(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

I didn't understand the offsides rule at first, but now I do and realize it's a good rule. Otherwise teams would just cherry pick all match.

The best player in the world, IMO, just missed a PK, so they aren't a given by any stretch. I can't imagine a soccer match going on in the normal course of play until a team scored. This isn't football or baseball. These guys run continuously for 90 minutes then in extra time. Match has to be decided somehow.

I don't like the flopping either; however, players get carded for that now so that's step in the right direction, IMO. BTW, pretty sure the dude flopping in soccer gets booed as well.

Look, I get why folks don't like the sport, I used to be one of those folks. No worries and to each his own. However, America has already joined the soccer party. Hence the reason lots of folks are pissed we aren't playing in Russia right now and the outcry to fix the domestic system.

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

Some points:

1. Just because your kid played the sport doesn't give you really any idea of how Soccer truly works. Half of what comes through these Youth Systems within American Soccer is a joke to begin with. We develop nothing like other countries, and are absolutely horrible at identifying talented players. We've turned soccer into a silly Suburban game where you can only play if you have money, and your kids learn next to nothing in terms of actual skills. They just kick the ball around and go home.

2. If you understood the game, You'd figure out that a 0-0 match is probably the exact opposite of boring. It's just not the American way that sports work, so a lot of people thumb their noses up at it. I find most American Sports incredibly boring because everyone forgot how to play defense.

3. Offsides is illegal in American Football as well. It's not about discouraging offense, its about encouraging defense. Without it, you get the joke that is basketball currently where players can just not bother to play defense in exchange for a quick basket on the other end.


4. Soccer fans boo fake injuries just as much as American fans. But just like every sport on earth, the system allows it, as there's really no way on earth to prove an injury is "fake" Especially given what we know now about the danger of concussions. In fact, if anything Soccer is considerably worse than American Football at forcing players to sit when they are injured.

5. PK's are indeed a gimme. So are extra points in football. And No one has ever been successful at getting rid of them.

You can't win if you don't score. You can't score if you don't take a shot.

Teams spend most of their time kicking it around the perimeter looking for an angle that will NEVER come. Why? Because there's 10 guys standing between you and the goal. And you can't get creative and work around the wall of defenders blocking your way... because that's OFF SIDES.

I say get the ball down the field and kick it at the net. You've got a heck of a lot better chance of kicking in a deflection because the defenders can't get into position for them. But nobody ever does that. They just kick it around the perimeter until it gets knocked away and they do the same thing at the other end. YAY.

The only other time you have a shot at scoring is knocking in a corner kick. Many times its also off of a deflection.

No one hardly EVER gets a clean shot off an offensive pattern. And no, it's not beautiful defense... it's 10 guys standing there blocking the way.

...And the football extra point is earned. You have to score to get one. It's not GIVEN to you by the ref.

(06-18-2018 02:26 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

I didn't understand the offsides rule at first, but now I do and realize it's a good rule. Otherwise teams would just cherry pick all match.

The best player in the world, IMO, just missed a PK, so they aren't a given by any stretch. I can't imagine a soccer match going on in the normal course of play until a team scored. This isn't football or baseball. These guys run continuously for 90 minutes then in extra time. Match has to be decided somehow.

I don't like the flopping either; however, players get carded for that now so that's step in the right direction, IMO. BTW, pretty sure the dude flopping in soccer gets booed as well.

Look, I get why folks don't like the sport, I used to be one of those folks. No worries and to each his own. However, America has already joined the soccer party. Hence the reason lots of folks are pissed we aren't playing in Russia right now and the outcry to fix the domestic system.

as a former player who was a goalie. The most annoying was a ref that missed offsides calls. So its a great rule or the score would be alot higher

(06-18-2018 02:26 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

I didn't understand the offsides rule at first, but now I do and realize it's a good rule. Otherwise teams would just cherry pick all match.

