Why most Americans don't like soccer.

[RhoadsRage]

I think Americans have been brain washed by the national media to support more profitable television sports such as football, baseball, basketball. Sports like Soccer don't have enough commercial breaks to be as profitable as the "american" sports. Its all mind games... chew on that lil perspectivce

Nah.......I just like more scoring and no ties!!!

 

[letsCYber]

Watching some soccer in Jamaica convinced me that they don't need breaks. ScotiaBank rolled a constant ad across the bottom 15-20% of the screen. It replayed itself every 30 seconds(ish), and sometimes rotated with another ad. They have plenty of ads without the commercial breaks.

Would you be more likely to buy Dos Equis beer if an ad rolled across the screen or when you get to see "the world's most interesting man" 30 times per game...?

 

[RhoadsRage]

I'm actually talking like fast breaks, you would rather see free throws than a thunder dunk? The NBA kind of has it right with continuation.

I see your point on that one, but what about completely stopping play to carry a player off the field on a stretcher only to have him run right back on once he gets to the sidelines????

 

[CycloneErik]

Would you be more likely to buy Dos Equis beer if an ad rolled across the screen or when you get to see "the world's most interesting man" 30 times per game...?

See, I don't drink, so I'm not likely either way.

I see your point, but it must be working. No way these businesses aren't profiting from being associated with the World Cup. There simply has to be plenty of money going around this thing.

 

[nickwc]

Free throws vs. a throw-in or "free" kick????? I'll take the free throws every time since it's actual scoring instead of possibly setting up a scoring chance. :wink:

yea, and basketball doesn't have throw ins or anything.

 

[nickwc]

I see your point on that one, but what about completely stopping play to carry a player off the field on a stretcher only to have him run right back on once he gets to the sidelines????

who, paul pierce? :smile:

 

[azn4cy]

Nah.......I just like more scoring and no ties!!!

I think Americans just prefer high scoring. period. note how every league has dipped in viewership as scoring went down.

NBA - enforces no contact rules on the perimeter to aid slashers like Kobe/Wade to increase scoring after sagging ratings.

NHL - lowest ratings between the late 90s and early 2000s led to regulations on goalie pads and physical play to increase scoring. ratings increase.

 

[letsCYber]

See, I don't drink, so I'm not likely either way.

I see your point, but it must be working. No way these businesses aren't profiting from being associated with the World Cup. There simply has to be plenty of money going around this thing.

yes... but take a look at the MLS... no money there. I do agree with the post about how we have the most talent in the other sports but I think its all about money and our minds being molded like mush

 

[nickwc]

I see your point on that one, but what about completely stopping play to carry a player off the field on a stretcher only to have him run right back on once he gets to the sidelines????

But, here is the thing, even the biggest soccer fan like myself still finds that as annoying as hell. Watch a high school game, or even go to a Menace game, you won't see that i promise. I don't understand why that stuff only happens at the highest level.

 

[CyFever]

Personally, I find it very difficult to watch a sport for hours where a combined score of more than 4 is a high scoring game and where a tie is common occurance. It is an incredibly unsatisfying be invested in the outcome of a game and then have it end in a tie.

Soccer is also of such a nature that a players often do something really well, but get nothing out of in the end. In basketball, when a player makes an amazing play, points are often scored. In football, points are scored, a first down is made, or possession changes. These things have often have a significant impact on the game. In soccer, possession changes constantly, and great play is often awarded with absolutely nothing. It often makes great play very insignificant to the game.

If it were up to me, I would change the rules a bit to open things up. Get rid of off-sides, and perhaps take two players off the field. Break ties by continuing play and taking players off the field until someone scores.

I've seen several people mention this (and making the field smaller!) as a 'solution' to open up the game, increase scoring, etc. The off-sides rule is there to help open up the game.

It allows the defense to push well up to mid field, allowing better support for the attack; support (depth) being an attacking principle in soccer. This also allows for a better (faster and more successful) counter-attack.

If there were no off-sides, an attacker or two would cherry pick inside the penalty area and as a result, 2-3 defenders would also stay back there. No support for the attack, no counter-attack, less scoring, bad idea.

 

[CycloneErik]

yes... but take a look at the MLS... no money there. I do agree with the post about how we have the most talent in the other sports but I think its all about money and our minds being molded like mush

MLS= young professional league in a country where soccer isn't that popular (in comparison to other competitive sports).

World Cup= worldwide competition in the most popular sport worldwide. Every nation outside of the U.S. seems to be tuned in to this thing. We immerse ourselves with international students from all over the world, and every single one of them is tuned into this event at all times. In other countries, it looks like a whole lot of things stop when the World Cup rolls around. The ads must be working, because solid businesses keep running them.

 

[isuno1fan]

I think I get what you're saying (If all those diving headers my high school coach made me do didn't make me slow), and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong is.

Little Kids like soccer cause they get to run around and be more active in soccer.

Little Kids find baseball boring cause they have to stand still.

Kids always remember baseball as boring so they don't play it even when they are older. So they never get an appreciation for it, so its sad.

Yet you are a baseball fan who has probably never played soccer (at least at a competitive level), who finds it boring, but its okay for you to tell us that our sport sucks?

Hmm what an interesting path of logic...

I agree with you, its sad that you never gain an appreciation for the wonderful game of soccer, and don't understand the beautiful game.

I played kick soccer as a kid...your soccer didn't exist. Pretty much like baseball except you kick the ball instead of hit it and you whip the ball at the runner.

