Why Americans Don't Like Soccer

American Thinker ^ | 6/25/06 | Steven M. Warshawsky

[RepublicanPatriot]

My theory is that Americans have neither the belief system nor the temperment for such a sisyphean sport as soccer. We are a society of doers, achievers, and builders. Our country is dynamic, constantly growing, and becoming ever bigger, richer, and stronger. We do not subscribe to a “zero sum” mentality. We do not labor for the sake of laboring. And we like our sports teams to score.

[righttackle44]

"You might think they're cute, but you are probably more into spandex and pads."

Actually, I'm more into horsehide and wood and someone who yells, "Way to go!"

"GOOOAAAAALLLLL!" and "Good show, old boy" just don't make it.

[lancer]

The reason Americans don't like soccer is because they don't understand it and didn't play it in their "yut" (apologies to Jose Pesci). That is changing and as it changes, more Americans will come to like the sport. As for it being "sissy," I can only assume one hasn't played the game.

[nikos1121]

I agree.

I also like this indoor football rule that if you kick off and the receiver doesn't take it out of the in zone it's two points (?).. That's a great rule that the NFL shoule incorporate... I mean if I kick off to you...and you do not return it OUT OF THE END ZONE.... then that's worth one or two points... because that's a tremendous feat...

They need to make these changes in our life time...........

nikos

[nonliberal]

Maybe if the playing field was smaller it would be more interesting.

How about a big gasoline fire around the field.

[MinorityRepublican]

I never understood the gay @$$ offside penalty. What is wrong with a striker gaining a good position to score a goal. The other night, I watched a World Cup game to help me sleep before I went to bed, I kept seeing the refs blow a whistle with the offsides penalty.

[The Old Hoosier]

Soccer is a socialist sport. Too much emphasis on teamwork.

Yeah, no one works together in the business world.

[nikos1121]

When I watch soccer... it's hard to explain.... it's like I have underwear on that is three sizes too small... I can handle it for about five minutes.

I mean her are these guys maneuvering the ball with their feet like they're magicians.... but because they have so many f ing people on the field...they NEVER GET A CLEAR SHOT... NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!!!

This is BS....Make the goal bigger.... let them shoot...let them score FOR gOD'S SAKE!!!!!

Otherwise, the game SUCKS WET DOG FUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nikos1121]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHA!!!!!!!! ROTHF!

[GeorgiaDawg32]

the offsides penalty in soccer means the offensive player cannot go past the defensive player until the ball is actually kicked to them, giving both players equal access to the ball..now, equate that to basketball..if the offensive player couldn't take off down the court for an easy bucket until the ball was actually thrown allowing the offensive and defensive players equal access, we'd have basketball scores of 21-20..

[Quix]

I think it looks like MORE fun, personally.

But I deplore all the brain damage to all the thousands of soccer players. And, a lot of it won't show up immediately.

Even hitting the ball with one's head ONCE can be sufficient to cause significant, measurable brain damage.

Multiple times by a star player can be, eventually, disasterous . . . and not really acknowledged or realized until way too late.

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

The vast majority of soccer-bashers on this thread don't have remotely near the fitness to run between five and seven miles in the course of a typical 90-minute match plus the jumping, tackling, kicking, sprinting, and diving that is required. To the dimwits calling the sport "gay" I submit a few more examples of girlfriends and wives of top-notch soccer players:

England and Arsenal centerback Ashley Cole's girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy

Brazilian player Ronaldo's girlfriend Raica Oliveira

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is supported by girlfriend Alena Seredova

French striker David Trezeguet and his wife Beatrice

Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart with his wife Sylvie Meiss

German star Michael Ballack is married to Simoneis Ballack

England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Colleen McCloughlin

The simple fact-of-the-matter is these superior athletes can benchpress, squat, curl, and deadlift more weight, run faster, jump higher, and have more aerobic endurance (your ladies will understand that importance...) than the little jealous men posting on this thread. Hey, such is life!

~ Blue Jays ~

[andrew2527]

Golf will never be the most popular game in the world. It's too damn hard. </post golf venting>

[coconutt2000]

Soccer is fine. It has nothing to do with ideology or sexual orientation.

The difference between the U.S. and the rest of the world is that we have basketball, baseball, and American football. And after all that, Americans also have jobs.

Between our entertainment and our jobs, there's no room left over for emotional investment in yet another sport.

If soccer wants more U.S. exposure, it should change to an all female format, and make them wear short skirts, tight tops, and include water hazards on the field. Oh, and do away with the no-hands rule.

[isthisnickcool]

I tried to play soccer in high school but you have to kick the ball one way then another. Too much of quickly crossing the legs. Being from Texas I just could not do that because "parts" kept getting in the way.

[Maringa]

The reason Americans don't like soccer is because we're a nation of Attention Deficit Disorder...Shoot, we can't even watch a basketball game or a football game without a break every two minutes. If any of the basketball players or football players played 45 straight minutes per half, the would all be 10 foot under the ground. Have any of you been to a pro football game (not watching it on tv, but at the stadium itself)? It's one play, couple of plays, the guys waiting in huddle until the commercial is over...totally useless, and a waste of boring time!

There...that all being said...I love all sports including football (especially college ball, fewer, shorter time-outs), and basketball...Soccer grows on you after a while just like any other sport...

[Toby06]

In my lacrosse playing days, we ran more than the cross country team. Lacrosse players are typically as fit as soccer players, and can think 3-dimensionally. Kinda shoots down your argument, eh, chump.

Seen any of Derek Jeters girlfriends, they are kinda hot, too.

[usmcobra]

If teamwork is so important in soccer why are there so many soccer stars?

Example of soccer teamwork: brush up against opposing player with the ball and fall down crying and writhing in pain until stretcher carries you off the field, jump off stretcher, do double back flip, moon opposing team, and scream like maniac until you get your turn again to be injured.

Example of soccer teamwork (2): kick legs out from under opposing player by sticking your foot and leg between his legs in a fruitless attempt to touch ball with toe. One man's leg should never be placed purposefully between another man's legs except to cause permanent or temporary injury to his manhood, also know as the foul most foul, in soccer this routine and almost accepted as brilliant play.

Example of soccer teamwork (3): heading the ball, originally developed after a goalies kick rebounded off an opposing players head and back into the goal, heading these days means hitting the ball with any part of your head including your face with the same amount of force as can be delivered by a kick to the groin (see previous "foul most foul") Remember Teamwork means Concussion.

[Sometimes A River]

Uh, it's evident that some players are better/flashier than others.

One poster bashes soccer for being socialist because it's a team ganme, another because it's not a team game.

Can't win!

[MotleyGirl70]

The media was trying promote it...but it ended up being you know the three hour match 0 to 0 tie...

Exactly!

Plus I've hated soccer since grade, middle and high school when we had to play it in gym class.

Kickball though--now that was a fun game.

I wonder if kids are still allowed to play kickball in school or is outlawed for fear of a Nancy Boy getting hit with the ball too hard.