Why hasn't soccer taken off in America?

[JX252]

After the US loss today, it seemed like everybody on ESPN was talking about how America was overhyped coming into this World Cup and wasn't ready to compete on an international level because its roster was filled with players that haven't had much opportunity to play overseas with some of the best teams in the world.

The guys on PTI were discussing this question, and they said something that really agreed with me. They mentioned that soccer hasn't, and probably won't take off in the US because kids can play any other sport besides soccer, turn pro, and make millions; whereas if they decide to play pro soccer, they won't be making anywhere close to that amount, and the incentive to play isn't there.

So why do you think that soccer hasn't taken off in America despite millions of little kids playing it on Saturdays? Please don't make any dumbass comments like "soccer sucks, fag and it's the worst sport ever". I don't give a shit about other sports right now, I want to know your opinions.

[MooCowzRock]

After the US loss today, it seemed like everybody on ESPN was talking about how America was overhyped coming into this World Cup and weren't ready to compete on an international level because its roster was filled with players that haven't had much opportunity to play overseas with some of the best teams in the world.

The guys on PTI were discussing this question, and they said something that really agreed with me. They mentioned that soccer hasn't, and probably won't take off in the US because kids can play any other sport besides soccer, turn pro, and make millions; whereas if they decide to play pro soccer, they won't be making anywhere close to that amount, and the incentive to play isn't there.

So why do you think that soccer hasn't taken off in America despite millions of little kids playing it on Saturdays? Please don't make any dumbass comments like "soccer sucks, fag and it's the worst sport ever". I don't give a shit about other sports right now, I want to know your opinions.
I think it is getting more popular. It is hard when there are so many other sports that flood the market of athletes and watchers. Overall, though, people are starting to watch more soccer. Very slowly, but surely...however, mls gets very few viewers. This generation is plaing more soccer than previous generations, so I think it is getting more popular.

[PetiteMorte]

After the US loss today, They mentioned that soccer hasn't, and probably won't take off in the US because kids can play any other sport besides soccer, turn pro, and make millions; whereas if they decide to play pro soccer, they won't be making anywhere close to that amount, and the incentive to play isn't there.



you answered your own question

[JX252]

I don't give a shit about other sports right now, I want to know your opinions.

That was my guess, but I want to know what you think. Do you think there's any other reason besides money that is keeping soccer from exploding and going mainstream in America?

Yea, I quoted myself. That's how I roll.

[arsenalfan]

u can get MILLIONS playing pro soccer, but maybe not in the MLS. players who play in european leagues gets tons of money.

Claudio Reyna + brian mcbride both play in the EPL, im sure they were paid a lot

soccer players often ends up in many advertisement around the world, if theyre popular (like beckham 4 example)

[Kazimierz]

Because it would require agreeing with the rest of the planet on something.

[Meio]

I think it's the insular perspective of the US. Americans play American sports.

They could turn pro and make many millions playing Association Football (e.g. http://worldsoccer.about.com/cs/soccerstars/p/becks.htm ) however they would be in a global marketplace with countries where the majority of the little boys dream of playing in the World Cup and have the incentives (poverty is a good one) to train, and training to play Football is like training to run you just need somewhere to do it.

Some other things, and I'm not trying to start a flame war, just remembering points that came up when the World Cup was in the US:
- There is a perception that it's a middle class, white sport requiring a regulation ball, regulation posts and net, and a regulation field to train on.
- There is a perception that it's a soft sport, non-contact, more suitable for girls to play.
- It doesn't seem flashy or spectator friendly enough, there is no music played over the PA, there is only one break with poor entertainment, the players are all little running specks when seen from the stands. It's not loud, it's not brash, it's obviously not American.

Oh, and as for not playing oversees, look up the careers of the team, many have. Kasey Keller used to play for Leicester, but I think Saint Martin got rid of him when he became manager.

[AsHopeDies]

My opinion is that it's not the money, but the popularity. Guys like Lebron James, Dewayne Wade, and Steve Smith grew up wanting to play football and basketball because they are more popular in America. So when your best athletes are drawn to the most popular sports, then the non-popular sports suffer. We can't compete on the global scale because our country's best athletes play other sports, and this leads to the sport not being very popular in this country. And, in turn, the sport isn't popular, so the best athletes in the country aren't drawn to it. So soccer in America is in a catch 22 right now that I don't see it ever getting out of.

The sport will never become popular if the best athletes don't play, and the best athletes won't play if the sport isn't popular...in other words...

we're fucked

[wsuwarrior]

We think that soccer is crap basically. Soccer is looked at as a wussy ass gay sport.

Im not just saying that...its the vast opinion of soccer here.

[AsHopeDies]

We think that soccer is crap basically. Soccer is looked at as a wussy ass gay sport.

Im not just saying that...its the vast opinion of soccer here.

Quoted for irrelevance and lack of truth

[troutofdoom]

I can tell you why it's my second-to-least favorite major league sport, but I have no idea why Baseball is more popular.

It's frustrating to watch. They go back and forth and unless they score, they gained nothing. In US football, there are downs. Plays. It's easy to follow, and you see your team gaining ground. Same with basketball, the teams earn points regularly to show how they're doing in nice round numbers. Soccer has none of that; if you turn away for 30 seconds you could miss the only goal in a match.

Why is Hockey any better? It's faster and with power plays you are often on the edge of your seat in anticipation. There are shots on goal very often.

Soccer is a game of endurance, and as impressive as the players are, endurance is not as strong a pull as the raw strength in US Football, the speed of Hockey or the agility of basketball.

Baseball just sucks. Also, it's no fun to watch when referees can control the outcome of a game so easily with one or two calls.

[Nick is cool]

We think that soccer is crap basically. Soccer is looked at as a wussy ass gay sport.

Im not just saying that...its the vast opinion of soccer here.




I agree 100% with him, im not saying its like that its just what every kid (except ones that play it) think. Soccer is almost considered like male cheerleading here, just everyone hates it and if you play it you will get made fun of no matter how popular you are. I know 2 people who play soccer, one who is very good and as a freshman was like the best on the varsity team, but he never talks about soccer to people because they would just make fun of him. Thats pretty much how it goes down in most places in america

[Meio]

It's frustrating to watch. They go back and forth and unless they score, they gained nothing.

