Afternoon, will try and keep this brief as no-one really likes to read a long article... but just a couple of observations on what could be a turning point in popularity of football in the US.
I know some will think: 'Why should we care?' What's the obsession - particularly with the media - whether it's popular or not with the Americans??
I must admit, I've always been concerned that should it ever become THAT popular, you'll see a lot more investment in their league which could, in an extreme circumstance, lead to the downfall of quality in the European game as big players WILL go there - money talks. Can you see within the next 20 years, a Cristiano Ronaldo-type global star going to the MLS at their peak? If the trend continues, I can.
Second point: It says a lot about the current state of the English team that the Americans - whilst historically being scoffed at for not warming to the idea of football as a national sport, or having the household names like Rooney and Gerrard - can show the passion and desire to go as far as they did at this World Cup.
Last night Belgium certainly deserved their victory on the balance of play, but you couldn't fault the spirit the Americans displayed, especially in that second half of extra time when they somehow found the energy to lay siege to the Belgian goal - I'm sure I wasn't alone in willing them to find that equaliser that would've taken the game to penalties.
'Soccer' And The USA
posted on 3/7/14
comment by RedandBlacksocks (U10609)
posted 6 hours, 5 minutes ago
Finally seems that at least some arrogant and parochial Englishmen are awakening to the fact that the USA is actually embracing football (or SOCCER as it is known in many parts of the world outside jolly olde England) and addressing their fear that the yanks will someday be a real force in the game.
I said a long time ago, I can see the US getting to a World Cup Final (and possibly winning it) before ever England do again. Nothing that has happened since convinces me to change that opinion.
The problem with British players is that there simply is no hunger in their make up any more. They have 'got it made' so to speak. The best players are at the best clubs, getting paid in the millions and put on a pedestal by adoring fans and the darling media. Compare that to players from South America, Africa and, yes, even the USA, all with something to prove, all with a desire to better themselves and their families and fight their way out of the ghettos and favelas. In the case of the Americans, the motivation they get from those idiotic football snobs that look down their noses at them and their sports, drives them on to a level that English players left behind decades ago.
I am a big fan of the United States & its diverse cultures, however the USA has largely been very insular when it comes to team sports.
Who else could have a World Series in a sport that only two countries play on any good level?
American Football is also only played at any level in the USA...............................................
Association Football (to give it its correct name) is played in virtually every country in the World & I believe that something like 200 "countries" start off in the qualifying groups.
Just to clarify, there are only 193 UN recognised countries so how do we get 200+ entering the World Cup?
Simple..............................Certain countries like Taiwan for instance are not recognised for political reasons (upsetting the Chinese?) & then there are smaller places like Gibraltar etc who whilst entering a team do not have UN Status.
The reason the USA has been so insular is possibly driven by the fact that it is really 50 countries in one. Each State is in itself a free governing entity with its own regional laws & police forces. There are Federal laws & taxes, however States generally run themselves.
The other thing to remember this is a vast country with a population of some 300 million, and latest reports suggest that less than 30% hold passports & that fewer than that have ever left continental North America.
posted on 3/7/14
He did not come from Russia, He is Ozil or is it Ew-zil, maybe its Or-zil…no hang on its Ert-zi, oh whatever he is an Arsenal player....all you need to know (U6483)
-----------------------------------
Pretty much wrong on all counts.
WTF?.it's called football...it was called football before any American sports were thought of. It's the oldest domestic sport in the world.
Not really. The MCC was formed before the FA in England, so it's not even the oldest " official " sport in England. But going back further, combat sports, atheltics, archery etc were being contested in organised tournaments long before anyone had ever even thought of football.
It's fücking FOOTBALL, usr use your feet...self explanatory really.
The term " football " comes from it being a sport that's played " on foot " to distinguish it fom the mounted sports the aristocracy played like polo. You were allowed to use your hands in early football games. As such, Rugby, Aussie Rules, American Football, Gaelic Football etc are all perfectly entitled to refer to their primary code as " football "
Unlike that American Rugby game, or the male rounders or the male netball sport the tanks play....
Baseball was being played professionally in the US before the F.A. existed via the NABBP in 1858.