The best player in the world, IMO, just missed a PK, so they aren't a given by any stretch. I can't imagine a soccer match going on in the normal course of play until a team scored. This isn't football or baseball. These guys run continuously for 90 minutes then in extra time. Match has to be decided somehow.

I don't like the flopping either; however, players get carded for that now so that's step in the right direction, IMO. BTW, pretty sure the dude flopping in soccer gets booed as well.

Look, I get why folks don't like the sport, I used to be one of those folks. No worries and to each his own. However, America has already joined the soccer party. Hence the reason lots of folks are pissed we aren't playing in Russia right now and the outcry to fix the domestic system.

The thing that helped me accept offsides: the fact that every football code besides Gaelic and Aussie have offsides rules.

American football has offensive, defensive, and special teams offsides. If football codes didn't have offsides, you could just keep a defender right beside the QB before the play starts. You could start a play with you WR already in the end zone. In rugby you could just stand on the other side of a ruck.

(06-18-2018 02:26 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

Some points:

1. Just because your kid played the sport doesn't give you really any idea of how Soccer truly works. Half of what comes through these Youth Systems within American Soccer is a joke to begin with. We develop nothing like other countries, and are absolutely horrible at identifying talented players. We've turned soccer into a silly Suburban game where you can only play if you have money, and your kids learn next to nothing in terms of actual skills. They just kick the ball around and go home.

2. If you understood the game, You'd figure out that a 0-0 match is probably the exact opposite of boring. It's just not the American way that sports work, so a lot of people thumb their noses up at it. I find most American Sports incredibly boring because everyone forgot how to play defense.

3. Offsides is illegal in American Football as well. It's not about discouraging offense, its about encouraging defense. Without it, you get the joke that is basketball currently where players can just not bother to play defense in exchange for a quick basket on the other end.


4. Soccer fans boo fake injuries just as much as American fans. But just like every sport on earth, the system allows it, as there's really no way on earth to prove an injury is "fake" Especially given what we know now about the danger of concussions. In fact, if anything Soccer is considerably worse than American Football at forcing players to sit when they are injured.

5. PK's are indeed a gimme. So are extra points in football. And No one has ever been successful at getting rid of them.

You can't win if you don't score. You can't score if you don't take a shot.

Teams spend most of their time kicking it around the perimeter looking for an angle that will NEVER come. Why? Because there's 10 guys standing between you and the goal. And you can't get creative and work around the wall of defenders blocking your way... because that's OFF SIDES.

I say get the ball down the field and kick it at the net. You've got a heck of a lot better chance of kicking in a deflection because the defenders can't get into position for them. But nobody ever does that. They just kick it around the perimeter until it gets knocked away and they do the same thing at the other end. YAY.

The only other time you have a shot at scoring is knocking in a corner kick. Many times its also off of a deflection.

No one hardly EVER gets a clean shot off an offensive pattern. And no, it's not beautiful defense... it's 10 guys standing there blocking the way.

...And the football extra point is earned. You have to score to get one. It's not GIVEN to you by the ref.

Meanwhile a 14-0 NFL game or a 7-3 SEC game is considered the most exciting game ever.

No need to change the rules for 100 million Americans who still won't care. They have 7 billion other fans and close to 100 million Americans who think it's fine.

(06-18-2018 02:37 PM)TU4ever Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:26 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

Some points:

1. Just because your kid played the sport doesn't give you really any idea of how Soccer truly works. Half of what comes through these Youth Systems within American Soccer is a joke to begin with. We develop nothing like other countries, and are absolutely horrible at identifying talented players. We've turned soccer into a silly Suburban game where you can only play if you have money, and your kids learn next to nothing in terms of actual skills. They just kick the ball around and go home.

2. If you understood the game, You'd figure out that a 0-0 match is probably the exact opposite of boring. It's just not the American way that sports work, so a lot of people thumb their noses up at it. I find most American Sports incredibly boring because everyone forgot how to play defense.