I used to think that when I was a kid. However, have you ever tried playing a game? You know a full 11-a-side 45 minutes each way game. Sports are meant to be played, and once you have played then you might want to watch and appreciate some players that are talented at the game. Ever read any John Dewey? His theory is that in order for someone to find something aesthetically pleasing (I'm not gonna define that now) you must know how to experience it, which requires education (not necessarily formal).
I've tried watching American sports:


In US football, there are downs. Plays. It's easy to follow, and you see your team gaining ground. Same with basketball, the teams earn points regularly to show how they're doing in nice round numbers. Soccer has none of that; if you turn away for 30 seconds you could miss the only goal in a match.

You know the rules of American Football are not obvious, it's not really easy to follow at all. I know now that a down is a bit like a tackle in Rugby League. I know that you have to make a certain amount of yards in a certain amount of downs. What is it with all the standing around? When is the ball dead and when can it be turned over? If they can stand around so much why do they need time outs? Aren't all the 'plays' a bit contrived and pointless? Why do they have to have 3 or 4 teams per side for one game? What's with all the shouting bullshit, surely they know what to do, they stood around discussing it enough? Who's that man with the lolly and a bit of string doing on the touchline? Why do they have to have so many breaks, they can't be tired after all that standing around talking about what to do next or sitting around waiting for possesion to change? How many points do you get for what now?
I'm being serious. American Football was a big thing here for a few years in the 80s when Channel 4 started showing it. I've watched loads of it and I still don't know half the rules. Still it's based on Rugby and both codes of that aren't all that straight forward, especially Union.
Association has relatively simple rules.

As for basketball, I personally don't get the whole "Yay, we have the ball let's see if we can score 3 points this time rather than your standard 2", and I think a lot of people are the same. It is a massive international sport though, probably America's (Canadian in the US?) biggest sporting export.

You might say Association Football is compelling, a game can turn in an instant. The players have to be alert for 90 minutes with only one 15 minute rest. You have to be alert, watching the players motivations fluctuate, hoping that your side score first and can then weather the counter attack until the opponents become a bit despondent. Waiting for that flash of brilliance (did you see Joe Cole's?) or hard work and luck that results in a goal and your team going into the lead or drawing level again. You don't want to look away, you must watch every kick, every descision or you might miss the point the game turned.

Why is Hockey any better? It's faster and with power plays you are often on the edge of your seat in anticipation. There are shots on goal very often.

Ice Hockey is surely very similar to Association Football in its style and close in its scorelines. Sure it's more violent with some hefty checking being legal, but why do they need about a dozen players a side? What is it with American (US and Canada) and sports that have a gajillion players in each team that they can swap in and out at will?

Soccer is a game of endurance, and as impressive as the players are, endurance is not as strong a pull as the raw strength in US Football, the speed of Hockey or the agility of basketball.

Not really, I would say it's a game of creativity. If you get the chance download or rent Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle, it's an experimental film that follows Zinedine Zidane for an entire game. He don't do all that much running. Playing Association Football is not like running a marathon.

Baseball just sucks. Also, it's no fun to watch when referees can control the outcome of a game so easily with one or two calls.

Yeah Cricket is better ;)

[johnnycupcakes]

because its not our nations sport.

[JX252]

I can tell you why it's my second-to-least favorite major league sport, but I have no idea why Baseball is more popular.

It's frustrating to watch. They go back and forth and unless they score, they gained nothing. In US football, there are downs. Plays. It's easy to follow, and you see your team gaining ground. Same with basketball, the teams earn points regularly to show how they're doing in nice round numbers. Soccer has none of that; if you turn away for 30 seconds you could miss the only goal in a match.

Why is Hockey any better? It's faster and with power plays you are often on the edge of your seat in anticipation. There are shots on goal very often.

Soccer is a game of endurance, and as impressive as the players are, endurance is not as strong a pull as the raw strength in US Football, the speed of Hockey or the agility of basketball.

Baseball just sucks. Also, it's no fun to watch when referees can control the outcome of a game so easily with one or two calls.

But here’s the thing, all the reasons you mentioned for it being unpopular occur every time a game of any kind is played here in the US.

In football, basketball, and hockey, you go back and forth multiple times in the game with no rewards. Sure, you might gain field position but if you’re not scoring, like you said, you’re not gaining anything. It’s frustrating to watch any way you look at it, especially if your team is really struggling.

With the exception of basketball, if you turn your head away for 30 seconds, you could end up missing the only touchdown, field goal or run for the entire game.

Have you ever tried actually playing football, hockey, and basketball for a full hour? I’m not trying to start anything with you, but if you actually play a full game, like Meio said, it’s one giant endurance test. Football is extremely grueling on the body, and after that fourth quarter you feel like you want to die. Running up and down the court during basketball will wear you out quickly if you’re not conditioned properly, and the amount of skating up and down ice at high speed will take a toll on your legs if you’re not in top form.

If these are reasons why soccer is unpopular, and they’re also things that happen daily in sports here in America, then why hasn’t soccer caught on with us yet?

And AsHopeDies, that’s a very good point. It elaborates on what I was saying earlier, but I couldn’t find a way to explain it the way you did.

[Ghost`]

how hard is it to put a little ball in a huge net?

[Shorty|*|RocK89]

I also wonder this I been playing soccer for maybe 9 years and I love it but in school it isn't popular and girls don't think it's manly enough.Football is alot more popular and "tougher" to alot of people and funner to watch.

[arsenalfan]

how hard is it to put a little ball in a huge net?
its hard from 25-30 m. its also hard from close range when under pressure.

[JuliaAguilar]

Well, I think part of the reason football hasn't taken off here is due to sheer underexposure to the sport. You have baseball, American football, hockey, and basketball games on TV all the time, on the national networks. You can always flip to ESPN and find one of those sports on. The highest billing the MLS gets is ESPN2, and only like once a week. Other MLS games are broadcast only on a special "soccer channel" you have to pay extra to get.

Granted, part of the reason for this is due to lack of interest. But I remember back in 98 and 02 when the World Cup was being played, I didn't even remember hearing about it. I didn't see it anywhere on TV, and I didn't even know it was going on. If I had, I would have looked to watch it, because I've always liked watching football. I used to go to my high school's games.

I'm really glad that football is starting to take off here, and once the World Cup has ended, I plan to follow the MLS more frequently. There aren't any teams really close to here, but if I get a chance to be in a city where there's a game at the same time, I'm going to try to go. I think they need more support; more exposure. And the next generation is already going to be more football-minded, now that there is a professional league here and we are starting to become a (slight) force in international football. I look forward to the day when the MLS games are on regular networks, and filling stadiums with sellout crowds.