 

[dualthreat]

for those of you who say American's don't like the sport because we aren't good at it, you are incredibly mistaken.

1. Soccer has no tradition in this country.
2. There are about 10 more popular sports.
3. America has dominated numerous sports at the world level, yet not all of them are popular across the country. ie: swimming, gymnastics, track & field, weightlifting, wrestling, baseball, football, basketball.


And, I don't like it, for one, because I hate how the whole world is trying to shovel its greatness down our throats. Yea, I know about it. My town had soccer. It was available to me and to others. But don't demand everyone that everyone in the freaking country try it and then tell them they will like it or if they don't they aren't giving it a chance.

Really, the game of soccer is kind of fun. Just as much fun as a few other sports. But im really, really tired of hearing how great it is.

btw, i can watch 15 seconds of replays and see the entire game. One team makes a goal, and so does the other. Game ends 1-1 tie. Awesome.

 

[letsCYber]

MLS= young professional league in a country where soccer isn't that popular (in comparison to other competitive sports).

World Cup= worldwide competition in the most popular sport worldwide. Every nation outside of the U.S. seems to be tuned in to this thing. We immerse ourselves with international students from all over the world, and every single one of them is tuned into this event at all times. In other countries, it looks like a whole lot of things stop when the World Cup rolls around. The ads must be working, because solid businesses keep running them.

Yes they work during the World Cup. The World Cup is profitable, I'm not saying that it isn't. But do World Cup qualifiers get a ton of viewers in the U.S... no. Its like bragging about the Super Bowl getting ratings... of course it does.... The world cup gets viewers just like the WNBA finals also gets viewers.

 

[RhoadsRage]

I think Americans just prefer high scoring. period. note how every league has dipped in viewership as scoring went down.

NBA - enforces no contact rules on the perimeter to aid slashers like Kobe/Wade to increase scoring after sagging ratings.

NHL - lowest ratings between the late 90s and early 2000s led to regulations on goalie pads and physical play to increase scoring. ratings increase.

I actually love a good 1-0 or 2-1 hockey game, but that's because there's plenty of action....i.e. hitting, great saves, crisp puck movement.......I just can't watch guys pass the ball at midfield in soccer back and forth like 5 times with no advancement (and sometimes regression), I need fast paced action. I do like to watch a good soccer play when it developes, but that generally only happens like 3-4 times a game where a good scoring chance comes from it.........usually spoiled by an offsides call (my biggest pet peave of soccer).

 

[sweetwater]

I think Americans feel a little threatened by soccer.

Americans love basketball, football, and baseball. Those sports have support outside of the U.S., but there is absolutely no question that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. I think it irritates a lot of fans that the rest of the world doesn't care who wins the "World" Series.

The perception of boring is interesting too. I lived in London for a bit, and the guys I ran with thought American football was painfully boring - too much down time. I love American football, but they do have a point. I read recently that there is like 15 minutes of actual action in an American football game.

I've gotten to the point where I love soccer - the Seattle Sounders specifically, for whom I am a season ticket holder. The lack of scoring still bugs me a bit. But everything else is great.

It would be great (for me) if the average score was 4-2, rather than 2-1 or 1-0. But, hey, the game ain't gonna change for me.

 

[CycloneErik]

Yes they work during the World Cup. The World Cup is profitable, I'm not saying that it isn't. But do World Cup qualifiers get a ton of viewers in the U.S... no. Its like bragging about the Super Bowl getting ratings... of course it does.... The world cup gets viewers just like the WNBA finals also gets viewers.

WNBA? I don't think there's a real comparison between the World Cup and the WNBA. The WNBA barely gets ratings in the USA. The World Cup gets ratings worldwide.

 

[sweetwater]

Avg attendance in MLS is essentially on par with attendance in NBA and NHL.

In Seattle, the Sounders outdraw the Mariners.

 

[dualthreat]

I think Americans feel a little threatened by soccer.

Americans love basketball, football, and baseball. Those sports have support outside of the U.S., but there is absolutely no question that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. I think it irritates a lot of fans that the rest of the world doesn't care who wins the "World" Series.

The perception of boring is interesting too. I lived in London for a bit, and the guys I ran with thought American football was painfully boring - too much down time. I love American football, but they do have a point. I read recently that there is like 15 minutes of actual action in an American football game.

I've gotten to the point where I love soccer - the Seattle Sounders specifically, for whom I am a season ticket holder. The lack of scoring still bugs me a bit. But everything else is great.

It would be great (for me) if the average score was 4-2, rather than 2-1 or 1-0. But, hey, the game ain't gonna change for me.

Actually, I think its a lot closer to 5 minutes. But its one hell of a 5 minutes! :biggrin:

 

[azn4cy]

I actually love a good 1-0 or 2-1 hockey game, but that's because there's plenty of action....i.e. hitting, great saves, crisp puck movement.......I just can't watch guys pass the ball at midfield in soccer back and forth like 5 times with no advancement (and sometimes regression), I need fast paced action. I do like to watch a good soccer play when it developes, but that generally only happens like 3-4 times a game where a good scoring chance comes from it.........usually spoiled by an offsides call (my biggest pet peave of soccer).

Hey, I totally agree. Hockey is my favorite sport. Just pointing out the trends.

The offsides thing is kind of a killjoy, but what really bothers me about soccer is the random bookings and the fact that it seems like amazing plays tend to result in either losing the ball right at the edge of the penalty area or a shot 20 feet over the net. At least in hockey there's a save or something that comes out of it.

But I do appreciate the skill it takes to play and the great team play. Enough so that I even follow club soccer.