3. Offsides is illegal in American Football as well. It's not about discouraging offense, its about encouraging defense. Without it, you get the joke that is basketball currently where players can just not bother to play defense in exchange for a quick basket on the other end.


4. Soccer fans boo fake injuries just as much as American fans. But just like every sport on earth, the system allows it, as there's really no way on earth to prove an injury is "fake" Especially given what we know now about the danger of concussions. In fact, if anything Soccer is considerably worse than American Football at forcing players to sit when they are injured.

5. PK's are indeed a gimme. So are extra points in football. And No one has ever been successful at getting rid of them.

You can't win if you don't score. You can't score if you don't take a shot.

Teams spend most of their time kicking it around the perimeter looking for an angle that will NEVER come. Why? Because there's 10 guys standing between you and the goal. And you can't get creative and work around the wall of defenders blocking your way... because that's OFF SIDES.

I say get the ball down the field and kick it at the net. You've got a heck of a lot better chance of kicking in a deflection because the defenders can't get into position for them. But nobody ever does that. They just kick it around the perimeter until it gets knocked away and they do the same thing at the other end. YAY.

The only other time you have a shot at scoring is knocking in a corner kick. Many times its also off of a deflection.

No one hardly EVER gets a clean shot off an offensive pattern. And no, it's not beautiful defense... it's 10 guys standing there blocking the way.

...And the football extra point is earned. You have to score to get one. It's not GIVEN to you by the ref.

Meanwhile a 14-0 NFL game or a 7-3 SEC game is considered the most exciting game ever.

No need to change the rules for 100 million Americans who still won't care. They have 7 billion other fans and close to 100 million Americans who think it's fine.

14-0 zero is not exciting especially if you are a UConn fan and scoring is a huge struggle for you team. more like stressfull. But a 7-3 game is exciting imo

A good example of how not to maximize what your program can do: England. They have plenty of talent in that country and will produce lots of pros, but their development system is based on individual clubs. Not only do those clubs all teach different tactics, they all look for different things in players and increasingly pick up young foreign players.

So while they'll have everyone of their players in UCL or Europa League play, they all play differently and don't have intuition for each other.

It's disorganized and they really care about soccer.

(06-18-2018 02:02 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

Your explanation makes sense for a game like cricket (the second most popular game in the world) because most Americans do not undertstand the “nuances” of a “foreign” game.

In contrast, most Americans have had amble opportunity to “know” soccer through the much touted youth participation, but most Americans still do not really care much about soccer. There is nothing wrong with most Americans. Instead, there is something wrong with soccer for most Americans since it does not suit their taste.

Lets be clear about this. The largest percentage of people that hate Soccer are over 55 years old. The largest percentage of people who enjoy Soccer are Young adults.

The numbers indicate that as long as those young adults stay interested. They are going to remain interested when they get older as more and more baby boomers die off. Those young adults are already throwing their kids into the game in record numbers now. If US Soccer could spend time and develop a true Youth System meant to identify the top players and not allow talented kids to fall through the cracks, the impact it would have at the Senior National Team levels would be gigantic.

Although gaining, soccer lags behind other sports in American popularity per Source

Quote:Seven percent say it (soccer) is their favorite sport to watch, the highest that sport has registered to date.

. Football, basketball, and baseball are at 37%, 11%, and 9%, respectively.

Quote:Meanwhile, those who determine the future of spectator sports -- 18- to 34-year-olds -- are the age group least likely to favor football. But even among them, football tops all other sports by a comfortable margin. Soccer and baseball show meaningful differences by age, with soccer appealing more to adults younger than 55 and baseball more to adults aged 55 and older.

Most Americans do not care much about soccer and it will not change anytime soon.

(06-18-2018 10:22 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 10:04 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 08:59 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  You are correct, sir. Americans do not care about soccer.

24,472,778

Number of people who play soccer at some level in the U.S. — second only to China. (Source: FIFA World Football Big Count)

24.3 MILLION

Number of U.S. television viewers of the 2010 World Cup Final between Spain and the Netherlands — more than watched the Rose Bowl (24.04 million), the NCAA men's college basketball championship (23.99 million)

7,985,000

Youth participation of Soccer in America, second highest behind Basketball.