[BigMac]

It's a low scoring game and not fun to watch on tv when there is a game where there is 6 shots taken on goal all game. Kids in the countries that play soccer are sometimes to poor to have a basketball hoop or anything like that. You just need a ball(could be made out of anything), some boundary lines, and some form of a goal. How simple is that?

[cmacdon]

Quoted for irrelevance and lack of truth

What are you in denial or something?

Go to any high school and say you play soccer. You'll get called "pussy" "foot fairy" or what not. It's a stereotype and one of the most ridiculous ones at that.

Obviously it's not manly enough for America's standards so I'll go into the corner and have a kick with my real FOOTBALL against a wall. :wah:

[cmacdon]

It's a low scoring game and not fun to watch on tv when there is a game where there is 6 shots taken on goal all game. Kids in the countries that play soccer are sometimes to poor to have a basketball hoop or anything like that. You just need a ball(could be made out of anything), some boundary lines, and some form of a goal. How simple is that?

Good point. It's a shame American's can't be exposed to real soccer, not this MLS shit. I mean, it's a pretty bad comparrison since Brazil went up against Japan, but there was like 20 shots for Brazil today. There's more action internationally and European clubs than the soccer we see in the States.

[wsuwarrior]

Quoted for irrelevance and lack of truth

I think you mean, "Quoted for being 100% accurate and true".

[MooCowzRock]

It's a low scoring game and not fun to watch on tv when there is a game where there is 6 shots taken on goal all game. Kids in the countries that play soccer are sometimes to poor to have a basketball hoop or anything like that. You just need a ball(could be made out of anything), some boundary lines, and some form of a goal. How simple is that?
Yeah, but hockey scores just as little, and so does football.

The thing is, a lot of Americans dont realize how skilled you have to be to play it, and it doesnt "seem" as tough as other sports. The only people who appreciate it are those that have actually played it...

Maybe if we gave them katanas and baseball bats...

[wataba]

We need an American phenom to get us all excited about soccer/football. Obviously since it isn't popular there isn't much money being paid to MLS players so all our good athletes go to football, basketball, etc and there isn't much to get excited about here.
I remember I used to hate American football and thought it was boring and didn't make sense...but then I saw Barry Sanders play. And now I absolutely love the NFL.

[Wu-tang]

i know dude, i live in canada, and it's not very popular with the white people here. It's actually a pretty good game, most who like hockey would like it, because they're similar, but Americans like gay stuff like guys in tights and helmets bending over and another guy standing behind them.
Yeah, and Canadians like racoons with big fucking nuts.

[Ulic]

The majority of Americans don't understand it. They don't see it as interesting because most Americans don't watch sports for the actual playing of the sport, they watch it for the payoff, like a touchdown. The American mind wants to see the goal, but the entertainment is really more in what leads up to the goal.

Guess thats why basketball is so popular in the U.S., there is so much scoring that it can keep their dumb minds interested because it would be to hard for them to grasp the actual playing of the sport.

I'm a hockey fan myself and love watching the game. I think American minds have been soiled by the scoring antics of basketball, football, and baseball to understand a goal scoring sport.

[spootinsteve]

its the best game in the world... and im not being a dick, it is...

theres no incentive to play in Aus either... theres no money for it... so our players go to england... almost everyone in the Australian team plays for an english premier league team...

i serisouyl dont get american views towards the game... if 10 minutes in, youve scored 40 points or whatever in a sport, its boring, you know the outcome... why keep watching? Football (soccer) can change at any moment...

in the Aus v Jap game, it was 1-0 for 84 minutes... in the last few minutes of the game, we scored 3 goals... its the most exciting game ive ever seen... there are always attempts at goals, but getting past 11 men is hard work, so it makes every goal great...

[wsuwarrior]

i serisouyl dont get american views towards the game... if 10 minutes in, youve scored 40 points or whatever in a sport, its boring, you know the outcome... why keep watching? Football (soccer) can change at any moment...

Well, in soccer, you can watch a team score a goal in the first minute.

Go cook something to eat.

Eat.

Take a shit.

Come back.

Still 1-0.

Sweet.

In soccer you dont miss much if you have to go do something quick...in football you miss a lot, in basketball you miss a lot, in baseball you miss a lot.

[spootinsteve]

no you dont... you just imss a bunch of mundane poit raising shots...

soccer is a like a good worthwhile post... basketball is like me saying POST COUNT +1 a hundred times...

[wsuwarrior]

What do you miss in soccer...a bunch of kick back and forths and a wackoff?

[spootinsteve]

obviously you dont care about games you dont win at...

[sinner78]

We think that soccer is crap basically. Soccer is looked at as a wussy ass gay sport.

Im not just saying that...its the vast opinion of soccer here.


You gotta appreciate the nuances and subtletys of each sport .
How can I explain this to your average smalltown neanderthal from the USA ???

Say for example in Baseball!!!
two top pitchers are dueling and the score is 0-0 in the 9th innings.
Its a tactical duel where both pitchers are dominating the batters and either one of them could get a no hitter or a shutout.
This type of duel would be a classic for baseball fans because they appreciate the strategy and nuances of the game .

In soccer its a tactical game where you break down the other teams tactics.
There aint any video replays ,no timeouts ,no pretzel breaks and other mickey mouse features designed to attract your average knuckledragger in smalltown america !!!!!
American football is mostly played by ghetto blacks in the NFL these days .all the middle-class college boys doing the bitching around here wouldnt last 5 seconds in an american football game most likely so their smacktalk is empty.

[Henkie]

obviously you dont care about games you dont win at...
Sleazy as Steve sounds here, I think he has a point. The Americans need a hero, someone who they can claim as being 'the best' in that sport, someone they can look up to. It's like cycling, for example, that became popular in the US when Lance started winning the Tour de France, so they hadn't heard of Eddy Merckx or Fausto Coppi, but they knew Lance. It's like that with football, as soon as an American player becomes the star at some big team, they'll start watching it, because they avarage american (just like the avarage European) doesn't watch the sport for the tactical nuances or the finesses, but for the hero's kicking asses.

[Toretto]

Sleazy as Steve sounds here, I think he has a point. The Americans need a hero, someone who they can claim as being 'the best' in that sport, someone they can look up to. It's like cycling, for example, that became popular in the US when Lance started winning the Tour de France, so they hadn't heard of Eddy Merckx or Fausto Coppi, but they knew Lance. It's like that with football, as soon as an American player becomes the star at some big team, they'll start watching it, because they avarage american (just like the avarage European) doesn't watch the sport for the tactical nuances or the finesses, but for the hero's kicking asses.
quoted for thruth. Donovan had a good shot at it, but he blew it. The other players are okay, but I don't see any world class players in the U.S. and I think that Freddy Adu is a little bit overrated too, If he was really that good he wouldn't have been benched at his club for most of the time, and he would have been at the world cup.

