players have the ability to play other sports. Garry Neville was offered pro contracts for football and cricket for instance. A talented footballer is not in a position to play any other sports. They are expected to be training/ playing/ pre-season friendlies for 49ish weeks a year, and if they are in their national team it's near as dam it constant for the euro/ world cup years. For this even the most mediocre EPL player takes c. £1 million a year, going up to five, six or seven million at the very top.

I dont really understand how or why a top flight football player would play any other sport to a professional standard.

 

[holy king]

yeah kids who enter a clubs youth system at 12/13 at the latest are not expected to play any other sports.
i guess american football clubs lack such systems and rely on drafts from college teams.

 

[Ekolite]

Finally a good smoking gun to post this!

10chars

 

[classical_hero]

both lose


Link to video.

Obviously some West Coast Eagles fan, juding by that video

For $300, I'd prefer less tickets and go see the Blue Jackets, Buckeyes and some great quality Ohio high school football and basketball. Just sayin'...

Do you think it is value for money?

Some facts are wrong here, the most watched sport including TV etc is cricket, just look at the population of India and other ex Brit colonies in the Far East.
The fastest bloke in the world over 100 and 200 metres came from cricket and still plays charity matches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pU089Ct0Sk
Generates good pace, nice action.

Soccer, those who play soccer in my country are wimps who failed the physical for the school chess team.
American football, league, AFL, soccer, all good sports for the working class types.
Soccer, for some strange reason they have violence problems among their so called supporters, something we do not get in union.
Better educated supporters ?

Most violent sport, Union, League is fast and has some big hits but does not have the sheer amount of violence that happens when one has a forward pack trampling one into the ground.

It would be most unwise for some idiot to run on the field and attack players as happens at times in soccer, for union types are good at elegant violence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_nBTmRc9LI

Pads in American football, much like baseball players using mitts,we would not want to be that soft in Union or Cricket.
And a cricket ball is harder and heavier than a Baseball ball.

They do say that Football is a Gentleman's game played by thugs and Rugby is a thugs game played by gentlemen.

 

[bhsup]

Um...lacrosse?? Seriously? Yeah, soccer will overtake one of the big 3 before that does. Really, lacrosse??

 

[GoodGame]

It'll be amusing if the USA ever accepts the term "football = soccer" if soccer ever exceeded NFL/AFL viewership. Bet that would take a miracle.

 

[GinandTonic]

yeah kids who enter a clubs youth system at 12/13 at the latest are not expected to play any other sports.
i guess american football clubs lack such systems and rely on drafts from college teams.

Well there just aren't the hours in the day left over from study/ academy to play another sport to any serious level. It doesnt mean they wont play the odd game of cricket, tennis, basketball or whatever but strictly as a hobby. Once they are in the senior team they have a responsibility not to get injured which somewhat limits how competitive they can be in other sports.

IIRC one of the England team was injured a couple of years ago playing cricket, so it does happen.

 

[bathsheba666]

I'm sorry but there is no way soccer will overtake sports like baseball and football [American].

OK, if you're talking about US.

Firstly, because American football is quite literally the best sport on the planet and is the only sport that truly bonds one with a team and teaches you life lessons.

Only insularity of heroic proportions can enable you to state this, assuming you are serious.

Secondly, because too many people just think soccer is boring. I myself enjoy it, sort of. 90 minutes of kicking a ball around with maybe two scores isn't very exciting.

Now this is really looking glass logic. I assume you noticed all the cheerleaders and commercial breaks are necessary to divert you from huge periods of time where nothing happens. Pituitary cases lumbering from one committee meeting to another is no kind of spectacle.
Once again, one is confronted with this bizarre idea that scoring is everything.
When you have sex, do you only have orgasms? No foreplay ?

I think that's why baseball is no longer the most popular sport in America, most of the game is to boring to the average fan. Soccer may grow in popularity, but it will never overtake the major sports in America.

Also, if anything, I'd say hockey would have the best chance. After that great Olympic run, and the great excitement it brought... I'd look for hockey to gain more popularity.

 

[BCLG100]

Well there just aren't the hours in the day left over from study/ academy to play another sport to any serious level. It doesnt mean they wont play the odd game of cricket, tennis, basketball or whatever but strictly as a hobby. Once they are in the senior team they have a responsibility not to get injured which somewhat limits how competitive they can be in other sports.

IIRC one of the England team was injured a couple of years ago playing cricket, so it does happen.

Maybe this happened but definitely one of the England Cricket team was injured playing football so it was subsequently banned from all future training sessions.