Quote:Americans don't particularly care for a sport where they rarely score, 2-0 is a blowout and the rules are designed to prevent offense.

Hi baseball! Nice to meet you hockey!

Quote:Americans dont buy the principle that if someone even brushes up against you it is accepted, nay encouraged, to fake it to make it look like you were fouled. Then you have a game full of athletes out there looking like they're all getting blasted with a 12 gauge shotgun if an opposing player gets within arms length.

What's up basketball!

Quote:Americans prefer going out and winning their games themselves. Just sayin'.

Wait, is that College Football from 1880-1994? How're you doing man, haven't seen you in awhile!

Thanks for stopping by.

Yet the USA can't find 11 guys that can beat Trinidad and Tobago.

BOOM.

Oh for sure, we absolutely suck right now, but the arguments you made were not relevant to that point.

(06-18-2018 02:55 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:37 PM)TU4ever Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:26 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:20 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  There you go again.

Ok, first of all I'm not here to come in a rain on everyone's soccer parade. I joined in when the subject turned why the USA is not good, which was deemed as a general lack of interest. I agreed.

I am on the side of the disinterested American.

I have two kids that played soccer. I've watched more soccer than I cared to. My younger son was even involved in the Crew Jr. program and he quit because it was just too boring to him. And... I didn't discourage him either. If it was my decision he'd have never started.

Anyway, don't make the assumption that Americans are all just soccer ignorant. I know soccer as well as the next guy.

To play 90 minutes and not score IS boring. To run up and down the field and never even get a shot IS boring. Some guy sticks his leg out and everyone's going the other way. Woo hoo.

Off sides is stupid. OOOOH... you've got to give the defense a chances to get back. No fair.

PK's are stupid. No one has a chance in hades of scoring until one little slip up in the box. Step on somebody's shoe lace and suddenly they're presented with a GIMME. The goalie... excuse me... the keeper has about a 1 in 10 chance at stopping it. Then it's only because he guesses right.

Don't even get me started on the flopping. Football guys that fake injury to slow down fast paced offenses do what? That's right, they get BOOOOOOED.

Just because someone doesn't like it does not make them an ignoramus. It's OK if America doesn't join the soccer party.

That's all. Enjoy your games.

Some points:

1. Just because your kid played the sport doesn't give you really any idea of how Soccer truly works. Half of what comes through these Youth Systems within American Soccer is a joke to begin with. We develop nothing like other countries, and are absolutely horrible at identifying talented players. We've turned soccer into a silly Suburban game where you can only play if you have money, and your kids learn next to nothing in terms of actual skills. They just kick the ball around and go home.

2. If you understood the game, You'd figure out that a 0-0 match is probably the exact opposite of boring. It's just not the American way that sports work, so a lot of people thumb their noses up at it. I find most American Sports incredibly boring because everyone forgot how to play defense.

3. Offsides is illegal in American Football as well. It's not about discouraging offense, its about encouraging defense. Without it, you get the joke that is basketball currently where players can just not bother to play defense in exchange for a quick basket on the other end.


4. Soccer fans boo fake injuries just as much as American fans. But just like every sport on earth, the system allows it, as there's really no way on earth to prove an injury is "fake" Especially given what we know now about the danger of concussions. In fact, if anything Soccer is considerably worse than American Football at forcing players to sit when they are injured.

5. PK's are indeed a gimme. So are extra points in football. And No one has ever been successful at getting rid of them.

You can't win if you don't score. You can't score if you don't take a shot.

Teams spend most of their time kicking it around the perimeter looking for an angle that will NEVER come. Why? Because there's 10 guys standing between you and the goal. And you can't get creative and work around the wall of defenders blocking your way... because that's OFF SIDES.

