[kabar]

But face it Soccer is a poor mans poor countries sport.

There is no doubt that the popularity of the sport can be partially attributed to the very low cost of the gear needed to participate. Essentially all you need is a ball. You can make everything else using whatever is on hand.

The dominant powers in the game are primarily rich European countries. Even Brazil with the world's 15th largest economy can't be considered poor. Six of the eight in the current WC quarterfinals are from Europe plus Argentina and Brazil.

[stainlessbanner]

I'm not convinced about the soccer-poverty angle. Consider stickball, sandlot football, pickup game of bsktball; not much equipment needed for those. I think soccer in the US is more of an elitist sport - it is expensive to play at the competitive level. Travel teams, highly-paid coaches, camps, training, etc. The US does not have the infrastructure around club teams and organizations that other countries have.

In contrast football and baseball have stronger high school and college offering. I think another poster had it right that many other countries just don't have sports leagues like the US: NASCAR, NBA, NFL, but they do have soccer, so they focus on that sport.

Interested in your thoughts kabar and AGP.