But it's true, if the Americans had a player they look up to, they'd start appreciating soccer. Someone like Beckham would be perfect for the U.S, he is / was a great player to look up to, and he had that glamour touch the Americans seem to enjoy. Now it's more glamour than playing well for him tough, but that's besides the point...

[Canty]

I think if Americans saw a Premiership (England), Serie A (Italy) or La Liga (Spain) they may enjoy the sport more as we can all admit that the MLS offers very little excitement. I don't know if European matches are shown over there.

[Midfielder1]

:rolleyes: I am from the U.K and lived in America for a while. So I have a unique perspective.(N.Y.C. great city):raiseeyeb :raiseeyeb :raiseeyeb
I am not a genius, but I have seen a lot of posts on here that don't make any sense as to why soccer is not popular in the U.S.A.

I believe I know the major reasons why it is not: First dispell the myths.

1.You can't make lots of money compared to other sports: Not in the U.S. but as mentioned here, overseas you can make lots of $$$$$$$$$$! Trust me I have met Americans that play sport in Europe they love it, living in Europe is fun for foreign atheletes, and eventually you can go home. Money, Eurogirls, easylife. So its not the money!

2. It is a poor persons sport you don't even need a real ball hence the popularity in 3rd world places., but think, so is basketball, a hoop can be made easily and there are millions of hoops in America. To play basketball at the street level is not expensive at all. Many American kids don't have money for tennis lessons.

3. It's a sissy game, this one is funny. Golf is a country clubber sport. Tiger is in great shape but golfers have no physical contact and can have fat guts. Talk about sissy. Tennis players wear little shorts and cry about balls that hit the baseline. Both of these are much more popular in the USA. I respect both, but please. Its not really the sissy aspect.


Maybe you don't agree with these, but on to my main point of view as to why it is not popular in the USA.

1. Low scoring! The USA loves scoring. Basketball, NFL football even baseball while slow has a lot of scoring. Yes, baseball there are no 8-7 scores in soccer each week.

2. No violence. American football very violent, while so is rugby, we like "soccer" better. You don't. If the sport has minimal violence like basketball you need scoring. Hockey is low scoring, but very very tough on the body (including the fights) aka violence.

3. No stars to admire: Kids in the USA don't know Ronaldo, he's not hanging on their wall, Ask a non immigrant 16yr old H.S. kid to name 3 famous soccer players:confused:. Ask most of them to name 2 famous players from the USA or on their own W.C. team!

Lasty: No commercial entertainment. Cheerleaders in mini skirts...no. Lively mascots.....no. Acrobats at halftime.......no.

Americans don't have the patience for it as yet and the sport has had exposure. Pele went to the USA in the 70s. You have had more than 1 soccer league. The women won the world cup. How many universities have soccer teams, a lot.

The exposure is there, unless the attitude changes....It AIN'T becoming popular anytime soon.:cool:

[C EVIL KILL IT]

Midfielder, excellent post! I think its on the money.

I pretty much agree. I'd also add we have no stars because our best athletes won't play it, the reasons you state are why.

[troutofdoom]

Yeah Cricket is better ;)

I'm not trying to say that Soccer is a bad sport, I am trying to tell you why people who grew up in the US aren't drawn towards it. I think I didn't make myself clear on one point. I say football is easy to follow because it works like this:

You get a nice number on the television telling you what down it is and how many yards they need. You don't need to know any rules to know what "3rd and 7" means to the game. There is more scoring, therefore a more user-friendly meter of how each team is doing. Your counterpoint was that soccer has the same thing but you have to watch the nuances to tell what's going on. We're lazy, we want a scoreboard or a commentator to tell us what's going on. That is pretty evident when the most frequent commentary on playstyle is a simple "Carolina just shifted the momentum!".

Anyway, I find the penalty system ridiculous. A penalty kick, which can account for 100% of the scores in a game, for touching someone close to the goal? A red card from a referee 100 feet away? And you can't challenge either call? An offsides called because your guy was faster off the draw than the other team? A guy can dive and cry on the ground to take up half of the stoppage time if his team is ahead?

Please, someone explain the offsides crap to me. If your team kicks it deep, your guy has to wait until the other team moves back for the ball to go after it?

[bionicbuddha]

Soccer is a sport which has relatively no barrier to entry in terms of additional equipment costs or playing surfaces and this tends to "even the playing field" between all countries.

The best athletes are going to, for the most part, gravitate towards sports which compensate for their abilities. It is also difficult for people to feel passionate about a game, when other people around them feel apathy, especially if you already have transferable athletic skills and physical dexterity.

[AsHopeDies]

I think you mean, "Quoted for being 100% accurate and true".

Actually, you, Nick is Cool, and cmacdon are complete and total morons for thinking you know the nature of the nation because your backwoods, moronic highschools and the douche bags you hang out with call the soccer players faggots. You translate that into, "The entire country thinks it's a gay sport and hates it."

To not understand that that is a completely moronic statement and you are making a fool of yourself is laughable. Every sport was popular at the highschool I went to. We would go to practically every game and pull for each other. A lot of the soccer players were 2 sports guys and a lot of them were very popular. You can't make blatant, across-the-board comments based on your ignorance and the ignorance of those you choose to surround yourself with. Maybe you are just lashing out because a soccer player at your school gets more pussy then you do and it makes you feel better to say they are gay and everyone hates them...I dont know.

Point being, if you think it's gay, and the peices of shit you choose to hang out with thinks it's gay, that doesn't mean the country as a whole thinks it's gay.

[Nick is cool]

Sleazy as Steve sounds here, I think he has a point. The Americans need a hero, someone who they can claim as being 'the best' in that sport, someone they can look up to. It's like cycling, for example, that became popular in the US when Lance started winning the Tour de France, so they hadn't heard of Eddy Merckx or Fausto Coppi, but they knew Lance. It's like that with football, as soon as an American player becomes the star at some big team, they'll start watching it, because they avarage american (just like the avarage European) doesn't watch the sport for the tactical nuances or the finesses, but for the hero's kicking asses.



