WORLD CUP

[MJZiggy]

This is when the kids in the league who lived and breathed soccer began to excel and really outpace his marginal interest and lack of outside practice. In a different league (read more expensive) he might have been brought along differently, but this is also about the time he found science, math, his bike and tennis.

[Scott Campbell]

I went to a major league soccer game on Saturday. How the hell did this ever become the most popular sport in the world?

[wootah]

I went to a major league soccer game on Saturday. How the hell did this ever become the most popular sport in the world?

That's a good question, Scott. I think because it's accessible to all types of players due to the wide range of skills (you don't have to be big and fast and strong) and the only thing you need is a ball or something like that. It's more fun if you have an opponent, but if not, you can just train your skills by juggling the ball.

I remember when I was about 8 years old and we weren't allowed anymore to play with a proper ball on our playground at school. We then just played with an empty can of soda during each break.

Try to play it yourself, it really is a fun game. I don't know a whole lot about MLS, but if you want to see the best of the best: watch a game of Barcelona.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT2mGDGrxYE

They're insanely good.

[Freak Out]

Good stuff wootah.....can't argue with that.

The goal at 2:30 is just a thing of beauty....Messi is so good.

[Deputy Nutz]

soccer makes me puke

[red]

I went to a major league soccer game on Saturday. How the hell did this ever become the most popular sport in the world?

you gotta wake up early on saturdays starting next month.

espn2 always shows one of the premiere league games. to me the atmosphere at the european games is better then the actual games. i like listening to whole crowds chanting and singing their teams songs

and the pyro shows that the fans in greece and turkey put on are just amazing

this is when the team takes the field

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNO2eFoj1cI&feature=related

here's another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv5Q_mhEIc4&feature=related

and my favorite in england

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeH3o_2NRE0

[Bretsky]

I keep wondering which thread is worse..... a soccer thread or the Brett Favre thread

[wootah]

I've never understood the aversion that some American guys have for soccer. I get that if you're used to basketball you may find it boring because the pace is slower, like others may find the pace of golf, baseball or cycling too slow. Yet only for soccer the loathing needs to be expressed clearly and repeatedly.

Is soccer bashing a generally accepted way of proclaiming your own toughness or something? Or does the sport need to be marginalized because the Americans aren't exceptionally good at it?

[sooner6600]

Soccer is like runny cheese. Some like it. Some don't. It has mold. Fifa is corrupt. So there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did enjoy the FA Cup many years ago while in England. Nill Nill ; then overtime. Whew! what a waste of a good Saturday.

[Bretsky]

my apathy for soccer is also felt for golf and cycling fwiw and people I know would profess that I don't show it anymore than the other sports fwiw. I don't love baseball but I sometimes watch games. I think with soccer most are really into it or it's miserably boring in the US.

[MJZiggy]

I've never understood the aversion that some American guys have for soccer. I get that if you're used to basketball you may find it boring because the pace is slower, like others may find the pace of golf, baseball or cycling too slow. Yet only for soccer the loathing needs to be expressed clearly and repeatedly.

Is soccer bashing a generally accepted way of proclaiming your own toughness or something? Or does the sport need to be marginalized because the Americans aren't exceptionally good at it?

I think the vocalization of the antipathy is simply in response to the worldwide obsession. They just don't get what the fuss is about, but so many adore the sport that they feel they need to defend not liking it. I do prefer to play soccer than to watch it, but every week we go to this little pho joint that always has soccer on the TVs and if I run into it while channel surfing, I'll watch.

[Scott Campbell]

I've never understood the aversion that some American guys have for soccer. I get that if you're used to basketball you may find it boring because the pace is slower, like others may find the pace of golf, baseball or cycling too slow. Yet only for soccer the loathing needs to be expressed clearly and repeatedly.

Is soccer bashing a generally accepted way of proclaiming your own toughness or something? Or does the sport need to be marginalized because the Americans aren't exceptionally good at it?

I sincerely just don't understand the worldwide appeal. Nothing personal.

[Deputy Nutz]

my apathy for soccer is also felt for golf and cycling fwiw and people I know would profess that I don't show it anymore than the other sports fwiw. I don't love baseball but I sometimes watch games. I think with soccer most are really into it or it's miserably boring in the US.

For some reason I have an addiction to watching golf. I am Tiger Woods guy and no player that I remember seeing was ever that dominate in the game where he is expected to win everytime he goes out on the tee box. He brought an energy, determination, and intensity unlike any other golfer. It was like he was amping himself up to play 3 hours as a middle linebacker for the Ravens. It was his will to win that was captivating. He still has it, but his head and leg are all fucked up.

I am sure their is some asshole in shin guards running around with the same intensity and determination but they bore the fuck out of me. Let me tell ya I played soccer for one summer down in North Carolina and that sports difficulty meter is like a 3. Sure juggling the ball and passing and shooting are skills that take a long time to master, but flat out speed, and defense is pretty much all one needs to dominate the game.

[wootah]

Let me tell ya I played soccer for one summer down in North Carolina and that sports difficulty meter is like a 3. Sure juggling the ball and passing and shooting are skills that take a long time to master, but flat out speed, and defense is pretty much all one needs to dominate the game.

Come on now, speed & defense will help you as much in soccer as it does in football; it's a big part of it, but no matter what Al Davis keeps telling you, it's not the only thing. Good soccer is all about ball control (!!), positioning & passing. No matter how fast you are, if you have no control over the ball, you suck. And it takes years & years of training to perfect this. Check out these FANTASTIC pieces of skill in the videos below.

I don't care if you like soccer or not, anyone who likes sports has got to admire the beauty of this.

[red]

funny story about americans hating soccer. last year my uncle came to visit me, he's a big nascar type of guy. never watched soccer, never wanted to. it was during the world cup, and after he watched the first game with me, i couldn't keep him from watching every other game.

i think americans need high point totals, and lots of scoring . we need a more fast paced game. also i think people do hate the game because the rest of the world loves it and is better at it then us. i think maybe they also see it as more of a kids game. thats why almost every kid plays it when they are young and love it, but eventually move on to something else as they get older