2007-03-05 01:39:07 · 26 answers · asked by surfer_ade_uk 2 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ Other - Football
It already is!!!
there is a team in every major city , some have more than one.
...... most people don't comment about soccer, because they don't know enough to sound halfway intelligent about it...
the others are smart enough not to talk to those ignorant people !!!
it's no. 1 in the world,,,,,,,that's even bigger than NASCAR (for all the inbreds out there)!!!
2007-03-05 01:47:01 · answer #1 · answered by DOC Holliday 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It has shown a steady increase in fan base, TV ratings, and merchandising over the last 11 years. They have to be doing something right to be open for business for 11 years. Most American kids are playing soccer by age 5. So the foundation is there for it to become huge.
The problem is that it is a very difficult game to follow. People get bored because they do not see a goal. True soccer fans are excited by the sheer beauty of the game. You have to have played competitively to understand what skill it takes to do some of those things out there.
To answer your question, a resounding yes, here are the facts. The country is becoming more and more culturally diverse. This means more Brits, Mexicans, Italians, etc. As this happens their passion for the game comes with them. Look at a DC united game, all sorts of culture there. Stands are filling up a little each game.
Construction of new "soccer only stadiums", with more on the drawing board. Salt lake is paying for one. Money means interest.
ESPN has taken strong notice to the demand. More coverage, news, etc.
Give it 10 years and it will be above hockey and basketball. Both these leagues are dying.
2007-03-05 15:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by steven9892ataol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will, but not as big as here in the UK or as big as American football or Baseball.
Soccer has been around for ages at the youth level, but never at the same level as (American) football, baseball or basketball. By the time I left West Virginia - a state proud of it's college football and high school basketball - soccer was becoming more and more popular. I think boys and girls teams started at my school the year after I graduated.
Since the creation of Major League Soccer a few years ago, it's popularity has increased even more, and with players like Beckham joining the league, it can only grow.
However, as we Americans are pretty hard-headed, we'll stick with what we know and understand best, and as such I very much doubt that soccer will ever be "huge"....and don't even try to get us to understand cricket!
2007-03-05 09:53:38 · answer #3 · answered by hvmorfun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will always wallow in the wake of the tremendous interest in American Football in the States. Add to this the interest in basketball and, to a lesser extent, baseball, and you are presented with a major inhibition to the growth of soccer. Brazil's Pele and a host of other big names tried to introduce the professional game back in the 70's. Those efforts died a death. However, there is a crumb of comfort - youngsters are playing the game - they can be seen kicking footballs on most every spare piece of ground. And the USA's women's soccer team are world beaters.
Now David Beckham has been enlisted to try to break the deadlock. All the elements are there, including immigrants from soccer-playing countries who will have an influence. But, and it's a big but, will the major networks and the likes of HBO put their financial muscle behind it?
2007-03-05 11:01:13 · answer #4 · answered by Rainman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is becoming big, just as the world is becoming small. There are now players in the NBA from China, Argentina, France, and many other countries. There are Korean, Japanese, and South American baseball players. Other countries are mastering "American" sports, just as America is beginning to master soccer. Recently there were 64,000 spectaters at the USA vs. Mexico game, and it was an authentic soccer crowd---full of energy, color and passion. It's going to happen.
2007-03-05 10:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by playmaker4747 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not because the average american watches football and baseball. It might get a little bit more popular seeing how Beckham is joining Galaxy but it still isnt enough to save the MLS or soccer in total.
2007-03-05 11:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by dark_black_abyss 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not impossible since soccer has become the most watched sport in the planet.
The other thing is that the fact Beckam is heading towards there it will just push many to go there.
Thanx!
2007-03-05 09:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by Invasion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the Americans are not the best in the world at it.
If it was going to catch on it would have done so after the 1994 World Cup, which was staged there with the sole intention of selling the sport.
2007-03-05 09:56:23 · answer #8 · answered by Gerbil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the game is far too complicated, tactics, offside etc for the yanks to understand.
Also unless a game has scores which reach into the 100's they're unable to comprehend it.
No doubt there will be surge of interest before they all return to American Football which simply involves one bloke throwing the ball whilst everyone else runs into each other.
2007-03-05 09:44:39 · answer #9 · answered by RRM 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do wish for that, hopefully in my life time we will see huge crowds at MLS games. If Americans will take the time and learn the game (all the aspects, not just the score) we will see more Americans begin to enjoy and love soccer(Futbol)
But for now, I want a MLS team in Phoenix!!!!!!!
2007-03-05 13:40:58 · answer #10 · answered by azsoccerfan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