I say get the ball down the field and kick it at the net. You've got a heck of a lot better chance of kicking in a deflection because the defenders can't get into position for them. But nobody ever does that. They just kick it around the perimeter until it gets knocked away and they do the same thing at the other end. YAY.

The only other time you have a shot at scoring is knocking in a corner kick. Many times its also off of a deflection.

No one hardly EVER gets a clean shot off an offensive pattern. And no, it's not beautiful defense... it's 10 guys standing there blocking the way.

...And the football extra point is earned. You have to score to get one. It's not GIVEN to you by the ref.

Meanwhile a 14-0 NFL game or a 7-3 SEC game is considered the most exciting game ever.

No need to change the rules for 100 million Americans who still won't care. They have 7 billion other fans and close to 100 million Americans who think it's fine.

Thaaaat's correct.

But it won't be 14-0 because Gronkowski's TD got called back because he got behind the safety before Brady threw the ball.

...with both of the safety's all throwing their hands up in the air looking at the ref saying HEY, NO FAIR !!!!!!

...And both TD's weren't scored when the defense committed a penalty and all but one guy was sent off the field with the lone remaining defender left having to try and stop Brady from throwing an easy TD pass to either a guy on the left side of the end zone or a guy in the right side of the end zone.

mmm hmmm...

ive played soccer since middle school and I love the game to death but watching people play football is better the watch a bunch of grown men fake injuries and kick a ball around. Soccer is fun to play. but not to watch.

(06-18-2018 02:44 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  A good example of how not to maximize what your program can do: England. They have plenty of talent in that country and will produce lots of pros, but their development system is based on individual clubs. Not only do those clubs all teach different tactics, they all look for different things in players and increasingly pick up young foreign players.

So while they'll have everyone of their players in UCL or Europa League play, they all play differently and don't have intuition for each other.

It's disorganized and they really care about soccer.

Funny thing is that this year it should be less so. Spurs, Liverpool, and Man City all play styles that are based (loosely) on similar principles. That's 7 of the 10 starting outfield players today.

Alas, it isnt.

Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier were really good today. Harry Kane did what was expected. The rest of the English team was straight trash.

Wolves signed Rui Patricio today

(06-18-2018 02:18 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

Your explanation makes sense for a game like cricket (the second most popular game in the world) because most Americans do not undertstand the “nuances” of a “foreign” game.

In contrast, most Americans have had amble opportunity to “know” soccer through the much touted youth participation, but most Americans still do not really care much about soccer. There is nothing wrong with most Americans. Instead, there is something wrong with soccer for most Americans since it does not suit their taste.

The youth participation was usually very brief, not well coached, and not coupled with any soccer you could watch on tv. Even though they participated, it was likely that the coaches of the time didn't watch soccer either.

Add to that, the fact that Americans had been particularly hostile toward the thought of soccer for generations. Didn't just not like it, but would go out of their way to let you know they don't like it (an example being the amount of people who've come in the various soccer threads just to say how "boring" it is). Over the years Americans have softened to the game and will continue to do so. That's already a huge improvement.

If so, then the youth participation figures often trotted out to support the notion that most Americans care about soccer or a strong indicator of its future popularity should be discounted. I have heard the same point since the 1970’s and it has yet to produce the predicted bonanza.

I think the “hostility” you mentioned is a reaction to some soccer evangelists’ belief that Americans should like soccer and if they don’t it is due to ignorance or stupidity. They completely resist (like hidebound traditionalists) making the game more appealing by improving scoring opportunities just like football, basketball, and baseball have done over the years.

(06-18-2018 03:12 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:18 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

Your explanation makes sense for a game like cricket (the second most popular game in the world) because most Americans do not undertstand the “nuances” of a “foreign” game.

In contrast, most Americans have had amble opportunity to “know” soccer through the much touted youth participation, but most Americans still do not really care much about soccer. There is nothing wrong with most Americans. Instead, there is something wrong with soccer for most Americans since it does not suit their taste.

