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Grrr! Imagine if World Cup Soccer Meant Something
FOXNews.com ^ | June 5, 2006 | Mike Straka

Posted on 06/06/2006 6:17:29 AM PDT by RayChuang88

Are we too spoiled as a society to recognize the importance of soccer?

I was watching a television promotion for the FIFA World Cup Tournament the other day, and the theme of the spot was that this simple thing — a little round leather ball — can bring so much national pride, so much joy and so much energy to entire nations around the world.

Except ours, that is. Why is that?

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: soccer; society; sports; worldcup
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This commentary shows why Americans aren't that interested in soccer: we already have too many other major sports to enjoy.

Between the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and (increasingly) NASCAR, these sports have pretty much taken most of the fan interest and advertising dollars for sporting events. This is not like most of the world, where soccer is essentially the ONLY major sport that fans and advertising dollars are interested in.

1 posted on 06/06/2006 6:17:32 AM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: RayChuang88

Because Americans think that any sport where you can't use your hands is silly.


2 posted on 06/06/2006 6:20:20 AM PDT by atomicpossum (Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
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To: RayChuang88
Except ours, that is. Why is that?

Ever since they stopped using the heads of the team-members that previously lost their games as balls, it just hasn't held the same fascination here.

3 posted on 06/06/2006 6:20:37 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll. 17,400+ snide replies and counting!)
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To: RayChuang88
I was watching a television promotion for the FIFA World Cup Tournament the other day, and the theme of the spot was that this simple thing — a little round leather ball — can bring so much national pride, so much joy and so much energy to entire nations around the world. Except ours, that is. Why is that?

Because we expend that energy worshipping a magic bean, called a "football."

4 posted on 06/06/2006 6:21:48 AM PDT by dfwgator (Florida Gators - 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions)
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To: RayChuang88

Soccer's boring.Even more boring than baseball.


5 posted on 06/06/2006 6:22:30 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative
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To: RayChuang88
Because we Americans enjoy manly sports like football and baseball. Even our weakling little brothers, the Canadians, have hockey.
6 posted on 06/06/2006 6:23:17 AM PDT by 54-46 Was My Number (Right now, somebody else got that number)
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To: RayChuang88
Soccer - played by grass fairies.
7 posted on 06/06/2006 6:23:30 AM PDT by b4its2late (Age is important only if you're a cheese.)
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To: RayChuang88

8 posted on 06/06/2006 6:24:36 AM PDT by Hatteras
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To: Hatteras

I just noticed the female silhouettes on that kid's jersey.


9 posted on 06/06/2006 6:25:30 AM PDT by dfwgator (Florida Gators - 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions)
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To: Gay State Conservative
Soccer's boring.Even more boring than baseball.

Must be watching a bit too much Mexican League soccer on the Spanish-language channels here in the USA.

If you've watched the Barclays Premiership soccer from England, they are definitely far more exciting, mostly because you have teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa bring in the best players in the world to play there.

10 posted on 06/06/2006 6:28:23 AM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: theDentist

LOL


11 posted on 06/06/2006 6:29:57 AM PDT by bwteim (begin with the end in mind)
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To: RayChuang88

It just never ends. Articles like this beget comments like those above which beget articles like this which beget comments like those above. You don't like soccer? Don't want to cheer for your country? Fine. Now STFU.


12 posted on 06/06/2006 6:31:16 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
Actually, I do like soccer, but only in the top European professional leagues in England, Germany, Spain and Italy. Didn't I just say I enjoy the Barclays Premiership league in England?
13 posted on 06/06/2006 6:34:09 AM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: RayChuang88

In order to appreciate the game, you need to understand it. You can't appreciate a pass in soccer unless you can compare it to a Magic Johnson pass in basketball.

Most Americans have no reference and as a result bask in ignorance.

I'll be joining most of the billions on the planet watching the tournament with more interests than the Texas Rangers.

To most of the world, watching baseball is akin to watching your tomatoes grow.

There is no greater sporting event thatn the World Cup. Nothing.


14 posted on 06/06/2006 6:34:33 AM PDT by romanesq (.)
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To: RayChuang88

If most people think soccer is boring based on watching MLS games, they have a good point.


15 posted on 06/06/2006 6:36:16 AM PDT by dfwgator (Florida Gators - 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions)
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To: RayChuang88

My comment was directed to the other ninnies on this thread.


16 posted on 06/06/2006 6:36:44 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: romanesq
"is no greater sporting event"

They could always bring the World Cup back to Dallas, Texas in August.

I wonder why they haven't been back since? ~/sarc.

17 posted on 06/06/2006 6:39:10 AM PDT by Deguello
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To: romanesq
Most Americans have no reference and as a result bask in ignorance.

Fortunately for me, I do have a reference point for excellence, namely the Barclays Premiership in England. This league has brought in some of the best players on Earth, and if you have satellite TV you can watch this league in action during the season. What the NFL is to American football here in the USA, the Barclays Premiership is pretty much to soccer to most of the world.

18 posted on 06/06/2006 6:42:52 AM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: Deguello

In 94 the World Cup was in Dallas and was a great success there as it was throughout the United States.

August or not, it would be a tremendous success again, given the chance.
Unfortunately the honor of hosting the games is a global competiton that won't give the US a chance soon.

Your sarcasm revels in ignorance.


19 posted on 06/06/2006 6:43:58 AM PDT by romanesq (.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

"Soccer's boring.Even more boring than baseball."


But not quite as boring as NASCAR.

Boy, what a snoozer that sport is!


20 posted on 06/06/2006 6:45:01 AM PDT by Blzbba (Beauty is just a light switch away...)
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