2006-06-28 06:26:30 · 16 answers · asked by GrandmaW 3 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ FIFA World Cup (TM)
To answer your question: soccer is more popular around the world, therefore even foreigners have more recognition than Americans. Americans appreciate and recognize the USA soccer team - but not nearly as much as other sports here in America.
The culprit: Money. There is very little incentive for someone to excel in soccer, here in America - as an athlete, because it just doesn't pay well , compared to the top 4 sports and other sports that may not be as "popular", but more lucrative, like tennis.
MLS was quite popular in the 70's here in America - largely due to Pele playing here at the end of his career. It went bankrupt and defunct - due to the competition of other sports literally out paying and out marketing soccer. 11 years ago - corporations, led by new MLS execs brought back MLS and have had a good amount of success, considering they started at "zero" again.
USA soccer and MLS still dont have the power of the dollar, for TV revenue and stadium revenue, when compared to all other sports, but again that is slowly changing.
I personally believe if more money is out behind TV contracts, during the summer (between NBA/NHL and NFL) - their only competition is baseball. MOst baseball contracts for TV are regionally based - which in my opinion is an opportunity for MLS to market and capture a national TV audience. Unless my Mets are on TV - here in Atlanta (about 30-40 games a year) - I may watch another baseball game, but would be more inclined to watch a good MLS match if nothing else is on. Luckily the Atlanta MLS team just completed their stadium 10 miles form my condo - so I will be going to games.
In America - it is all about the dollar when it comes to sports. If and when MLS spends the money and pays players on par with other major sports - to develop the best talent form their youth - then we will see soccer take off. Considering Americas Latino population (great soccer lovers - paying fans) is growing , Europes population here and quality athletes out of 300 Millio people - soccer will take off in America. I believe the 2010 USA team will be far ahead of the past 4 WC teams - in talent, expectations and success.
2006-06-28 06:57:34 · answer #1 · answered by goododie4 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the world does not appreciate American Soccer. I'm for USA but soccer is just not the thing over here. Your question is an understatement and not a fact but an opinion.
2006-06-28 06:30:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its starting to catch on. Recent successes have led to more interest and even a professional league is now in the works. America has always been very egotistical when it comes to sports so it takes a while for Americans to even understand that this is the biggest sport in the world.... not football(American) or even our beloved baseball which is truly a Japanese pasttime as well.
2006-06-28 06:34:06 · answer #3 · answered by hittrail 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah what u say USA is the best team brazil first dough what could mexico do got beaten by brazil 3-0 last time and USA at least scored 2 to 3
2016-03-27 07:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because soccer is low scoring, even though the net is huge. There is not much action, and americans tend to like more contact sports.
2006-06-28 06:35:56 · answer #5 · answered by TAF 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the world dosen't appreciate the american team.
Neither the Italians nor the Czechs new the names of the american players. The players here in the us just suck thats all.
2006-06-28 06:52:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because we have other excitin sports to worry about and we think that soccer is borin because when you play soccer you dont score easily like all the other sports...i think thats why we dont appreciate soccer...because we think soccer is borin we dont appriciate or recognize our USA soccer team
2006-06-28 06:32:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because Soccer is just a kids sport here and not taken seriously. it will never crack the top 4 sports so i dont know why we have spent soo much money on a child;s toy
2006-06-28 06:30:07 · answer #8 · answered by futurehero5200 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do!!! i love the world cup and our soccer team. at least we had the best jerseys even though we had the absolute worst refs who im pretty sure made all efforts so we wouldnt make it the next round.
2006-06-28 06:30:38 · answer #9 · answered by standstill 22 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are other sports that are traditionally more important to us since our origins were in Europe. Now, soccer is catching on.
2006-06-28 06:29:52 · answer #10 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