Why isn't soccer popular in the US?
Why? I don't know, but I'm thinking 1-to-nothing scores, and baseball's dominance in the big northern markets and it's similarity to hockey and basketball in those areas might have something to do with it. Maybe it's just 1-0 or 1-1 decided by penalty kicks is the reason. Maybe it just isn't particularly well suited to TV coverage. I played soccer as a youngster during summers 30-35 years ago. I also played Lacrosse and I have very little interest in watching either. Neither is looking like it is going to be very big in the states in a professional league... but it could happen. 
Why do you think it hasn't caught on? |
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| We're too involved in NFL, NBA and MLB. It would be a LONNG time before there is enough room for soccer to come close to competing with them, especially with the marriage that is the NFL & ESPN. Europeans aren't brought up w/football, so they see it much as we see soccer: boring and mostly pointless.
I also want to add that we don't have the attention span for the sport. My husband would say its sad b/c he loves the sport, but we tend to like faster paced games with more rules, strategy, and formation. Many Americans view soccer as kick, run, kick, kick, run... |
| I chose football over soccer when I had to make a choice in school (we were forced to participate in one or the other).
I guess I preferred to get hit than to run around a field all day. LOL Maybe that's the short answer. Americans would rather be hit by a 300 pound linebacker than to run around a field with limited substitutions for 90 minutes. LOL |
| Ron you are right. I just think its more of a kids sport and we here get board to have to watch it.
I am a football fan. no baseball No golf No tennis Sorry!!!!!! |
| Another reason would be that we're not poor like other countries. We can afford other sports. I guess it's cultural differences as well as far as what you grow up with. |
| Thats a good question...all the kids i know have been in or are in soccer....my niece had a scholarship to ASU on a soccer scholarship and made the US womens team but blew her knee out and is now soccer free.....
She is the only one that I know continues to love to watch the sport...most kids grow out of it before highschool....and lets face it, little kid ANY sport is more fun to watch....but I find adult soccer the same as every other sport...b.o.r.i.n.g. unless its sport shopping  |
| I think that we, as Americans, are used to a faster paced, high offense game with lots of excitement. Subtlety and finesse are not some of our more prized attributes so watching a game like that for 90 minutes is a little much.
I can tell you that there are people out there trying to make it more exciting. I actually work as the music director for a USL-2 soccer team and one reason that I work there is to make the game more exciting. Technically, my job is to be a party dj during the slow parts and get people all riled up in between. In essence, I'm the person who plays "CHARGE". Before I was with this team, I was music director for a now defunct indoor soccer team. Indoor soccer is faster paced and higher scoring, due in part to the smaller field and there being boards. They also have a different idea of what the game should be. It's more entertaining. Most teams have cheerleaders and contests and general frivolity during the game. Outdoor people see their game as more traditional and focused. When this team came into being a few years ago, the GM wanted to make it a 'sports entertainment experience' and therefor, he brought me along. I play tons of music during the game, lots of fun stuff that people can sing along too and stuff that amuses me  because if I'm bored the whole thing goes downhill! We also do little contests and things to keep the fans up and ready to cheer when the good stuff happens.
We also have lots of sponsors and a party area where people can walk around and socialize during the game because who really enjoys metal bleachers? I think this kind of 'Americanizing' of the game will make it much more popular. One more thing, numbers are growing; both attendance and participation. The USL has many divisions, including a women's league and they are doing a lot to really push youth soccer so that the kids who play in a league on Sunday during elementary school will want to stick with it as far as they can go and if they can't play, they will want to go watch a professional game. |
| soccer seems to be doing ok here in Canada, granted more small folk are into it but the older ones are starting to enjoy it also, my favorite sport is Lacrosse followed by hockey . |
Maxmm wrote: I think that we, as Americans, are used to a faster paced, high offense game with lots of excitement.
