As a major soccer fan, I've encountered some adversity towards the sport over my lifetime. There seems to be a large population of people in this country who deny the sport because there is a lack of masculinity in the game. Granted, I understand that soccer players aren't the titans of the NFL, however, there are plenty of awesome things about the sport that may go unnoticed at the surface level.
1. The Drinking Culture If you wander into a bar on the afternoon of a hometown game, you'll witness a fantastic drinking spectacle as pints are being pounded in every corner of the pub while people are singing and cheering in the name of 100 years of tradition and athletics. With tailgate culture slowly being killed by police and municipalities, this is a huge plus for me.
2. The SongsI hate to criticize American football because I love the sport so much, but cheers such as "defense (clap clap)" and "here we go Cowboys, here we go," sound absolutely cheesy compared to soccer songs such as "we are the drunk and disorderly" and "fuck off Chealsea FC, you ain't got no history."
3. HooliganismNow, I'm not saying this a fantastic thing to be happy about, but watch a youtube documentary on the massive street fights between "firms" who represent their city's soccer team. It's an amazing subculture of the sport that would captivate any street fight fan for at least an hour.
4. The WAGsShort for "wives and girlfriends," these guys have a knack for beautiful women
Why don't Americans like soccer?
Comments (90)
Because it's a sport that takes skill, but Americans refuse to see this, because "You can't use your hands & only idiots would play that"
I've had this argument many times, unfortunately. I've challenged many people to a match as well, but most refuse cuz they know they will lose.
I dnt like soccer
Don't know but definitely my favorite sport!
I'm not big on any sports really...I lack the skills :|
I LOVE futbol!
Every time when the FIFA world cup rolls by, I stay up all night and cheer for Brasil!
If you want to enjoy futbol, watch it narrated in Spanish. Much more energetic and AWESOME.
- Kunoichi
I'm commenting merely to say IT'S CALLED FOOTBALL!!!!!!
You could've at least gotten that right. Yeah I know they use "soccer" in America. But you've posted a pic of 2 english players, at least use correct terminology. Thanks. Bye.
as an american, i really don't understand why soccer is not as big of a deal as american football. it is gaining some ground though, there will be two new MLS teams playing in the spring. :)
I've read somewhere that suggested perhaps it's because of the outlook on american sports. Baseball, American Football, Basketball -- what do they all have in common? Individuals. They are games that focus on an individual's action -- that one man who's leading team, that one person who surpassed all the rest in terms of statistics.
Soccer? It's a collective sport. One guy can't run up and down an entire soccer field all by himself. He can't play offense, defense, and goalie all at the same time. He's gotta lay back and wait till its his time to act.
Not sure if it has anything to do with cultural perspective, but I thought this was an interesting way to view it.
@NoHeroesForTomorrow@xanga - Interesting concept and while I agree for the most part there are a few individuals who step up and become famous like Beckham. And I'm pretty sure there are a few names that stand out in famous uk clubes such as on Man U and Chelsey
As for my take:
Americans
don't like soccer because unlike other sports there are so many
different leagues and levels of professional soccer it is hard to keep
track of teams and games. From world cup to Olympic, college, regional
national and international competitions/leagues its way too much going
on.
Other sports are simpler to follow, they have a college circuit,
minor/major leagues, & Olympics/qualifiers and a few independent
tournaments.
If
they would organize the American soccer scene and promote it like they
do the MLB, NBA and NFL (or even organize it the way they do with the
UK soccer clubs) with they would have better success.
@NoHeroesForTomorrow@xanga - That actually makes a lot of sense. I've played both soccer and basketball and I can see this being one of the 'unconscious' reasons for it.
tradition...
soccer is a better game.the us culture also is made to be boring....then again i'm not a fan of watching others play period, though interesting cheers might redeem it.... i'll save that joy for when i'm old and boring.
1. Because most Americans can't run on the pitch for that long.
2. It's not an "American sport" like baseball, basketball or American football.3. They don't understand it.4. They lack the skills.I'm American myself, and I honestly don't see the appeal in American football. It's like rugby for pansies. After catching an Australian rugby match while in HK awhile back, I think it's a much more "manly" sport than the purported "manliness" of American football.
Americans like football and WWE and NASCAR
@isingstupidsongs@xanga - :)
soccer just has too much competition in the states....mlb, nfl, nba, college football and basketball...not to mention nascar, pro-wrestling, and ufc lol
@lenybobsyouruncle@xanga - "US culture is made to be boring?" maybe where you live...
i'm thinking maybe it's because we like to do our own thing and think we're too cool to be like everyone else? but i really don't get it either. i grew up in a soccer family, so i love to watch it.
Maybe because the UK just does it so much better.
But I'll say that I know Americans who like Association Football more than I do.
OHH HOW I LOVE SOCCER SONGS! Rangers F.C!
Hey now! Don't lump all Americans in this catagory! I for one love the true football! This sport takes true skill! Also, I don't understand why everyone is putting down Americans for not liking this sport, just because the majority of Americans don't like football doesn't mean they lack skill in anything. Just thought I would put in my two cents.
because we know other people can beat us in it easily
America has other sports that occupy the lime light; baseball, basketball, football... there's just no room for soccer to become a major obsession because there's not enough of a marketplace. America is just now barely grasping onto hockey.
You also have to think about the difference between sports the majority of Americans like versus soccer; in soccer, players go through a lot of activity and plays mostly in vain. The scores in soccer games usually run pretty low. It's not a lack of sophistication or intelligence on America's part, it's just the cultural attitude the people of the country have where they want to see the actions result in points.
Personally, I like soccer. It's a shame more people don't in America because their men's and women's teams are really actually decent. The women's USA team took gold in the Olympics.
they're too busy obsessing over american football. which is lame.
Because you can't use your hands. It's too hard of a concept.
@BranmacFeabhail@xanga - Compared to the rest of the world the US is pretty boring.