I have many facts that make me think that soccer is taking a considerable leap into popularity...
1. Many US owners from Football to Basketball to Baseball teams are investing serious money on English soccer teams... Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Aston Villa
2. There been a few MLS teams doing partnerships with Europeans teams... such as Colorado Rapids.. which got deal with Arsenal.
3. I think in the next few years... many top players will follow the steps of David Beckham... to come in to the MLS..
4. Almost every MLS franchise has or is constructing their own stadiums.. plus the league is expanding with Salt Lake and Chivas USA last year and Toronto in 2007.
5. TV networks are getting more rights to show soccer... ESPN, ABC and Univision (spanish) had the rights over every world cup game.. plus they will have the deal for the 2007 Gold Cup, i think Copa America, Champions League and EuroCup 2008 too.
There are a few other things, but i would like to know your opinion?
2007-02-09 07:18:52 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football ➔ Other - Football
Are you Frieking Kidding? the guy who said Ronaldinhio will follow Beckham is seriously retarded. Footbal (or soccer) is definitley catching on though. People are starting to jump on the bandwagon.
I honestly think that by 2010, the US will have a humongous soccer program. Not only that, but I agree that other TV stations will start broadcasting soccer.
2007-02-09 08:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by pda_tech_guy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that soccer is necessarily becoming more popular in the US. You are right in that it is becoming more visible. Until it become financially viable here, this debate will continue. In my experience there are two kinds of Americans: those that love soccer and those that hate it. It has always been that way and probably always will. Not to sound like a pessimist, but I am old enough now to have witnessed the "soccer is about to be popular in the states" rhetoric several times. In my opinion I don't really care if the sport ever achieves popularity here because I know I can always go to any other country in the world where the sport thrives. Also, I disagree with ESPN using goals from EPL, Champions League, etc. for the top ten plays without even showing full highlights from the games.
2007-02-09 08:07:16 · answer #2 · answered by Isolater 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's getting bigger but it will never get big enough. I spend my summers living in Europe and my hometown team there's just a passion, almost a live/die when they play and the whole city shuts down. The US is just too diverse to concentrate on 1 sport and although I do believe the MLS will become better over time, it will never be a top world league. As for the US national team, the win vs Mexico was a big step and showed we're just not a 1 shot deal but we still have a LONG way if we want to make a run at a world cup. Until we win a World Cup, I doubt any average american will know much about the MLS or soccer in general.
2007-02-09 07:47:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every time I start to think that it is getting popular, I have a let down. I used to own season tickets for the Metrostars but now the novelty wore off. They just don't have the talent and flair that the really really good players do to make it entertaining. Like Ronaldinho. Whenever he gets the ball I cannot breathe because I might miss something spectacular. If the the league didn't consist of such huge Americans playing defense so good, then it would be better. They need to let the forwards run a little. They should be booked earlier for stopping players. I know its not really fair and it can't really honestly be done, but look what happened when the NFL started clamping down on pass interference. The receivers were given more freedom because the cornerbacks and safetys had to back off. The defense should back off, let the forwards play, score more goals and gain some confidence in challenging defenders more. But to finally answer the question. I think it is getting more popular, but by the time it hits big time and competes with basketball, football, and baseball, I will be in the grave.
2007-02-09 07:41:43 · answer #4 · answered by Ed T 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Soccer is becoming popular.
Don't listen to the naysayers. Look at the facts. The big jump was first hit when the women's US national team played against China in the women's world cup.
USA (women's) v China in Pasadena with 70,000 fans
USA v Mexico - in Phoenix with 69,000 fans
Summer friendlies with Barca, Man U, Real Madrid etc - all sell out in first day to the tune of 50,000 plus fans across the US
Rising attendance for MLS matches.
LA Galaxy sold 1000 season tickets the day Beckham was announced.
US soccer is not going to explode overnight, but US demographics are changing dramatically. The fastest growing segment is Hispanic. Second is Asian. There are also notable numbers of European and other regions with a strong soccer proclivity. These demographics scream Soccer, not traditions like baseball, basketball, and the American misnomer - football (with the hands). US soccer growth is a sure thing. It just needs time.
2007-02-09 08:23:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How can a country that calls football "soccer" ever love the sport as much as the rest of the world does? Football may be experiencing a popularity spurt in North America right now, but it will not last. America loves its own (American) "football," basketball and hockey too much. It will never be the most popular sport, the beautiful game that it is, like in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Unless every MLS team is willing to pay players as much as Los Angeles Galaxy paid Beckham, no one is going to move to America.
2007-02-09 09:49:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You guys can list facts and numbers all day, but the simple fact is the sports is not attracting any fans from other sports. Soccer is not in demand. It is starving for some attention and is doing everything it can to get some.
All of the things you see happening is a huge risk being taken by a lot of investors who really want soccer to make it this time around.
There is a ton of money being poured in to prevent the MLS from folding like it did in the 70's. Don't be fooled.
It's still ranked the 7th most popular sport in the US. That should be the number one indicator that the sport is not growing. Once again don't be fooled.
2007-02-09 08:44:22 · answer #7 · answered by Surfer Boy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gee, Rich I'm sorry we don't live in a country dominated by one sport. It feels good to have a choice and not be obsessed with one sport.
As for soccer in the US there's no hope from the sport to gain the attention of new fans that already love other sports. Soccer just isn't appealing to Americans as a whole and that's never going to change regardless of who they bring over here.
I could poll 100+ people on the sports site and they would not have a clue as to who won the MLS championship. But people on Mars know who won the Super Bowl.
2007-02-09 08:31:05 · answer #8 · answered by Son of Krypton 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guys let's be realistic. Until soccer surpasses hockey as being the 4th ranked sport in the US no television station in their right mind will show soccer ahead of any of the major sports in the US. I don't care how many networks are interested in soccer they will never bump a major sport to show soccer over it.
Soccer simply doesn't have a big enough viewer fan base.
The game of soccer just isn't that appealing to Americans.
And I'm not sure all of these promo stunts will make any difference other than excite already soccer fans. Good luck.
2007-02-09 08:56:40 · answer #9 · answered by Æon Flux 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Soccer is growing amongst it's own fans. It has not attracted any more fans to the game than those that already follow the sport.
As of today soccer is ranked "7th" behind golf and Nascar. And that's with Nascar being on the rise daily.
Let's not confuse publicity stunts and pushes with popularity.
2007-02-09 08:20:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