Why is soccer so underrated in the U.S?

Question

I love soccer and i hate not to see it in this country.

Answer 1

America as a whole, is a rich country, our youth grow up buying football pads, baseball mits, basketball shoes and the like, Kids in poorer countries, they play what they can afford, how much is one soccer ball to give 20 kids entertainment? I think that the relative ease of being able to play attracts young kids of other cultures. It is definitely a culture thing.
I recently went on a missions trip to Guatemala, and had the opportunity to visit a relatively poor city (by America's standards) and play soccer with some kids there. Most of the kids had at most 3 pairs of clothes, but they all had soccer balls, and they enjoyed playing so very much.
Who ever said that it takes half a brain, has just that, themselves. Soccer takes as much skill as any other sport. And just as much coordination, if not more. I would like to see you try and play on the same field as the likes of Pele or Ronaldo or Ronaldinho. Do you think it is by accident that soccer is the most widely played and watched sport in the World? How many other sports have an internationally recognized tournament every so often? Soccer is a great sport.

Answer 2

Underrated? No way, The USA already has a World Cup (the feminine one, has organized a World Cup with stadiums packed,is the only nation of CONCACAF, that is the regional body attached to FIFA to ever reach semifinals, ok, way back in 1930, is a World Cup regular since 1990. Soccer is also well extended among the white middle and upper classes in America, ask any soccermom who drives a BMW or Mercedes any Saturday morning to practice. Arguments on soccer being a low scoring game are not exact, f. e. a basketball player gets 2 points for a basket, what if he only gets one, and football, how many points for a touchdown ? a football score of 21 to 7 is merely equivalent of a 3 to 1, that if a team converts the extra point after a touchdown. You only need half a brain and a leg to play soccer? Try scoring a goal with a bycicle kick or dribble your opponents from midfield , strategies for those who think that soccer can be played with half a brain; ok, exercise the missing half of your brain with a 4-4-2 , a WM or a 4-3-3

Answer 3

I definately agree with the commercialization response earlier.

One reason is developing athletes chose football & baseball & can't do soccer as well b/c the seasons run at the same time. The reason a lot of people prefer football is because it's a "tough guy" sport & every young boy wants to grow up tough. I also think it's easier to play football because there's a position for any athlete... fast & agile-running back, big & strong (even slow)- line man, ya get the idea. Soccer requires everyone to have footwork skills, which are harder to develop than catching or throwing a ball because you do them seperate from your feet while running, rather than run & fake out opponents while controling a ball with your feet. Also, it's too much running for most people.

And to the people who say soccer isn't rough, I've seen 4 concussions (one guy was out cold for a few), a keeper w/ a hole in his face after being kicked (his teeth cut clean through his lip big enough his thumb fit through), broken finger, & 2 blown knees all in one high school season when I played.

But soccer is gaining popularity & i love it!

Answer 4

I believe a country's affinity for sports depends on what its kids play growing up. In the U.S., more kids play football, baseball, and basketball than soccer. In other parts of the world, the kids play soccer. Those preferences play a large role in what those kids like to watch or do when they grow up.

I think a better illustration of this principle is hockey, where many of the world's great players come from cold weather climates.

Answer 5

The reason is pretty simple.

Compared to the rest of the world, we suck.

People don't understand the game well enough in America, and don't have the patience to watch a 90 minute game. Even though we spend 3-4 hours watching Monday Night Football.

It's just not popular here. Sad, I know. At least we have Premiership Soccer to watch.

Answer 6

We as Americans are way too impatient. Soccer is the greatest sport in the world, but we can't sit and watch without seeing a goal every 2 seconds.

Answer 7

Americans love to see offense. More and more scoring ! They love baseball games that end with the score 12-11. Football games with the score 45-42. Basketball games 164-162. But soccer ? Maybe, 3-2 ? Not enough scoring.

Answer 8

Many Americans prefer more traditional patriotic sports such as football and Baseball, forcing soccer to a limited crowd, not gaining respect of the rest of red blooded America. Another reason is that the American public isn't too fond for our overseas allies.

Answer 9

I think it is a culture thing. Maybe. We do not seem to be so open minded to other things. For the sake of making a point. In a country like England you learn many different languages. Here in the states we really do not have to learn anything but English. we do not push ourselves to be prideful of that which is "unamerican".

I think soccer is alright. The players actually do stuff in that game. American Football is 20 minutes of prep. Not even a minute of play. 20 MORE minutes of review. And then the cycle repeats. It seems more boring to me. In soccer the players actually run around kicking a ball and they have to dodge each other. Make passes and make goOOOOOOOOOOOals!

Answer 10

The U.S. has enough well established sports, and frankly (and I am Irish...) soccer is dull compared with American Football (or rugby or cricket for that matter).

I played soccer as a child, met Pele, spent a lot of time at San Jose Earthquakes games (back some thirty or forty years ago)....

And nothing changes - soccer is dull... and as one of my friends put it... its unduly based on a completely random element (shoot offs) rather than talent in deciding a match.

I do appreciate your point... I just don't see it changing in the US for a least a couple of generations.

-dh