Maybe for some americans this would be true, but im pretty sure for most they dont watch it because watching a soccer game doesnt have 1/10th the excitement of a good football game or basketball game.

[Nick is cool]

Actually, you, Nick is Cool, and cmacdon are complete and total morons for thinking you know the nature of the nation because your backwoods, moronic highschools and the douche bags you hang out with call the soccer players faggots. You translate that into, "The entire country thinks it's a gay sport and hates it."

To not understand that that is a completely moronic statement and you are making a fool of yourself is laughable. Every sport was popular at the highschool I went to. We would go to practically every game and pull for each other. A lot of the soccer players were 2 sports guys and a lot of them were very popular. You can't make blatant, across-the-board comments based on your ignorance and the ignorance of those you choose to surround yourself with. Maybe you are just lashing out because a soccer player at your school gets more pussy then you do and it makes you feel better to say they are gay and everyone hates them...I dont know.

Point being, if you think it's gay, and the peices of shit you choose to hang out with thinks it's gay, that doesn't mean the country as a whole thinks it's gay.




Well of course i wouldnt know if the whole country thinks its gay, but this is how every school ive ever seen or known people from thinks. And i dont think pennsylvania just some how hates soccer and every other state doesnt. And i never said that everyone hates soccer players you dumbass, i said that i know 2 popular soccer players who never talk about it because they would just get made fun of but they still play it and people still like them. Your highschool was pretty fucked up then if they went to every sporting event, even the chess games, tennis, and the golf games :rolleyes:

[Toretto]

Maybe for some americans this would be true, but im pretty sure for most they dont watch it because watching a soccer game doesnt have 1/10th the excitement of a good football game or basketball game.
everyone is entitled to an opinion about soccer. But with statements like that, I officialy take away your right to have an opinion about it:rollseyes

It may not have the same excitement for YOU, but guess what? Most of the world does not agree with you:eek:

[cmacdon]

The majority of Americans don't understand it. They don't see it as interesting because most Americans don't watch sports for the actual playing of the sport, they watch it for the payoff, like a touchdown. The American mind wants to see the goal, but the entertainment is really more in what leads up to the goal.

Guess thats why basketball is so popular in the U.S., there is so much scoring that it can keep their dumb minds interested because it would be to hard for them to grasp the actual playing of the sport.

I'm a hockey fan myself and love watching the game. I think American minds have been soiled by the scoring antics of basketball, football, and baseball to understand a goal scoring sport.

Well said. American football minds love watching the stutter step, the nice block that leads to a touchdown or maybe the QB dodging a defensive linemen's tackle and then launching it up while soccer fans like watching the perfect ball put right through the defender to the striker or the perfect cross that leads to a head ball and in the net.

We all have different interests. I don't watch sports like golf because it's boring to me. If you don't watch soccer because it doesn't catch your attention than so be it. Just don't make up stupid stereotypes that are not true.

[wsuwarrior]

Actually, you, Nick is Cool, and cmacdon are complete and total morons for thinking you know the nature of the nation because your backwoods, moronic highschools and the douche bags you hang out with call the soccer players faggots. You translate that into, "The entire country thinks it's a gay sport and hates it."

To not understand that that is a completely moronic statement and you are making a fool of yourself is laughable. Every sport was popular at the highschool I went to. We would go to practically every game and pull for each other. A lot of the soccer players were 2 sports guys and a lot of them were very popular. You can't make blatant, across-the-board comments based on your ignorance and the ignorance of those you choose to surround yourself with. Maybe you are just lashing out because a soccer player at your school gets more pussy then you do and it makes you feel better to say they are gay and everyone hates them...I dont know.

Point being, if you think it's gay, and the peices of shit you choose to hang out with thinks it's gay, that doesn't mean the country as a whole thinks it's gay.


You couldnt be more wrong. Sorry bud, but soccer isnt popular here, and MOST people, yes, the vast majority think that soccer is a pussy sport. And lets face it, it is the sport of wimps. Sorry foreigners, but it is.


ps...I think its funny that you overseaers throw out pathetic insults like neanderthals and knuckledraggers and blah blah blah to describe the American sports fan. That fact alone is evidence that you are uncapable of holding a decent, mature arguement on the matter. I cite myself the winning of the arguement.

USA - 1
You guys - 0


ps....I scored on a bullshit penalty kick, imagine that.:p

[wils0646]

You couldnt be more wrong. Sorry bud, but soccer isnt popular here, and MOST people, yes, the vast majority think that soccer is a pussy sport. And lets face it, it is the sport of wimps. Sorry foreigners, but it is.


ps...I think its funny that you overseaers throw out pathetic insults like neanderthals and knuckledraggers and blah blah blah to describe the American sports fan. That fact alone is evidence that you are uncapable of holding a decent, mature arguement on the matter. I cite myself the winning of the arguement.

USA - 1
You guys - 0


ps....I scored on a bullshit penalty kick, imagine that.:p

Yea, I'm sure you're the one that makes great arguments :rolleyes:. Cmon, the majority of people in America do not think soccer is a "pussy" sport. It takes high amounts of skill, much like any other sport. The game is definitely fast paced and physical. Guess what, I hate watching soccer too, but God you sound like a fucking moron when you use your sophomoric logic.

[Toretto]

Yea, I'm sure you're the one that makes great arguments :rolleyes:. Cmon, the majority of people in America do not think soccer is a "pussy" sport. It takes high amounts of skill, much like any other sport. The game is definitely fast paced and physical. Guess what, I hate watching soccer too, but God you sound like a fucking moron when you use your sophomoric logic.
a reasonable person, at last. It's cool that you don't like watching soccer; no problem. But saying that it takes no skill, isn't physical, is a pussy sport... and so on, that's just stupid.

[cmacdon]

Yea, I'm sure you're the one that makes great arguments :rolleyes:. Cmon, the majority of people in America do not think soccer is a "pussy" sport. It takes high amounts of skill, much like any other sport. The game is definitely fast paced and physical. Guess what, I hate watching soccer too, but God you sound like a fucking moron when you use your sophomoric logic.

Very well said.

wsuwarrior - Go get something to do. It's like you devoted yourself to the ebaum's Sports page just to let everyone hear your biased and ignorant anti-soccer comments.

Cute avatar too. Makes me wanna go quit soccer right now and become a real man. You must be really into this debate. Lame.

[a7x1337]

We think that soccer is crap basically. Soccer is looked at as a wussy ass gay sport.

