You watch Univision for your reasons, I'll watch it for mine:
Posted on 06/28/2006 3:40:11 PM PDT by new yorker 77
Despite a high level of media coverage for the World Cup soccer tournament, three-fourths of Americans (78%) are not following the action very closely if at all. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults found that just 6% are following the tournament very closely.
Nine percent (9%) of men are paying close attention along with 3% of women.
The Super Bowl remains the biggest sport championship in terms of fan appeal. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans say it’s their favorite championship to watch. The World Series is the only other championship to reach double digits—12% of adults say it’s their favorite.
One-fourth of all Americans (25%) say they don’t want any sports championships.
Despite the general lack of interest in the World Cup by the US audience, the soccer tournament is more popular than the NBA basketball championship and the NHL’s Stanley Cup hockey title. Both of those events were being held at the same time as the World Cup.
Fourteen percent (14%) of Americans say they played soccer in an organized league at some point in their life.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of Americans believe there is a professional soccer league in the United States (and they’re right).
The survey was conducted before the U.S. soccer team was eliminated. However, few were surprised by the lack of success--just 5% of the nation’s adults thought it was very likely the U.S. team would win the tournament.
You must be joking...I don't even know where to begin. Judging from your description of football, I'm guessing you're referencing formations and plays from...oh, maybe the 1920s? As for the running back, if anything, having to take the handoff, and instantly analyze the situation and figure out where the holes are, what the defensive players are going to do, and all the other stuff is a thousand times harder than deciding who to pass the ball to in soccer. I'm not dissing the skill it takes to play, or the physical condition you have to be in, but comparing the strategy to that of a sport like football is rediculous
No actually I agree with much of what you said. I'm merely talking about the strategy required to play the game well. I am learning to enjoy watching it however as well despite it's problems.
2. Faking injuries - Diving is weak. FIFA was supposed to clamp down on that this year, but have not so far. Ghana effectively shut down the game in the US match near the 70th minute. I personally don't like to see this behavior, but it's considered strategy by some.
3. The "wall" on free kicks. - It's a defensive posture to prevent a goal. A 90mph soccer ball to your nuts won't be stopped by a cup. If you get tatooed by a free kick in 30deg weather, you know it's tougher to stand there than it looks.
4. Yellow and Red Cards. - Similar to throwing a flag in football. It's just a method to manage the game, though it can be very controversial as the ref has absolute authority. I believe some of the refs who were liberal with cards will no longer participate in FIFA matches.
Yes, thats as I understand it. Plus, there are more professsional 'soccer' leagues than there are professional 'football' teams, and talented players can shop their skills in any of these leagues. I would guess that it is easier to find a team in 'soccer' than it is in American football.
I guess you were too drunk to notice all the commercials :)
You watch Univision for your reasons, I'll watch it for mine:
nah I only drink when I GO to the games....
Even around the world, nobody pays attention to World Cup when their country is out of it. It's just a fascist exercise of nationalism.
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