The youth participation was usually very brief, not well coached, and not coupled with any soccer you could watch on tv. Even though they participated, it was likely that the coaches of the time didn't watch soccer either.

Add to that, the fact that Americans had been particularly hostile toward the thought of soccer for generations. Didn't just not like it, but would go out of their way to let you know they don't like it (an example being the amount of people who've come in the various soccer threads just to say how "boring" it is). Over the years Americans have softened to the game and will continue to do so. That's already a huge improvement.

If so, then the youth participation figures often trotted out to support the notion that most Americans care about soccer or a strong indicator of its future popularity should be discounted. I have heard the same point since the 1970’s and it has yet to produce the predicted bonanza.

I think the “hostility” you mentioned is a reaction to some soccer evangelists’ belief that Americans [b]should like soccer[/b] and if they don’t it is due to ignorance or stupidity. They completely resist (like hidebound traditionalists) making the game more appealing by improving scoring opportunities just like football, basketball, and baseball have done over the years.

Those people exist more in the mythology* than in real life. In actuality, most "why dont American's like soccer" discussions are started by people who dont like soccer but have nothing better to do with their lives. 99% of American soccer fans just want to watch the sport and to have those I mentioned earlier to just **** off.

Me, personally, I just want to enjoy the sport I've loved my entire life with people who also like the sport. And as far as people who dont like the sport? I dont care. I don't like cargo shorts but I dont go around telling people that like cargo shorts that I dont like their clothes.


*-yes there is 1% who is nuts.

(06-18-2018 03:11 PM)DowdyPirate2 Wrote:  Wolves signed Rui Patricio today

Sporting Lisbon is in bad shape. No CL. Fans attacking players. Players terminating contracts. Rough time.

(06-18-2018 03:00 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:44 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  A good example of how not to maximize what your program can do: England. They have plenty of talent in that country and will produce lots of pros, but their development system is based on individual clubs. Not only do those clubs all teach different tactics, they all look for different things in players and increasingly pick up young foreign players.

So while they'll have everyone of their players in UCL or Europa League play, they all play differently and don't have intuition for each other.

It's disorganized and they really care about soccer.

Funny thing is that this year it should be less so. Spurs, Liverpool, and Man City all play styles that are based (loosely) on similar principles. That's 7 of the 10 starting outfield players today.

Alas, it isnt.

Are those principles consistent with how the English team plays? Remember those guys have played for years under different coaches from different standards for years. Some of them were at clubs like QPR and Sheffield for 10 years before they started they're senior careers.

(06-18-2018 03:12 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:18 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

Your explanation makes sense for a game like cricket (the second most popular game in the world) because most Americans do not undertstand the “nuances” of a “foreign” game.

In contrast, most Americans have had amble opportunity to “know” soccer through the much touted youth participation, but most Americans still do not really care much about soccer. There is nothing wrong with most Americans. Instead, there is something wrong with soccer for most Americans since it does not suit their taste.

The youth participation was usually very brief, not well coached, and not coupled with any soccer you could watch on tv. Even though they participated, it was likely that the coaches of the time didn't watch soccer either.

Add to that, the fact that Americans had been particularly hostile toward the thought of soccer for generations. Didn't just not like it, but would go out of their way to let you know they don't like it (an example being the amount of people who've come in the various soccer threads just to say how "boring" it is). Over the years Americans have softened to the game and will continue to do so. That's already a huge improvement.

If so, then the youth participation figures often trotted out to support the notion that most Americans care about soccer or a strong indicator of its future popularity should be discounted. I have heard the same point since the 1970’s and it has yet to produce the predicted bonanza.

I think the “hostility” you mentioned is a reaction to some soccer evangelists’ belief that Americans [b]should like socce[/b]r and if they don’t it is due to ignorance or stupidity. They completely resist (like hidebound traditionalists) making the game more appealing by improving scoring opportunities just like football, basketball, and baseball have done over the years.