Im not just saying that...its the vast opinion of soccer here.
QFT.
besides, it's a little harder to get into when the obviously biased refs fuck the US over at every turn

[Nick is cool]

everyone is entitled to an opinion about soccer. But with statements like that, I officialy take away your right to have an opinion about it:rollseyes

It may not have the same excitement for YOU, but guess what? Most of the world does not agree with you:eek:



Ya, most of the world doesnt, but i never said most of the world did. Im talking about america, this thread is about america but you guys always seem to bring up how the world likes it so much because you cant say anything else

[AsHopeDies]

You couldnt be more wrong. Sorry bud, but soccer isnt popular here, and MOST people, yes, the vast majority think that soccer is a pussy sport. And lets face it, it is the sport of wimps. Sorry foreigners, but it is.

So...you are literally that dillusional that you think you can speak for the "vast majority" of the country? God you are simple.

And i never said that everyone hates soccer players you dumbass

oh yeah?

Soccer is almost considered like male cheerleading here, just everyone hates it and if you play it you will get made fun of no matter how popular you are. Thats pretty much how it goes down in most places in america

oops

[wsuwarrior]

Yea, I'm sure you're the one that makes great arguments :rolleyes:. Cmon, the majority of people in America do not think soccer is a "pussy" sport. It takes high amounts of skill, much like any other sport. The game is definitely fast paced and physical. Guess what, I hate watching soccer too, but God you sound like a fucking moron when you use your sophomoric logic.

Actually the vast majority of sports fans in American DO think that soccer is a pussy sport played by wimps and stickboys who couldnt make the football or baseball team...This isnt just my opinion.

When have I ever said it doesnt take skill. I respect the skill level that pro soccer players have...but thats not what this debate it about anyway. Its about why soccer isnt popular in America....and its because its looked at as a sport of wussies and homos...sorry, but its true.

[Fugitive]

When have I ever said it doesnt take skill. I respect the skill level that pro soccer players have...but thats not what this debate it about anyway. Its about why soccer isnt popular in America....and its because its looked at as a sport of wussies and homos...sorry, but its true.

Your an idiot.

You haven't got a clue, sorry but your wrong, and you will always be, because your so narrow minded.

Your probably gay your self as you talk about homosexuals so much.

[James Bond 007]

Maybe Americans are just ignorant and dont wanna accept anything that isnt American.

Maybe if the players wore padding all over their bodies and there were fireworks and gay horns going off when someone scored a goal and cheerleaders at half time then maybe you would find it more apealing.

Americans did actualy try and stick their noses into football once.... There were calls for helmets and I dont know how true this is but apparently they also said the game should be split into four quaters and there should be time-outs so as to get more commercials crammed in..... FIFA laughed their arses off and basicaly said fuck off.

Flame away, I dont care, you asked a question and I gave MY opinion

[Jimothy51]

Just about every 5-10 year old played in-town soccer when I was younger. Then after that, the people that liked it went on to play travel and continue through high school. The vast majority stop by 10 and pick up baseball or basketball or football or lacrosse. For me, the reason I stopped was because soccer was boring and I was not particularly good at it. Now I only play baseball and I am good enough to start for my varsity team at school.

Maybe if soccer was televised more often, more people would continue playing, but that may not be the case. I did not care for the World Cup. The day the US got eliminated the sporting news for the day went:
1. Larry Brown fired by the Knicks. Isiah Thomas takes over as head coach.
2. Roger Clemens returns to the MLB
3. US eliminated from the World Cup.

[Toretto]

Maybe Americans are just ignorant and dont wanna accept anything that isnt American.

Maybe if the players wore padding all over their bodies and there were fireworks and gay horns going off when someone scored a goal and cheerleaders at half time then maybe you would find it more apealing.

Americans did actualy try and stick their noses into football once.... There were calls for helmets and I dont know how true this is but apparently they also said the game should be split into four quaters and there should be time-outs so as to get more commercials crammed in..... FIFA laughed their arses off and basicaly said fuck off.

Flame away, I dont care, you asked a question and I gave MY opinion
Paddings would be gay, but at most stadions here you have got a song or something like that played afer each goals. The supporters sing along as loud as they can, so it's cool I guess. Oh, and we do have cheerleaders at some games, to entertain the crowd between / before games. More commercials would really kill the sport; I hate how they have commercials right after the first half and just before the second half at the channel that unortunatly broadcasts th world cup here in Belgium.:preachon:

[Nick is cool]

So...you are literally that dillusional that you think you can speak for the "vast majority" of the country? God you are simple.



oh yeah?



oops



Wow you really are retarted, i said "it" referring to soccer, not referring to people who play it.


I cant argue with you anymore, you are too stupid




Edit- Fugitive you cant say shit because the only arguement you have is "american football players are gay/fat" when they are actually 5x stronger/faster then soccer players



And what wsu is saying is pretty accurate to what goes on in america, in schools atleast. Dunno what wils is talking about


And jamesbond, maybe if american football players threw the ball back and forth for an hour and a half you guys would watch it

[wsuwarrior]

Your an idiot.

You haven't got a clue, sorry but your wrong, and you will always be, because your so narrow minded.



IM not calling soccer gay...you guys need to get over that fact.


Im telling why soccer is not popular here...cant you accept that? Americans dont like soccer, we think its a pansy sport. Again, Im not bashing soccer now, Im telling you why we dont like it. Get over it.


Your probably gay your self as you talk about homosexuals so much.

Sounds like somethin a gay dude would say.

[AsHopeDies]

Wow you really are retarted, i said "it" referring to soccer, not referring to people who play it.


I cant argue with you anymore, you are too stupid

Ahh I see, I'm way off base for connecting being considered a male cheerleader, hating your sport, and making fun of you no matter how popular you are as "hating". How crazy of me...my mistake.

And again, WSUWARRIOR, you are not the fucking voice of the country. If your opinions are backed up by the douchebags you hang out with, that does not make them fact. Your theories on why America hasn't embraced soccer are just that, theories and opinions. You have no clue as to what the "vast majority" of the country thinks...on any issue...get over yourself.

[JX252]

Actually the vast majority of sports fans in American DO think that soccer is a pussy sport played by wimps and stickboys who couldnt make the football or baseball team...This isnt just my opinion.

When have I ever said it doesnt take skill. I respect the skill level that pro soccer players have...but thats not what this debate it about anyway. Its about why soccer isnt popular in America....and its because its looked at as a sport of wussies and homos...sorry, but its true.

I really want to deport you.

