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.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I worked with a British emigre engineer, who served in Her Majesty's Navy during the War. He went up before an officer selection board. They asked him if he played soccer (short for association football) or rugger (rugby). He said soccer. BZZZTTTTT. Wrong answer, lad, back to "other ranks", thank you very much.

[nikos1121]

You should see post number 47 poodle...

[Geronimo]

It's hard to say this without sounding like a complete cynic, but soccer will never achieve mass appeal in the U.S. because, in its current form, it is not conducive to TV advertising.

I've been saying the same thing since I moved here from England fifteen years ago. The game can't be stopped for a commercial break every four minutes so it doesn't make any money, simple as that.

[jla]

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!

I'll concede the "run faster" part...but not any other.
And I doubt any of these guys can bench press more than any of the ladies in the pictures you've included.

[Blue Jays]

Hi Toby06-

Nice try, newbie, but no cigar. You didn't address my points. You're apparently one of the many trolls who have recently registered on FreeRepublic.

~ Blue Jays ~

[MotleyGirl70]

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.

Lol.

Good analogy ;)

[Chickensoup]

This thread is so good for me.

I have stood at the edge of children's soccer games for years watching them play. It was stupid mayhem.

The highschoool games were boring.

I thought I was the only person on the planet who thought it was a dumb game.

[GregH]

As a nation Americans invented one of the most boring sports in the world - baseball which is as dull as it gets. So i am not sure Europeans have the monopoly on boring sports, can you say Golf?.


Attempt to connect peoples political values with their sports preferences is quite lame.

[MotleyGirl70]

I like your rules.

[MotleyGirl70]

5. Have two females added to the field for each side...and they have to play in the nude....

Except you can substitue this rule to guys play with their shirts off.

Now your rules are perfect.

[MotleyGirl70]

I found out last year while on a nightly stroll that a park in my neighborhood has adult kickball.

I sat watched for about an hour.

They had sponsors and were having so much fun.

I'll have to walk over there again and find out when the leagues start for the summer. I'd assume pretty soon if not already.

[MotleyGirl70]

Kickball is the greatest game ever.

All the kids in the neighborhood would meet at the grade school playground and play until dark.

I was a good kicker but not a very good catcher either.

Those were fun times though.

[nikos1121]

Poodle, you're right and we will test it out in the Wisconsin market...

[Dick Vomer]

Soccer is gay, and we have cool games, like Lacrosse.

both are gay....

octagon anyone?

[Dick Vomer]

ok, ok... Buzkashi now may be my favorite... when can I see it on Spike TV???

Maybe I can go down to the ASPCA and get a big dog instead of a goat... bwahahahahhaa... this is great.

[La Enchiladita]

Baseball is America's game.

[onja]

And Men's volleyball and raquetball.

It was so funny in gym. Everyone except the soccer players was horrible at soccer. Nearly everyone was horrible at tennis (except me). So they called them gay. They could play raquetball and volleyball so they loved it and said it was SO cool. I'm not saying this is what everyone does. But in High School gym, any sport they were bad at, they called gay and any sport they were decent at, they called cool. They even hated ping-pong. Now that's messed up :)

[onja]

BTW- I do agree that soccer isn't all that great a TV sport. You miss the commericals and you miss all the cool moves. If you watched the whole game close up, you'd be amazed.

[onja]

I agree. Up til 5th grade we played it every recess. I LOVED it. I'd get a home-run about every 4th kick and was tied among the best players. Kind of odd actually. I was really short and quiet, and the other two were a gangsta tall black, and the other was a tall, big football player. I was definitely the best kicker/runner. I'd get out only once every 5-6 games. And I was easily one of the better catchers. I couldn't throw too hard but could throw it fast and accurately. I always was forced to kick in the first four.

I hated when everyone started playing football :( (I actually was the best runner they had but I hated the game. I'd rather play tag, seriously)

[onja]

That'd be so cool. In 4th grade we fantasized about being pro kickball players :) Just wondering though. Do they use the same ones we kids used? Because if they don the ball would go on and on and on and on, etc. As a 4th grader I could kick it far enough to start making the out-field impractical. Must be murder as an adult. Back up a quarter mile :)