It’s the most popular sport in the world. Next question?
...next question, I guess, is what other game in the world costs next to nothing to play at its entry level, thus making it affordable for nearly every third world country to play...after that, the question would be does popularity relate directly to affordability, and after that, does popularity mean it’s any good...?
...continuing on with the questioning, why do soccer fans routinely act bestial in the stands, with multiple injuries and even death not uncommon, and the postulated answer might be that the action on the field is not good enough to keep them engaged, but their alcohol fueled anger at the insult hurled at them by the drunken hooligan next to them is...
...just asking, that’s all...hopefully, you don’t go sulking off to a corner because I had a little fun with you like some other guy did...
Not at all! I am happy to have this conversation. So I put your last answer first :)
...next question, I guess, is what other game in the world costs next to nothing to play at its entry level, thus making it affordable for nearly every third world country to play...after that, the question would be does popularity relate directly to affordability, and after that, does popularity mean it’s any good...?
Look at basketball. At its base level, all you need to play are two hoops, a ball, and appropriate clothing, and it is very popular as a worldwide game, very much like soccer in that respect. And I do think that affordability relates to popularity. Ice hockey, for example, is a very expensive sport for youth and as such there is less participation worldwide. And I do feel you can make an argument for good play based on the sample size of potential players.
...continuing on with the questioning, why do soccer fans routinely act bestial in the stands, with multiple injuries and even death not uncommon, and the postulated answer might be that the action on the field is not good enough to keep them engaged, but their alcohol fueled anger at the insult hurled at them by the drunken hooligan next to them is...
I postulate that the culture and ethos of soccer is the reason for some violence rather than any perceived lack of action on the field. It isn't pretty, but do remember that worldwide soccer rivalries make American sports rivalries look like nerdball because of the length of their rivalry and in some cases, the reasons behind it.
I'll give you a few examples: The Rangers/Celtic "Old Firm" in Scotland (The Troubles); The Real Madrid/Barcelona "Super Clasico" in Spain (Spanish separatism) and internationally, Holland/Germany (for obvious reasons). The other reason I postulate you are in error is because you don't see the kind of hooliganism in MLS that you unfortunately sometimes see in Europe and it's the same game.
And while we're on the subject of hooliganism, take a good look at the stands at your average NFL Monday night game. It's the best-kept secret in sports.
The "Eagles Court" in Philadelphia is one example, where disorderly fans could be taken, tried and sentenced to the rest of the evening in jail without ever leaving the stadium. Thankfully, that court is now closed. But just last year, three fans were stabbed leaving a Denver Broncos Thursday night game. And we've all heard about fans rioting after their teams win or lose a big game.
If your intention is to isolate soccer for hooligan behavior, that's simply not accurate.
And for the record, the first games in pool play have been quite good:
* Most goals through the first 15 matches since 1958
* 13 of 15 matches have had three or more goals
* 27 of the 47 goals in the tournament have come in the second half with 12 of them coming with fifteen minutes or less to play
* Six of the games have featured come-from-behind wins
* only one draw in the first 15 matches.
Give it a chance. Like any sport, it needs to be appreciated before it can be fairly judged.