Seriously, every time you talk you dig yourself into a deeper hole and make yourself look even more ignorant than before; it's a feat that few people can pull off but you manage to do it every single time. Props man, props.

I knew that when I created this thread there was a possibility this would turn into a shitfest about why soccer's gay and how much it sucks, with biased dumbasses like yourself making dipshit comments left and right trying to prove a "point" and represent all of America.

The majority of Americans that I know (and I know quite a few, as I'm sure you do) don't think that soccer is a pussy sport, In fact, if I could describe their feelings toward it, it would be one of apathy. They don't like it or dislike it, but the games don't mean enough for them to spend a few hours in front of a tv watching them. You can't say that the reason a sport didn't catch on in our country is due to the fact that "it's played by wimps and stickboys" because it's not a valid argument. You say that you respect the skill level pros have, but then you contradict yourself by saying that the game is played by wimps. Nobody respects wimps...that's why they're wimps. I think you need to rethink things before you say them.

By the way, if you ever become an American ambassador, I'm moving to Canada.

[JuliaAguilar]

Yes, that is the truth, wsuwarrior, you are wrong. I am American, and while I like soccer, I've never heard anyone say that the sport is full of pussies. And I've lived in several places in this country thanks to Uncle Sam, so I've heard many opinions on the matter. To put it simply, most Americans are indifferent to soccer, most likely because everyone around them is, as well.

[wils0646]

Your guys' pussy sport arguments are really making no sense. It's more physical than baseball is, as there is barely any contact in that sport. It can be argued that it is even more physical than basketball. The athletes in soccer at my former high school were not pussies, because you needed to be in great shape to play that sport.

[Meio]

Lasty: No commercial entertainment. Cheerleaders in mini skirts...no. Lively mascots.....no. Acrobats at halftime.......no.

Can anyone dig up a clip of the fight between the Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) mascot Wolfie and the Bristol City mascots The Three Pigs? I've been looking for a good clip of that for years.
No we don't have cheerleaders, our women are off doing their own thing, the fans do the cheering (or the fucking off early if the team are a disgrace). Do they still do the brass band at the FA cup final?

[JordanSauce]

For most people it is very boring to watch. You watch a soccer game for like 90 minutes, and maybe see 2 or 3 goals. Yippee, that was a fun game.:rollseyes

[AsHopeDies]

I love baseball and you can watch a game for 3 hours and see 1 or 2 runs, plenty of football games only have about 3 scores total, hockey is very similar to soccer in goals scored (the difference is the shots taken). There are small battles and excitement to every sport out there. The only real exception is Basketball, which has the most scoring, and in my opinion is the most boring sport to watch. I find it boring for my own reasons, you may love it, great, have fun. Even if a football game ends 14-7, it might as well be 2-1. The excitement is in the plays and the back and forth. It's the same way in soccer. I'm not saying you should like soccer and I'm not saying you are not allowed to find it boring. But if you think it's boring only for the lack of scoring, I'd be remiss to not point out the similarities of scoring in soccer to baseball, football, and hockey.

[Nick is cool]

I love baseball and you can watch a game for 3 hours and see 1 or 2 runs, plenty of football games only have about 3 scores total, hockey is very similar to soccer in goals scored (the difference is the shots taken). There are small battles and excitement to every sport out there. The only real exception is Basketball, which has the most scoring, and in my opinion is the most boring sport to watch. I find it boring for my own reasons, you may love it, great, have fun. Even if a football game ends 14-7, it might as well be 2-1. The excitement is in the plays and the back and forth. It's the same way in soccer. I'm not saying you should like soccer and I'm not saying you are not allowed to find it boring. But if you think it's boring only for the lack of scoring, I'd be remiss to not point out the similarities of scoring in soccer to baseball, football, and hockey.




I agree with you, but it isnt the scoring that we dont like, its when they arent scoring its not fun to watch. Theres no plays or strategy. If you played football you can relate to every play there is, and with that you get a bonus of hard hits, great catches, touchdown dances (well not anymore), people juking eachother out, a whole bunch of exciting stuff. In soccer (and yes i have watched a few games) the only exciting things are goals and attempted goals, which dont happen that much.

[wils0646]

I agree with you, but it isnt the scoring that we dont like, its when they arent scoring its not fun to watch. Theres no plays or strategy. If you played football you can relate to every play there is, and with that you get a bonus of hard hits, great catches, touchdown dances (well not anymore), people juking eachother out, a whole bunch of exciting stuff. In soccer (and yes i have watched a few games) the only exciting things are goals and attempted goals, which dont happen that much.

What about baseball? Don't you like a great pitching duel between two aces?

[AsHopeDies]

I agree with you, but it isnt the scoring that we dont like, its when they arent scoring its not fun to watch. Theres no plays or strategy. If you played football you can relate to every play there is, and with that you get a bonus of hard hits, great catches, touchdown dances (well not anymore), people juking eachother out, a whole bunch of exciting stuff. In soccer (and yes i have watched a few games) the only exciting things are goals and attempted goals, which dont happen that much.

Can you not see that people who enjoy the game, see the passing, the moves, the challenges, the attempted through balls, the field switches, the fouls, etc. in the same way you see hits, catches, etc.

Like I said, there are small aspects of each sport that are exciting. I love baseball, people hate it. People love basketball, I hate it. Some love football, some hate it.

I really don't think the makeup of the sport is what is a fault here. It's the fact that our national sports market is already flooded with baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. And soccer cannot break into that market until they get better athletes in the MLS. (I heard a rumor about Beckham and Ronaldo coming to play in America, although I think that's bullshit.) But they will always have trouble getting the best athletes in the country playing soccer because it's just not popular enough. It's not the money, it's not the game, it's the popularity. And the lack of popularity is due to an over saturated market in America for sports right now.

[wsuwarrior]

Sorry guys but heres a summary of what American sports fans think about soccer...again, im sorry that you cannot accept the truth.

American view of soccer = boring, soft sport that consists of very little action, and a lot of kicking and short shorts.

American view of soccer players = skinny, frail, and weak individuals that would get laughed off a football or baseball team. Also viewed as weirdos and outcasts for wanting to be associated with such a dumb sport.

Disclaimer:
The opinions stated in this post are not necessarily the opinions of the poster, and may not be quoted without the expressed written consent of both wsuwarrior and Major League Baseball.

[Squibbles]

The only time i watch soccer is on the Spanich channel to hear them say, "GGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLL."

[Nick is cool]

What about baseball? Don't you like a great pitching duel between two aces?



I actually dont watch baseball.