I agree, HOWEVER...if that is indeed the case then why is baseball "America's favorite past time"? And what about golf?? They are both dreadfully slow sports to watch, IMO. |
It is not as popular as Aussie Rules football and Rugby here, but it is gaining in numbers. I just find it not very exciting as it seems to take forever for them to score a goal if any at all.  |
Maxmm wrote: I think that we, as Americans, are used to a faster paced, high offense game with lots of excitement. Subtlety and finesse are not some of our more prized attributes so watching a game like that for 90 minutes is a little much. Mandy: I completely agree with your response and want to add that if there were more scoring in a 90 minute soccer match we, Americans would be more interesed. Personally, I think that we, Americans have a shorter attention span when it comes to watching a sport. I value watching someone like a Ronaldhino's footwork or the skill that is required to cross the ball into the net from an odd angle. I suppose more people are into an increasing score and resolution. Maxmm wrote: Indoor soccer is faster paced and higher scoring, due in part to the smaller field and there being boards. They also have a different idea of what the game should be. It's more entertaining. I wanted to add here, being a player of both indoor and outdoor soccer that indoor is much faster, there is more scoring and it is more painful for the players on the pitch. I come home with multiple bruises after an indoor soccer match and it is always the older ladies with the major aggression issues. (I play women's masters Over 30) If indoor was televised it might garner more attention than outdoor, merely because it is faster and the element of violence. Maxmm wrote: One more thing, numbers are growing; both attendance and participation. The USL has many divisions, including a women's league and they are doing a lot to really push youth soccer so that the kids who play in a league on Sunday during elementary school will want to stick with it as far as they can go and if they can't play, they will want to go watch a professional game.
Soccer is affordable to watch and that is why most of my adult friends have season tickets to DC United games, not Ravens games, Orioles, Wizards or Redskins. Corporations buying tickets for basketball, baseball and football have driven ticket prices so high that it is not affordable for the average family to attend a game. Soccer may grow in popularity in the US for it's ticket affordability. J: Because I like you so much I am not going to address the fact that you insinuated soccer is a poor man's sport. Lol. |
| I think it's on the rise. And I think it may take something like having David Beckham come here (and maybe a few others) to give it a charge and into the spotlight. It's like Tiger Woods and golf--unless you were REALLY into golf, most people could care less and would never watch it--until Tiger came along and reenergized the whole sport. It was looked at in an entirely different light.
I think it also isn't as popular because of tradition. It is a relatively new addition to the American sports stage, so it has to contend with the already existing and popular sports like baseball, football and basketball. A lot of those fans come from having their dad watch a certain team, so the kids like that team, and on and on...soccer hasn't really had that opportunity yet. I hope that soccer starts getting more attention, as it is such a great sport. I know it's kind of big here, but we also don't have any other professional sports teams (meaning baseball or football, although we do have a minor league baseball team that is 'big news' ) |
| i am a rugby league fan.. american style rugby (aka american football) is considered a girls game where rugby players are concerned.. so if by the " americans like fast paced, high action games" why isnt rugby more popular than American football?
rugby > all other sports =P as for football (its not soccer its football =P).. tbh.. think Fred nailed it spot on.. but come on.. its a heck of alot more interesting then cricket.. and thats popular around the rest of the world as well..  |
Vicki & George wrote: Joahaeyo wrote: Another reason would be that we're not poor like other countries. We can afford other sports. I guess it's cultural differences as well as far as what you grow up with. I think it is probably cultural differences but I wouldn't say that most of Europe is poor however football (soccer) is huge there! Actually, it was not meant to offend. It was meant as a true statement. In most countries, soccer is played because it's a game they CAN afford. You just need a few trash cans as goals and a ball. What's the only thing the kids in iraq ask the troops to give them? A soccer ball. The troops always play football there. The iraqis that work with them (security forces or translators) have no interest. I can say that about the majority of places that have it as their game. I did not say all countries. |
| It didn't offend it just seemed a sweeping statement!! |
MissingMurphy wrote: Maxmm wrote: I think that we, as Americans, are used to a faster paced, high offense game with lots of excitement. I agree, HOWEVER...if that is indeed the case then why is baseball "America's favorite past time"? And what about golf?? They are both dreadfully slow sports to watch, IMO. This is easy to me. Americans don't like when 0-0 ties. Looking at the standings of various soccker leagues at any point in time... several teams in each league will have over a third of their games ending in ties. We just won't buy games that end indecisively that often because we like to see scoring. Even in our major sports such as football, baseball, and basketball... we've seen the games tweaked to promote more scoring. |
| Its just different strokes for different folks!! |
| Jo hon.. its not cause its all they can afford.. its cause its popular..
