If the US government actively promoted soccer as a national sport do you think the national team would become one of the top ten clubs in world football (Soccer)? (I ask this in relation to the excellent facilities and funding/financial backing they get over in the US compared to the UK etc)
2007-08-16 04:57:17 · 15 answers · asked by skullpicker 3 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
I dont think its to do with government promotion, its part of the culture of the country. That takes decades and as you saw in '94 USA was not ready.....and still isn't. Beckham is playing for a pub team and is only there because his wife wants a movie career.
2007-08-16 10:49:46 · answer #1 · answered by peaco1000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not the government involved.
I definitely think the USA has the athletes and resources to be one of the top ten clubs in world football (Soccer), but the problem is the USA has so many other options for these athletes (from high-profile sports like American football, basketball, baseball to lesser-profile sports like volleyball, x-games type sports, etc) that pay a lot more and are a lot better respected (for some reason) than soccer.
2007-08-16 05:19:30 · answer #2 · answered by The Corinthian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but it would take several years. First, we have to increase the popularity of the sport in order to get more people to play... to play beyond childhood, that is. I believe more American kids play soccer than American football. After that, soccer isn't perceived as being tough or macho enough. That's when boys switch to A.f. and slowly drop out of soccer.
Anyhow, once you get more kids to continue playing during their teen and adult years, then you'll see more high caliber players to choose from and more people willing to pay to attend games. The money has to come from somewhere. Until that happens, we'll still just be mediocre.
A.f. continues to be the most popular sport for several reasons. First, back in the '70's "Monday Night Football" was introduced on tv. (Not that it wasn't popular before then, but this was, imho, a driving factor in the insane popularity of the sport today.) This led to an increase in it's popularity, and more people wanted to actually attend games. This led to an increase in profits. The increased popularity and ability to make money led to schools pushing the sport hoping to make more money for the school. Then there's the stardom and personal wealth that comes with being a star player. That draws even more players away from other sports.
So soccer doesn't just have to comete against other sports; it has to compete against the potential for players' personal popularity and wealth. That's tough to beat with the "get rich quick without having to think" attitude of America.
Again, this is just my take on it. I'm a female American who prefers soccer. I've seen male friends who were great soccer players leave the sport to be popular but mediocre A.f. players. Ugh!
2007-08-16 05:25:43 · answer #3 · answered by MJ3000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if that happens. There are millions of people in this country, so with more people playing, it will only be a matter of time before US men's is in the top 10. Remember that the Women's national side is already arguably #1 right now (which shows the amount of talent that already exists), so why not the men?
2007-08-16 12:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Football, or soccer as they insist on calling it here, just isn't in the culture. Although I now live in the States I would absolutely hate it if the US won the World Cup simply because it would mean very little to the average man on the street and if anything would only increase his arrogance towards other countries.
2007-08-16 05:34:35 · answer #5 · answered by Golf Alpha Nine-seven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the US needs to get creative and come up with a new style of play, as you can see the Dutch mastered "total football" and when you see the US play in the world cup we are outplayed because the teams are quicker then us, its just hte US tactics we need to work on, because we have the money and the talent
2007-08-16 05:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by Tyler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll tell you what the US gov't should actively promote. Improving domestic and foreign policy. Damn legislators eat a huge one in my opinion, I better hear that we're getting free health care first before i even catch so much as a sniff about soccer from this administration.
As far as the USA being a strong national side, I scoff at that sir!
2007-08-16 07:22:16 · answer #7 · answered by Eddie Boi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look,USA has reached a good place between world's national teams and soccer became a popular sport in USA,but i don't think it will make it 2 the top ten:U can't pass Brazil,Italy,Germany,Argentina,
France,England,Spain,
Netherlands,Pourtogal,Mexico,
Uraguay,Ghana,Cameroon,Japan,
Croatia,Czech republic,Sweden,
Cote di ivoire and other countries even if USA's ranking now is better than some of these countries.
2007-08-16 06:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by Sherif 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As success in this sport is really measured by money, the US will well as they have more money than most other nations to throw at it in the form of the best players....sadly.
2007-08-16 05:04:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no i dnt think it will be a very good team.it wont be in top 6 for sure.becoz countries like brasil or italy or england its popular becoz dey hav been playin it 4 a very long time bt americans nvr played d game.its nt money dat matters alwayz i think it talent wich matters.
2007-08-16 05:13:41 · answer #10 · answered by tarang n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