@ ashopedies, i can understand what your saying but i dont know how you guys like the kinda stuff about soccer that you do.

[cmacdon]

Sorry guys but heres a summary of what American sports fans think about soccer...again, im sorry that you cannot accept the truth.

American view of soccer = boring, soft sport that consists of very little action, and a lot of kicking and short shorts.

American view of soccer players = skinny, frail, and weak individuals that would get laughed off a football or baseball team. Also viewed as weirdos and outcasts for wanting to be associated with such a dumb sport.

Disclaimer:
The opinions stated in this post are not necessarily the opinions of the poster, and may not be quoted without the expressed written consent of both wsuwarrior and Major League Baseball.

Ha....ha.

You are so fucking stupid. It's actually entertaining.

You go off saying that these are the typical stereotype than use a lame joke claiming it is your opinion. Congradufuckinglations dumbass.

Soccer players in America are looked as soft, but you just had to go on adding your little hateful thoughts. Outcasts? No. Weirdos? No.

You're a bright one huh. I could picture you as the big typical American hick offensive lineman who looks down on fags, niggers and any other race. How's that stereotype for ya pal?

[AsHopeDies]

Sorry guys but heres a summary of what American sports fans think about soccer...again, im sorry that you cannot accept the truth.

American view of soccer = boring, soft sport that consists of very little action, and a lot of kicking and short shorts.

American view of soccer players = skinny, frail, and weak individuals that would get laughed off a football or baseball team. Also viewed as weirdos and outcasts for wanting to be associated with such a dumb sport.

Disclaimer:
The opinions stated in this post are not necessarily the opinions of the poster, and may not be quoted without the expressed written consent of both wsuwarrior and Major League Baseball.

Seriously man, you aren't responding to anyone's post directly, you aren't answering any questions that are asked of you. You just continuously spout off your diahrea of the mouth and then claim it to be fact, you are a fucking joke. You've basically posted the same post about 8 times in this thread, which changing or adding anything. Seriously, shut the fuck up now.

[Meio]

@wusu: LOL. Right, now what do you think?

I agree with you, but it isnt the scoring that we dont like, its when they arent scoring its not fun to watch. Theres no plays or strategy. If you played football you can relate to every play there is, and with that you get a bonus of hard hits, great catches, touchdown dances (well not anymore), people juking eachother out, a whole bunch of exciting stuff. In soccer (and yes i have watched a few games) the only exciting things are goals and attempted goals, which dont happen that much.

Addressing these points in turn:

No plays or strategy - So a play is a set sequence of moves to attempt some outcome? Then Association Football (Footy) has them all the time, think corners and freekicks. Strategy is huge in Footy, it's the whole game. In fact players and managers have to understand a range of tactical and strategic situations and respond accordingly in real-time. Have you ever wondered what 442, 352, 433, sweeper system, flat back 4, holding player, or any number of other terms are refering to?

Relating - I think that's what most people on here have been saying for about 3 pages of this thread. You've not played Footy and therefore cannot relate, as Dewey would say, you don't know how to experience it.

Hits - players get tackled in Footy. Ever seen a player go from full sprint to diving in with both feet? Watch some English Premiership local derbys, you'll see players flying all over the place.

Great catches - Well there's the obvious of great saves by goalies, but what about where, for example a player receives a long ball to feet at pace (say down half the length of the pitch) and perfectly 'catches' it with his foot and brings it under immediate control?

Dancing - I understand it's massively frowned on in American Football now to the point of banning. Never mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XREVYXO-5cQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3nqS2E4vbQ
That 1st example is also after a good 'play', or what we'd call a 'set piece'.

What the hell is Juking anyway?

[wsuwarrior]

Um..completely false?



Ok you guys win...Im wrong..Youre right. Soccer in America is viewed as an entertaining, fast paced sport, played by the manliest of men. If you dont play soccer you are viewed as a pussy wussy. Which is why its so damn popular here.:rolleyes:

[cmacdon]

Um..completely false?



Ok you guys win...Im wrong..Youre right. Soccer in America is viewed as an entertaining, fast paced sport, played by the manliest of men. If you dont play soccer you are viewed as a pussy wussy. Which is why its so damn popular here.:rolleyes:

Still didn't learn to read huh?

We never were claiming what the view of soccer was in America. Most know people have no interest and favor football and baseball over it.

You're just an ignorant piece of shit who claims whatever comes across your brain is fact.

Be sarcastic all you want. However I hope you grow up eventually and learn that you're not always right.

[wsuwarrior]

but im right this time:)

[cmacdon]

but im right this time:)

lol..........no

[Nick is cool]

@wusu: LOL. Right, now what do you think?



Addressing these points in turn:

No plays or strategy - So a play is a set sequence of moves to attempt some outcome? Then Association Football (Footy) has them all the time, think corners and freekicks. Strategy is huge in Footy, it's the whole game. In fact players and managers have to understand a range of tactical and strategic situations and respond accordingly in real-time. Have you ever wondered what 442, 352, 433, sweeper system, flat back 4, holding player, or any number of other terms are refering to?

Relating - I think that's what most people on here have been saying for about 3 pages of this thread. You've not played Footy and therefore cannot relate, as Dewey would say, you don't know how to experience it.

Hits - players get tackled in Footy. Ever seen a player go from full sprint to diving in with both feet? Watch some English Premiership local derbys, you'll see players flying all over the place.

Great catches - Well there's the obvious of great saves by goalies, but what about where, for example a player receives a long ball to feet at pace (say down half the length of the pitch) and perfectly 'catches' it with his foot and brings it under immediate control?

Dancing - I understand it's massively frowned on in American Football now to the point of banning. Never mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XREVYXO-5cQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3nqS2E4vbQ
That 1st example is also after a good 'play', or what we'd call a 'set piece'.

What the hell is Juking anyway?


Other then those kicks when they are out of bounds i rarely see any type of play being formed, they might have those plays like you said but they seem kinda impossible to execute when someone might just steal the ball from you, not really strategic plays like american football. Hits arent close to being the same because in soccer you have to be crafty and tackle them with your feet and im not sure about this but i think if you do it wrong you get a yellow card or something? In american football they do anything they can to get the player down other then facemasking and tripping, making it more exciting to watch the hits (IMO) because there is major contact of 2 very strong players and its always fun to watch one get owned very badly. Juking is like sidestepping, think of someone running full speed at you and you running at them and you stepping to the side, faking them out and you keep running but this at alot faster pace.