Couldn't agree more with this...there are a lot of jackasses (on both sides) who make it far more contemptuous than it should be. Look at the generation born in the 80's and 90's...they are categorically destroying the old funding model for baseball because of their disinterest to borderline hatred of that sport, but no one gets into stupid shouting matches about it. I think a lot of the maliciousness probably has to do with the fact that soccer interest seems to be with a specific generation (millennial and Gen X) and ideal (globalization) that everyone outside of those brackets feel is the problem, and many tend to lash back out at any comments, ignorant or otherwise.

Personally, I love soccer, have played it for 20+ years competitively at the club, collegiate, and semi-professional level, but I recognize its shortcomings and completely accept than many don't like it and will never try to "convert" anyone (just like my distaste for baseball that no one comes after me for)...I just hate it when an utter lack of perspective is being used to make a point about why it's a "terrible sport".

The sport that I'm shocked actually hasn't picked up steam in America is hockey...it quite literally has everything the American sporting enthusiast wants. Plenty of scoring opportunities, no whining, constant action, short games, and fighting...I'm from Northern MI originally though, so I'm one of the converted borderline Canadians there.

(06-18-2018 03:18 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 03:11 PM)DowdyPirate2 Wrote:  Wolves signed Rui Patricio today

Sporting Lisbon is in bad shape. No CL. Fans attacking players. Players terminating contracts. Rough time.

Wolves may as well have a green and white alternate developed at this point

(06-18-2018 03:17 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 03:12 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 02:18 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:59 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 12:41 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  I see the score argument (low scoring and ties) all the time as a reason not to watch soccer but it’s all about knowing the game. There is lots to appreciate and enjoy even in a nil-nil game. The same goes for a sport like baseball, it’s just that a lot of people would rather turn their nose up at this foreign game and complain instead of learning the nuances.

Your explanation makes sense for a game like cricket (the second most popular game in the world) because most Americans do not undertstand the “nuances” of a “foreign” game.

In contrast, most Americans have had amble opportunity to “know” soccer through the much touted youth participation, but most Americans still do not really care much about soccer. There is nothing wrong with most Americans. Instead, there is something wrong with soccer for most Americans since it does not suit their taste.

The youth participation was usually very brief, not well coached, and not coupled with any soccer you could watch on tv. Even though they participated, it was likely that the coaches of the time didn't watch soccer either.

Add to that, the fact that Americans had been particularly hostile toward the thought of soccer for generations. Didn't just not like it, but would go out of their way to let you know they don't like it (an example being the amount of people who've come in the various soccer threads just to say how "boring" it is). Over the years Americans have softened to the game and will continue to do so. That's already a huge improvement.

If so, then the youth participation figures often trotted out to support the notion that most Americans care about soccer or a strong indicator of its future popularity should be discounted. I have heard the same point since the 1970’s and it has yet to produce the predicted bonanza.

I think the “hostility” you mentioned is a reaction to some soccer evangelists’ belief that Americans [b]should like soccer[/b] and if they don’t it is due to ignorance or stupidity. They completely resist (like hidebound traditionalists) making the game more appealing by improving scoring opportunities just like football, basketball, and baseball have done over the years.

Those people exist more in the mythology* than in real life. In actuality, most "why dont American's like soccer" discussions are started by people who dont like soccer but have nothing better to do with their lives. 99% of American soccer fans just want to watch the sport and to have those I mentioned earlier to just **** off.

Me, personally, I just want to enjoy the sport I've loved my entire life with people who also like the sport. And as far as people who dont like the sport? I dont care. I don't like cargo shorts but I dont go around telling people that like cargo shorts that I dont like their clothes.


*-yes there is 1% who is nuts.

It is a recurring theme on the few occasions soccer is discussed on sports radio in town, although they do not talk much about soccer because most of their listeners do not care. And in this very thread the “ignorant” notion was employed.

Nevertheless, I was disturbed when I saw America did not earn a WC spot. I hate seeing my country fail in anything - especially when Iceland (!!) can do it.