american football is only popular here in the US.. no where else to any real degree.. proper football is popular in the rest of the world.. it has nothing to do with wealth.. if you base it on your assumption it only takes a football and some trash cans what not.. then baseball would be the cheapest.. baseball n stick.. any stick.. but it isnt as popluar as proper football.. you are right about then "have to have a winner".. from early age americans get it pounded into their head that they have to win.. cant accept a lose or a draw.. must win at all costs.. hence why a game that at times is against evenly matched teams and results in a draw dissapoints americans who feel the urge to always have that win.. |
Joahaeyo wrote: Vicki & George wrote: Joahaeyo wrote: Another reason would be that we're not poor like other countries. We can afford other sports. I guess it's cultural differences as well as far as what you grow up with. I think it is probably cultural differences but I wouldn't say that most of Europe is poor however football (soccer) is huge there! Actually, it was not meant to offend. It was meant as a true statement. In most countries, soccer is played because it's a game they CAN afford. You just need a few trash cans as goals and a ball. What's the only thing the kids in iraq ask the troops to give them? A soccer ball. The troops always play football there. The iraqis that work with them (security forces or translators) have no interest. I can say that about the majority of places that have it as their game. I did not say all countries. I don't think it being cheap has much to do with football/american soccer being popular around the world. People, kids especially, can be very resourceful. All you need to play american football is a football. All you need for baseball is a stick and a ball. Basketball all you need is a ball and a makeshift basket. Kids make up games with whatever they have around. |
| While I don't think it's the only reason they play and never said that, I agree to disagree. ...and you need a lot more to play football esp since we're not just talking kids. |
Joahaeyo wrote: While I don't think it's the only reason they play and never said that, I agree to disagree. ...and you need a lot more to play football esp since we're not just talking kids.
Well, kids are the only ones playing football/soccer with a ball and trash cans. Plenty of grownups in the US play american football with nothing but the ball. |
| Soccer is actually really big in a lot of underground subcultures, in chicago all the skinhead/mod kids love the Chicago Fire and there's a lot of mimicry of the soccer hooligan style.
Americans also tend to like things that they invented, so the fact that we invented american football and baseball makes it "our" sport. And sports really do encompass an 'us' vs. 'them' mentality. And anyone who says baseball is a slow sport better watch it! |
| I think soccer is the greatest game on the planet. I have played & coached at almost every level and have been to multiple World Cups and National team games, both men's and women's. If it wasn't for soccer I would not have been exposed to as many people, places or things as I have. So I am biased. But, because of my time in and growing up with the game, I understand why people don't like watching.
