Your opinion/perception of soccer

aconngemini · 11-06-2008, 03:17 PM

Hi all, I'm looking for your opinion of soccer (if you are not American born please don't reply).

What do you think of soccer? What do you think of soccer as part of American culture, masculinity, political affiliation...etc.

Also any other opinions (soccer = boring, exciting, gay, manly, sissy...etc) please post them here.

PS:

I'm writing a book on the subject of soccer and globalization...and one of the chapters will be on the (generally) negative perception of soccer that the USA has. It would be helpful if you gave me some feedback of what influenced you to have such opinions on soccer, and why they differ so much from people outside America.

for example: "soccer is boring/sissy/lame/gay" is something heard only here (in the US), what brings this opinion towards this sport. I'm looking for the opinion of those born in America ONLY. I'm looking to juxtipose the opinion of soccer of the US vs. the world. If you weren't born and raised in the USA, please don't answer.

cys_av8r · 11-06-2008, 03:18 PM

Downfall of Western Civilization.

IcSyU · 11-06-2008, 03:18 PM

More Brandy Chastain and I can get into it

I can't sit and watch a game, but I can watch highlights and not get upset.

StormnClone58 · 11-06-2008, 03:19 PM

love everything about it , why do you think its called "the beautiful game"? .... i can understand peoples points on it being boring but also the "flopping" that takes place has really hurt the sport and its image .....

Cardinal&Gold11 · 11-06-2008, 03:20 PM

Personally, I am a big fan of soccer. All my friends are big fans of soccer, but it seems to me that the perception of soccer in American culture is that it is really boring. I think if more people would take the time to understand the game and watch it, they might like it.

cybsball20 · 11-06-2008, 03:20 PM

Soccer overall is boring... Too much going backwards and not enough offense. We have shot clocks, play clocks, etc. for a resaon, we like scoring. In soccer teams are content to get one goal and hold the ball for the rest of the game... BORING.

US could easily be one of the best in the world, but Soccer gets the leftovers after most (not all, so don't kill me soccer fans) of the best athletes choose other sports.

jaretac · 11-06-2008, 03:20 PM

Soccer is so boring that I'm falling asleep just talking about it.

cycloneworld · 11-06-2008, 03:20 PM

I don't care for it or watch it.

But being a guy that used to bash NASCAR and now I'm a huge fan, I won't knock anyone who likes it.

LindenCy · 11-06-2008, 03:21 PM

I think it is a great sport, but doesn't lend itself well to television advertising, which is part of the reason it hasn't caught on as well. It also is low scoring, so people aren't as interested. To be fair, the same thing is happening in baseball (or at least was).

For those that think it is a "sissy" sport, try playing for 90 minutes and see how you feel. I understand why it isn't popular, but I don't understand the meaningless attacks on it.

Look, if NASCAR can be popular, I don't see any reason soccer can't be.

EDIT: Funny, I typed that last line before I saw your post, Cycloneworld, but it looks like I just replied.

isucyfan · 11-06-2008, 03:21 PM

I used to think it was incredibly boring, but after living in England for awhile, and seeing the passion for it there, I changed my mind.

There is a certain beauty to the game, and if anyone thinks it's an easy game to play, try running around at the pace they do for the entire match.

I hate the dramatic flops, but that's just about like it is in the NBA.

explorer · 11-06-2008, 03:22 PM

I think it is an extremely boring spectator sport. I can understand those who play it enjoy it, but it is horrible to watch. I think its much like golf, those who play golf usually enjoy watching it - those that don't - don't.

cyadict · 11-06-2008, 03:22 PM

A friend of mine says "Soccer is nothing more than hockey on grass" I have to agree with him...I just cant get into the game.

bostinelosd · 11-06-2008, 03:22 PM

LindenCy · 11-06-2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Soccer overall is boring... Too much going backwards and not enough offense. We have shot clocks, play clocks, etc. for a resaon, we like scoring. In soccer teams are content to get one goal and hold the ball for the rest of the game... BORING.

US could easily be one of the best in the world, but Soccer gets the leftovers after most (not all, so don't kill me soccer fans) of the best athletes choose other sports.

I think this last point is a big one. If the best athletes were playing, it would help it a lot.

cybsball20 · 11-06-2008, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

There is a certain beauty to the game, and if anyone thinks it's an easy game to play, try running around at the pace they do for the entire match.

I played, at a fairly high level, for many years. There isn't a whole lot of high paced running, most is a light jog...

As for the baseball comparison.... Baseball is a game of over 350 small battles every game. Each pitch is a chance for something you have never seen....