Also Soccer is an English term that was used to differentiate between the 2 codes of football in Britain at the time Rugby / Ruger and Association / Soccer. Each country uses football to refer to their most prevalent code and it's perfectly fine to use soccer to refer to Association football in the context of it being a minority sport.
posted on 3/7/14
Genius Greaves is 100% behind Poch! (U1302)
---------------------------------------------------------
Who else could have a World Series in a sport that only two countries play on any good level?
I think it's funny that since the Baseball world cup started, the U.S. have only won like 4 of them and Cuba have like 20 something.
posted on 3/7/14
Genius Greaves may I ask why you're bumming the Americans for? Colombia are a lot better then USA smaller country and no one hates them. USA are a bunch of twaaaats that go around bullying other countries just because they know they can. Now stop bumming the Americans you twaaaaat
posted on 3/7/14
comment by BIGIRISHGOONER (U8171)
posted 3 hours, 6 minutes ago
Genius Greaves is 100% behind Poch! (U1302)
---------------------------------------------------------
Who else could have a World Series in a sport that only two countries play on any good level?
----------------------------------------------------------
As my previous post suggested I am not a fan of American sport and do hate the fact they assume the whole world loves their sport over anyone elses.
I have family in America who could not believe I could not name any NFL players.....they assumed all the world just watched their sport.
But with regards to the Baseball world series, its called this as it was original sponsored by a newspaper called the World (or World Series)......
posted on 3/7/14
But with regards to the Baseball world series, its called this as it was original sponsored by a newspaper called the World (or World Series)......
----------------------------
Urban Legend.
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/worldseries.asp
posted on 3/7/14
comment by He did not come from Russia, He is Ozil or is it Ew-zil, maybe its Or-zil…no hang on its Ert-zi, oh whatever he is an Arsenal player....all you need to know (U6483)
posted 21 hours, 55 minutes ago
comment by RedandBlacksocks (U10609)
posted 6 hours, 5 minutes ago
Finally seems that at least some arrogant and parochial Englishmen are awakening to the fact that the USA is actually embracing football (or SOCCER as it is known in many parts of the world outside jolly olde England) and addressing their fear that the yanks will someday be a real force in the game.
I said a long time ago, I can see the US getting to a World Cup Final (and possibly winning it) before ever England do again. Nothing that has happened since convinces me to change that opinion.
The problem with British players is that there simply is no hunger in their make up any more. They have 'got it made' so to speak. The best players are at the best clubs, getting paid in the millions and put on a pedestal by adoring fans and the darling media. Compare that to players from South America, Africa and, yes, even the USA, all with something to prove, all with a desire to better themselves and their families and fight their way out of the ghettos and favelas. In the case of the Americans, the motivation they get from those idiotic football snobs that look down their noses at them and their sports, drives them on to a level that English players left behind decades ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
WTF?.it's called football...it was called football before any American sports were thought of. It's the oldest domestic sport in the world. It's fücking FOOTBALL, usr use your feet...self explanatory really. Unlike that American Rugby game, or the male rounders or the male netball sport the tanks play....
----------------------------------------------------------------------
this
posted on 4/7/14
"...he did not come from Russia, he is Ozil...."
.....for God's sake sunshine grow up! What's in a name as long as you know what is meant? You obviously know that the word 'soccer'...(OMG, I can just see you now, rolling on the ground having convulsions!)...means football (or fitba' in my native dialect)...so what is the big deal?
If that's all you have to be concerned about in this world we live in, you must be a very self-centred individual.
As I say, grow up.
posted on 4/7/14
Arsenal_49
Genius Greaves may I ask why you're bumming the Americans for? Colombia are a lot better then USA smaller country and no one hates them. USA are a bunch of twaaaats that go around bullying other countries just because they know they can. Now stop bumming the Americans you twaaaaat
What a stupid, narrow minded idiot you are?
Have you ever been to the States? And where am I bumming them up?
You are obviously devoid of any intelligence whatsoever, read my post again, it states facts not childish retorts such as yours!
posted on 4/7/14
Yes I have been to the States before why is that relevant? again explain to me why you're up there backside so much for?