The Truth is that Soccer is a Novelty sport. Sure it is played by children nationwide, but it isn't a top attendance sport like baseball, football, or hockey. Aside from the high ticket prices, collapsing lodging prices, and the Political turmoil surrounding the tournament, Americans simply don't care. Before talking about England, the author does talk about the New York Sports Scene with 17 pages combined (NY Times, Post, and Newsday) devoted to Basketball and Baseball. This includes a warning about what could happen if the Knicks clinch the NBA Championship.
In contrast, there was more than enough hype for the 1994 World Cup. It was the first one held in the United States and built upon decades of promotion. Based on personal experience, I remember there was so much hype for the World Cup that one couldn't escape it. Plus ticket sales for this cup were so successful that stadiums across the country were sold out. It was a novelty event which was held for the first time in the States.
As for this year's world cup and the 2928 Olympics. I honestly believe that the White Hats might have had a hand in the selection of the United States to host both events. This was done to expose the politics of FIFA and the International Olympic Committee. As the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino is controlling both the World Cup and the Olympic Soccer Tournaments. Even the name Infantino screams White Hat as it screams infant. What are infants? Babies that kick and scream until they get their way. That was the case with Gianni Infantino who wanted a 48 team Men's World Cup. As far as the World Cup is concerned, the big scandal is that there will likely be too many groups and too many teams advancing to the knock-out rounds. This is on top of everything else including FIFA's treatment of Iran. My prediction is that a huge scandal will develop that will force FIFA to withdraw from the Olympic Movement. As for the tournament I hope England wins in support of Henry Novak and moons the government during the celebration.
Americans love American sports. Plain and simple. And we don't like being financially drained in order to enjoy our sports, either.
Sports salaries need a drastic pay cut. I love Patrick Mahomes, but he is not worth his contract.
Ed Zachary. Soccer, aside from children playing it in school, didn't really take off here.
I saw signs indicating later this month "expect delays" because Whirled Cup is gonna be in Philly...
I'd put money on F1, if swapped out for the Whirled Cup, would attract more fans...
u/#racingtrump
I always wondered, why was a game created where we cant use our hands? We have opposable thumbs, and have built great things with our hands. So why is there a game like soccer?
Soccer was likely created as a test of footwork and it sort of makes sense as the best players can handle the ball well.
Ballroom, ballet, and Irish step dance are tests of footwork.
It takes tremendous skill to control the ball. That is why Germany won the 2014 World Cup and why Brazil won in 1994. In the latter, Italy's Roberto Baggio's kick, at the end of penalties, sailed over the net. In the 2014 example, Brazil just couldn't control the ball and it led to Germany scoring 7 goals in that game.
I still think there's something off with that 2014 game's steamroller score...
It was banned in medieval times as it was so popular, it stopped the compulsory archery practice ordered by the barons
I never got into soccer or ice soccer (hockey). Just something that we were never brought up with. It was baseball and football. And until the refs started overtly deciding the winner, I used to watch basketball. That ended in the 80's/90's.
Ice soccer...Kek!
One good example. Michael Jordan was likely traveling when he took his final shot in a Bulls uniform during game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
Soccer:
The fastest growing sport in America for the past 40 years....🤣🤣
Because it was so heavily promoted. What happens AFTER grade school?
I have never met a soccer fan that did not have a child playing.
You haven't met a Chelsea Headhunter then.
I have not, I must live a sheltered life!
Screw FIFA and the "World Cup". Other than junior and high school, no one really cares about soccer.
And it is usually "my kid is king or queen of the pitch."
How do you really feel? Kek. I feel the same. When I was in elementary school there never was a soccer ball on the playground or during recess. We had a harder pink ball we threw at each other, like a game of tag. Junior and high school, once again no soccer balls. Football, basketball, and baseball were the main sports. Some of the kids had a hacky sack and they used it pretty well but it never carried over to soccer. I only began watching soccer about ten years ago and kinda followed ManU. Was impressed by the footwork but the game itself was dull. Heck, it seemed every time two players came in close proximity one would fall down and grab their leg like it was broken. Such divas. I dont watch it anymore because of the boredom. I'd rather watch the All Blacks perform the Haka before a rugby match.
Me too! I love watching a Haka.
Well on USA, perhaps, but not is the case around the world. There's too many fans of this type of Football liked by many South Americans.
Man I can stand soccer for some reason. My two sons played it..I was there. I helped practice with them. But I truly do dislike that sport. And I’m seeing all these ads and clips of Shakira and some Speed fellas music for the world tour!…I’m like, when does football season start! I’m watching baseball in the meantime, Baseball! And softball. Sheesh. End this misery! LoL.
I played a little inter murals in college and in England. Played men’s league in Idaho. Big there. After planting several players into the ground going for 50-50 balls, the other team would just let me have the ball. Think linebacker professional speed and size playing with guys well under 200 lbs. It was a rag tag base team, but we won the championship most years. I do get frustrated at our teams’ lack of understanding of ball spin. Especially back spin. And I hate the other teams going for our team’s ankles or from behind. Real men obliterate the other player face to face. We should play a sweeper as a designated enforcer.
Its an international sport, played all over the world by hundred of millions of souls. A novelty sport? It is a top attendance sport, the biggest there is.
You are right, but soccer is a novelty in the United States. This is reflected in the TV coverage as the sport is covered by FOX Sports and ESPN for major tournaments with TNT covering the US Men's and Women's teams. The MLS can be found on FOX as well. Outside of that, you don't get any soccer coverage on print and internet unless you know where to look.
FIFA's World Cup and the Olympics use the same model of corruption. They bleed the host nations dry and all you get in return is rich foreigners watching soccer, a little bit of "prestige" and huge government debt.