Why is soccer (football) unpopular here in the USA?

Answer 1

ignorance and stupidity???

haha...

or maybe cause the united states is obsessed with being number 1 always on top, the best of the best...and they know that in soccer, that is impossible for them. so they would rather focus on sports where their only competition is themselves (american football, baseball, etc)....that way they will always be the winners (and the loser at the same time). in soccer, they have TONS of competition so they just play with mediocrity....cause why bother trying when you know youre gonna lose each and every time???

I LOVE FOOTBALL/SOCCER!! its pretty much the only sport that matters.

Answer 2

I think it's due to a variety of reasons, not just one. First and foremost, the MLS stinks. The majority of the MLS players wouldn't even be good enough to be on many European teams benches. The MLS is just a bad product and people aren't stupid.

Second and probably more importantly, it just lacks appeal to the common American sportsfan. Corporate America, the media, and other outlets have tried to force feed soccer to us and it's just not working. Sure we have thousands of 6 to 14 year olds in youth soccer leagues but then they hit a wall. Nobody goes to see them play, as opposed to being on the football, baseball, or basketball teams.

Add to this the fact that via satellite and cable, we are able to see European teams,as well as Mexican and other South American teams, play almost on a weekly basis, and American soccer here in the United States is doomed.

The sad fact is that 4 years ago the United States made it to the Final 8 and you could hear the crickets chirp away. Had it been Mexico, or Angola for that matter, it would of been a national holiday. Just picture it this way, while most of the civilized world watched Zidane headbutt Materazzi, most of American television viewers were counting down the days for the next new episode of The Sopranos or American Idol.

Answer 3

Honestly, the stigma that is unpopular is some what untrue. It is unpopular in the media, not with the mass public. The media is run by New Yorkers (I'm hating on New York can you tell I'm from Chicago?) who have no room to view the beautiful game where it should be played and who are fat and money grubbing people. They don't like soccer because it is immediately gratifying. Americans want mediate gratification and are infatuated with quick results do not understand the beauty that is a perfectly built and executed attack, nor understand the patients and strategy it takes. As a third generation American, and a future section 8 member I find it insulting to here that it is unpopular. P.S. Fire til I die, Fire till I die, I know I am I'm sure I am, a fire till i die.

Answer 4

Here is my theory, I think Americans like sports with short plays:

If you look at Basketball it doesn't take long for the ball to get scored... and a new play begins.

The same goes for Football, the quarterback throws the ball it gets caught a quick tackle and that is it.

Baseball a pitch, a swing, next play.

The other characteristic American sports like Baseball and Football is that it is easy to distinguish who's attacking and who's defending in Basketball it can change but the plays are so short that it doesn't really matter.

The great thing about soccer is the build up, to see how the spaces get open, it's a dynamic game in which defense can change to offense in a flash.

Answer 5

Soccer is different from the American way of life. Americans like their sports in your face, agressive, always striving towards the goal. We like it fast paced. Americans also like their commercials. A break from the action to go get food or a drink or use the restroom or take or make a phone call. American football fits this image and is one reason why it's very popular. The offense is always trying to score. The defense is trying to stop them. The action is fast paced but also punctuated with frequent breaks. The games are often high scoring affairs. It is not unusual to see a team score 30 or more points.

Soccer is more laid back. The games are often low-scoring. Offense isn't always about going foward to the goal. Sometimes the ball is hit back towards your own goal. Players regroup and revise their strategy. Soccer doesn't have a play clock that stops every fifteen minutes and for commercials either.

Answer 6

Soccer unites people in Europe (and many other world countries) the way Football (American) unites people in the states.

America really appreciates the non-official, official language of "English" and American Football between the states is a great way to unite us and for us to call each other names in English ... just some good ol' fun.

Since Europe and nations like Brazil are accustomed to multi languages, it is a great way to have the same rivalry with other nations and keep a childlike competition worldwide (with multiple languages).

sidenote: Another problem that soccer is not all that popular in the USA is because there a 3 major sports that fill our year: Basketball, Football, and Baseball. Also there are alot of children in the USA that play soccer just as much as any other sport, but they don't like to watch it on TV because soccer is marketed like it should be there fore Americans have no interest in watching soccer.

Answer 7

Low scoring, diving, not enough action, seen as a "foreign" game and why would it be popular as a spectator sport unless Pele comes back? After all, I can spend my $ to see the BEST baseball, football, basketball and hockey players and teams...I'm certainly not interested in watching MLS (minor league soccer). Bring back the NASL and then we'll talk.

Answer 8

because US of A is only focud on the sport that they invented, and its a shame though, cause Ameriac is loosing out on a Billion dolor industry. USA have a good world cup team, but they will do better if they get support from everyone american, but MLS don't get the same support that NBA, MJB and NFL.

Answer 9

Football is too slow moving for us americans. we get bored if there isn't scoring every five minutes. It'll get big in the next decade or two. the youth programs are unbelievable right now and that will grow.

Answer 10

In Europe it's very popular.