Why soccer isn't a top sport in the US: 1. The entertainment market is saturated with too many sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, etc). Time and the dollar can only be stretched so far. 2. The majority of Americans have short attention spans, they can only pay to attention to a football play (with its finality after each tackle (10 seconds tops)), each pitch (with its finality after a hit or a strike/ball (1 second)), or after each basket made (24 seconds)). 2 45 minute halves is brutal, especially when, in their eyes, nothing is happening for those 90 minutes. 3. Self-admitted, the game can be slow and boring at times. But you need to understand the game and the nuances of each small play to recocognize the brilliance of the game. Personally, I think baseball is only good for the World Series (when the Red Sox are playing) and for drinking beer in the sun with friends. It's just guys sitting around eating sunflower seeds and chewing bubblegum. The people who are keeping stats of everything from pitches to defensive movement recognize the small things in baseball as much as I recognize someone taking on another player in the middle of the field in soccer. 4. The game is driven by its patriots. Soccer is a world game. Its the end all, be all for some people. The National team is their world. The US does not have that passion. Ask yourself this, when was the last time you paid attention to a true US National team? My guess is the Olympics. We are a country built on immigrants. The game is not for everyone. And with all honesty, most of the people on this board who are not fans now are a lost cause in the eyes of the soccer marketers. It's your sons/daughters, the next generation coming up that they are interested in. They are the ones that are going to grow with the game now and then teach and bring up their sons/daughters in the game. |
Maxmm wrote: I actually work as the music director for a USL-2 soccer team and one reason that I work there is to make the game more exciting.
Good stuff. You must be with the Islanders. At one time I had friends on the Hershey Wildcats. |
| I love to watch soccer and don't care at all for football. I was the quintessential soccer mom, spent many years trekking the kids back and forth. Soccer is the only sport I'll actually watch on TV. |
| One reason baseball became so popular was the fact that you could play it with just a ball and stick and some homemade bases--so you COULD be poor and play. Back before organized sports (I'm meaning like today's youth has) kids would organize their own games and play and they wouldn't have any money for any sort of equipment. |
barney1 wrote: One reason baseball became so popular was the fact that you could play it with just a ball and stick and some homemade bases--so you COULD be poor and play. Back before organized sports (I'm meaning like today's youth has) kids would organize their own games and play and they wouldn't have any money for any sort of equipment.
When I was little all the kids in the neighborhood would play wiffle ball together. We had the ball and bat, but I don't think we ever had real bases...I think we usually used frisbees Every once in awhile we would lose the ball and then had to wait until someone's parents would buy a new one so we could play again. |
Amanda P wrote: barney1 wrote: One reason baseball became so popular was the fact that you could play it with just a ball and stick and some homemade bases--so you COULD be poor and play. Back before organized sports (I'm meaning like today's youth has) kids would organize their own games and play and they wouldn't have any money for any sort of equipment. When I was little all the kids in the neighborhood would play wiffle ball together. We had the ball and bat, but I don't think we ever had real bases...I think we usually used frisbees Every once in awhile we would lose the ball and then had to wait until someone's parents would buy a new one so we could play again. Same here!
Although I was mostly referring to the 1920s and that era  |
Fred,CanYouSeeMe? wrote: Soccer is affordable to watch and that is why most of my adult friends have season tickets to DC United games. We just beat DC United in Open Cup play and most of the talk on their forums involved them hating our radio guys, our PA Announcer and ME!!! I think they would have been nicer if they'd have won. P.S. Their radio guy was pseudo nice, joking around and all but kind of slimey. Our scoreboard guy asked, jokingly, if he had heard any predictions and in his best used car salesman voice he said, " I don't but I read on the internet that we're going to win 37 nothing." I have never seen anyone end their broadcast and pack their gear so fast as he did!!! Fred,CanYouSeeMe? wrote: I wanted to add here, being a player of both indoor and outdoor soccer that indoor is much faster, there is more scoring and it is more painful for the players on the pitch. I come home with multiple bruises after an indoor soccer match and it is always the older ladies with the major aggression issues. (I play women's masters Over 30) If indoor was televised it might garner more attention than outdoor, merely because it is faster and the element of violence. I played through high school and college and miss it but I only run when persued now. Glad to see more chicks out there!!!! El Gato wrote: Good stuff. You must be with the Islanders. At one time I had friends on the Hershey Wildcats.
You got it and we've got a game tonight so I should probably get off the internet and get ready! |
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